Tuesday, May 31, 2011



Your Favorite Pet or Animal....


Good Morning everyone! Glorious sunshine today and I hear all week! Humidity but let's not get picky...its sun!!!


Since my favorite pet is my Yorkies and High Hopes has yet to get some little Yorkies
(maybe someday - hint, hint LOL), I picked a butterfly. I am not sure if this is a classified as an animal but anyway I find them graceful, peaceful and just a pleasure to watch! I can't wait to see my first one of the year.



This is High Hopes stamp is called 'Bedelia Butterfly'. Predictably I embossed with black and coloured with Tombow markers. I screwed up her wings by adding a colour I picked up by mistake and then I feverishly tried to fix. It was not at all what I had envisioned but I really like what happened. I couldn't likely do it again if I tried.



The sentiment 'This bud's for you' is also from High Hopes. I cut the sentiment with my Nesties die cuts, added a bow and little charm from my stash of 'stuff' and of course Stickles.



That's it and thanks for stopping by.



Tuesday, May 17, 2011




Today's challenge is ANYTHING 3D! I decided to do this little purse box. This is just perfect for a little gift like some yummy chocolatier made chocolates!



The image I used for the tag is HIGH HOPES ANNIE BLOCK by artist Laurie Furnell.



I embossed her with black embossing powder and coloured with Tombow markers. Annie is so cute and I think she adorns this little purse box with some real style.



Sorry for the poor quality pic but my laptop and my office computer are now both acting up and it effecting my camera software.


Anyway, thanks for stopping by and I hope everyone has a great day.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

HIGH HOPES CHALLENGE #108


This weeks challenge is ANYTHING HIGH HOPES GOES


Brought to you by KAREN


Good Morning everyone! Sorry for the late post but last night when I went to put this post on...my computer died! I have no idea what is wrong but all my pics, notes (actually my whole life is on that laptop) I tried to use my iphone but I just made a mess. For some reason blogspot kept kicking me off as soon as I tried to put a picture on with my iphone and I would lose everything. UGH, so frustrating. I am doing this post from the my office computer (hope DH doesn't mind). The image quality is a bit poor on these pics as the lighting is not the greatest for picture taking here.


Anyway moving on my card today uses these great High Hopes Stamps by Laurie Furnell:







I embossed with black and coloured the images with Tombow Markers. Paper and cardstock are years old and I can't remember but I think they look perfect together (I guess this is a great example of why I save EVERYTHING!)


I used my sewing machine to make a nice zig zag accent to two of the layers and then used an embossing fold with some small flowers I purchased at Ecstasy Crafts a few years ago.


I finished it off with some yellow half pearls and last but not least - Stickles!


Hope you have a great day and thanks for stopping by.



Cathy XX


Tuesday, April 19, 2011


This week's challenge is BUNNIES, BEARS, BALLOONS


brought to you by ...



Hi Everyone, hope you are well and happy that spring is in the air!! I did not post last week as my grandkids stayed with me for a week while Mom & Dad were on a much needed vacation. As it turns out I need a vacation now!! I guess I'm not as young as I think I am LOL


For this challenge I chose "SITTING PARTY BUDDY"


He is one of High Hope's newest creations by artist Laurie Furnell.


He is so cute and I really enjoyed colouring this sweet little guy.


After embossing with black and colouring with Tombow markers, I used my circle Nesties to cut him out. I decided to put a ribbon ruffle all around the end of the circle.


I cut the corner of the decorative paper with a circle curve and used part of a Nesties scalloped circle just behind it. I finished off with a co-ordinating red ribbon and of course, Stickles.


Thanks for stopping by...hope you have a great day.


Cathy x

Thursday, April 7, 2011



If you have arrived here from DEBBY'S BLOG

you are going in the right direction!

If not you can go back and start at the HIGH HOPES BLOG


My card today is ANDY AND KITE by artist Laurie Furnell.

You can just keep hopping along and be sure to comment on all the DIVA'S BLOGS as there will be prizes awarded on selcted Divas blogs.




Tuesday, April 5, 2011



Hope everyone enjoyed Day One!!! Here is my sneak peek for Day Two!!

Surprise - A Party Dragon by artist Dustin Pike. How cute is he....

I embossed him in black and coloured with Tombow markers. Yes stickles (I know how I''m so predictable). I found a great paper in my stash - I think it looks like dragon scales so I used it as one of my layers. I used a star embossing folder (not sure of the company name now) but I got it from Ecstasy Crafts a while back.

Be sure to stop by the High Hopes Blog to see all the fantastic creations from all the High Hopes Divas from Day One and Day Two!!!

Thanks for stopping by and BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE NEW HIGH HOPES RELEASE AND BLOG HOP TOMORROW!!!




Another great High Hopes Challenge

and

The First Day of the High Hopes New Release

SNEAK PEEKS!!!!


I used the Robot Unicycle (he's wheelie cute)LOL. This was created by artist Laurie Furnell. I embossed him with black and coloured him with Tombow markers. Of course I added glitter. I found some great silver glitter paper in my stash and some real metal mesh to use as layers. I had a couple of screw head brads, and I stole a few bolts from DH tool box.


Be sure to check the High Hopes Blog to see all the other Diva's Sneak Peeks! Everyone has some fantastic creations by artists Dustin Pike and Laurie Furnell.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope stop by tommorrow for DAY TWO - SNEAK PEEKS.

Have a great day!

Cathy x

Monday, March 28, 2011

MY MONKEY BABY


TERRIFIC TUESDAY POST - MARCH 29, 2010

Another Tuesday is here. Hope everyone is having a great start to their week.

The card today is "Maya Monkey" from High Hopes Rubber Stamps.

I never turn up the chance to do little girl cards (with 5 grandsons, girl cards are not an option)

This little monkey is so cute. I embossed her in black and of course used my tombow markers and stickles. I found just the right colour background paper in my 'stash'. The pink ribbon flowers with pearls make it so girlie.

Make sure you check out High Hopes Blog to see the fantastic TUTORIAL by SIRPALINA - Colouring with Distress Inks.


Watch for the new release coming soon

April 7, 2011



Monday, March 21, 2011




Brought to you by Alie.....

This week's challenge is using fabric!

Hi everyone! I think spring is on the way! I can just smell it in the air. I'm sure there will still be a bit more snow, but April is just around the corner. I can't wait.

Speaking of April...the rainy month, I decide to do High Hopes "Rainy Day Ducky". He is just adorable.
I embossed him in black and used Tombows to colour him (and of course I used my Stickles for a little bling)

Since the challenge is fabric, I made a fabric flower with frayed the edges and added a button to the centre. I used another piece of fabric (also frayed) just like decorative paper as a layer under Ducky. I cut out a couple of hearts from the fabric for embellishment at the top also.
As well I made this little guy a 'Tilt Card'. Watch the little video below to see how his head moves. I had soooo much fun making this card. I hope you enjoy it.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Monday, March 14, 2011

HAPPY TUESDAY EVERYONE!!
Hope everyone is having a great start to their day. Today is DOUBLE DUTY for your stamps day!! I wanted to do something bright and colourful. I usually colour a number of things in one sitting and then make them into cards or scrapbook pages later on. I am not sure what I was thinking when I coloured this but it obviously wasn't about winter. This is A High Hopes stamp called "South Pole Pals". Its a Polar Bear and a Penguin! I knew this...but I guess I forgot when I was colouring it (memory is pretty much shot, LOL) I think it turned out just as well as a brown bear and blue bird (or is it a parrot?) Anyhow, there you go..... two uses for the same stamp. Now you can use this one all year round!
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day.
Hugs x
Cathy
PS..I embossed of course in black, coloured with Tombow markers, added Stickles. The card is a called a "Spring Card" and I made it from a template I purchased a few years ago.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

HIGH HOPES CHALLENGE #104 - GO GREEN

Sorry I am a little late with my challenge card. I had one of those mornings. Slept in, rushed to get to work. When I looked just now in my blog to make sure it when on at its scheduled 9:00 am - it was not on!!!!
I went to look and all my post was gone and only the pic was saved. I have no idea what happened....
Anyway, I am writing this at work and hope all will accept my apology for my less than organized day.

I think it will get better as I can just go up from here!!!
Have a great day (I really hope it turns out better than mine LOL)

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

HIGH HOPES CHALLENGE #103


HIGH HOPES CHALLENGE #103

BROUGHT TO YOU BY......DEBBY
For this week's challenge Debby chose "Female Birthday". Thank goodness it was a girl card because I usually have a bit of difficulty with "Guy Cards" (even though I have 5 grandsons). I guess I used up all my "Guy"creativity on them.

Anyway I thought High Hopes "Buggy Stack" is so cute it would make a great card for a little girl. Who wouldn't love bugs all dressed up!

I stamped and embossed the image in black and coloured them with Tombow markers. I used a bit of H2O - Icicle for the bee's wings and them covered them with Glossy Accents to give them some shine. Of course I used my Stickles since I forgot to use them last time (shame on me)!

This image made a great "Free Standing Pop Up Card". This kind of card can be folded down flat for easy mailing - however I have used them in the past taped to the top of a gift. It kinda looks like a card and a bow all in one!

I hope everyone has a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

HIGH HOPES CHALLENGE #102

HIGH HOPES CHALLENGE #102

Hi everyone - long time, no see. It's been a very busy couple of months! I'm so happy to be back.
I am thrilled to have been asked back as a GUEST DESIGNER for HIGH HOPES RUBBER STAMPS! It's great to be back on this fantastic team with all the talented DIVAS.

Challege 102 is VALENTINES! (brought to you by Kristine)

How adorable is I'M TOAD-ALLY IN LOVE WITH YOU I embossed this image in black and coloured him with Tombow markers. I made a little acetate container to hold some Hersey's "Kisses". Although you can't see it in the picture, the acetate is embossed using a cuttlebug folder. I used a big red ribbon to close the top of box and attached the card.

And guess what?!! I didn't use any GLITTER! I really don't know what happened there but I will be sure not to let it happen again.

Thanks for stopping by and make sure you stop by the HIGH HOPES BLOG to see all the great Valentine's the other DIVA'S have to share.