Taking a Viking

Happy Monday!

I'm always looking for masculine cards.  I don't know what could be more manly than a Viking!  This guy looks tough!  I was inspired by an idea I saw on pintrest for the card design. I changed some of the colors and elements around to make it work for me.  I hope you take a Viking to the card too!

Copics used:
Red:  R14, R24, R29
Silver: C1, C3, C5
Boots/Helmet: W5, W3
Skin: E000, E00
Pants: E77, E79
Horns: E43, E44
Hair:

Episode of Hoarders

Happy Saturday!

I hope this bring a little joy to your Saturday morning.  Willett, our yellow lab-mix, has a new hobby.  She goes around and collects all of dog toys and puts them in her "house".  I think this might be so her sister can't play with them.    If this continues, we might need to call the producers of the TV show "Hoarders" to schedule an intervention.  

Once I'm finished laughing... I'll start working on some cards. LOL...

Where Did The Cookies Really Go

Hello all,

I have been dying to share a some photos of this project.  I decided to wait until I had delivered all the gifts before posting.   I really enjoyed coloring the tags, but making the cookies was painful.   Anyone who knows me will tell you that I'm no Betty Crocker.  I'm pretty sure I make my husband nervous when I cook.  Suddenly, he wants to hang out in the kitchen.    

Thinking that I had things under control, I baked the cookies while he was still at work.   Several hours later, I had burnt half of them.  I really tried.  I just do not have any talent in the kitchen.  If you want me to color you a cookie.  Call me.  If you need help making actual cookies,  I should only be asked as a last resort.   I burnt so many that I didn't have enough cookies to fill the glasses, Connor was kind enough to bake more.

In the end, I think the concept turned out really well.  I found these cute glasses, filled them with cookies.  We decorated them with ribbon and hand colored tags.

Copics used:

Cat: T0, T1, T3, T5, R11
Dog: E55, E53, E51, E50, E25, W1
Table: E44, E43, E42, E41
Red: R08, R05, R02
Cookies: E30, E31, E33, E25
Milk: E50, B000
Collar: BG02

I really dig You

Happy Hump Day!

I made another bookmark card.   I love these because your giving a gift and a card at the same time. I used one of the new Tilda stamps.  They fit the perfectly on the bookmark shape.

Copics used:

Pink: R81, R83, R85
Brown Dog: E30, E31, E33, E35, E37(for shadows)
Skin: E000, E00, E11, R11 for cheeks
Tilda's Hair: E40, E41, E43, E44, E47
I used a black copic marker to darken the nose and eyes of the puppy.  I thought I'd try it on Tilda too and I really don't like it.  I won't do that again. :(

Tying the Knot:  Before you add the ribbon decide if you want to laminate your bookmark.  You can get it laminated at Staples.   You can write a message on the back of the bookmark with a gel pen.  I suggest you do this before you laminate it.

When you are ready to add the ribbon, assemble your bookmark.  Punch a hole through both the white and brown card stock.  Thread the brown ribbon through the hole.  Use the gold thread to tie a bow around the brown ribbon.  I never tied a knot in the brown ribbon. 

Warms the Heart

Hello friends,

I'm so blessed to work from home.  My co-workers (the pups) can be distracting from time to time, but I love their company.  Our dogs have such personality.  Widget (our black lab mix) loves her bones.  I caught her taking inventory of her stash.   After she was satisfied, she hid them in the blanket.    She Warms the Heart!

Warmth is just what this little girl needs!  She is so so cold.    I stamped tiny snowflakes in a light blue.  I love the soft subtle look they give the scene. 

Copics Used:

Green: G20, G24, G28

Blue: B12, B14, B16

Grey: W1, W3, W5

Black: T3, T5, T7, T9, 100

Ground: C1, C3, C5

Wood: E31, E33, E35

Hair: E13, E15, E25

Skin: E000, E00, E11

When I was putting the card together. It felt like something was missing.  I was playing around with ribbon. I thought the navy ribbon alone wasn't enough.  The silver ribbon was too much.  So I combined them together for this double bow.  I've never seen or tried it before, but I like it.  I tied the navy ribbon around the entire card and into a bow.  Then around the knot, I tied the small silver ribbon.  The combination is shown below.

Santa Stop Here

Hello Stamping Buddies,

My sister adopted a dog this past May.  The dog shelters in Atlanta, Georgia were overflowing. Rather than put down the overflow of dogs, kind strangers created a caravan to bring dogs to shelters that have room for them.  A few of them landed in a shelter near my Mom's house. My sister happen to fall in love with this Georgia Peach.  This week has been Bindi's (the dog) first experience with snow.   The Southern Belle shivers in the cold. Bindi has become best friends with the heating vent in efforts to stay warm.   My sister has bought her some clothes to help this poor pup to survive a New York winter.   She doesn't look happy about it, but it is better than freezing!

Bindi

Bindi (aka Cookie Monster)

I have another James the Bear card to share with you today.  I'm loving this series of cards.  Bindi and I share our dislike of the cold, but this bear is embracing the experience. 

Copic Details:

Bear: E30, E31, E33, E35, E37
Wood: E71, E74, E77
Paper: E50, E51
Red: R24, R29,
Black: T3, T5, T7, T9
Snowman: W2, W1, W0
Ground: B00, B000

My one regret: I made the snowman's nose too dark.  It was suggested I make his nose match his hat.  I love trying new things... but this one.. not for me.  It should be orange in my opinion.

Optional: You could put glitter on his hat.  I didn't, but many students wanted to add a bit of sparkle.

Falling for Halloween

Happy Fall Friends,

Connor and I spent some time cleaning up leaves in the backyard.  We had the help of course.

They loved when Connor threw leaves at them

I also made a some Halloween cards.  I'll share these cards over the next few days. 

I love Halloween.    

Copics used:

Purple: V12, V15, V17
Stone: BV20, BV21, BV23
Jeans: B91, B93, B95, B97
Grey: C0, C1, C3
Green: G82, G85, G94, G99

I sponged the edges of the white paper with brown ink.

Doghouse Again?

Hello friends,

Sorry I have been a bit MIA this week.  I enjoyed having Monday off, but the shortened week makes it hard to get everything finished.  I did make 5 of the 6 cards for September's Card Lover's class this week.  They will be popping up on the blog over the next week.

Today's card is a favorite of mine from last month.   I love this little dog.   The inside of this card reads : "Happy Belated Birthday"

Copics used:
Dog: T9, T7, T5, T3, T1
Plate: BV31, BV34
Cake: E50, E51, E53
Icing: RV11, RV13
Cherry: R29
Shadows: W3, W1

Labor Day Love

I hope you all had a wonderful and safe Labor day weekend.  The weatherman threatened thunderstorms all weekend long.  Amazingly we only had one bout of rain.  The rest of of the weekend was beautiful.   Keuka Lake ends each season with a Ring of Fire ceremony.  All the cottages light flares at the lake's shore creating a fiery border.  We do it to honor the Native Americans.  It is a tradition they started long ago to celebrate the birth of their people and the harvest.   If you have never seen it, it is a peaceful time on the lake.  It is a special moment. Every year, I find myself reflecting on the events of the summer.  I always wish we could steal a few more moments before fall arrives.  I'm so thankful for every second.

Here are a few photos from our weekend.  I hope your holiday was filled with love and joy!

Connor, Willett (white dog), Widget (black dog) and Chris (photo by Sneha)

Exhausted after a day of swimming

Sending warm wishes to all my Stamping Friends!
Chris

A Little Birdie Told Me

What an exciting day!   Connor had to work today, so the puppies and I spent the day by ourselves at the lake.  It is the first day in a while that hasn't had a rainy start.  Our dogs have been stuck inside and getting a bit restless with all the rain.  I was determined not to waste a second of sunshine.  The first thing we did was go for a swim.   I waded in up to my knees and decided that was far enough.   I spent the next hour throwing a stick for the puppies.  They get so excited about a stupid piece of wood.  It was free... the dog toy you spend $10 on.. doesn't get this much love.  

They were still just full of energy, so we went for a 2 mile walk.   We returned home to find our neighbor's dog swimming.  It was too much to bear, to watch another dog having that much fun...so we were compelled to joined them.   After many hours of play they rested a bit in the sun.  They woke up full of energy and ready to do it all again.   I took them for another long swim and that stick is still their favorite toy.  Thankfully, Connor was home.  I was in desperate need of backup.  I was at least able to tire myself out.   He grilled steak, made pasta and peas.  YUMMY.   The dogs settled under the table, while we gobbled up dinner.   Finally they were tired... I had tamed the beasts!  I couldn't have been more wrong.  They heard another dog nearby.  Willet (our yellow lab) ran out from the under the table to investigate, her leash tangled in the legs.   The entire table, Connor, and me following behind.  I ended up on the ground, with a dish or two. What a mess!  I thought the entire thing was funny.  I gave it my best shot.  Hopefully the sunshine will continue and I'll give it another try tomorrow.

I forgot my camera, but here is a photo from this spring.

Widget (black lab), Connor and Willett (yellow lab)

I hope you are finding laughter in your holiday week!

Oh.. I also have a card to share... this is from last month's Card Lover's Class.  I hope to get caught up with some posts this week.  Each month I try to come up one card that involves no coloring.  I find it to be one of the most challenging cards for me to make each month.   However, I like the challenge.   No copics today... just ink.

Stamps used:
Aviary by Stampin Up

You Are My Human

You can just see it in her face.  Total Happiness!  Widget has found a nice warm place to spend the evening.   The handsome hunk in the photo is my Hubby.   I'm not sure who is cuter!

Many Smiles,
Chris

Connor and Widget

Bat Dog

Hello Friends,

 I'm off to Rochester to see my stamping friends this weekend.    We are leaving soon, but I wanted to share something that has made me smile this week.   Connor and I are so blessed to have such good puppies.  Their antics make us laugh every day! 

Bat Dog...aka Willett

Have a wonderful weekend,
Hugs and a Smile,
Chris

Do Reindeer get sleepy?

Being Cute is Exhausting

 Hello Stampers!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.  Connor and I traveled to Deshler and Cleveland Ohio to see family.  In Cleveland, we got a special treat.  We were able to see some of Connor's extended family.  They traveled from Atlanta and Boston for a visit.  It was wonderful trip. 

I don't have any cards to share today, but these photos were too cute to pass up.  These are our puppies Willett and Widget. 

Did You Get a Treat?

Happy New Year from My Family to Yours! 

Hugs,
Chris

Finding the Right Tree

Tis' the Season for craft shows.  My wonderful (and very creative friend) invited me to share a table at craft show this weekend.  I had a lot of fun and met some wonderful new people.   Thank you for including me in the fun. 

I wanted to share my favorite Christmas Card.  I made this card last year, but it was so popular I made a bunch more this year.

Copic used:
Green: G46, G43
Tree trunk: E79, E77,  (this might be a touch to dark)
Dog: E31, E33, E35, E37
Snow: C2, C1, C0
Sky: B00, 0

When the coloring was dry I went back and put some Liquid Pearls on the snowflakes for some texture.

Many Hugs
Chris