52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - Embossing

Hello friends - it's time for another Christmas card for the 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown Embellishing Challenge #5 - Heat or Dry Embossing.  But before I tell you more about this weeks challenge at 52CCT, I am so excited to share with you that my card from last week was chosen as the Top Honor!!! Isn't that awesome?? What a tremendous confidence booster and really such an honor for me :o)  So... check it out if you get a chance and maybe make a card yourself to join in the next  challenge.  I'm having a lot of fun with it.

Now back to this week's challenge.  I chose dry embossing for my card - mostly because this is one of my favorite techniques to add texture on my cards, but also because everyone else is asleep and I didn't want to fire up my heat gun and cause the dogs to start barking - LOL.

This card has several sneak peeks at a some new products from Stampin UP. The DSP is called "Be of Good Cheer", the card base is made using a new in-color called "Gumball Green" and the bird stamp is from one of the new hostess set "Four Seasons".  I also used another new in-color called "Primrose Pink" on some of the snowflakes.  All of these products will be available starting June 1st. 

Thanks so much for stopping in to visit - I'm sure glad you did and I hope you saw something that inspired you to go create something fun! Hugs. 

Mo's DP2 - World Traveler

Hello friends!  The theme this week at Mo's DP2 Challenge is World Traveler.  I chose this sweet little image called "tooth fairy" by Mo Manning for my card because after all who other than Santa and the Easter Bunny travels the world as much???  The big embossed circle is supposed to represent the moon - as the children as to be sleeping when she appears and the clear sparkle flourishes are the magic the surrounds her (like her cloak of invisibility).  I have some fun memories of my kids and the toothfairy escapades.  I can think of two times that the toothfairy didn't make it to our house somehow and the story I had to come up with to cover my tracks was quite inventive and creative if I do say so myself. But when cornered for an answer a few days after the second incident I had to give up the ghost and tell the truth and BOY was my daughter MAD, MAD, MAD at me - yikes!! 

I used Copic markers to color my image and if you look closely you will see I also used the copic Spica glitters markers on the area around the tooth, on her crown and in her wings (oh and also on the handle and clasp of her bag and tassle).  I had a bit of a mishap on her face this time - but it was tht last thing I did and didn't want to scrap her cause the rest of her turned out so cute.   Anyway... need to make the deadline and get this entered in the DP2 Challenge #136 - World Traveler w/a Mo's image so I'll wind it up and say Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you saw something that inspired  you.  Here's a closer look:

Details and Supplies: Digital image - tooth fairy from Mo Mannings digital pencil shop.  Cardstock - Daffodil Delight, Wisteria Wonder and Whisper White (Stampin Up). DSP - Sweet Shop and "new" Floral District (SU).  Flourishes - Sparkle flourishes from Close to My Heart. Sentiment is from Loving Thoughts (SU).

Flourishes - Flowers

Hello friends! A second card for me today - Whoo Hoo!  Today I am entering for the first time the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #170 Challenge  which is to use an image with flowers.  I used a mix of a bunch of fun products on this card.

I used Copic marker to color this darling image from Penny Black  (it has been sitting on my desk for quite a while just waiting for an opportunity to be shown).  I am using some new DSP that I got from Close to My Heart called "Dotty for You", the sentiment is from Stampin Up! and is one of my favorite sets called "Petite Pairs".  I used the Scallop Edge border punch, the 1 3/8" circle punch and button embosslet sizzix from Stampin Up!.  The cardstock is a retired SU color called Bermuda Bay, and the flowers and fuzzy brads are from my stash of embellishments. The sentiment is stamped in Pool Party ink (from SU) - I wish I had used a bit darker blue as it doesn't show up very well in this photo (looks better in real life).  I also sponged the edges of both circles and the daisies (just a wee bit) with the Pool Party ink. 

Overall a sweet and simple little card to share with  you today.  Hope you liked it and thanks so much for stopping by to visit!  Hugs. 

A One Layer Card for C4C138

Happy Monday to you all!  I'm so very thankful to have a paid holiday from work today.  Its rainy and cold yet again today and is a great day to stay in my jammies and make cards and scrapbook - Sweet :o)!

This is my one layer card for the Crazy for Challenges (C4C138) theme.  I don't know about you but I find one layer cards incredibly hard to pull off - so I thought this was a great challenge to play along with.  I really like how this one turned out but I started with two other ideas that ended up in the trash can before I made this one.  The first one was just a dud - plain and simple - looked like a 5 year old made it - seriously!  The second card started out great but went downhill very rapidly.  I was trying to make circles on the card with superfine glitter. I will tell you that I have decided that I Do Not Like Glitter anymore {big frowny face}.  I had it all over me, on my desk, in my mouth, up my nose (I am still not entirely sure how I managed to do that - must have breathed in too deeply at some point) and on my eyebrows  - oh my goodness, what a mess it was!  Anyway success on the third try - HOORAY!

This darling little nurse and her patient are a digital image from Mo Mannings Digital Pencil shop, colored with Copic markers.  The sentiment is from Stampin Up! from a set called "Word Play".  I colored parts of the stamp separately with Stampin Write markers in Basic Grey and Baja Breeze inks.  Hope you like this card and thanks ladies at C4C for challenging me with this fun theme!

FMS36 and 4CCC #91

Hello friends - I woke up to snow this morning and was super bummed because my sister, cousin and I have a graduation party planned for our kids today.  The majority of it was to be outside - but now we have Plan B and are moving the party inside. And my husband was laughing at me  yesterday because I pulled out my gloves.  Today my wardrobe will most like consist of a hat and gloves and warm coat as i pop in and outside at the party.  My poor flowers and trees were really starting to bloom - hopefully this won't have affected them too much.  Hope it's nicer and more like spring wherever you are!
 
I am rushing to make the deadline today for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #36.  It is such a fun sketch I couldn't pass it up.  I am also entering this card in the 4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #91 - Color Challenge which calls for a combo of Chocolate Chip, Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy and White.  I really like how this card turned out -  it can be feminine or masculine and is very clean and simple in style.  Hope you like it too!

Here is the great sketch from FMS36 and the colours from 4 Crafty Chicks:

This card has a sneak peek at one of the new hostess sets that can be earned for free starting in June.  I colored the yummy cupcakes with my Chocolate Chip and Marina Mist Stampin Write markers.  The ink color for the sentiment is Not Quite Navy.  I used the 1" and postage stamp punches on this card as well as the 1/2" circle punch.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hugs.

Dynamic Duos #4, Creative Card Crew Challenge #11, City Crafters Challenge Week 110, Pals Paper Arts #135, & Our Creative Corner

Hello friends - hope you are having a wonderful long Memorial Day weekend.  It was only 38 degrees here today with rain and wind - brrr... My husband laughed at me because I pulled out my gloves again today to do my errands.  I don't know what he thinks is so funny, I don't usually  put away my gloves until July in Montana ;o)

I was delighted to be able to combine five challenges for my card today:

Dynamic Duos #4 - Monochromatic Colors 

Creative Card Crew  Challenge #11 - Dimension

City Crafters Week #110 - A Rose is A Rose

Our Creative Corner - A Shabby Chic Theme
Pals Paper Arts #135 - A Sketch Challenge

The sketch for my card is based on the Pals Paper Arts sketch, and the monochromatic color combo  of Bashful Blue and Marina Mist was chosen by the design team at Dynamic Duos.  I absolutely LOVE those two colors together! My first thought was a baby card - but to be honest I did so many of those the past month that I am already wondering who I am going to give those to - I don't know that many people who are planning to have babies right now  :o).  Then I remembered that we have a niece getting married next month and I need a wedding card for that wonderful occassion. 

Shabby Chic is a card type I don't typically do very much of - but I really admire it, so I had to give it a try.  My shabby chic card has distressed and inked edges with lots of dimension provided by layers,  dry embossing, scrunchy flowers, ribbon and lots and lots of pearls.  I think I might have even gone a little crazy with the pearls - but I just couldn't seem to stop myself - LOL.  I started with a bashful blue tafetta ribbon and then sponged on some Marina Mist ink to age it a little and provide some variation in the coloring (as if it had faded over time).  My little flowers and rose were punched with 3 different punches, scrunched like crazy and then layered. Here's another photo that shows the flowers and the depth of the card a little better:

And here is the sketch from PPA and color combos from DD that I used as well:

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!) and other details:  Cardstock - Bashful Blue, Marina Mist and Very Vanilla.  Ink - Marina Mist. DSP - Marina Mist from the Designer Series Patterned Paper Stack (subtles collection). Stamps - Love & Laughter (dress) and Petite Pairs (sentiment). Ribbon - 3/8" tafetta ribbon is Bashful Blue but inked up with Marina Mist.  Textured Embossing folders - Perfect Polka Dots and Vintage Wallpaper.  Punches used: Boho Blossoms, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Triple flower punch (retired), Small Oval (retired) and Large Oval.  Lots of basic pearls in 3 different sizes from the package.  

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown #5 - Nativity Scene

Hello friends!  The challenge this week at  52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown #5 is to make a Christmas card with a nativity scene on it. This is a hybrid card made using a combination of My Digital Studio (for the scene and sentiment from "Come to Bethlehem") and traditional cardmaking supplies (cardstock, patterned paper and ribbon). I haven't been able to go completely digital yet.  I still really love the depth and touch aspect of things like ribbon and rhinestones, and layers.  The hybrid is a great option because you get the best of both crafting worlds in my opinion.  Some advantages of digitial is that you don't have to store stamps that you may not use very often (in may case it was some Christmas sets and wedding).  Another nice thing about using digital stamps is the re-sizing option.  This image and sentiment that I used is available currently in both digital and as a clear (or wood) stamp set.  The color scheme is Not Quite Navy and Whisper White.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit - I hope you saw something that inspired you.  Thanks ladies at 52CCT for the opportunity to play along with your challenge!

Merry Monday #21 (A Punchy Snowman)

Hello and Happy Thursday!  This has been a difficult week for me creatively - I have just felt kind of flat - and it seems that everything I work on just doesn't come out like I wanted :o(  Don't you hate when that happens to you?  I made two other cards earlier in the week and I don't like either of them - blah (or should I say "Bah" as in  "Humbug"?)!

Earlier this year I decided I wanted to grow creatively and decided to start blogging and entering challenges as a way to do that.  I told myself that I would do my best and submit whatever I made (because sometimes I do think we can be too hard on ourselves) - but here's the thing that I have discovered about myself ... when I'm feeling flat and uninspired my cards do seem to show that (not that they are terrible - I just know they aren't what I would usually do). So I've re-assessed my creative committment and decided that it also still needs to be fun and feel good -and sometimes its okay if I don't like what I have made. 

Are you still with me?  Sorry... a little long winded tonight.  I wasn't happy with my first attempt at the Merry Monday #21 Challenge card this week either.  So... I let it go for a couple days and today I came up with the idea of using a snowman in place of an oval - and I really liked how it turned out! Hope you do too!       

Here's a couple other views of the card:

This card has a sneak peek at a couple NEW Products.  I used the new Christmas paper called "Be of Good Cheer" (available starting June 1st!) which is a fun package of paper with the traditional reds and greens of Christmas - and the snowman's scarf is made by using the NEW bitty banner sizzlit die (2 pieces - one is cut in half to make the extra piece of the scarf).  The green cardstock used for the border and scarf is one of the NEW In-Colors called Gumball Green (I love it!).  The ink is also Gumball Green. 

I used lots of  punches to create my snowman: 3 different circle punches - the 2 1/2", 1 3/4" and 1 3/8"circles; a couple different snowflake punches were used for the snowflakes and the snowman's hands (the large snowflake punch used on the snowman's body and arms is retiring May 31st); the 1" square punch, and the lace ribbon border punch (also retiring May 31st).  The eyes, mouth and buttons on the snowman were made using the owl builder punch (part of the eyes from that punch).  I used a snowburst texture folder on the outer edge of the card front and on the inside for an extra surprise when the recipient opens the card.  The sentiments are from the Petite Pairs (front) and Snow Much Fun (inside) sets. 

Dynamic Duos #3 & The Paper Players #96 (With Sympathy)

Hello friends - today I made a card for a couple of my dear friends who have recently lost a loved one.  It is never fun to make a card for this reason - but my hope is always that by sending a handmade card that the recipient(s) will know how much I truly care.  I was grateful to use both a color and theme from the following challenges to help me put this card together:

The Paper Players Challenge #96 - CAS with Polka Dots

Dynamic Duos #3 - Black Tie Week with a  Dessert option (dry embossing).

I hope this card qualifies as a clean and simple (CAS) card - I struggle a bit with the clean and simple concept. Even though it has several fussy-cut butterflies the lines of the card are clean and there is a good amount of white space (I think) to help it stay clean. It really is quite simple with the exception of the time it took to fussy cut the butterflies.  I did opt for the dry embossing dessert option for the Dynamic Duos challenge with the hearts on the daffodil delight strip.  Some of the butterflies are watercolored using a blender pen and the DD ink drops - the rest are stamped with black ink on Daffodil Delight cardstock and then cut out. 

 

These gorgeous butterflies are from a new stamp set called Papaya Collage that will be available June 1st.  The sentiment is from a retired set called Thanks for Caring.  Here is a couple more views of my card:

Thanks for stopping by to visit - I sure do appreciate it.  Hugs!

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!): Cardstock - Whisper White, Basic Black and Daffodil Delight.  Ink - Basic Black (classic) and Daffodil Delight. Stamps - Papaya Collage (NEW and available June 1st) and Thanks for Caring (sentiment - retired).  Polka dot paper is from the Designers Series Patterned Paper Stack - neutrals.  I used the Adorning Accents Textured Embossing Folders for the heart strip in the card. 

 

 

A Round Challenge card {Cupcake Thief Birthday Card}

Hello friends!  It is a happy sunny day here today and I need to get out in my yard and do some weed pulling and cleaning up - but before I do that I wanted to quickly share a fun card I made that I would like to enter in two fun challenges:

Mo Mannings DP2 Challenge #135 - circle card w/a Mo's image

Crazy 4 Challenges (C4C137) - anything goes birthday card

The star of this card is a darling image from Mo Manning's Digital Pencil shop called "cupcake thief". This reminds me so much of my daughter who is absolutely in love with all things cupcakes.  She is constantly baking cupcakes just because she loves to decorate them - then we share with her friends at school and my friends at the office. 

This card has a sneak peek of some of the new Stampin Up! products which will be available June 1st.  The DSP is called Patio Party which is perfect with this darling Mo's image! This DSP uses a  lot of the new 2012-2014 In-color collectionswithin its patterns.  I also used a couple of the new In-color collection cardstock colors called Summer Starfruit and Raspberry Ripple and Midnight Muse ink on the sentiments (also a new In-color).  

I colored this digital image with copic markers. This card is a finished size of 5" in diameter. My biggest sizzix circles were 4 1/4" so I had to use a couple plates and CD holders to make my other layers (don't look super close because my old eyes had to then cut around the circles I traced). My circle has a flat spot at the top so that the card will stay together and open nicely. I scattered the sentiments a bit to mimic the topsy turvy layering of the cupcakes as this darling sprite is escaping with them. The bitty clear hear buttons are a tribute to my cupcake loving daughter.   Here are some more views of the card:

Thanks so much for stopping by - I hope you enjoyed this card and saw something that inspired you in some way! 

Supplies (all from Stampin Up unless noted otherwise): Digital image - "cupcake thief" from Mo Manning coloured with copic markers.  Cardstock - Summer Starfruit, Raspberry Ripple, Pool Party and Whisper White.  DSP (inside and card front)- Patio Party.  Ink color is Midnight Muse.  Sentiments (card front) are from Petite Pairs and Create a Cupcake - inside sentiment is from Fiskars clear stamps.  Clear bitty buttons.  Circle punches and Spellbinders circles. 

Thank you Coach Tawni

Hello friends - my daughter and I created this card for her volleyball coach using the team colors of bright pink and black.  I had intended to enter it in the Creative Card Crew Challenge #10 - Sentiment as Focal Point but missed the deadline.  This is a very simple card using stickers as a heartfelt sentiment :o)  I used the Stampin Up Adorning Accents textured impressions embossing folder for the bottom edge of the card and the polka dot textured embossing folder for the card base.  Here is the inside which uses a sentiment from a hostess set called Perfect Words in addition to some more stickers:

Thanks for stopping by to visit - I'm sure glad you did.

Merry Monday #20

Hello and ho ho ho!  It's time to play along with the other merry makers at the Merry Monday #20 Challenge. I flipped the sketch  provided by Lesley for my card and kept it clean and simple. 

There is very little stamping on this card because of the pretty DSP  that I used.  I am such a fan of patterned paper - just love it.  I used four different pieces from this DSP package.  I had told you I was going to use some of the new Christmas paper as a sneak peek on the next Merry Monday challenge (that would be this one) but I came across this retired paper from a couple years ago and inspiration struck and I just had to use it. So... I promise to use some new stuff on the next card :o).  I am well on my way now with Christmas cards due to participating in this challenge.  In fact if I keep it up the rest of the year people I haven't sent cards to for a while are probably going to be hearing from us this year for sure - LOL.  Thanks for stopping in to visit - I'm sure glad you did.  Here is another view of my card too.  Hugs!

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!): Cardstock - Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla.  DSP - Deck the Halls (retired).  Sentiment is from Delightful Dozen and is stamped in Always Artichoke.  

4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #90 - Graduation

Happy Saturday to you all!  Many of you know that my son is graduating this year and I have posted a few other cards on my blog recently to share with you.   I was happy to see that the crew at 4 Crafty Chicks came up with a graduation challenge and that I could share another one with you (4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #90 - Graduation) today.  I decided to keep all the cards I am making for graduation in a clean and simple format because although I hope that some of them will keep the card, I realize that most of them are going to be more interested in the gift inside :o)  The inside has a pocket that says "Congrats... Happy Graduation" which is embossed in white on a black piece of cardstock.  A check or cash or gift card slips into it quite nicely (I apologize that I don't have a picture of the inside for you - my battery died right as I as taking this photo so now the camera is re-charging).   I was also able to use up some of my extra patterned paper stock from a couple years ago.  Not sure if you can tell but the caps on the DSP are flocked.  I snipped one extra one out and put it next to my sentiment (which I hope is also simulating the caps flying in the air). 

This is a really quick format to use to make up several cards when needed in a pinch and can easily be customized to the graduates by using DSP in their school colors.  Thanks so much for stopping in to visit and see my card - I hope you liked it :o)

Supplies: Cardstock - Basic Black and Whisper White (Stampin Up).  Stamp set - Delightful Dozen. DSP from my stash (hats) and Riding Hood Red from the Designer Series Patterned Paper Stack (SU).      

Mojo Monday #241

Hello and Happy Friday!  Wow... I don't know about you but that seemed like a long work week for me and I am more than ready to enjoy the weekend.  My daughter is having a sleepover tonight so that means I will be up late crafting until they decide to go to sleep - yippee :o).  That way I won't feel so bad that I am pulling weeds tomorrow instead of making cards - LOL.  This is a card I made using the MOJO Monday #241 sketch (see below).  This card gives you a sneak peek of a couple new products that will be available on June 1st (Raspberry Ripple cardstock and ink, Midnight Muse ink  that are both are part of the new In-color 2012-2014 collection). That little banner strip at the top is also a sneak peek at some new DSP that will be available on June 1st too.  The flowers on the main image are from a beautiful stamp set called Elements of Style that I colored with my Stampin Write markers in Blushing Bride (retiring May 31st), Raspberry Ripple and Garden Green.  The humming bird is stamped with Midnight Muse (love it!) and then fussy cut with my paper snips. 

I don't know why, but lately I have really been into fussy cutting.  I usually get about half-way through and think to myself "goodness, this is time consuming, what was I thinking?"  but I do so like the look of it when I'm done that I forget how much work it seemed (especially without my readers - sometimes my arms are not quite long enough to see what I'm doing).     I used a couple different types of texture on this card - the stripes embossing folder was used on the card base and the square lattice embossing folder was used on the garden green layer.  The Paper Doily Large Sizzlit Die also adds a level of depth and texture to this card.  I sponged a little marina mist and pool party ever so lightly around the flower circle - not sure how well it shows up in the photo.  Here's a close up of the image:

This is such a fun sketch - I'm sure I'll be using it more than once.  Playing along with Mojo Monday is a great way to keep myself creatively challenged.  I would really encourage you to play along if you can - its lots of fun. And...I get so many great ideas from the other people who are participating.   Thanks for stopping by to visit - I'm sure glad you did. I hope you saw something that inspired you! Hugs.

 Supplies (all from Stampin Up!): Cardstock - Raspberry Ripple (new! and available on June 1st as part of the newest In-color collection), Garden Green and Very Vanilla.  Stamps - Elements of Style (120045 clear or 118611 wood).  Ink - Midnight Muse and Raspberry Ripple (new! and available June 1st as part of the newest In-color collection), Garden Green and Blushing Bride (retiring May 31st). DSP strip is from Patio Party  (new! and available June 1st).  Textured embossing folders: Square lattice textured embossing folder (119976) on the garden green layer, and Stripes (123128) on the card base.  The Doily behind the image circle was made using the Paper Doily Large Sizzlit Die (125592).  I added two large basic pearls (125577) to the card also.

Dynamic Duos Challenge #2 - So Saffron and Pool Party

Hello Friends - Happy Thursday!  The color challenge this week at Dynamic Duos Challenge #2 is to use So Saffron and Pool Party (soft, romatic colors).  These colors say "feminine" and "happy" (like sunshine and sky) to me so my entry this week incorporates lots of layers, ruffles (compliments of the scallop edge border punch) and flowers (flowers make everything better!).  It's kind of a "thick" card and will need extra postage - but I think it was worth it.  My wonderful sister will be the recipient of this card.  Hope you enjoy this card and thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs.

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!):  Cardstock - Whisper White,So Saffron and Pool Party.  I stamped three flowers and then two more which I cut out with my paper snips and layered on top of the first three stamped images. I added the In-color brads to the middles for a little pop of color to go with the theme.  This gorgeous stamp set called Vintage Vogue is retiring the end of May - I wish I had used it more because it is so lovely.  You can still order it though if you love it on my website www.daniellevincent.stampinup.net until May 31st - then its retired forever.  This set has a great vintage feel to it.  I had originally ordered it for that reason and then found out that I struggle a bit with vintage, even though I so admire it when I see it.  I made the ruffle layers using the scallop edge border punch.  The So Saffron patterned paper is from the Designer Series Patterned Paper Stack - subtles collection.  

NONTRADITIONAL COLORS for 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown

Hello, hello and ho ho ho!  Mynette from 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown has issued a color challenge for Week 2 of May using Green, Purple and Silver or White (I used both).  For many, many years my Mom had a themed tree each year - and I do remember a purple and silver one once.  We also had pink, red, gold, silver, white flocked with all red decorations - you name it, but always a color theme.  My own tree is much more traditional with lots of the kids handmade ornaments on it and crocheted angels and very old Avon and Hallmark ornaments and sometimes a new one that I have found.  I laugh because there never is a theme - and it's almost a mish-match tree that looks different each year depending on what the kids want to put on it  - but it holds lots of memories for me when I look at it.

When I saw the Color Challenge #5 at 52 {Christmas}Card Throwdown I immediatly thought of a decorated tree - so I pulled out my new to me stamp set called Polar Party and decorated up those trees.  This turned out more "blingy" than I was going for - was trying for shiny christmas bulb ornaments (maybe should have colored pearls instead of rhinestones). I added even more sparkle with the silver glimmer snowflakes and Champagne mist paint around the corners of the card (to simulate a frosty scene.  I apologize if this hurts your eyes a bit with all this shine and bling - LOL- but I hope you see something that you like in it.  I love that it stretched me creatively to try some new things.  I also found out that shimmery projects are very hard to photograph - especially when there are so many different types of shimmer and shine - this is the best photo I could get :o(. This is the Inspiration Photo from 52CCT:

Thanks so much for stopping by - come back soon!  Hugs. 

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!): Cardstock - Garden Green (I used the snowflake embossing folder on the background piece), Whisper White, Brushed Silver, Silver Glimmer and Concord Grape (a 2010-2012 In-Color that is retiring on May 31st).  I used the Northern Frost sizzix strip to create two of the snowflakes (now retired) and another punch I've had forever.  The trees are from Polar Party (very cute set that I will be using more of with Polar bears and Penguins too) and the sentiment is from Curly Cute.   I sponged some Champagne Mist paint around the edges of the card front and colored some basic rhinestones with a purple sharpie for the tree decorations.  I colored the trees with my Copic markers.

Mo's DP2 Challenge #134 - Tickle My Funny Bone

Hello friends! Insomnia and inspiration have struck and here I am entering this card in Mo's DP2 Challenge #134 - Tickle My Funny Bone at this ridiculous hour of the morning.  I'm sure there are much less fun things to do when you can't sleep - but this is my vice :o).  The challenge theme this week as I mentioned above is humor using a Mo's image.  I thought this saying was just too cute with the darling image called "big shoes" (you can find this at Mo's Digital Pencil too). I love Mo's images because there are so many that remind me of someone I know and love.  This particular image reminds me of an old picture of myself (with the long curly hair) in my mom's shoes, and my own little girl who loved to put on my high heels and clomp around the house (she still LOVES high heels - and walks better in them than I do, I might add).  

I started off with a different DSP scheme in mind as I colored the image, but then didn't like how it came together. I think I might have used different colors for this paper if I had planned to use it initially, but thankfully it still came together nicely.  This card uses some new, current and retired products from Stampin Up.  The new is a sneak peak at the new Stampin Up 2012-2014 In-Color called Raspberry Ripple (cardstock and ink for sentiment) - oh I am so lovin' this color.  The sentiment is also new from Unity Stamps and Jillibean Soup.  The leaves are from the Two-Step Bird Punch (SU) and the pearls are also from SU (large and basic sizes).  The paper is from my stash of DSP called Raspberry Tart (2009).  The flowers are also from my stash of stuff that I just can't seem to get rid of.  Here's an up close look at my card:

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit - I'm sure glad you did! Hugs 

Creative Card Crew Challenge #10 - Sentiment as Focal Point

Hello and Happy Tuesday!  I just love the challenge that the design team at Creative Card Crew came up with for this round - Creative Card Crew #10 - Sentiment as the Focal Point.  I am a fan of quotes and the power of words and couldn't resist making a second card to enter in this challenge.

My son and several relatives and friends are graduating this year.  I wanted to give them a handmade card that they might want to keep (I kept all of mine), but I also think that many of them are going to be more concerned with what is inside (show me the money baby!) so I kept it clean and simple.   The message is what I really wanted to convey to each of them.  This is such an exciting time in their lives and the perfect opportunity to go out there and make their dreams happen. The inside has a pocket for money or a gift card with "Congratulations" sentiment on it. I'm so proud of the young man my son has become, and am so excited for the opportunities that are now in front of him. I have to admit though that I am not really ready for him to go away for college - what will he do without me for goodness sake - how will he survive (lol)?!  Really its more like "what will I do without him around all the time?"  He is also making me laugh - he is such a great big brother and his dad's best buddy.  Oh goodness - it's hard to realize that your baby has grown up and is going away soon  - how do parents do this?  I guess I'm going to have to get myself a Facebook account (gasp!) so I can keep up with him while he is away and hopefully I won't call him so many times that he is embarrassed and no longer answers :o).   Okay - enough of my rambling... thanks so much for stopping by to visit - I sure am glad you did! 

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!): Cardstock - Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black and Whisper White. DSP - Designers Series Patterned Paper Stack (neutrals).  Sentiment is from Word Play and the image is from My Digital Studio.

Freshly Made Sketches #34 & The Paper Players #95

Hello friends, here it is Monday already! I used the sketch from Lesley for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #34 and Ann's color challenge at The Paper Players (PP95) to make this card for my dear friend Patrice.  I have had the privilege to work with Patrice for the past 7 years.  We instantly became friends and have shared so many fun times and memories (some not so fun too).  We worked side by side for many years and many long hours, but we also shared some very funny moments and lots of laughs.  I have learned so much from her professionally and personally. Patrice and her wonderful husband Tom have taught me about some of the finer things in life like good wine, good food and travel.  Patrice also introduced me to Brighton jewelry, Harry and Davids, Williams and Sonoma, the Black Market White House store, and talked me into starting Stampin Up (she is my upline) which has been the best, positive, fun experience (my husband might say she has been a bit of a bad influence on my pocket book - LOL). 

Sadly, I will be saying goodbye to Patrice soon as she is moving to a different  state for another job. It will seem so odd not to see her practically every day :o(  but I wish her the best and wanted to thank her for the role she has played in my life for the past several years.  You know the saying about friends for a reason, a season and a lifetime?  Well, I can tell you that we have definitely been friends for a season and I hope that continues to a lifetime friendship.

It was hard for me to make this card without tears popping up - so I kept it pretty clean and simple  I apologize that my photo isn't top notch this time but I hope that you can still see all the elements that I used.  Thanks so much for stopping by  - have a wonderful Monday, and remember to tell your friends how much they mean to you.  Hugs! 

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!):  This card uses a mix of new, retired and retiring (May 31st)products.  Cardstock - Poppy Parade (retiring), Baja Breeze and Whisper White.  DSP - Pocketful of Posies (retiring) and Summer Smooches (new).  The large flower is made from the Blossom Builders kit (retired from Occassions Mini) and a Bright Button (current).  The small flowers are from my stash of retired products.  The strip of yellow ribbon is brand spankin'new and will be available starting June 1st . The Thank You banner is made with the new Bitty Banners Framelits dies (available June 1st) and the Bitty Banners stamp set.  I used Baja Breeze ink on it (sorry it doesn't show up very well in the photo).  The circle behind the large flower was made with Baja Breeze cardstock and the 2 1/2" circle punch.  

Merry Monday #19

Hello Friends - Happy Friday!  Last week I just couldn't seem to get my Merry On with all that I had going on - and this week has been kind of crazy too, but I was able to finally find a little time to play with this great sketch from Lesley at Always Playing with Paper - which is the site for the weekly Merry Monday challenges.  This card is based on the Merry Monday #19 Challenge. 

As you can see, I interpreted the sketch just a wee bit to accomodate an idea I have been wanting to try since receiving my Lable Framelit dies.  If you look closely you will see what looks like a shadow.  What that is is a window cut-out - you can see it a little better in the pictures below and of the inside.  Popped the trees up with dimension dots so that even when it's closed there is some dimension to the card.  I dug up some fun paper from a couple seasons ago to use for this card while I am so very eagerly awaiting my Stampin Up! preorder that is supposed to be delivered sometime today (whoo hoo!).  I pre-ordered some great Christmas stuff - so be watching for a sample of it next week when I participate in the next Merry Monday challenge.  Thanks so much for stopping by - I hope you saw something that inspired you!  Have a most wonderful weekend won't you?!  Hugs!

 

Supplies (all from Stampin UP!): Cardstock - Garden Green and Whisper White.  Stamps - Polar Party (trees) and Tiny Tags.  DSP - Candy Cane (retired 2010). Ribbon - 1/4" grosgrain in real red.  I used the jewelry tag punch for the little sentiment tags.  I colored the image with Copic markers.  I used three of the sizes in the Lables Collection Framelit dies for the inside.