Gold Swirly Angel

Swirly Angel
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

Okay. Really. I'm still here. This blog hasn't been hijacked, and I am doing some of my normal style stamping. But...this was what I came up with for the Inspiration Challenge #108, based upon a picture of a cocktail dress.

The angel is a cheap stamp I aquired from who knows where and is made by Canadian Maple Collections. The swirls are from a clear acrylic set by Rhonna Farrer, made by Autumn Leaves. Gold heat embossing on everything. The burgandy paper, gold paper and cream colored paper are from Hollo's. The card looks better IRL...my camera just doesn't like anything with deep purples.

I'm thinking this could be my 2008 Christmas card, should there be no need for a Buckeye card, as it would actually be quite quick to construct. And quite strategic...as, I think if I sent a card like this to my Mom, she'd give me money to support my stamping addiction. Hehe!

Palm Tree Thanks

Palm Tree Thanks
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

I'm in need of some thank you cards. A lady at work, very unexpectedly, gave me a bag of goodies such as a tropical calendar, Bath and Body lotion, etc. Very unexpected, seeing as how I've spoken to her maybe three times tops...but, I'm moved by her kindness as I think she was generous with gifts for everyone at our school. So, I decided I must make up a card for her.

This card is inspired by the calendar she gave me...and by Limited Supply Challenge #148 on SCS. The image is from Stampers Anonymous and was colored with Prismacolor pencils. My Copics are feeling neglected. I better get back to them soon.

Stazon Sponging

Stazon Technique
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

This card makes me laugh because it is so not my style...however, it is what I came up with for a Ways to Use It Challenge (#146) on SCS. The challenge was to use Stazon. So, having many Stazons with the seal still on them, I figured this was something I must try.

I thought of a demonstration from a stamping convention years ago, as well as watching Trela play around with this technique in her store a couple years ago. Stampers Anonymous calls this the "Stazon Technique", and what I think it should be called is "Stazon Sponging", because that is essentially what you do. The cool thing though is that you use glossy cardstock, so the colors are very vivid.

Anyway, here's what I came up with. Can't wait to get back in my comfort zone tomorrow.

How Sweet It Is

How Sweet It Is
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

How sweet it is to have two weeks off from work! I can actually stamp and participate in challenges on the same day the challenges are posted. Woot!

This is my interpretation of Sketch Challenge #156 on SCS. Image is a Donut Bliss from Stampabilities, stamped with black Stazon on Bristol Smooth. Colored with Prismacolor pencils. I'm thinking this might serve as a thank you card for a couple of generous souls who unexpectedly made my Christmas brighter.

Christmas Wishes and Smiles to You

Sloopy with Santa
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

Santa, Sloopy and I wish you a Merry Christmas. We hope your day is relaxing and special and that it is just the way you want it to be. Sloopy's hoping for some bones and some new toys she can destroy and I'm hoping for some stamping time at some point during the day.

Enjoy the holiday!

Hi Prismacolor Pencils, Remember Me?

Hi Prismacolor Pencils
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

I was in a Prismacolor pencil coloring mood late last night, so I thought I would ink up this image that I found at Stampotique on clearance in Arizona last year. The image gave me an opportunity to practice what I learned from Terry Medaris this past August.

Anyway, I'm quite pleased with the end result. Kinda fun to make a card without the pressures of a holiday deadline.

Christmas, The Buckeyes, and Sloopy~Oh My!

2007 Christmas Card
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

I don't know how I did it, but I did.

I integrated Christmas, the Buckeyes upcoming game, and Sloopy all into one card. This is my 2007 holiday card, that I didn't start making until last weekend. I have cranked out 35 of these and I'm just amazed at how happy this card makes me. Not that there's anything complex or breathtaking about it...just that the subjects all make me very happy.

The dachshund image is from Cowtown Stamps. I drew the sweaters on the dachshunds.

Now if only OSU can hang onto that #1 spot. Hang on Sloopy!

Thank You Pitt and Oklahoma!

We're In!
BCS National Championship Game Bound!

Snowflake Joy

Snowflake Joy
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

There are really only two times I like snow....

1. Christmas Eve, because who doesn't like a white Christmas?

2. Huge amounts so that school is cancelled.

Other than that, I really could pass on snow, but I couldn't pass on fun today with SCS's Limited Supply Challenge #143. I haven't ever had the change to participate in a Limited Supply Challenge...and it was good for me, because it really stretched me out of my comfort zone. No coloring at all on this one....yikes!

Anyway the rules were that you could only use snowflake stamps, and a sentiment stamp and that neutral papers were only allowed, along with one embellishment and one specialty tool.

My snowflake stamps are from Stampington and Stamps by Judith. The sentiment is by Inkadinkadoo. I used white and gray paper, and used a wine color purple panel (though all photos make this look black). The snowflakes are heat embossed with clear embossing powder and Versacolor Sky Gray on the white paper and heat embossed with Versmamark and white embossing powder on the gray cardstock.

My joy truly came from having today off...without the snow. Gotta love it!

Sunflower Tile

Sunflower Tile
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

I was inspired by Sweet Miss Daisy's (talent, talent, talent!) Inspiration challenge a few weeks ago. I really wanted to make a tile, so I finally got to Lowe's to pick up some.

The PSX image is stamped on a marbled tile with black Stazon. Colored with Prismacolor pencils, edged with a Sharpie and sponged with white Stazon. Tile was then sprayed with Workable Fixative.

All and all, very easy. Looks harder than what it really is.

Thanks Anna for the challenge!

Tickle Bear

Tickle Bear
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

I'm tickled to have the day off before Thanksgiving. It was wonderful to just be lazy and stamp.

This is a card I made for SCS Sketch Challenge 151. It is an image from Darcie. You know the drill...stamped with Marvy Dye Black on Sterling Matte paper and colored with Copics. It was great to actually respond to a challenge on the same day the challenge was posted.

Have a great holiday everyone!

Celebrate The Buckeyes

Celebrate The Buckeyes
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

I made this card a couple days ago, right after the victory. What a difference a week makes! As you know, I was very, very down after the loss. But, there's something special about dominating your rival, regardless of your record or theirs. I'm gaining some perspective, and am reminding myself that this was a year we were not favored to win the conference...yet, we did. And, we're going to a BCS game, again. This still is a great era to be a fan....yes, we tripped on November 10, but we certainly remembered what was really important on November 17.

I loved seeing Mouth on scUM's team walking off the field, beaten AGAIN. He may be all "heart", but that heart is broken. HAHAHA!

I thought that maybe this could be a thank you card to their departing coach, but then thought the better of it. It will probably be a birthday card for my dad next week.

Main image is from Art Gone Wild, colored with Copic Markers on Sterling Matte paper. The football player is cut out from an old program. This was for a SCS challenge, Sketch Challenge 150.

Bye Bye LLLLLLoyd

Happy *Bear*thday

Happy Bear-thday
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

A now co-worker of mine will be celebrating her birthday on Monday. I'm so amazed I'm ahead of the game, as this card will be for her.

The image is from Darcie. Stamped on Sterling Matte Coat and colored with Copic Markers. The colors are inspired by IC101 on SCS, and this sketch may be familiar, as it is from SC109 on SCS.

Fun, festive card. I know they may seem dated, but I love me some Darcie stamps.

Former Coworker Was a Gift

Former Coworker Was a Gift
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

I'm three months removed from my job at OSU. That, is a great thing. So many emotions though at the time did not allow me to express my sincere gratitute toward one of my colleagues. Now, three months later, I've finally made a card that expresses my appreciation for her. I think what finally got me motivated enough to create this is that she recently left OSU as well. And, she now too is very happy and feels free again. She shared though, that she never felt valued at our organization, and now at her new job she does. I'm happy for her, but wanted her to know that I valued her contribution very much. She was a "gift" to me, when she replaced a not so great former, former colleague.

Image was stamped on Georgia Pacific cardstock and is made by Whipper Snapper. Colored with Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils. Fits Sketch Challenge 149 on SCS, as well as Inspiration Challenge 100. Woot! Two for one!

O-Hell

How am I doing? For you readers that want to know,

I am...

pissed,
disappointed,
sad,
humiliated,
disgusted,
empty,
mad,
depressed,
angry,
and trying so very hard to gain some perspective. But, right now I've got very little of that.

I'm being rather cryptic again, because I don't want to end up on a fan of a foe's blog, but know that those of you that know what I'm passionate about each and every fall know what I'm so emotional about. I've been rather quiet about the unexpected "success" of this season because I didn't want to jinx it, but damn. I guess I was holding onto hope thinking that maybe this young team could possibly erase the heartache that is still there from January 8, 2007. I take nothing away from the other team, I'm just as bewildered as can be about what the hell happened, or didn't happen this past Saturday.

And, oh...it's M!ch*g@n week. Doesn't even feel like it.

Pumpkin Dogs

Penny Black Halloween Dog
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

I made this card to celebrate the season, using Sketch146 from Splitcoast. This card was made the same old way as most, using Sterling Matte Coat paper and Copic Markers. Really, is there really any other way to color? I see some resemblance to Sloopy too, don't you? Here you will see her costume as she celebrated her first Halloween. She didn't much care for the stem hat.

Birthday Balloon Bears

BirthdayBalloonBears
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

My birthday was last week and this week is M's. I celebrated by giving myself some time to make him a card. Didn't mean for it to turn out so baby, girlish looking, but it just did. I like it and M pretended to like it, so all is well.

Stamped image from Darcie. Colored with my Copics. I'm really, really, really liking the Sterling Matte Coat paper.

Hope to stamp some more real soon. Take care all.

Whipper Snapper Dog Tag ATC

Whipper Snapper Dog Tag ATC
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

Here are some ATCs I made for a Whipper Snapper swap over on SCS. Main image was stamped on Georgia Pacific cardstock and colored with Copic makers and Prismacolor pencils. These were fun to make, and hopefully, I think, I have a resemblence to Sloopy.

Sketchy Past

Best Fishes
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

I've been meaning to post these two cards to my blog, but just haven't found the time to do so. These are two cards I made from sketch challenges on SCS.

The first card is from Sketch Challenge 142. The image is from All Night Media and is colored with Copic markers, using a paper bought at Arvey's.

The second card is from Sketch Challenge 144. The main image is from Penny Black and was a terrific find in a clearance basket in South Dakota this past spring. Again, coloring with a Copic marker onto paper from Arvey's.

I hope to have more to post soon. Thanks for your patience with me.

O-H-I-O

O-H-I-O
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

I'm here.
I'm still a Buckeye, in the alumni/fan sense of the word, though no longer an employee. If I would have known how great I feel now returning to work in an elementary school as a reading teacher vs. working at the university, I would have left years ago, or at the very least wouldn't have stressed about the change over the course of the summer.

I am back to this blog. I appologize for the lack of updates. I had to give my laptop back to the university, and then waited a bit for my new laptop to arrive. But now, I am back, ready to stamp with all of my free time my job change has created.

For those of you following the above-mentioned saga...I was a trainer at a literacy initative at Ohio State. Prestigious job, but it just got to me. I wanted to simplify my life by eliminating the travel responsibilities. I wanted to be with my dog. And I just wanted a normal, predictable job with holidays and summers off. And, thankfully, that is what I got. My former district "took me back" and I'm forever grateful.

The card you see here is a card I made for a Scarlet and Gray swap over on SCS. It represents the only stamping I've done in a month, during my transition. And, it was quite the quickly constructed card, with the O, i, and o being cut from the Cuttlebug. Still, I like its simplicity, though M says the cheerleader doesn't look like an H...oh, well. And, as I type this, I'm thinking perhaps the i and final o should have been capitalized. Damnit.

But, like I said, now I am back. In mid-August I was fortunate enough to take the best class ever in Peoria, IL with Terry Medaris...color pencil extraordinare. As I post new cards done with color pencils, you'll see his influence.

Otter Say Thanks

Otter Say Thanks
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

This card was made with an image I received from the very kind Jacqueline on SCS. One day out of the blue, she PMed me and offered to send some sea otter images my way, given my screen name is LittleSeaOtter.

Anyway, I love this image. It is one I don't have, but now must have. I colored the image with my neglected Prismacolor pencils.

Perhaps, I am in a sea otter mood right now. I am starting to feel the effects of not going on vacation, and before Sloopy, this would have probably have been an Alaska year. Not that I'm complaining at all about having Sloopy. My life is more enriched and certainly more interesting because of her. Though, I am going through otter withdrawal.

On the job front...heh.

Sea Otter With Kelp

Sea Otter With Kelp
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

Well, you all certainly know that I will never complete a challenge on the day it is posted, but I'm just happy to participate, whenever I get the motivation and inspiration to do so.
This particular card uses the "tent topper" sketch, which happens to be Sketch Challenge 134 over on Splitcoast.
I had the idea that this might be a great sketch to use a sea otter stamp and show the ocean floor below. I like how I finally got to use some "kelp", or you can call it fiber I bought at Joann's well over a year ago because I thought it looked like kelp.
Sea otter is a PSX stamp stamped in Marvy Dye Black on HP Laser Paper. Colored with Copic markers and pop-dotted. The ocean is a scene I created using an Inkadinkadoo acrylic set I bought this spring in South Dakota. I basically just used dye ink to stamp the scene, and stippled the ocean floor and the water. Used a white gel pen to do some highlighting.
M said to me, "oh, I like this one." So, wonder what he really thought of some previous cards I've shown him?

Taco Squares Recipe Swap

Taco Squares Recipe Swap
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

So I'm not quite sure what I was thinking when I signed up for a Weight Watchers Recipe Swap over on Splitcoast. I mean, I think I have cooked a total of two times THIS YEAR. But, this is the dish I do cook, when I cook. Perhaps, it was just wishful thinking, thinking that perhaps if I created this 6X6 recipe card, and received some great recipes in turn, I'd get things together and get on program. Amazing how I can't even be honest with myself.

When reality set in, I was rather worried, seeing as how I am not a scrapbooker and that I've never done created a recipe card before.

This is what I came up with...image colored with Copic Markers on Georgia Pacific Cardstock.

On the job front, I should know a little something on Thursday.

IC Blue Green Ornament

IC Blue Green Ornament
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

This was my interpretation of the Inspiration Challenge #83 on Splitcoast Stampers. It was kinda fun to make a card that really isn't my style. The card is inspired by this ornament.

Ornament stamp is from Stamp-In, with the swirls embossed with Judikins White Diamond from a Penny Black stamp. It is stamped on silver, shiny paper from Hollo's. The checkerboard background was stamped with a block stamp from Stamp It on HP Laser color paper. The actual squares are colored with Copic markers. The blue border on the outside is stamped with a Hero Arts stamp and embossed with Judikins White Diamons.

Who knows, maybe this could be my Christmas card this year, since I'm not anticipating needing a Buckeye one this year.

Living On The Edge

Living On The Edge~Penny Black
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

I had a SCS Penny Black swap to complete, and as I was coloring the image, I was listening to some tunes online. "Living on the Edge" by Aerosmith was playing, and well, I couldn't get the song out of my head from that point on. I thought to myself that the mouse truly is living on the edge. I'm wondering actually when an occasion would occur that you'd ever send such a card. Oh well.

Right now, I'm living on the edge. Career wise. Can't wait until I can move beyond this. I've actually taken the past week off from thinking about it. But, now reality is hitting again.

The card details...well, I'm guessing you can guess on my media of choice. What I did do differently is color on HP Color Laser Paper, upon a recommendation on SCS. Not bad.

My Dog Says Thanks

My Dog Says Thanks
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

Not bad...just running a week behind, that's all. That's pretty good for me.

Anyway, this is a card I made for my old neighbor, who came and watched Sloopy last week, while M & I went to see Chicago in Cincinnati. (Jimmy looked as great as ever! And, the LaRosa's Pizza was delicious too).

My neighbor and Sloopy got along great, except for when my neighbor accidently locked himself out of my house, with Sloopy still inside the house. My Dad had to come and let him in.

This card is my first attempt coloring with Copic Markers on Hewlett Packer Color Laser paper. I think it makes the markers more intense, which I like. Used the Cuttlebug for the background and the sentiment. I originally tried to use this image on this weeks SCS sketch challenge, but it just wasn't happening. See, even when I'm given a layout, I just can't do it.

Girl Reading

Girl Reading
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

I was in the mood for some coloring, and I didn't want to fuss over a layout, so I chose this large image from Inky Antics. I colored with Copic Markers on regular cardstock. I'm pleased with the colors I used, as I wanted to use a limited palette. I'm usually guilty of using too many colors. The layout was easy...LOL!

This card I am going to give to my former boss, who is retiring. Don't read anything into the word "former" boss. That's just what she is. No news on the job change.

Hot Dog Express

Hot Dog Express 1
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

I have nothing new to announce. My big job announcement may have blown up in my face late yesterday. I am down, depressed. I really don't know what to do.

Lucky, I had a swap deadline to deal with, so I was able to get my mind off of my problems, for a least a little while. I signed up for a House Mouse swap over on Splitcoast, because I love the images and like to see what others do with these images.

This particular image I chose to use is called "Hot Dog Express" from 1988. Oh, how I'd like to go back to 1988. I doubt if I'd go into education, knowing what I know now. Anyway, this was an oldie, but goodie, House Mouse image that I found in Sedona in January. I just had to have it, because we were just days away from getting Sloopy.

Anyway, I decided that since I am so layout challenged, I would force myself to make 6 different cards using the same image but with different layouts. I'm actually pleased with my efforts, and felt it was better use of my time than to just mindlessly create six cards that were all the same.

So, nothing new to report. Just that, I have no clue what I'll be doing in two weeks, in a month, in a year, or in two years, or the next 15 years. All I know is that something has to give. I think this week though, I've learned that, "you can never go back."

A Kickoff...Just Around the Corner

Thank You Card
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

To anyone who actually reads this blog, I do so very much apologize for my absence. If you could only know the mixture of excitement, apprehension, and dread that I feel regarding my career announcement that is about 99% certain to happen. This blog has sort of taken a backseat to things. I feel like this...if I write about something else, well then, I'm not really truthful about what is truly going on, what is dominating my every waking thought (as well as most of my sleeping thoughts).

I haven't been stamping much lately because of the turmoil. I managed a quick Father's Day gift card holder, that I didn't even take a picture of, and this quick card I made for my current boss. She did a keynote address for a group we were hosting. The inside of the card says, "it was H-u-u-u-u-g-e!". She'll get it, and hopefully like it....she's a Buckeye fan.

Today, I met Keith Byers and got my picture taken with him. Something any Buckeye fan would appreciate and cherish.

Stay tuned. They'll be a post that shouts out a sense of relief real soon, as well as some creations I'm needing to get to for some swaps that are quickly approaching deadline. A "Kickoff" to a new phase in my life, is just around the corner.

Blue Butterfly Birthday

Blue Butterfly Birthday
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

I found myself needing a birthday card for a co-worker. Her favorite color is blue and she loves butterflies, so this is what I came up with. The butterfly stamp is an oldie, but goodie from Hero Arts. I used patterned paper from Provocraft for the background, and ran part of the card through my Cuttlebug. Colored the butterfly with Copic markers (imagine that) on regular cardstock. Tried to do some blending and shading.

I hope she likes it. I kinda do.

11 Flower Pot Girl ATCs

11 Flower Pot Girl ATCs
Originally uploaded by Buckeye

I recently joined a swap off of Lu-La's Corner. The task was to make ATCs, though there wasn't a theme or anything.

So, here you see what I came up with. I decided to ink a stamp by Maryse Carrier that I bought at Stampotique earlier this year in Arizona and color with Copic markers on regular cardstock. (Have a mentioned that my visit to Stampotique was the highlight of that trip...sigh!) I thought this image would be the perfect opportunity to practice my coloring and blending using the markers only, no shading with my Prismacolor pencils. Fun and relaxing to do, though the only struggle was the image seemed rather big for me to do anything but layout the ATC the way I did. Living up to the self-proclaimed title of "Layout Challenged Queen". Yesiree.

Spring Time Blogger's Swap

A few months ago, I signed up to participate in Sarah's Spring Time Blogger's Swap over on Splitcoast Stampers. You may recall, I made a card with a Rabbit on it.

Anyway, believe you me when I say that I was overwhelmed with the beauties that were in the return envelope for me. Just gorgeous creations.

I sit and look at them often. I just love having actual cards in my hand. So much better than seeing just a photo in a gallery and a blog.

Thank you ladies for creating such amazing pieces of work! Though I wish my readers could see them in person like me...lucky me...I will show you what I received:

Starting with our hostess, Sarah. Just look at the this uplifting card where the sentiment reads "spread your wings". Sarah bleached the Just Johanna bird image and then watercolored it. Thanks Sarah!


Next, we have this beautiful card from Connie. The photo here does not do this justice, so I urge you to go to her blog to get further details and see a much better picture of this. I absolutely love the layout of this card. It opens where you see the white in the middle of the card. So creative and different. And, the sentiment rings so true. More and more, I'm loving purple, green and yellow together, and I believe that Connie's card is the reason for that. Thanks Connie!


This next card, is just delightful. It is by Anne Marie. The purple and the pink just sparkle in real life. This card makes me want more punches, that's for sure to have windows such as this one. The simplicity of the card is quite elegant. Anne Marie was even kind enough to provide some extra images that were related to the card as well as an envelope ready to send off. Thanks Anne Marie!

Terri's card just screams spring with these beautiful pastel colors. Terri is a patterned paper genious in terms of layout and the little details that pull a card together like her great ribbon work, and how she turned silver brads into white brads using white embossing powder. The glittered sentiment is made with Dazzing Diamonds glitter. Thanks Terri!

And last, but not least, I was lucky to receive a card made by Nancy. This is not patterned paper you are looking at. Nancy stamped the flower image expertly onto the colored cardstock and used a white gel pen for the accents. She then cut and assembled. What a beautiful card! Thanks Nancy!

So there you have it! Creations from some of rubberstamping's finest. I was thrilled and honored to be a part of such a talented group. Please, visit their blogs for inspiration. I know I have been doing so lately.

More VSN Fun

Monochromatic Green
Originally uploaded by Buckeye.

Have a couple more of my creations to share for SCS's VSN.

The lily of the valley card is a large background stamp from Northwoods. Can you believe I picked it up last summer on clearance for a ridiculously low price, like around $4, at a stamp store in Ft. Wayne?

Anyway, I thought this image would be a perfect one for the challenge to create a monochromatic card. The image is stamped with Versamark Watermark and heat embossed using clear fine detail powder. Then, of all things, I rubbed Brillance Pearlescent Lime Pigment ink all over the card. I used Brilliance Moonlight White reinker to "paint" the flowers and add highlighting to the leaves.

A sweet lady from Atlanta emailed me this technique, and this was my first attempt. I like the result, though I think it could be perfected a bit more.

The second card I'm sharing is my creation from the challenge to use the colors from a black eyed susan. Well, as you can imagine, I had to use Google Images to even know what one looked like, as I'm not the flower person at all. The challenge shared that when they run the Preakness in Maryland, black eyed susans are not yet in bloom, though I'm taking that they are the race's official flower. Anyway, they have to dye daisies. Wow! Little bit of trivia I didn't know, and was certainly the springboard for this card.

Main image is from Stampotique. Easel is from Close to My Heart. Daisy "painting" is from Hero Arts. As is my trend lately, I stamped images with Marvy Black Dye, colored with Copic Markers and shaded with Prismacolor pencils.

Don't know if I have enough time to get any more challenges in for VSN, but I've appreciated the opportunity to get the creative juices flowing. I hope I get to keep creating into the week.

Dream In Color

Wizard of Oz Dream
Originally uploaded by Buckeye.

So, I find myself in the middle of a relaxing weekend, with very little that I have to do. Feels great. I mean, I could be doing some cleaning and laundry, but those are things that can be put off, right?

I am taking some time to participate in VSN over at SCS. Yeah! I had so much fun participating in February, and I was so bummed I was out of town during the March VSN, so I am happy to have a weekend of no committments.

Here you can see my creation as a result of using The Wizard of Oz as my inspiration. When I think of the Wizard of Oz movie, I have vivid memories of how the movie goes from black and white to color. I tried to that transition from the black and white storm in Kansas to the colorful world of Oz on this card. Don't know if that really comes through, but I did have fun trying.

Let The Good Times Roll

Good Times Roll Closed
Originally uploaded by Buckeye.

So, I signed up for a swap over on SCS a couple of months ago. I was so excited to join because it is a swap where you have to create a card using a Whipper Snapper stamp. Well, with my impending coloring lesson in Milwaukee, I knew I wanted to wait to create until after my lesson.

I've created 8 of these cards, that I'm calling "Let the Good Times Roll", with a stamp I purchased in Milwaukee. Believe me, the song by the Cars has been in my head ever since I started this...

Let the good times roll
Oo let the good times roll
Oo let the good times roll

What can I say, I'm an 80s gal.

Anyway, I can't believe I actually used toilet paper to create this card. The first image you see is when the card is closed. The second image you see is when the toilet paper is open.

Image by Whipper Snapper. Colored with Copic markers and shaded with Prismacolor pencils on regular cardstock. Karen Foster SnapStamps for the sentiment.

And in case you are interested, Angel Soft toilet paper.

Spay Day

For Sloopy
Originally uploaded by Buckeye.

Sloopy is at the vet right now as I type this entry. She is getting spayed today. My thoughts are with her and I hope she is doing okay.

Since she's heavy on my mind, I thought a cute little doggie card was in order, since Sloopy herself is a cute dog. Actually she's the cutest dog, but I'm biased.

Anyway, here's a card that shows a Whipper Snapper image that I picked up last week in Milwaukee. Colored with Copic Markers and shaded with Prismacolor pencils on regular cardstock. You don't even want to know how long I spent playing with this layout. You'd shake your head and think, "doesn't she have anything better to do?"

Edited on May 15: Thanks for all the well wishes for Sloopy Dog. She got through the procedure fine. Was a little groggy the first day or two, but she's now back to her ole' couch jumping self, so I guess that's a good thing. She gets her stitches out this Thursday. And, miraculously, she hasn't really bothered them.

A Gift For Me (Taking Time to Create)

Whipper Snapper Purple Present Girl
Originally uploaded by Buckeye.

I'm back!

How nice it is to have a Saturday that isn't full of travel, or recovering from travel. I basically did nothing today and enjoyed it immensly.

I haven't been posting many cards as of late because when I have had some time to create, I've just been coloring. I thought I'd better turn one of the images into a card, so I did just that.

This is an image from Whipper Snapper. I stamped it on regular cardstock and colored with Copic Markers and shaded with Prismacolor pencils. As you can see, I'm still rather layout challenged, but ever since my coloring lesson in Milwaukee last week, I'm determined to practice until perfect with my coloring.