Technique Tuesday - Finally I got it done!

Hello Friends - is it just me or has this been the craziest of weeks?!  I feel as if I have been running like a chicken with my head cut off suddenly and getting absolutely nowhere - ACKKK - goodness gracious!  Sorry... stress fit now over and moving on - LOL.

I have been planning to participate in the Technique Tuesday August 2012 Challenge - Baby Wipe Reinker all month and here it is practically the last minute and I finally got it done.  If technique challenges kind of make your heart go pitter patter (they do mine a little, maybe that's why I wait til the last minute to put it together)- never fear.... my dear blog friend and DT member from  52CCT, Mynnette - the challenge owner, has done a fabulous job putting together these technique instructions for us to follow.  It's hard not to be successful at it with her instructions and photos of each step.  She has also recently added a few new DT members to the Technique Tuesday challenge and they've shared some really FAB samples with us as well.  Please go check it out - it's wonderful and I know they would love to have you participate in their budding challenge.  For selfish reasons I'd like to see this challenge grow - so want to keep being inspired and learning some new technique talents to use going forward - so please support this challenge if you can ;o)

I made two cards based on this new technique and I have some parts left over to make a couple more that I might get toghether soon to share with you. Per the suggestions for the technique, I used 3 different re-inker colors - mine are Pretty in Pink, Calypso Coral and Rose Red. 

This is the first one - kept it really clean and simple - focus is on the hearts - they do look cool!

 

And... here is the second one. I had stamped a bunch of hearts on a couple pieces of cardstock (you can get a lot off that first baby wipe) planning to cut them out and do something fabulous with them later.  I decided I liked the look of them all clustered together on this one piece so I just snipped another heart from the other piece of c.s. and popped it up for some added effect at the bottom.  This one is my favorite of the two. 

Here's a side view of the card to see the dimension a little better:

I'm really glad I tried this technique!  Not too messy when you use a large clear block (or other solid flat surface that won't bleed through).  and different results each time you move the stamp around on the baby wipe.  I only had some cleaning clothes for my letter press system that had nearly dried up in the box because it had been so long since I had last used them.  I misted one of them with water and crumpled it up in my hands to re-moisten it.  My ink colors spread out faster than I thought they would (the water probably made some difference) but the colors didn't completely merge into each other as I feared.

 

So...What do you think? Which do you like best?  I'd love to hear your thoughts! Thanks so much for stopping by tonight - I'm sure glad that you did.  Til next time - Hugs and Happy Crafting!!

Stampendous - Focus on the Sentiment, Sweet Stampin - Out of the Frame, CSAYL #25 - Non traditional Colors, CCAYR - Kids and Unscripted Sketches #173

Hello friends -  I'm really excited about this card as it turned out exactly as I had "dreamed" it and I think it is just too cute (sorry to toot my own horn - just can't help it)!  Hope you like it too. 

I am entering this card in the following five challenges:
Sweet Stampin' - Out of the Frame where they want to see part of the image sticking out of the frame. My image (the three wise men) is sticking out of the word frame.

Christmas Cards All Year Round - Kids

Christmas Stampin' All Year Long #25 - Non Traditional Colors (mine are blue, yellow/gold and razzleberry).  I think my pattern is a bit non-traditional too. 

Unscripted Sketches #173 (see below) which I have flipped and loosely interpretted the four squares in the sketch to be the three wise men and the gifts they are bearing. 

 

I'm also entering this card for the first time over at the Stampendous  Challenge Blog where the theme for August is Focus on the Sentiment.  

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today to see my card - I'm sure glad that  you did!  Til next time... Hugs and Happy Crafting!

 

Supplies: Cardstock (base and layering) Rich Razzleberry (SU) and Summer Sun (a retired SU color) and Neenah Solar White.  DSP - International Bazaar (SU).  Stamps - "First Christmas" and "Wise Kiddos" both from Stampendous.  The poem is colored and stamped with Rich Razzleberry ink (SU). I tore the edges around the poem and ran a copic marker around the edge for some definition.  The darling kids were stamped with Memento Ink (black) and colored Copic markers and Spica gel pens.  I also added a touch of glitter around the trim of their coats with my SU dazzling details white glitter glue.  I popped the three wise men (kiddos) up with SU dimension dots (got them a bit crooked from where I initially wanted them - but they were not coming back up without a fight - so you might need to tilt your head just a bit to get the best view of my card - lol).

Freshly Made Sketches (FMS#49) and Dynamic Duos (DD17)

Hello friends - Happy Monday! This card is based on two great challenges - Freshly Made Sketches #49 and Dynamic Duos #17 - Wisteria Wonder and Concord Crush - loving those purples! 

 

 

 

This card is 5 1/2 square (I LOVE to make Square cards!).  I used some of my favorite retired DSP called Sweet Shop for the Wisteria Wonder.  I also pulled out and inked up another retired item that I had never used before called "Baby Blossoms" (the flowers).  This is a two step stamp set that is actually surprisingly easy to use (don't know why I never did before now).  First I stamped the shadow part of the flower in Wisteria Wonder and then I stamped on top of that the detailed part in Concord Grape.  I just love how it turned out!  I used three different punches - the modern label punch for the sentiment (one of my favorites), the new mini scallop circle (from the holiday mini) and the 1" circle.  The pretty border is from the finishing touches edgelits - really love the delicate, elegant look of this one.  I layered the reverse side of the polka dot paper behind the punched border so that it would stand out a bit better, and tucked my sentiment down into it a bit.  The sentiment is from another new set called "Sweet Essentials".

 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today - I'm so glad that you did!! Please come back again sometime.  'Til next time... Hugs and Happy Crafting!

ATS - Addicted to {Gold} Color Challenge #2 and Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Monochromatic Christmas

Hello friends - another quick post today.  I didn't sleep well last night as I was making cards in my head all night.  Do you do that too??  So, instead of starting my housework and laundry as I planned last night, I ran right up to my craft room and put my visions together in real life.  It's frusterating when you want to sleep but sooo much fun when you get up the next morning and the card you made in your head turns out exactly like you envisioned it - like this card did for me :o) 

The reason I made this card was to enter it in the ATS Addicted to {Gold} Color Challenge #2. I love to make metalic cards but they are so hard to photograph.  I made my own patterned paper background by stamping the snowflake in gold ink and heat setting it (really tickled with how it turned out!). I lined the cs up against my grid paper so I could eyeball the lines and keep my stamping somewhat straight.   I used a Brushed Gold cardstock base and one layer behind the tree.  I did use gold embossing powder on the tree to give it a bit more dimension and shine.  Wouldn't this be extra pretty with some randomly placed red rhinestones?  Hmmm... should have thought of that earlier (maybe I'll still add them).  I am also entering this in the Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Monochromatic Christmas. 

Well... really must start my housework (drat!) and spend some time with my kiddos :o) It's a beautiful day here so I don't want to be inside all day...well... maybe I would if I could just keep playing :o)  Thanks so much for stopping by to visit - I'm sure glad that you did.  Please come back again soon. Til next time... Hugs and Happy Crafting!

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!): Cardstock - Brushed gold and Basic Black.  Stamp - Snow Swirled. Sentiment - Border Banter (NEW in the Holiday mini catalog) - I masked off two of the "merry" words to put on this space.  Other - versamark ink and gold embossing powder set with a heat gun. 

MOJO Monday #255, Inspired by #38 and Divas by Design #49

Hello dear blog friends!  My card today is based on the MOJO Monday #255 sketch and the Inspired by #38 photo (see both below).  I am also entering it in the Divas By Design challenge #49 - "Anything Goes" (my second entry there).  The inspiration I took from this photo was the apples, the colors, the patterns and the overall country style.  Ages ago we used to have a garden and my Grandma June taught me how to can.  I canned beets, beans, pickles, peas, tomatoes, pumpkin and applesauce.  This brings back good memories :o)

I'm still fine-tuning my masking technique.  This time I used dotto to hold the red apple mask in place (which worked perfectly) but for some reason the second apple stamp (the green one) wouldn't press all the way down around the edge of the masked apple and I kept getting a while half-moon shape there (quite frusterating!)  I tried three times with the same result so finally gave up and tried to blend it in a bit with some ink dots and my blender pen.  If you don't look too closely it's all good!   


Well - better get busy with my housework and laundry since tomorrow is Monday. So I'll sign off for now. Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me - I'm sure glad that you did!  Til next time - Hugs and Happy Crafting!

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!):  Cardstock - More Mustard, Very Vanilla and Early Espresso. Stamp and sentiment are from Perfectly Preserved, cut out with the new coordinating framelit dies - Cannery Set  (both are NEW in the SU Holiday Mini).  Ink colors - Raspberry Ripple and Lucky Limeade.  DSP - Orchard Harvest Designer Series Paper (NEW in the SU Holiday Mini). I also used the Bitty Banners Framelit dies for the sentiment banner.  Added three tiny pearls for a touch of shine on those apples.  Ribbon is the 3/8" pleated satin ribbon in Lucky Limeade. 

CASology - GREEN and CFC67 - Banners/Flags

Hello friends - one last card for tonight based on the CASology cue card - Green and CAS-ual Fridays CFC67 - Banners or Flags.  I have a banner and I used three different shades of green on this card - Lucky Limeade (pear), Certainly Celery (jar top) and Wild Wasabi (sentiment) - the tiny little rhinestones even have a different shade of green (but I'm not sure what it is).  I am telling you... CAS and Monochromatic cards are both a real challenge for me - but I'm not too disappointed in how this turned out.  I gave it a few extra details - rounded corners, pierced corners, a teensy bit of bling, but managed to still keep it CAS - I think.  I've been having fun playing with this new stamp set and coordinating framelits - kind of like instant satisfaction when you roll it out of the Sizzix machine - viola!!  Got lots of other ideas rolling around in my head but they will have to wait until tomorrow or another day - I'm pooped!

 

 

Hope you like this card - or saw something that might have inspired you.  Gotta dash off to bed now so thanks very much for stopping by - I sure appreciate that you did :o) Till next time... Hugs and Happy Crafting! 

Merry Monday Challenge #29, Paper Play Challenges Week 34 and My Time to Craft Challenge #185

Hello friends, so glad that you've decided to come visit me again!  You are the reason that I keep doing this - hoping that I am giving someone a little piece of inspiration.  I realized that I have made a lot of cutesy cards lately and wanted to make something that was a more reflective of the true meaning of Christmas this time.  This sentiment seems to sum it up quite perfectly - I think.

Tonight I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Merry Monday Challenge #29 (based on this great sketch)

Paper Play Challenges Week 34  - Sentiment as the Main Image/Focus

and

My Time to Craft Challenge #185- Christmas in August (my second entry to this challenge).

 

Thanks to all the challenges for the opportunity to play along!  Here's the inside too:

Please stop back again anytime - I love to know you've visited!  Hope you like this card. Til next time - Hugs and Happy Crafting!
 

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!): Cardstock - Cherry Cobbler (base), Very Vanilla and Lucky Limeade.  DSP - Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack (NEW and available in the Holiday mini catalog). Sentiment and inside stamping is all from a stamp set called First Christmas (Holiday mini). I colored the sentiment stamp with my SU markers in Cherry Cobbler and Lucky Limeade before stampin it on the Very Vanilla then I used my Sizzix Big Shot and the Apothecary Accents Framelit to cut the shape around the sentiment (I cut a second piece in Lucky Limeade and layered behind the first one).  That gorgeous texture at the top of the card base is made with one of the Delicate Designs embossing folders.  The ribbon is  the 1/8" tafetta ribbon in Old Olive.  

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - Chipboard Challenge

Hello friends!  HO HO HO its the last week of the month and that means that the DT at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown has an embellishment challenge for you.  We want to see your creations using chipboard on your card. The chipboard can be your main element as it is on my card (see below) or just a piece or two on your card. 

I really liked the colors from our 52CCT color challenge #8 so I used them again with this card.  These fun sparkly chipboard letters (and cute hat) are part of a stash I have been hoarding for quite some time (lol).  The metalic silver cardstock was run through my Sizzix Big Shot machine using the Northern Flurry embossing texture folder.  This is a 5 minute card and I just love how this turned out! No stamping on the front, so I put some on the inside instead:

If you would like to see some more great inspiration just pop on over to the 52CCT challenge blog and see the creations that the other DT members have prepared for you.  We would love to have you join the challenge this week and share your wonderful creations with us.  It's a great way to keep up with your Christmas cards and be able to check that off your Christmas to-do list first :o)

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today - I'm sure glad that you did!  Til next time - Hugs!!

Supplies:  Chipboard letters - Me and My Big Ideas.  Santa hat - Jolee's stickers.  Cardstock - Brushed Silver, Real Red and Whisper White (all Stampin Up!). Sizzix Textured Embossing folder - Norther Flurry (SU).  Santa Stamp - Jolly Old Saint Nick (retired SU set), sentiment is from Just Believe (SU).  Dazzling Details glitter glue on the tip of Santa's hat finishes it off. 

Another card for Make it Monday #103 Challenge {Anything Goes}

Hello friends!  I have really been in the Halloween spirit lately!  These darling little googly-eyed stamps are just too fun not to play with!  This is a sample of card I did for a workshop last night.  I gave each of the ladies a different piece of the DSP out of the packet and let them choose which stamp they wanted to use.  They came up with some really amazing cards and I wish I had photographed each of them to share with you.  Next time! 

I would also like to enter this card in the Make it Monday #103 Challenge - Anything Goes.  Have you visited that site yet?  I've been popping in and leaving notes here and there for folks and I am very impressed with soooo many of the creations that have been shared. The DT will have a tough time choosing from that amazing array of wonderful cards.

Back to this card...here are some deets in case you might be interested :o)  I used the Spider Web embossing texture folder for the card base (Basic Grey).  The DSP is called Howlstooth and Scaringbone (it's in the new SU Holiday mini). The darling googly-eyed witch is from stamp set called Googly Ghouls (Googly eyes come on a sheet of 50 that coordinate with this stamp set).  I made the orange moon by punching a 1 3/4" circle on a piece of scrap paper, adhering to the vanilla cs with dotto and using a finger dauber and Tangerine Tango ink to fill in the circle.  The sentiment is from a stamp set called Teeny Tiny Wishes.  The little spider in the circle (used the NEW mini scallop circle punch from the Holiday mini and the 1" circle punch) is from the Spooky Bingo Bits stamp set.   Ohh... and I used the new silver Dazzling Details glitter glue on her hat, buttons and skirt trim.

Here's a look at the inside too:

Now you can see the full spider web from the reverse.  That cute boot and saying is from a set called Bootiful Occassions.
Thanks so much for popping in to visit me and see this card - I'm sure glad that you did!  Til next time - Hugs!

Creepy, Crawly, Cute!! for Sketch #172 at Unscripted Sketches and "Anything Goes" for Divas by Design #49, Lollipop Crafts #87 and Make it Monday #103

Hello friends - finally found time to make a card last night.  I've been wanting to play along with the Unscripted Sketches challenge for quite some time but it seems that I just haven't gotten it together to do so - until now :o)  This card is based on the Unscripted Sketches Challenge  #172 (see below) and I am really tickled with how it turned out!

I stuck with the sketch rather than the sketch and the piggyback challenge color option.  I tried to follow it pretty closely, but you can see a couple small creative changes I made.   I am also entering this card in three challenges with an "Anything Goes" theme: Lollipop Crafts Challenge #87,  Divas By Design #49 and Make it Monday #103.  I love to combine sketch and "anything goes" because there is always so many different entries to get inspiration and ideas from (especially from the DTs).  Do you remember catching bugs and spiders and putting them in your Mom's mason jars?  That's what this reminds me of - even though I was going for a "cute" halloween theme.  Hope you enjoyed this card today and thanks so much for stopping by!  Til next time - Hugs to you!

 

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!):  Cardstock - Very Vanilla (base), Basic Black and Tangerine Tango.  Stamps - Googly Ghouls (spiders) NEW, Perfectly Preserved (jar) NEW, Wicked cool (spider webs) and Teeny Tiny Wishes (sentiment).  Tools - word window punch. Other - googly eyes (come on a sheet of 50) NEW.    

FMS#48 {A Peaceful Scene}

Hello friends, a quick post for now and then off to bed I go - stayed up wayyyy toooo late last night scrapbooking and then my doggies got me up at the crack of dawn when the boys went fishing.  I wasn't too thrilled about getting up so early after such little sleep but then I open the door and here are two little tails wagging and butts a-wiggling so I couldn't stay mad.  I remember feeling that way when I'd see my son's tiny face when he would wake me up at o' dark hundred each day (and sometimes several times at night).  Ahhhh...sleep - it's over-rated - LOL! 

Anyway... back to the card at hand.  This card is made based on the sketch by Tui (who got the idea from her sons) at Freshly Made Sketches (FMS#48):

I chose not to put a sentiment on the outside because I think it is just so peaceful the way it is. I added just the slightest bit of sunshine rays in the upper corner (do they show up in the pic?) to bring in the yellow from the DSP on the side and to simulate the feeling of warmth and peace (I Love to sit in the sunshine and just reflect).  I stamped the image in Staz-On Black ink and then colored it in with a blender pen and ink(s) - Wild Wasabi, Tango Tangerine, Island Indigo and Soft Suede.  The DSP is called International Bazaar and the stamp is from a hostess set called Summer Afternoon (so appropriate - don't you think?).  I also used the new Fancy Fan Embossing folder for the texture on the card base. 

Hope you enjoyed this card - I had fun making it!  Thanks so much for stopping by to visit!  Til next time - Hugs!!

MOJO254

Hello again friends! I have one more card to share with you today based on the great sketch over at MOJO Monday #254 (see below).  Initially I was going to make a Halloween card but then my daughter and I saw the movie "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" yesterday and I was now inspired to make a card that hase leaves on it.  Have you seen that movie?  It is not getting very good reviews on Flixster but I absolutely LOVED it!!!  Warning though - if you are tender hearted like me - bring a couple tissues - LOL.  Anyway... back to the card for today...I really got into the distressing for this card with the torn edges and staining.  I used hemp twine and a darling little wooden button at the top.  I really like how this turned out.  Hope you do too!

So glad that you popped in for a visit!  Til next time - Hugs!

Supplies (all from Stampin UP!):  Cardstock - More Mustard (base), Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla.  Ink - More Mustard, Early Espresso (distressing and sentiment).  DSP - Orchard Harvest Designer Series Paper (NEW in the Holiday Mini).  Stamps - Day of Gratitude (leaf and sentiment). Other - natural hemp twine, naturals designer buttons, regals collection brads.  



Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #79 and C4C150

Hello friends - hope you are having a most wonderful day!  I made this card based on the sketch at Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #79 (see below) and used the colors from Crazy 4 Challenges #150 which asks us to use the colors of pink, green yellow and blue only and I immediately thought of a baby card. 

I love this sketch because its a great way to use different patterned paper.  Here I've used some paper from my Designers Series paper stack in the subtles collection.  BTW, that blue button is not that dark really, somehow it just looks darker in the photo. I put my paper into the 2 1/2" circle cut almost to the edge to get the cut on the side and then made it fit on the card (thought that would be easier than trying to trim part of it after I glued it down).  I punched a second circle and slightly layered behind the first one.  I put all three stamps on the clear block where I wanted them and then colored with my SU markers - worked pretty slick! The sentiment is from a set called Petite Pairs and the rattle is from a set called button buddies.   

Thanks so much for stopping by today - I'm sure glad that you did!  Til next time - Hugs!



"Oh Christmas Tree" for 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown Theme Challenge #8 and My Time to Craft Challenge #185 - Christmas (in August)

Hello to all my blog friends.  Hope you are having a most excellent Saturday!  The challenge for this week at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown  is a Theme Challenge.  We would like to see  your creations that depict the title, line or verse from any Christmas Carol or Hymn.  If possible name it in your blog post too.  My card uses the "Oh Christmas Tree" verses (see below). 

I had this great DSP from Stampin Up! (now retired) that already had the words to the song on it -here's a close up so you can see it a little better:

Based on the song, I decided to make a Christmas Tree the focus of my card.  I was trying to keep it kind of vintage or victorian but I just could resist adding some bling to it.  After all, what kind of Christmas tree doesn't have some bling on it? As my daughter would say... "I know - right?"  Our tree is usually covered with handmade ornaments that the kids have made through the years or special ornaments that we have received as gifts, or ornaments that signify special events in our lives (or our favorite things). Our tree is a reflection of each of us individually, and us as a family.  I love to leave the lights on for a while after everyone else has gone on to bed, and the house is quiet, and just stare at it for awhile.  Its a nice time to relax and reflect on our blessings. 

I am also entering this card in the My Time to Craft Challenge 185 - Christmas in August - can't pass that up since I love to make Christmas Cards!  Lots of great inspiration there too. 

So how about it - are your ready to show us your Christmas song card creation??  Hop on over to the 52CCT challenge blog and see the wonderful inspiration that the rest of the DT has prepared for you.  I'll bet you find yourself singing some of the tunes (or at least humming them)!  We love to see your wonderful works of art each week so hope you can join us. 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today!  I'm sure glad that you did!  Til next time - Hugs!!

Details and Supplies:  DSP (SU) Deck the Halls.  Ribbon (SU) Very Vanilla Seam binding and 5/8" Crochet trim - Victoria.  The tree is made using the HOLIDAY letterpress printing plate and my Big Shot machine.  I added lots of clear rhinestones and colored some of them green with a Sharpie.  I sponged the edges of the tree with Ranger Distressing Ink in Iced Spruce.    

ATS - Scrapbook Challenge #2 - Holiday, Fun in the Sun for Lollipop Crafts #86 and CFC66 Splish/Splash

Hello again friends - I'm on a roll today with my crafty projects - whoo hoo!  But sadly I'm going to have to stop now and get some laundry and errands done.  It was fun while it lasted ;o) but back to reality now.  Before I dash off I wanted to share one more project that I finished today for 3 challenges. 

I started scrapping today again thanks to a challenge over at Addicted to Stamps - Scrapbook Challenge #2 which asks us to create a scrapbook page around a family holiday (vacation in my case).  This photo is from our 2007 family vacation to the ocean in Seaside, Oregon.  Since I have about 60 photos that I need/want to scrap from this vacation I decided to make a simple page for this photo.  That is my sister down on the ocean edge with my nieces and my kids.  That's me in the blue trying to capture an upclose picture of them (my other sister took this photo of us).  The water was wayyyy colder than we expected it to be - so the adults didn't spend much time in it, but the kids loved it.  My son got a new waterboard (stuck in the sand there) that provided hours of fun for him (its quite a trick to run and jump on that thing while it is moving).  

The challenges that I am entering with this page (in addition to the ATS mentioned above) are:
Lollipop Crafts #86 - Fun in the Sun (we didn't have a lot of sun on this vacation until the last 2 days - but we sure had FUN!) and CAS-Fridays #66 - Splish Splash -a CAS creation about something in or at the ocean (we - our family - is at the ocean and there is a pesky little seagul in the photo that wouldn't go away).  I do hope this qualifies as CAS - there is lots of open space and just a few elements on the page in addition to the title and photo. 

Thanks so much for coming by to visit me - I'm always glad that you do!  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Til next time - Hugs!

PaperPlay Challenges - Week 33 - Upcycle/Recycle

Hello again friends!  There is a great challenge this week at PaperPlay Challenges - Week 33 that asks us to upcycle and/or recycle something to make a new card/creation/project.  I belong to a small card challenge group that picks a different theme each month and we had also picked recycled item as a theme.  I used the top strip of a Kleenex box (if you look closely you can see the serrated edges on the strip).  I also upcycled some felt flowers that I have had sitting in my stash for ages to  make this card.  I don't have a before photo to show you (didn't think you really wanted to see a picture of the top of a Kleenex box - lol) - but here are a few more photos to share.  I also recycled an envelope that had my name written on it.  I put a couple pieces of cardstock over my name and added a couple more of those felt flowers so that it can now be given to someone else (and it coordinates with the card). 
Here's the inside with some pretty embossing (flower kind of match those on the front):

And here s the card again with it's matching recycled envelope:

I have a handful of those tabs that are around the bread wrapper that I've been trying to decided what to do with. If you have some ideas - I'd love to hear them. One idea is to make a flower shape out of them.  Or they can be tabs along an edge of something.  Lots of possibilities... hmmmm... will see what I can come up with.

Thanks for stopping by to visit me today - I'm sure glad that you did.  Hope you enjoyed this card!  Finished card size is 5 1/4" square.  Cardstock colors are Marina Mist, Pumpkin Pie and Pear Pizzazz.  Stamp set is from the Petite Pairs (a favorite of mine).  Til next time - Hugs!!

ATS Scrapbook Challenge #2 - Holiday and 4 Crafty Chicks - Circles, Circles and More Circles

Hello friends and Happy Friday!  One of my goals while I've been off this summer was to scrapbook more.  More specifically... to scrapbook all those tons of photos I've taken from our last 5 family vacations - Yep, I'm that far behind - yikes.   I have paper and embellishments purchased for each vacation all sitting in a plastic bin just waiting for me to get started - so at least I'm that far ahead - lol.  So... summer is not over yet and I finally got started thanks to the challenge over at Addicted to Stamps Scrapbook Challenge #2 - Holiday (Vacation for me). This scrapbook page is from our 2007 vacation when my family went to Seaside, Oregon.  We rented a beach house and met up with my two sisters and their families and my parents came along too. We are all in sweatshirts because it was very cold there (in August!) and we hadn't come prepared for a cold beach.  The local shops made money off our family the first day we were there - lol.   It was a wonderful, wonderful time and I can't believe I've waited this long to put it on paper - good gracious!  A lot of times, when I don't put any journalling on the front of the page I usually include a note on the back - as I've done in this case.  My kids love to sit and go through the books I've made up for them - especially my daughter.  She is thrilled I've made this page.  I'm on a roll now - might just be up til the wee hours of the morning catching up ;o)

I am also entering this page in the 4 Crafty Chicks Challenge - Circles, Circles and More Circles. Circles are one of my favorite shapes to use and decorate with.  I think you can see why this page fits the 4CCC (and I didn't even plan it that way when I was making the page).  Not sure if you can see it by there are little date dials on the page too showing the month and day that we took this photo. 

Thanks so much for stopping in to visit and share my memories with me.  Hope I've inspired you to dig out those photos and get to scrapping.  Til next time - Hugs!!

P.S. usually I give  you a supply list and/or details on my creations - but I've had this sooo long in a bin that I don't even remember where its from.  I can tell you that I traced a dinner plate for my large circle on the page - that's why its isn't perfectly round. 

CASology Week #6 - School

Hello!  The challenge CASology Week #6 is to create a clean and simple card using the word "School" as your inspiration.  My daughter will be starting 7th grade next week and she is a total bookworm.  I've had a bit of a challenge getting her out and about this summer because she has her nose stuck in a book most of the time (I was just like that as a kid too!).  But.... it's hard to complain too much when your kids love books - I mean REALLY! 

I used a making technique to get my darling little worm right in the corner (this time I used dotto to hold the mask in place before stamping over it with the book page).  I think I am getting better at this whole CAS thing.  I really resisted the urge to add  more embellishments and layers.  Ultimately though I just couldn't resist adding the googly eyes to the bookworm.  Here is what it looked like before I added the eyes:

I think it really made a fun difference and didn't take away from the CAS style.  What do you think?  Here's how I finished the inside (please ignore that smear, and the crooked cutting (how come we don't see these things til we post the photo? - urgh!):

Brooke is not too happy about starting school next week - she has had a great lazy summer that she doesn't want to end. Hopefully this card will cheer her a little (gonna put it in her bathroom so she sees it when she is getting ready).  I know that once she gets there and sees all her friends she will soon be back in the swing of middle school life. 

Gotta run for now.  Thanks so much for stopping by to visit today!  Hugs!

Supplies (all from Stampin Up except noted):  Cardstock - Whisper White and Real Red.  Stamp is a retired set called First Day (bookworm is colored with Copic markers).  Those googly eyes are a NEW product in the SU Holiday Mini catalog - you get 50 adhesive eyeballs on a sheet.

Merry Monday #28 - Clean and Simple with Designer Paper

Hello friends, I was able to make another card today to share with you.  Lesley, the host of the Merry Monday challenges has come up with a sketch this week for Merry Monday Challenge #28 that makes my patterned-paper-loving heart go pitter patter!  Here's the sketch:

You can see how quick and easy this card could be to make, can't you.  It could easily be a 5 minute card - that is if you don't take 1/3 hour trying to decide which DSP to use - lol! It's no secret that I have an ever growing stash of patterned paper - I just can't help myself!  Sometimes it's so pretty that I hate to cut or cover it up - so this sketch just makes my heart sing!  This is some NEW DSP from Stampin Up! (yep - I couldn't resist) called Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack.  Each sheet in this stack double sided and is 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" so you don't have to cut off much of the paper to make a card.  Piece was an instant winner for me as I love red and blue together on Christmas cards.
I kept it clean and simple (pat on the back for me) but just couldn't resist adding some pearls to the centers of the "snowflakes" (could also be flowers - but I think they are snowflakes) and by the sentiment for a little more elegance and depth.  I have this thing about "flat" cards - trying to get over that because they are beautiful, but I just want to layer and texture everything - lol.   Here's a close up of those lovely pearls on the DSP.

The sentiment is from a SU set called More Merry Messages and is stamped in Cherry Cobbler ink.  Hope you enjoyed this card!  Thanks so much for stopping by to visit. Til next time - Hugs!

 

Dynamic Duos #15 - Subtle Color Combo and Pals Paper Arts (PPA 141) Sketch

Hello friends - Happy Thursday to each of you!  I'm not totally in love with the way this card turned out today - but since I spent quite a bit of time making it, I decided I will share it with you anyway.  Maybe you will get some piece of inspiration out of it...hope so anyway :o)

The colors are from the Dynamic Duos Challenge #15 - Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery.  This card also uses an allowed neutral of basic grey. 

I used the sketch from Margaret Moody for the Pals Paper Arts #141 Challenge.  I interpretted it slightly by turning my rows horizontally instead of vertically (just didn't like how they looked with this frame). 

I added a punched ruffled edge along the bottom of the card - so the top piece isn't as long as the bottom piece and it won't stand up - but is pretty when the recipient opens it.  I had to photograph it flat so you could see both layers of the border - so I think it makes the card look a little different than IRL.  The frame and flowers are from the Papaya Collage stamp set.  I cut out an extra flower and glue-dotted it on.  I also stamped one more flower over the top of the sentiment.  It was the third stamp off so it is a very subtle effect.  I used some strips from my Designer Series Paper Stack (subtles) for the celery strips in the background.  I've gotten a lot of use out of those paper stacks. 

Looking at this card again, I think what I don't like about it is that the grey seems kind of stark against those soft colors, or maybe its the white - wishing I had used a softer grey or even a soft suede instead with a very vanilla cardstock.  Oh well - I do like the rest of the card.  And, I really like this sketch, so I might have to try different card with it.  Stay tuned and see if I redeem myself  - lol :o)

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit today - I'm sure glad that you did. Til next time - Hugs!