What's Black and White and ???

Remember that old joke about what's black and white and (red/read) all over?  This fun card kit send to me by my Dueling Darling Diva teammate Barb brought back memories of that old joke.  She and her Dazzler partner Tracie chose the theme "a bit of humor" and that is something we all need right now.  Yes, it is Dueling Darling day, July 15th, and time to duel with the Divas (my team) and the Dazzlers.  Barb sent a kit full of great papers, stamped images and sentiments and lovely embellishments all in Black and White:

• Crackerbox & Suzy Stamps-Sharing News.  Sentiments are Don't Repeat Gossip, Where to Shop and Networking.  Fun Fact - this company is based in Janesville, WI, about 40 minutes from Barb-no B&M, but a very fun website!

• Patterned Paper - all black and white designs by Paper Studio from Hobby Lobby

• Various Embellishments: black buttons; black bling; white pearls; rhinestones; Ribbons:  SU Black Cordelette; Black Grosgrain; White Twine, Black and White Baker's Twine and Black Twine.

I chose to stay with Barb's theme of all Black and White and added no color, nope, not even red!

Hope you'll check out the many fun creations made by my paper crafting Dueling Darling friends on Splitcoast Stampers:

Divas

Kelly     http://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb      http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/

Carol    http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/

Heather  https://landofstamping.wordpress.com/

Laura Jean http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/

Suzy     http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=SuzyS1104

Tami    http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/

Dazzlers

Jeanette    http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

Beth        https://www.sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog/

Debby B  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=littledeb&x=18&y=13

Darlene    http://www.accordingtobijou.blogspot.com

Shelly      http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/

Terry L.   http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com/

Terry S.  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=11182 

Tracie  http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

A Heart Full of Roses For June's Dueling Darlings

It's June 15th and time for the Dueling Darlings to share there creations using the card kits created by Darlene for the Dazzlers and me for the Divas.  Darlene and I chose the theme "A Heart Full of Roses" for our June kits as roses are the flowers for June birthdays.  Here is what I included in the team Diva's kit:

Stamped Image:  retired rose stamps by Inkadinkadoo (2 stamped in Tuxedo Black Momento ink and 1 embossed with Black Detail embossing powder.)

Designer Paper:  "Beautiful Dreamer" Imagine Collection by Graphic 45; 2 pink/green papers fromPremium Stack by DCWV; yellow rose by Maggie Holmes "Bloom" by Crate Paper;  embossed pink cardstock by Cuttlebug "Once Upon a Princess" embossing folder

Embellishments:  sequins and buttons from "Rose Garden" by Lilac Lane;  green pearls by Kaisercraft; white pearls by Studio g; pin rhinestones, paper roses, ribbons and baker's twine from my long time stash.

I had a great time making these cards:

I stamped the rose with Versamark and embossed with black detail embossing powder.  I colored the roses on each card using Twinkling H20s and a water brush and then did some fussy cutting on pink and peach colored roses. I used pink sheer ribbon on the first two cards and aqua satin ribbon on the third card that I embellished with white pearls. These cards were created for friends and a cousin who are celebrating birthdays. Let me know if you have a favorite!

Hope you'll check out the many lovely creations made by my paper crafting Dueling Darling friends on Splitcoast Stampers:

Divas

Kelly     http://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb      http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/

Carol    http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/

Heather  https://landofstamping.wordpress.com/

Laura Jean http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/

Suzy     http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=SuzyS1104

Tami    http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/

Dazzlers

Jeanette    http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

Beth        https://www.sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog/

Debby B  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=littledeb&x=18&y=13

Darlene    http://www.accordingtobijou.blogspot.com

Shelly      http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/

Terry L.   http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com/

Terry S.  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=11182 

Tracie  http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

Bargain Hunting with the Dueling Darlings

WhoooHooo! It's the 15th of May and time to go bargain hunting...Whoops!...I mean creating with the Dueling Darlings!! Our hostesses this month are our fearless, fun, fantastic leaders Kelly (team Divas) and Jeanette (team Dazzlers) who started this wonderful crafting adventure ten years ago this coming August. Wow! 10 years certainly flys by in a flash!!! They chose the theme "Bargain Hunters" and here is what I found in my Gnome Sweet Gnome kit from Kelly:

Images: "Hey Gnome" by Pink and Main
DSP:  Gnome paper from Photo Play
Embellishments: Gnome brads and ribbon from Eyelet Outlet, die cut clouds from Lawn Fawn
variety of ribbons

All her Gnome stuff was on clearance sell and a great bargain!!  I had such fun playing with this kit I started coloring the cute Gnome's as soon as I opened the kit and ended up making 2 cards.  Here they  are:

This card I colored one of the die cut Gnome and mushroom images with my Copic Markers.  For the background I used a Stampin' Up Sizzix embossing folder for the clouds and lightly brushed a soft blue over the raised cloud design.  I die cut a circle out of green cardstock and embossed it with a Lifestyle Crafts embossing folder.  The little Gnome perched on top of the mushroom brad was cut out from one of the Gnome Paper Play papers.  Embellished the rest of the card with a diet cloud, a die cut tree and the cute ribbon that was the color inspiration for my card.

The color scheme on the second card was inspired by this pretty Photo Play paper.  I colored my Gnomies with Twinkling H20 watercolor, a coloring choice I haven't used in a long, long time!  The design for this card is based on the  Splitcoaststamper sketch SC801 here:

I sure had a good time creating these cards.  It helps to have this challenge during this pandemic and it looks like I'll be quarantining for a long, long time. So let's have fun with making cards!

Hope you'll check out the many lovely creations made by my paper crafting Dueling Darling friends on Splitcoast Stampers:

Divas

Kelly     http://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb      http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/

Carol    http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/

Heather  https://landofstamping.wordpress.com/

Laura Jean http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/

Suzy     http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=SuzyS1104

Tami    http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/

Dazzlers

Jeanette    http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

Beth        https://www.sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog/

Debby B  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=littledeb&x=18&y=13

Darlene    http://www.accordingtobijou.blogspot.com

Shelly      http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/

Terry L.   http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com/

Terry S.  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=11182 

Tracie  http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

Celebrating Texas Bluebonnets with the Dueling Darlings

April 15th and time for another duel with the Dueling Darling Divas and Dazzlers!  This month our hostesses are fellow Texans Suzy, team Diva, and Debby, team Dazzlers.  They chose as their theme for April's card kit "Bluebonnets".  Suzy says "We decided to share a little bit of Texas with y'all!  April is usually the magical time when the bluebonnets can be seen on the side of the highways and in the fields.  It is a beautiful sight of blue!!"  Here is what was in her kit:

All images are from Deadbeat DESIGNS (a Texas company) stamped on Recollections #110 white with Memento Rich Cocoa ink.

DSP is from Paper Studio:  Shiplap white, Tiny Polka-yellow, Burlap and Blue Gingham

Embellishments:  Baker's blue/white twine (Recollections), Ribbon Boutique yellow, White grosgrain, Corner punches from lue Rose Cottage dsp (Paper Studio); Doily (Momenta); Sequins; Gold/Blue bling (Paper Studio)

Bluebonnets are not just in Texas...We've had some spring up in our neighborhood here in the Tucson, Arizona area too!  They are so pretty!!  I loved this kit with some of my favorite color combinations - blue, yellow, white - that I made two cards:

The first card I colored the image with Copic markers, die cut it and mounted it on the doily.  I used the white grosgrain ribbon and blue/white twine on a strip of the yellow polka dot paper and added the blue bling.  Suzy says the state ice cream of Texas is Blue Bell.

On my second card I used one of the sentiments Suzy included in her kit "HAPPINESS is a field of BLUEBONNETS".  I colored washed it with some Distress Inks and highlighted the letters with a Starburst blue gelly pen.  I messed up coloring the Blue Bell ice cream carton so I didisome fussy cutting and added the bluebonnets to the top of the sentiment.  Embellishments added are the corner punchs, yellow and blue ribbon layered on the gingham strip and a scattering of the blue and gold sequins.

Well, I think I just about used everything that was included in the card kit with a few exceptions.  Hope you like my cards!

Hope you'll check out the many lovely creations made by my paper crafting Dueling Darling friends on Splitcoast Stampers:

Divas

Kelly     http://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb      http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/

Carol    http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/

Heather  https://landofstamping.wordpress.com/

Laura Jean http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/

Suzy     http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=SuzyS1104

Tami    http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/

Dazzlers

Jeanette    http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

Beth        https://www.sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog/

Debby B  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=littledeb&x=18&y=13

Darlene    http://www.accordingtobijou.blogspot.com

Shelly      http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/

Terry L.   http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com/

Terry S.  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=11182 

Tracie  http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

Oh Happy Dueling Day! 💖

It's March 15, 2020 and time for another duel with the Dueling Darling Divas and Dazzlers!  The hosts for the March duel are Tami, team Divas (my team), and Terry L., team Dazzlers.  They chose the theme "National Day of Happiness March 20th".

Here's what is in the kit I received from Tami:

Images:  Avery Elle "Cool Beans" stamped in Momento Tuxedo Black ink

D.P.        Recollections and Bo Bunny "Love"

Miscellaneous Embellishments:  red rhinestones, Thanks Embossed red yardstick, punched red hearts, red/white bakers' twine, red brads, white buttons, die cut flower strip

Here's my card:

I used sketch from Wednesday's Splitcoaststampers SC792 as the design for my card.

Our hostesses challenged us to share what little thing makes us happy. I'm happy for a good night's sleep, that I am able to get out of bed in the morning to walk and talk and take care of myself.  The older I get (and I'm getting up there!) I feel so blessed for the "little" things in life! I'm happy to make cards and give them to friends and family, who make me SO HAPPY!  As we are currently going through a very challenging time throughout the world with the Covid19 coronavirus pandemic I am really happy for my good health!!!

Hope you'll check out the many lovely creations made by my paper crafting Dueling Darling friends on Splitcoast Stampers:

Divas

Kelly     http://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb      http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/

Carol    http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/

Heather  https://landofstamping.wordpress.com/

Laura Jean http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/

Suzy     http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=SuzyS1104

Tami    http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/

Dazzlers

Jeanette    http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

Beth        https://www.sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog/

Debby B  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=littledeb&x=18&y=13

Darlene    http://www.accordingtobijou.blogspot.com

Shelly      http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/

Terry L.   http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com/

Terry S.  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=11182 

Tracie  http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

A Sweetheart theme for the Dueling Darlings in February

I'm late posting my card for the February duel with the Dueling Darling Divas and Dazzlers.  This month team Divas, my team, was hosted by Carol and for team Dazzlers the host is Shelly.  Carol and Shelly chose the theme "Let Me Call You Sweetheart".  The kit Carol sent our team was full of lovely papers from My Mind's Eye "Bloom", beautiful ribbons and  embellishments, and this sweet old fashioned stamped image from Inkadinkadoo.
Here's my card:

I loved all the neutral colored items in the kit with a few pops of color so I chose one of the neutral colored papers for the background and the gold tinted paper I die cut with a Spellbinders die as the frame for the oval die cut stamped image.  I touched up the man's jacket, the ladies hat, top and umbrella with a gold toned Copic marker. The frame was highlighted with "gems" from the kit.

Hope you'll check out the many lovely creations made by my paper crafting Dueling Darling friends on Splitcoast Stampers:

Divas

Kelly     http://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb      http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/

Carol    http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/

Heather  https://landofstamping.wordpress.com/

Laura Jean http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/

Suzy     http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=SuzyS1104

Tami    http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/

Dazzlers

Jeanette    http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

Beth        https://www.sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog/

Debby B  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=littledeb&x=18&y=13

Darlene    http://www.accordingtobijou.blogspot.com

Shelly      http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/

Terry L.   http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com/

Terry S.  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=11182 

Tracie  http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

Dueling Darlings First Duel of New Decade!

It's January 15, 2020!  Wow! New decade and I love that it's 2020! Many years ago I wondered if I would live to see this date and I have so Celebrate!  It's also the 15th of the month so time to duel with the Dueling Darling team Divas and team Dazzlers.  This month the hostesses LauraJean (Divas) and Terry S. (Dazzlers) chose a Penguin theme, so very appropriate for one of the coldest months in the northern hemisphere.  I'm on team Diva and received a terrific card kit from LJ with some great elements listed below:

Stamped Images:  Penguin Juggling Snowballs by Elzybell Stamps
Patterned Paper:  Doodlebug Designs "Winter Wonderland", Stampin' Up white glitter paper
Ribbon:  3 lovely pieces from Stampin' Up
Embellishments:  Large white snowflakes by Paper Studio, glitter dots and snowflakes by Doodlebug Designs, die-cut snowflakes created with Marvy Punch

Here's my card:

I just loved this terrific mountain scene dsp!  I colored the penguin with Copic Markers. I layered the snowflakes in the kit as the focal embellishment.  The only materials I used that were not in the kit are the aqua and white cardstock for the base of the card.  I used this sketch from SplitCoastStmapers (SCS) for the design:

Hope you'll check out the many lovely creations made by my paper crafting Dueling Darling friends on Splitcoast Stampers:

Divas

Kelly     http://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb      http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/

Carol    http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/

Heather  https://landofstamping.wordpress.com/

Laura Jean http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/

Suzy     http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=SuzyS1104

Tami    http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/

Dazzlers

Jeanette    http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

Beth        https://www.sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog/

Debby B  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=littledeb&x=18&y=13

Darlene    http://www.accordingtobijou.blogspot.com

Shelly      http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/

Terry L.   http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com/

Terry S.  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=11182 

Tracie  http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!