Thursday, June 28, 2007


Yes, this is a total and complete case!!!!! Debbie Olson from Thinking Inking did the tutorial on Copic Marker coloring, and I wanted to learn how to use them. The original link is http://debbiedesigns.typepad.com/muse_and_amuse/2007/06/strawberries-an.html. In my opinion, the best way to learn is to follow exactly the technique before venturing out on your own. Now, I know my next comment will probably ruffle some feathers, but I want to address an issue of stamp snobbery going around! I have been asked by people in the past if they have permission to use an idea, or case a card that I have done. My answer is this: If I post it to share with people, then I want them to take my ideas and run with it. I did not invent most of these ideas! Someone, Somewhere has done the same thing! The whole point of sharing our cards is to give other people ideas so that they can grow as stampers. If they want to case, then as long as credit is given where credit is due, then by all means it is the sincerest form of flattery! As a general rule of thumb, I don't post on Splitcoast a complete case because it should be for the original maker to do. But if elements have been changed, then as far as I'm concerned go ahead and post ,marking down your INSPIRATION ( because at that point that is all it is ! You can't claim ownership to a layout or color scheme!). I am so tired of people getting offended if someone else copies them. If you don't want it to happen then don't post! The whole point of blogging is to share, not just collect comments like jewels on a crown! So please don't get offended with other's for "not asking permission" most of us are flattered as long as we are recognized in the posting. And if you copy me then I am thankful that my ideas were loved by someone other than me! Now just so people know what brought this on, A good blogger friend of mine had a woman e-mail and apologize to her because she had not asked permission to make a similar card holder that was featured in my friends tutorial. This poor woman was besided herself because even though she gave credits she had people commenting that she had no right to post unless she asked permission. No longer was it enough to just give credits and links. This poor woman was going to post a public apology on her blog because of these peoples comments. That is what is getting me steamed! Trust me I also don't like people taking credit for something they didn't do, but there has to be limits. For instance is it necessary to stress the word CASE when you comment on someone else's card that has copied you? ie: " I love how you CASED my card" If the person has already given you credit all that is needed is a simple " This turned out really great" They will know that you appreciate their flattery, and you won't then be sending out the subtle message of 'they are a copier, mines the original'. I don't mean everyone does this, just a few in the bunch that I have noticed as I peruse other peoples cards and comments. So please don't think I'm pointing fingers, just venting on a irritation!
So now that I am done ranting, I hope i managed to do what I set out to do with this case: To color things amazingly well like Debbie! She is phenomenal in coloring, and although I don't think mine looks quite as perfect as hers, I hope that I at least managed to learn some of her shading skills with this tricky medium.
Cheerio and have a great day!!

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Ok, so I had another one of those strange stamping evenings. I started out wanting something different for this weeks challenge. I wanted it to stand out and look great. Instead I got this! It must be residual effects from my lack of catalogue depression lol. Anyways, in a fit of honesty I decided to post it instead of never letting it see the light of day. I am sure we all have our blah cards. To be honest its not that I even hate it, its just that I have no clue what to think of it!\
Card Stock: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Not Quite Navy, Vellum CS, Petals/Paisley DP
ink : Garden Green, OOlive, Rose Red, Brown, Not Quite Navy
Stamps : Big Bloom, Quick Thinking,Papertrey Butterfly Kisses
Acc : Glue pad, AIG Rain Forest glitter, May Art ribbon, silver brads, SEI pink brad,
Prima flowers, White Signo Gel Pen, peircer and mat pack, Diamond Glaze

to start I sponged the main card with GGreen and OOlive. I stamped the greeting and added the brads. The second panel is Not Quite Navy sponged with same, pierced all around and blanket stitch added. It was then matted on CChip. This layer was then adhered. The flower was stamped on the reverse side of the paper, cut out, sponged with Rose Red, and then adhered to CChip. This was the free hand cut to make the border. I pieced a hole in the flower, and stuck the Prima flowers to it with the pink brad, added the ribbon between the flowers, opened the brad backing and adhered the flower to the Navy. The butterfly was stamped with a glue pad on the vellum and then the glitter was applied. A second set of wings in the NQNavy was stamped and cut. The two layers were adhered together with Diamond Glaze and then adhered to card with same glaze. A trail was added with gel pen and a trail freehanded.
Thanks for checking out my blog
and have a happy Wednesday!

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

I am in the depths of despair! The sun will never shine again and I shall never know joy in this cruel, cruel world.........sob, sob, sob!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you haven't figured it out yet, my catalogue did not arrive today. I am angry and despairing at the same time. I am tempted to stalk my postal lady, but am scared that she might then withhold my catalogue as punishment. Is there any justice in this world? How can everyone I know in my Upline and same level have theirs and not me. I must live in the armpit of my province!
Anyway, now that I am done ranting ( to you anyway) I will explain my card.
It is today's Color challenge ( and I barely had the heart to make it). As I moped around my stamp room I decided to use a stamp set that has not yet seen ink!
Stamps: Papertray and Ink Greenthumb, Petals and Paisley's
CS : Cool Caribbean, Marigold, the watcha McCall it Pink, Arturo pink, and Very Vanilla
Ink : Pale Plum, Eggplant, Rose Red, Marigold, Caribbean, Olive, Caramel, Pumpkin, Brown
Acc. : Ranger white liquid pearl, Stickles, Dazzling Diamond, Cuttlebug Textile, Slit Punch,
Gold and Orange brads, gold cording, Pinking decorative scissors.

The card was pretty straight forward, I aged every layer with its own ink color, and then stamped with different elements of the Paisley set. I marked the Marigold card stock with a ruler to get even spacing and cut my slits. I used my Crop-o-dile for the holes and eyelets, and then threaded the cord through. The image was placed over after it was stamped and the greeting added to the corner.
Cheers, and have a great day.

Sunday, June 24, 2007


Ahhh finaly had a bit of a break. My daughter is off to camp for a couple weeks, and I only have my 15 month old at home with me. I love my daughter dearly, but its kinda nice to be free of the schooling responsibility for a couple of weeks. I have spent the past couple of days doing almost nothing. Last night I made up my blog neglect by stamping till 3am. Kinda crazy but well I had to get over a stamping slump. I was having such a hard time, I ditched one card which I accidentally warped with my heat gun trying to curl the organdy ribbon. So in the end all I have to show for myself is one lone card sniff, sniff. So anyways, to the details:
Stamps: Touch of Nature, Fancy Flexible Phrases
CS : Old Olive, Garden Green, Naturals Ivory, CCAramel, CChip, VVanilla
Ink : Garden Green, Caramel, Choc.Chip, Old Olive, Ruby Red, Mustard, Summer Sun
Old Olive, Black, Real Rust,
Acc. : Black Sakura Glaze Pen, Green Swavorsky Crystals, May Art Ribbon, Gold Brads,
Giga Square Scallop, Mega Circle Scallop, Giga circle Scallop, Stickles lime, lemon,
orange.
I started out with an Olive base which I stamped the fern on in GGreen. I aged the edges with the same green. The second layer is GGreen sponged with the same. The third is the Natural Ivory stamped randomly with the olive branch and then watercolored in with re-inkers. The centre medallion is from largest to smallest: Giga Caramel circle sponged with caramel and dotted in Black Glaze, Mega GGreen circle sponged with GGreen and dotted in Black, Giga Olive Square stamped with fern in GGReen and sponged in same, Giga Vanilla square sponged with Caramel and Olive and then dotted in Black Glaze pen. The butterflies were stamped 4 times on confetti, painted in with re-inkers, cut out and layered with pop-ups between the wings. Stickles were added to the wings and they were glued down on the centre medallion. Rhinestones were added to two corners. The tag and flower were from cuttlebug, the sentiment was stamped on the flower and the flower was sponged with caramel and olive. This was then mounted with ribbon. Stickles were added to the olive leaves, and four gold brads were placed on corners.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Ok, sometimes I have a hard time making up my mind. I wasn't quite happy with how my sheep card turned out. The roses seemed to be to blatant. I wanted something more harmonious, like a flock of sheep in the hills. So I gingerly took apart the card and redid the panel like this. I definitely like it better. Hope you do to. I would love your opinion on which is better, I always like constructive criticism!

Wednesday, June 20, 2007


Boy, it felt like I would never get stamping today. I find when I have no time to stamp I get grumpy, its kinda like my stress valve. By the time all my work was done it was already 9:00pm. So you have to excuse my late submission of today's challenge.
Card Recipe:
CS: Old Olive, Garden Green, Black, Vanilla
Ink: Old Olive, Garden Green, Ruby Red, Celery, Rose Red, Cocoa, Caramel, Tea Distress,
Caribbean, Turquoise,
Acc: White Applique, Dazzling Diamond, Mega Scallop Circle, Signo White Gel Pen,
Stamp: Walk this Way, Watercolor Minis, Sunshine Designs Sentiment
The card is fairly straight forward. The card is black, with the first mat in Vanilla. I aged the edges with Tea Distress ink and then free hand cut some hills from my two greens. The second layer is Vanilla on Black strip. I cut a cloud template and sponged in the clouds, I added my roses, leaves and ground and then added stitching. The final layer is the circle which is 3" black, with the vanilla scallop inside. The sheep was stamped, masked and the background was added. I removed the mask, applied the applique and heated it right away so that I would have a bumpier look to emulate the sheep wool. Last I colored in the left over sheep pieces, added an eye and stamped the greeting on the bottom. Stitching was added, and last the brads.
Thanks so much for taking the time to view my work
Cheers

Tuesday, June 19, 2007


Well I didn't have time to do this challenge until later in the day. And then I didn't have time to post it here until now. Its one of the joy's of being a parent. Stamping is done between activities, schooling, and all the other things that make up life. So for this card:
CS: Creamy Caramel, Real Red, Banana, Chocolate Chip( kinda cheated with this one), water
color paper.
Ink: Memory Black, Distress Ink in Tea and Vintage Photo
Markers: SU Real Red, Creamy Caramel, Cocoa, Tombow- 837,847,126,173,879,969,
Other: Walmart polka dot ribbon, gold brads, Krylon Gold Marker
Stamps: Lockhart
The card is a simple 4 1/4 x 4 1/4. The mat started with a 4"square piece of red. I lined one side with 2-way tape. next I cut lots of 1/4"strips of all three colors. I lay them out along the length of the red mat so that the tops were stuck to the tape. After I was done alternating the colors, I started on the horizontal, weaving the Papers over and under. Next when I was happy with the result I gently lifted up the bottom and taped them. I then took a second 4" square red mat and cut the square window. I lined it with tape and placed it over. I aged the weave with Dye ink and then lined the edges with gold marker. The image was stamped, colored with marker, water colored over and then cut out. I added Sakura Stardust to the small dots on the bowl and Sakura Glaze to the lip of the bowl. It was then mounted on the white and chocolate mat on top of the ribbon. Brads were added to the corners, and the greeting applied. All of this was mounted to the Caramel card base which I also aged with Tea and Vintage.
Hope you enjoy my project for today and enjoy the rest of your day!

Monday, June 18, 2007



Well I had a bit of a hard time with this card. I started out painting the oysters. I fell in love with Flaxychick's oyster card from this month's Dirty Dozen gallery ( if you haven't seen it yet then definitely check out what these talented ladies have been up to). Anyways I had a hard time when it came to the layout, I had to play around for a long time before I had a layout I liked! The stamps used are Crab and Company from the spring Minnie. the CS is Brocade Blue, Ruby Red, Apricot Appeal, SU Saffron DP, Chatterbox DP, SU Au chocolat DP and Imaginesence DP. I colored in the image with SU and Tombow markers and then watercolored it. I went over the Oysters with Radiant Pearl Dragonfly wing which gives a greenish sparkle. Sakura Stardust pen was dotted along the Oyster sand and the crab, ageing was done with Tea distress ink. The finishing touches are May Art ribbon, a "lucky you" on window punch with brad, dotting with Signo white Gel Pen, and scallops with scallop scissors, and waves with Create-a-Cut decorative trimmer. The inside of the card says " You have to crack a lot of oysters before you find a pearl". Please enjoy and have a great day!

Saturday, June 16, 2007


Well I was in the mood to do a more detailed whimsical image today. This card would be perfect for a little girls birthday card. To make it, I dug into my stamp drawer and pulled out an old image that I had. The stamps are Rosebud Rabbit by Personal Stamp Exchange, and Sunshine Designs word cube. The CS is Olive, Rose Red, Basic Grey DP, Chatterbox DP, SU Rose Red DP, Whisper White. The image is colored in with re-inkers and Prisma Color pencils. The accessories are gold brads, stickles ( for roses), twinkling H2O ( for sleeves and feathers), Sakura Stardust Pen ( for feathers and stars and sleeves). scallop scissors, prima flowers and wide Organdy ribbon. The ageing was done with Tea Distress Ink. The card is very straight forward, but a lot of fun to color. Thanks for looking and I hope you enjoy.

Thursday, June 14, 2007


Well, this was something of a mish mash card. I started out just wanting to color the image to relax. But once it was colored I started to build a card around it. I have no idea where I was going with it, I was just going. I used up bits and pieces that I had lying around. The CS colors are Kraft, Olive, Mustard, Garden Green, Eggplant, Shimmer White, Daisy D DP. The ink colors are Eggplant, Olive, and Tea Distress Ink. The image is colored in with re-inkers in Pale Plum, the other Plum, Eggplant, Vintage Violet, Grey, Sahara, Black, Cocoa, Garden Green. After I went over with Prisma color pencils and Gamsol. The Brads are SEI and the ribbon is SU Thyme saddle stitch, and brown no name organdy. The Stamps are from the Artful Stamper and SU Riveting and Petals and Paisley. There is just the smallest touch of glitter on the riveting, it is mounted on a chipboard flower which is painted with purple craft ink and then mounted with a foam dimensional. The card itself is 7" by 3.5". Kinda a weird size but I was going for something different. Once again, I'm not sure if I like it, its different and growing on me slowly.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Just a quick note. I've been asked where to find Sunshine Design stamps. I have put the link on my favorite places sidebar. The first link is the Canadian site which shows all the stamps available. The second link is called American Art Stamps and it is the place where you can purchase them in the United States.

My name is Sophie, and I have a problem. I'm a stamping addict. I try so hard not to stamp during the day, but I started the SC last night and when I woke up I couldn't get it out of my head. I had to finish. I tried to fight it......but not very hard. Up until now I have been stealing moments here and there...........feed the kids- run back to stamp. Get dressed- stamp. It's pathetic I know. But anyways, now that I'm finished, I figure I may as well post. If your going to get your foot wet you may as well jump in!
So this card of course is the layout of the sketch challenge. I used Bazzil greens from the Trio packs and pink from the Fourz. I used some old chatterbox DP and some new Basic GreyDP. The main card is Creamy Caramel. I layered everything and then stamped my image with Sunshine Design stamp. I am a big fan of this company. They are a small company located in my province which is kinda the equivalent of a State. They are now available in the States. The image is stamped on Biggie Jr. watercolor paper and then embossed with gold embossing pwd. I colored it in with a variety of Tombow markers and a water color brush. I added water coloring around with the Caramel SU marker. To finish I added brads and ribbon and then Voila a finished card with a forgotten greeting! OOPS. Oh well, that's what the inside is for I suppose.
Hope you enjoy, I know I enjoy and appreciate all the kind comments that you have given me.
This was my card for the card challenge. True to my Blog name, I do most of my stamping in the wee hours, thus I could not do it last night since the challenge was not posted till morning. So anyways This is a very straight forward card, I used the flower embossing folder from Cuttlebug and then sponged Celery, Coral and Olive ink on it. For the Caterpillars, I stamped them in Coral and then stamped over with a glue pad, and sprinkled coral Art Institute Glitter over. I sponged the edges with Coral and Caramel, layered it on Celery DP and then Coral. The circle is made with Shimmer white and sponged with Celery and Coral. I added two bugs with Rose Red and Olive, sprinkled with Pewter and Lime A.Institute Glitter. The ribbon is May Art I think, I've had it kicking around for awhile. Hope you enjoy, and stay tuned for the next sketch challenge.

Monday, June 11, 2007

A little while ago I got tagged by Libby from Libby's Little Addiction. I have been so busy that I have not had the opportunity to do it. I felt very honored that my little blog would get this attention, so here goes.
yourself:busy
your hair: everywhere
your mother:heaven
your father: amazing
your favorite thing: copic
your dream last night: dunno
your favorite drink: daiquiri
your dream car: Subaru
your dream home: bigger
the room your in: kitchen
your fear: Bugs
Where you want to be in ten years: Stable
Who you hung out with last night: Family
your not: demonstrative
One of your wish list items: Whipper
the last thing you did: teach
you are wearing: clothing
your favorite weather: balmy
your favorite book: Austin
last thing you ate: nuts
your life: happy
your mood: playful
your best friend: sister
what are you thinking right now: this
your car: van
what are you doing at the moment: blogging
relationship status: married
what is on your TV: nothing
what is the weather like?: warm
When is the last time you laughed?: earlier

Now I know I'm supposed to tag someone, but in order for them to know, they have to read your blog! And of those that I know who have seen it, They have already been tagged. So hmmm..... I'm in a bit of a dilemma. It's a little tricky when your the new kid in town. I'll say Andrea ( found on my sidebar). She has a lot of great ideas and beautiful cards. Second I pick Markie's Mom who has a fantastic blog, I will add her to my sidebar later today ( I've been meaning to update it for awhile). The next ones I will have to think about!
have a very happy Monday.

Wow, I've had a busy weekend, and just today have finally had the opportunity to put some ink to rubber. This card is one that I have made for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #5. The only thing I changed was that I didn't put a greeting. For starters I didn't have a bold greeting that would show up well with craft ink, and also It just didn't seem to fit this particular image.
The paper I chose was Black, Real Red and Basic Grey Scarlet Letter. I originally was going to do flowers in the centre, but it just wasn't working so I decided to play on the name of the DP, and made my own Scarlet. This stamp is from a cube that was designed by a local stamp artist, who owns her own store. The other stamp used was Like It a Latte. Scarlet was stamped out on Tria Marker Paper and colored in with Copic markers. I then cut her out, adhered her to Whisper White and cut her out a second time. She is placed on a mat of Black scallop, RRed square, and Black and White Scarlet Basic Grey. I added two rhinestones to Scarlet's hat, and a Black Organdy double bow to her chin to simulate a sheer blouse. Red stickles were added to the DP and white flourishes also. Other than that the card is straight forward. It was a fun challenge and I really enjoyed doing it. Oh ya, I also punched a flower, adhered it with a brad. This idea was cased from Beate's card where she used it as a embellishment to hold the card closed. Hope you enjoyed this card, and stay tuned for my next card with Tuesday's color challenge.

Thursday, June 07, 2007


Well, a few month's ago, i saw a card that I just loved. It had a dog digging in the dirt. Before I made this card, I decided not to go back and look at it until after I finished my card. I couldn't remember the details, and I didn't want to copy the layout or design, just the dog in the dirt. This is the link that I dug up after to show Jean S. card http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/403676?cat=4691
For my design, I experienced a dejavu. These colors were just used recently for a color challenge. Maybe that's why I felt drawn to them. The CS is Cool Caribbean, Caramel, Olive, Garden Green,Chocolate and Celery DP. Ink for the clouds is CCaribbean, and Turquoise. The dog is colored with Copic Markers on Tria marker paper then cut out. I hand tore the paper by hand and then sponged with their complementary colors along with Tea Distress Ink. The trees were stamped with Basic Brown and then sponged with Olive and Garden Green. Stickles were added with a very light hand to the "leaves". The dog was placed among the dirt and a bone was added with a cut pop-up and a crystal was added like a diamond in the dirt. Copper brads were added to the corner along with the greeting, the corner tab and a red button to add a splash of color. Oh ya the stamp sets used are Lovely as a Tree, Ruff Day, and Itty Bitty Background.
I really had a lot of fun with this card and hope you enjoy it too.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007


I had to do a card today for a family member who has just had a baby girl. I thought I would keep it simple and not add to many flourishes. The CS is Gable Green, Pixie Pink, Rose Red DP Card stock Vellum, and Whisper White. Stamps are Flannel, Itty Bitty Background, and Sunshine Designs Baby Cube. The Image is colored in with Copic Markers on Tria Marker Pad, then cut out and glued unto the Whisper White which was stamped with the identical image. The Copic's are just so bold and beautiful.....I am in love! I added Art Institute Glitter to the leaf and the canopy trim ( Leprechaun and Coral Reef). The card, scallops and image are aged with ink and sponge in their corresponding colors except for the main image which is distressed with Distress Ink in Tea. The greeting was messed up when I was not careful in applying it ARGG...... Thankfully I think it turned out not to bad! Oh Ya, I also edged the matted image and the Vellum with gold Krylon Marker.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Yay, I'm finally home. There is nothing like coming home after being away. My husbands surgery went very well and it looks like he should heal up no problem.
All weekend I have been looking at all the beautiful cards that everyone else has created, and I have been itching to try out a few things myself. For my first card I decided to save time and create a card using two challenges. The first is Beate's layout on Friday which looked like so much fun. The second is today's color challenge. Therefore the CS colors are celery DP, Ruby Red , Eggplant and water color paper. The Image is colored in using Re-inkers of varying shades to match the CC. The circle was edged with an interesting decorative scissors that had uneven bubbles which I thought matched the whimsical image. Stamps are French Flair, Fancy Flexible Phrases and the main image is from American Art Stamps. I added stickles to the flowers, and Sakura Star Pen is added to the dress, some dots on the paper and lining the Flair image. Finally I added White Signo Gel Pen for stitches and decoration.


This second card is extremely simple. I was more interested in coloring the image and did not have a clue on what layout I should use. After fiddling and going through lots of bits of paper, I gave up and put it on a simple layout. I'm not sure if the background is too bright, but what is done is done. The card is Marigold with Daisy D and Basic Grey DP. The cheese is applied to jumper rings so that they dangle, the ribbon is SU, and the Image is MFT colored in with Prisma and Gamsol. I actually really loved coloring this mouse in and can't wait to try some of my other images with Copic markers. Anyways this is all I could get done, but i hope to participate in tomorrows challenge, and that you have enjoyed my postings for today!

Friday, June 01, 2007

It was originally my plan to post a card before we left for Ottawa. Unfortunately My card is only half complete. I had to actually go to bed early "shock" so that I could be up early to pack and weed and close up the house. My husband has ankle surgery on Monday, so we figured that we could get some family time in. My mum and dad hail from Ottawa, and I live in a small military community about 2 hours away. We have nothing up there, so I am pretty excited to be near Michaels. It's not very often that I can visit. I should be back by Monday night and should have something to post by Tuesday ( cross my fingers). It all depends on my Hubby's state. ( he broke his ankle a year ago in two places, and now is going back to get all that hardware out again. He hopes to have it healed up before training for the next tour begins). So I know I will be pretty busy for the next couple weeks since I will be flying solo, but I shall still hopefully have plenty of time to stamp!
Ciao