The Inking spot of Crain Creations

MFT May Guest Designer contest - a teachers gift

The MFT DT has challenged everyone to make a Teacher's Gift, and here's mine :)  First I picked up a big box of crayons, the 64 count box and used them to cover a rectangle box... I had 2 crayons left over, lol.  I wrapped some ribbon around the whole thing and added the sentiment from Big Greetings, by MFT.  I picked up an African Violet... and voila, a super fun planter for the teacher's desk!

For the card I made to go with this gift, I used the Girls Rule set and last week's MFTWSC sketch.

Well that's all I have for now, I'll be back shortly with a peek from My Time Made Easy's May release!  Thanks for stopping by.

Stamps: Girls Rule & Big Sentiments (My Favorite Things)  Paper: Love Birds (SEI)  
Challenges: MFTWSC69

 

That just flaps my Wattles, with some Mojo!

I can't believe I just took a whole week off from stamping!!  It has been a busy but very exciting week of Lacrosse, but now it's back to some girlie stuff :)  I loved last week's Mojo sketch and just had to play along!  I got these adorable papers by Jenni Bowlin awhile ago and was so disappointed that they were so small, but they were perfect for this sketch!  I've also been die-ing (get it) to play with some new Die-Namics I've gotten... I LOVE the photo corner dies!!  On the photo corner, I didn't want to add any more decorative paper (this card is soooo busy already!) and the plain brown was a little too plain for me so I added some Rouge Liquid Pearls, then I added some more Rouge around the chicken.  I don't have any leaf dies (at least I don't think I do, lol), so I used the Vintage Flourish Die-namics and cut it in half, I really just wanted something to set the flowers.  The flourish was so dainty and it got a little lost against those busy papers so I used some Mint Green Liquid Pearls to make them pop a little.  The Flaps my Wattles stamp set is soooo stinking cute, I absolutely needed more cards with it :)

Here's the inside of the card...I LOVE this sentiment!!  Well that's all for now, thanks so much for stopping by, hope to see you again soon!

Stamps: Flaps my Wattles (Marks Finest Papers)  Paper: cardstock (Marks Finest Papers)  Accessories: Vintage Flourish Die-namics & Photo Corner Die-namics (My Favorite Things), Rouge and Mint Green Liquid Pearls, Bakers Twine  Challenges: Mojo238

 

Mark's Finest Papers April Blog Hop Day #4 - Train Talk

 Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's  April Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Fabulous Dogs Featured April 17 Daffodil Greetings Featured April 18 Hey, Cowboy! Featured April 19 Train Talk Featured April 20

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 20, 2012.

Lois Vicky Anne Pat G. Karen H. Patty P. Mary Marilynn Pam Debbie Nancy Bonnie Kathy Brenda Toni Tangii Anna S Sue Kelli Janine Mark's Finest Papers

Stamps: Train Talk (Mark's Finest Papers)  Paper: Social Club (Cosmo Cricket), cardstock (Mark's Finest Papers)  Accessories: Ribbon

 

Mark's Finest Papers April Blog Hop Day #3

**If you are looking for my MTME Pretty Patterns Sketch card, please scroll down one post** 

Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's  April Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Fabulous Dogs Featured April 17 Daffodil Greetings Featured April 18 Hey, Cowboy! Featured April 19 Train Talk Featured April 20

Today the DT is showing off the Hey, Cowboy set and I have 2 cards for you.  The one above you've probably already seen on the Mark's Favorite Papers blog.  I love all of the hardware on this card :)

Stamps: Hey Cowboy (Mark's Finest Papers)  Copics: B91, B93, B95, B97, C1, E000, E00, E31, E33, E35, E37, E89, R20, R24, R27, R37, YR12, YR14, YR15, W0  Challenges: Sketch by MTMEPPS56

And here is my 2nd card.  For this one I used the silhouette image and airbrushed some sky and a hill.  What you can't see in this picture is that the frame is raised above the cowboy image... LOVE this look!

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 20, 2012.

Lois Vicky Anne Pat G. Karen H. Patty P. Mary Marilynn Pam Debbie Nancy Bonnie Kathy Brenda Toni Tangii Anna S Sue Kelli Janine Mark's Finest Papers

 

MTME Pretty Patterns Sketch #57

Happy Thursday, happy sketch day!  If you visited my blog last summer you probably know I'm a little obsessed with making Jams, and it's that time again :)  My mommy's favorite is the Triple Berry Jam, but I couldn't put all of those berries on the jam jar, lol. Well head over to the My Time Made Easy blog for the sketch deets and to see how you can win a Pretty Package (template) of your choice! Well thanks for stopping by, hope to see you again soon and I hope you'll play along with the sketch!!

Stamps: Well Preserved, Sensational Sentiments (My Time Made Easy)  Paper: Coffee Beans (My Time Made Easy)  Challenges: MTMEPPS57

 

Mark's Finest Papers April Blog Hop Day #2 - Daffodil Greetings

 Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's  April Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Fabulous Dogs Featured April 17 Daffodil Greetings Featured April 18 Hey, Cowboy! Featured April 19 Train Talk Featured April 20

I have come to the conclusion that I NEED some black Liquid Pearls!!  Tonight I made due with some Tuxedo Smooch on the Kraft cs and a Copic Multiliner on the Daffodil panel... LP would have been perfect!  Ah well!  Today we are showing off the Daffodil Greetings set, this set comes with 3 sentiments that make it perfect for just about ANY occassion... and the daffodils are just fabulous :)  MFP, has some amazing Kraft cardstock that has the perfect "texture look" to it... perfect for a "nature" card like this.  I used Jen del Muro's SFYTT... perfect amount of patterned paper to make the flowers really stand out!

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 20, 2012.

Lois Vicky Anne Pat G. Karen H. Patty P. Mary Marilynn Pam Debbie Nancy Bonnie Kathy Brenda Toni Tangii Anna S Sue Kelli Janine Mark's Finest Papers

Mark's Finest Papers April Blog Hop Day #1 - Fabulous Dogs

 Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's  April Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Fabulous Dogs Featured April 17 Daffodil Greetings Featured April 18 Hey, Cowboy! Featured April 19 Train Talk Featured April 20

 

Today we are showing off the Fabulous Dogs set!  This set is perfect for male cards (but of course there are also some cuties for some pretty cards too!).  I loved coloring the boxer and adding some bling to his collar was icing on the cake!!  I WISH I could get my fur baby a rhinestone collar (not masculine enough :(). 

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 20, 2012.

Lois Vicky Anne Pat G. Karen H. Patty P. Mary Marilynn Pam Debbie Nancy Bonnie Kathy Brenda Toni Tangii Anna S Sue Kelli Janine Mark's Finest Papers

Stamps: Fabulous Dogs (Mark's Finest Papers)  Paper: Circa 1934 (Cosmo Cricket), cardstock (Mark's Finest Papers)  Accessories: Pewter Liquid Pearls, black ribbon (Marks Finest Papers), teeny rhinestones  Copics: E21, E23, E25, E27, E47, E95, colorless blender 

My April Calendar

Here is my April Calendar page, yeah I know it's late.  It's actually been done for some time now.  I started this calendar making thing last year, but missed several months.  This is one of the pages I made for last year and I LOVED it so much I decided to throw on this year's calendar and keep it :)

Be sure to visit my calendar buddies to see their April pages if you haven't already.

Lisa Kind
Christine
Danni
Julie

 

Another Mark's Finest Papers April peek

Fabulous Dogs!!  Doesn't he look like he could just win the Westminster Kennel club?  Ok, well maybe not quite, but he certainly looks like he gives great hugs!!  This is another one of the new sets from Mark's Finest Papers to be released next week, it's called Fabulous Dogs.  The sketch is last week's Sweet Sunday Sketch (love her sketches!!)... and here's the inside.

Stamps: Fabulous Dogs (Mark's Finest Papers)  Paper: Thrift Shop (October Afternnoon)  Accessories: Black Glaze pen (Spica), Baby Blue Liquid Pearls, Baker's Twine, Copics: E33, E35, E37, E55, E57, R27  Challenges: SSSC156

 

MFT Wednesday Stamp Club #67

Today is rainy and thundery and uber-windy here in So Cal... I so wish I could be wearing my robe & slippers (someone is coming by soon and I don't he'd appreciate it very much, lol!).  I added some White Fluff on the robe to make it a little more "cozy" :)

To give the green panel a little pop, I took the medicine bottle from the set and stamped it randomly with VersaMark...love that look!  Well that's all I have for ya today, it's the last day of spring break and I've got borad games to play and children to torment :)

Stamps: Bunny Slippers (MFT Stamps)  Paper: Bow & Arrow (Pink Paislee)  Challenges: MFTWSC67

 

MTME Pretty Patterns Sketch #56

Happy Thursday-Sketch Day!  This card is for todays MTME Pretty Patterns Sketch.  I once again used the Sensational Stems and Sensational Sentiments... love this set it so springy!  While I am loving all of the little bits of rain we are getting here but I am also soooooo ready to get some new flowers and trees planted :)  Well that's all I have for now, be sure to visit the My Time Blog for the deets on the sketch and for some more inspiration.  I can't wait to see your take on the sketch!!!

Stamps: Sensational Stems and Sensational Sentiments (My Time Made Easy)  Paper: Honey Cake (MME)  Ink: Storm Blue, Bermuda Blue, Vinatage Green, Olive, Red, Tea Rose (Vivid), Olympia Green (VersaFine)  Accessories: Vintage Cream Satin ribbon, Prima Flowers, Petal Pink & Bisque (Ranger  Liquid Pearls), Terra Cotta (Adirondack Dimensional Pearls), brads (SU!)  Challenges: MTMEPPS56

 

Mark's Finest Papers Sneak Peek...

Today I am "peeking" one of the new sets from Mark's Finest papers, this set will be available next week!  This set is called Train Talk, the sentiments crack me up and the "engines" are awesome!!!  Several of the men in my life from my Grampa & my Daddy all the way down to my boy-dorks are train-men... I think I'll be getting alot of use from this set!!  This week's Mojo sketch was perfect for this card!!  For the front of my card I grabbed one of the sentiments and stamped it on some Faith's Favorite Natural cardstock, it's white but the "flecks" give it some character :)  I also used it for the card base :)

For the inside I just layered a pale patterned paper and then stamped my train in a dark gray ink.  The pattern is definitely faint enought that you can still write a note inside.  Well that's all I've got for now, keep watching the MFP Blog and the Sr DT this whole week for some sneak peeks and then join us on the 17th for the April Release Blog Hop!  THanks for popping in, hope to see ya again soon!

 

MFT WSC 66 Sending Big Hugs

I know it's kinda last minute, but I finally got a chance to play with this week's MFT WSC... LOVED this sketch and I really, really LOVE those ginormous sentiments from MFT!!  This set was last month's Triple Scoop, it's called Big Greetings, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!  I also snagged one of the sentiments from Essential Sentiments... they work fabulously together :)  Thanks to the awesome MFT Sketch team for another rockin sketch and amazing inspiration!!!  Well thanks for popping by, I'll have some Mark's Finest Paper peeks coming soon!

Stamps: Big Greetings, Essential Sentiments (MFT Stamps)  Accessories: Scalloped Scallop die-namics (MFT)  Challenges: MFTWSC66

 

You are fabulous! Something old & something new...made easy

Today some of the My Time Made Easy DT are showing off some older faves with some NEW goodies!  One of the Mom's that I just love chatting with at Will's Lacrosse game is having a really rough time right now, so I took this opportunity to make her a little something that I hope makes her smile.  I used the In Suspense template and filled it with some homemade chocolate truffles.  I just love the concept of this template, hanging it on the door anonymously... it is sooo me!  And it's the perfect size for so may little goodies and since I am always looking for an excuse to make some chocolates... it's a win-win :)  My tag was super easy, and I LOVED the fact that it was digital so I could layer just perfectly!  Using GIMP I started off with the label and "bloom" from the Spring in Bloom digi set.  I left the label un-colored and printed it in black, the bloom I "filled" with a pink that matches my paper and then added the sentiment from the Sensational Sentiments (from the digi set called "Sensational Digital Package").  I printed this on some white cardstock and colored the rest with my copics... I LOVE the look :)  Naturally I had to add some ribbon and it just needed a button on the bow and Voila!  Easy Peasy and inexpensive goodie that I hope will bring a smile to a friend :)

That's all for now, thanks for popping by hope to see you again soon.  Please visit these My Time friends to see what they're showing off today!

 

Debbie Marcinkiewicz

Lori Hairston

Lori Kalus

Mara Campbell

Pattie Goldman

Lauren Meader

 

 

 

MFT Guest DT Challenge... Bunny Hop

Wowza, 2 posts in one day!  So I decided to play along with this month's MFT Guest DT Challenge and the theme is "Do the Bunny Hop".  Well I don't really have any Easter stamps (like NONE at all) so I was kind of stumped for a bit, but as I was thinking of my neighbor across the street (having a difficult time right now)... the idea hit me :)  "Hoppy Spring" and flowers!  I used last week's sketch challenge on SCS for my card and then grabbed the Bouncing Bunny cut files from My Time Made Easy to decorate the flower pot.  I had to alter the Bunny a little because of the shape of the pot, but I rather like the way it turned out.  BUT I am in LOVE with the card...

I found this pad of paper (Honey Cake, by MME), hiding in a pile of scraps that needed to be put away and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!  I finally got to use my Mini Banner die-namics & the alphabet set that came with it...soo fun!  Of course the icing on the cake is the precious Because I Love You Pure Innocence.  I just love the soft look of this card... kinda bummed I'm giving it to my neighbor ;)  

Well, thanks for popping in.

Stamps: Because I Love You Pure Innocence & Mini Alphabet set (MFT Stamps)  Paper: Honey Cake (MME)  Accessories: Prima Flowes, Mini Banner die-namics (MFT Stamps), Bisque & Lemon Yellow liquid pearls, Black glaze pen (Sakura), White Souffle pen  Copics: B21, B26, B34, E000, E00, E21, E35, E37, E57, E70, E71, E74, E77, G24, R20, R22, RV32, RV34, YR12, YR14  Challenges: MFTGuestDT0412, SC378