April 2, 2008

BEATE'S INSPIRATION CHALLENGE...SORT OF

Hi all! Well, I am still sleep deprived and I have decided Dexter is not nearly as cute at 2am - LOL! I had forgotten about this part.....if I ever mention the word puppy to you again, remind me about this, okay? Seriously, he is a sweet dog, but he never seems to shut off. Most puppies need sleep, but not this little guy. I know I do though... I feel like I am walking around in a fog! And, with Tony gone, the "baby" duties have all fallen to me!! He doesn't get back until Monday...hope I can stay awake until then! So, today's project is supposed to be for Beate's Inspiration Challenge, but I am not sure it qualifies. But, I am going with it. The colors of blue and brown jumped out at me and since they were lanterns, they reminded me of outside, and well, bugs! So, I decided to use my Bugs and Kisses Stamp set for this one - I am really lovin' this set!! The base of this card is Bashful Blue card stock which is then layered with Bashful Blue Designer Prints paper that I actually received in a Hostess Level I set that has several of these sheets in all different colors and patterns - what a totally great Hostess gift!! Anyway, I faux stitched around those two layers, using my white gel pen. I also used my Ticket Corner Punch (don't I always?!) The next layers are Kraft, Bashful Blue, and Confetti White card stock. On the Confetti White card stock, I stamped off the dragonfly image so there are faint images of this stamp all over - it is hard to see here but looks great IRL. I also used my Ticket Corner Punch on all three of these layers, added faux stitching, and then four vintage brads. Then, on all the layers, I added Close to Cocoa classic ink with my sponge. The image is layered with Bashful Blue and stamped on Confetti White card stock. I also stamped the image on some more of the Bashful Blue Designer Prints paper, cut it out, and paper pieced the wings of my dragonfly. The sentiment is stamped on Bashful Blue card stock and punched out using my Large Oval Punch. I added some dotted accents with my Close to Cocoa Stampin' Write Marker, and then I took the small ant stamp from the stamp set and stamped it in Close to Cocoa on my White grosgrain ribbon. I love the effect this left! I then put the sentiment up on dimensionals. Finally, I decided to add a Build-a-Brad so I stamped the ant on Confetti White card stock, punched the head out using my 1/2 inch Circle Punch, and added the whole thing to my card. I have to say, I really like the brad, I think it adds some cuteness to this card! So, there you have it! I hope it meets the Inspiration Challenge because this is what I came up with! And, just to show you there is no hard feelings between me and the new guy in my life, here are some pics of the bad little boy! My Golden Retriever Cisco is ten years old and laying around is what he does best so he is not sure what to do with all the energy Dexter has! The first pic is one of them after playing - Cisco was done, but Dexter was not until Cisco laid his big paw on Dexter's head and that was that. So, Dexter just laid there and stared at him - LOL! The next one is when we were working in the yard - he kept getting underfoot so I tossed him in the wheelbarrow for a ride! This last one is of him after being scolded - he was carrying one of my shoes around in his mouth - he LOVES shoes, socks, shirts, anything he can put his mouth around! He looks guilty, doesn't he - LOL! So, see, I do love him, just not at 2am!!! See ya tomorrow!

34 comments:

Ana Baird said...

Love your dragonfly and your dog is so cute!

Deb said...

You make amazing cards even when you are sleep deprived! It is stunning!
Love seeing your doggies, they are so adorable, love all Dexter's different faces!

Lauren said...

You love him - even at 2 am! This is such a pretty card too. Love the soft colors.

jjcreations said...

I like your card...especially the ant in the build a brad!!!! Awesome idea. Dexter is very sweet! Hope he turns off soon and you get some sleep. Joan

Manna said...

This is so very cute! Love the soft colours! Oh, your doggies are so cute! Hope Dexter sleeps for you more in the night!

Shannon McGann said...

Dexter is so adorable! I can't believe he would do anything bad! LOL! Look at that face! :)

I love your dragonfly card. The Cocoa and Bashful Blue look so nice together. And I love the ant brad too! Just adds that little somethin'!

Melissa said...

O Alex! I'm not sure how much more of Dexter's cuteness I can take. You may have to start reminding me of the 2:00 am interruptions so that I don't go out and get myself one of them!

Many Blessings,
M.

Suzanne said...

This card is beautiful love the sentiment. Super cute puppy pictures but I am glad its you having the sleepless nights!!!

Bethany Paull said...

Very nice card with those pretty patterned wings. And keep the puppy pics coming, I love 'em. Though I don't live with him at 2 am.

~Denise Lynn~ said...

Adorable card Alex. I love that bug set. Fun colors and that ant brad is the best! Love the stitching and the glitter too.

What a cutie pie, thanks for sharing him with us. Sorry that you're sleepy, it's rough going in the beginning. It'll get better though. He looks worth sleepless trouble. :)

Charmaine (CharmWarm) said...

Gorgeous take on the challenge Alex. Sorry the puppy's not letting you get much sleep. . .it's kinda like you just had a baby! LOL Hugs! Hope you get to sleep soon!

pescbrico said...

I like the soft look of your card! :)

Sharon said...

What a cute card! I have this set and am always looking for new ideas for it, so here is a great one. Your new little friend is adorable. How can he be so mischievous?!! Te He

corinnesomerville said...

Oh my gosh, Alex !!! I know the puppy stage is tough but he's sooooooo STINKIN' ADORABLE !!!! It makes me want another puppy too !!! I'm sure once Tony gets home you'll feel some of the puppy pressure ease off a bit for you.
Fantastic card !! LOVE IT !!!

Dawn said...

First I love the card, second I love that puppy, and third, thanks for visiting my blog & leaving comments, it means a lot ot me, exp, since your blog is soooo fab..

dawn

Deborah said...

Beautiful card! Dragonflies everywhere! (wink)! Oh Mr. Dester! Be sure and go to Petco and buy him lots of his own rope and giant chew toys! They also love to carry around their heavy duty pet bowls! Last summer my sis bought a mini wading pool for her Labbie to hang in, he loved it! Labs love water so much! LOL! Hugs, Deb

suzann said...

Love your card, as always!!

But what a cutie your baby puppy is! OOHH, but shoes in the mouth - bad boy!

Have fun with him and hope you get some sleep real soon.

Anonymous said...

Alex, your card looks wonderful! I love it! Your puppy is adorable!
Hugs and smiles

Nikki Bond said...

HAAA I feel your pain girl! Puppies are just like having a baby/toddler in the house. Potty training and chewing and making messes!!!!!! I think mine are FINALLY getting the whole potty thing but I still find and "oopsy" now and then! They still love to create havoc around the house though, pulling pillows off the couch, chewing up pencils or wrappers they find from my kids. They even found that the toilet paper roll is fun to pull on!
AHHHHH! LOL Hang in there! I'm sure theres a light at the end of the tunnel...just not sure when the tunnel ends! As for your card, it is stunning! I love what Beate has up this week and I hope I can get to it to! You have a wonderful take on it! I'm SURE it qualifies! {SMILES}

Unknown said...

I love that card! It's so gorgeous!

Dexter is a cutie! You gotta love high-maintenance babies.

Anonymous said...

Love the card...and the dog! So cute. Sorry you're missing out on sleep...we'll catch up when we die, right?

Diane said...

Your work is really good for someone that is sleep deprived!!
You sound like Shannon right now,she just got a puppy too,I think it's the same kind too!!!
They're so cute but I wouldn't have the patience to train one!!!

ScrapMomOf2 said...

I showed my oldest daughter the dog photos, and I cannot wait to show my youngest (when she gets home tomorrow, sniff, sniff!!) How CUTE! I love the photo of the two dogs together. It's like the older one is looking at him thinking, "Crazy kid!" The wheelbarrow shot is fantastic! Love your card too!

Dawn Easton said...

Awesome inspiration card Alex!!!
Those pics are so cute! It's so fun to see puppies. Love the one of the two dogs together. Reminds me of a father looking down on a son...so sweet!

Ila said...

Your card is Gorgeous!!..love the dragon fly and colors.
Dexter is absolutely Adorable!!..great photos...have to admit though I'm glad my Buddy sleeps through the night!

Gina said...

Oh how cute is he, I know what you mean about puppies, mine is now 2 years old and has only just started sleeping properly :)
Gina xx

Erin... said...

Cute puppy!!!! I love th eant build a brad too too cute!!!

Corie said...

Your card is just beautiful!!

The dogs are so adorable. Dakota used to do the same thing to Jake when he had too much. I was a little worried the first time Dakota put his paw on Jake to restrain him, but they seem to work it out just fine! Things are so easy when you are a dog -- Eat Sleep and Play -- what a life!!

Rose Ann said...

Pretty, pretty card! I love the colors, your stitching, and brad you built!! Adorable pictures too!!

Anonymous said...

beautiful card!! and darling pictures of the doggies....and yes I will be happy to remind you of the puppy duties at 3am (love my dogs but it's like I have four children instead of two :))

Tracy.H said...

I so, so, so love this card, Alex!!

That is one sweet face...but I think it might not look as sweet at 2:00am!! ;0)

Anonymous said...

Alex, your card is so cute with the dragonfly...but I could look at those cute little puppy pics all day long...I'm a sucker for puppies! ;)

Paula said...

Fantastic cards! But your little babies caught my eye - what darling babies your have there! Just darling!

Kim Marie said...

but he's so adorable!! Love the dragonfly card too! Pretty!
Kim Marie