Computer Woes and Going Dotty!

Better get comfy today because this is gonna get long I'm sure.

First off, took the van in the other day and waited for an hour and a half with two girls who were getting antsy. The mechanic couldn't find a thing wrong with it! He checked through the whole system and all is as it should be. While I'm glad to know it's not going to fall apart on me, I am also slightly annoyed because who knows when it will happen again. He suspects a short in the electrical system somewhere. But you can't fix it if you can't find it. It's been running fine and the girls and I gave it a thorough cleaning the other day (complete with a good vacuum, Armoral, etc.). Maybe if it looks better it will work better? You never know, it works for me!

I'm having some computer woes, which is a big reason that I've been so quiet recently. Despite scans and checks and all that, I'm having difficulty logging onto the internet. I end up having to reboot and even that is taking a long time. Rather than get completely frustrated, I avoid the computer! I was able to play yesterday and had cards to share last night, but had to reboot again and while waiting, I channel surfed and found a show with Bill Engvall performing his stand up. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time! He is so funny! So the TV won out again last night.

I'm getting closer to sharing the cards, I promise! I have to share that I am a weak, weak, person when it comes to resisting stamps I really like! Used to be I couldn't resist shoes, but now...it's clear stamps! I prefer going barefoot if possible...who needs shoes...but stamps, those are a necessity, right?! LOL Anyway, in my weak state, I totally caved and bought a couple of sets from Verve. Kathi's recent card sharing using these sets, as well as artwork that kept showing up on my Reader, pushed me over the edge. This was my first time buying from Verve and I'll tell you what, the shipping was FAST and oh so reasonable! I ordered on Tuesday and my stamps were in my hand on Saturday! Just in time for a stamp fest!

As I cropped these photos, I realized, I was in a dotty mood, too! Or maybe it's just that the stamps lend themselved to using lots o' dots? In any case, dots are the running theme in these cards.

And now...without any more yapping...I give you the cards I copied made yesterday.
First up, Kathi's gorgeous work inspired this card! I followed her directions and put my own spin on it. I started out using Breeze, but switched to Ocean when I saw there wasn't enough contrast to make the flowers pop. I used my new Petals and Stems set from Verve (love the dotted centers...they also work with my Women of Life set) and Polka Dot Basics from Papertrey Ink. I used my Martha Stewart scalloped punch and added some ribbon (Dollar Tree blue and CTMH White Organdy). I couldn't decide where to put a sentiment that didn't look off, so I left it, well, off. Jackie Pedro, over at the Scalloped Edge blog, is a source of inspiration, too. When I saw this card, I immediately thought of CTMH's Elegant Floral set and was all set to use it. However, I decided I wanted to use the same types of colors that were used in her inspiration card, and I also wanted to play with my new stamps...so I switched the flower. I'm very happy with this card! Again, I used Ocean, as well as Breeze and Sweet Leaf. Polka Dot Basics, my new Petals and Stems (the flower is layered and popped with a pop dot) and a titch of Mixed Messages (PTI) round out the stamps used. Lately, I've noticed, I have a thing for layering ribbon. Don't know why, but I must like the look! Green satin is from Walmart and the blue is from Michaels (American Crafts). I added just a touch of bling with the jewels from Hobby Lobby in the corner.

The scalloped circle is a punch. Then I got out my trusty Coluzzle circle (or maybe it was the companion circle) template and made the green circle. A circle punch for the white layered the focal image. And if you know me, I sponge inked the edges, because somehow to me, a stamped piece just doesn't look finished unless the edges are inked. LOL

Oodabug Alley is another blog I like to visit, because I enjoy her whimsical take on creating cards (plus I think the name is so fun). This card really appealed to me, so I set out to recreate it, with my own twists. I think it's pretty self explanatory, so if you have any questions about what I did, please let me know.

The stamp set is called Fluttering By from Verve. I LOVE that butterfly!! Ribbon is from Michaels, orange bling from Hobby Lobby. Used a pair of scallop scissors and added some orange Stickles to the body of the butterfly (which is stamped once on the focal piece and stamped and cut from scrap to allow for the wings to be bent up a bit)
You all know how much I love and use my Papertrey Ink stamps. Well, Nichole Heady's blog is a big source of inspiration and this card is no exception. In fact, it was Capture the Moment that inspired Kathi to create the resist card I copied above. I followed what Nichole showed, but I didn't have any clear flowers. Or rather, I'm sure I do, but I cannot find them (grrrr). I tried punching one out of acetate, but I didn't like it, so I ended up punching out of cardstock, running it through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing folder and inking the raised dots. The little image on the scallops is from PTI Borders and Corners Square set. The sentiment is from CTMH's Kindred Spirits.

I am not sure I have done this fun card from Poppy Paperie justice, but here's my attempt. It's straightforward, so I won't bore you by explaining what is obvious, but if you have a question, please let me know. The large sentiment is from CTMH's Because of You set, that funky arrow is from a new set I got at Archiver's called Cool Dad (guess why I bought the set?) by Hero Arts. Mixed Messages and images from Borders and Corners Square from PTI. Oh yes, Polka Dot Basics was used as well. :o) Colors are Black and Sunflower. Nestabilities Rectangle is how I got the scalloped rectangle and insert, but I trimmed the cut white piece to show more of the black of the mat.

Whew! I did it! Are you still reading? Wow! You deserve an award of some kind! LOL

Now I am going to go eat the yummy breakfast that is waiting for me...I hope I'll be back later with more to share, but if my computer is being persnickety...well, you know....