So Sweet of You

Hi Friends! Did you hear...the CR84FN Color Challenge is ending! After the current challenge, Mona is shutting it down, so I wanted to play along one last time. I'll miss your challenge blog, Mona...it was a fun one.

I seldom choose pale colors on my own, so I was glad to need to use them for this week's CR84FN challenge, which is aqua, tan, and yellow. I also used the Viva la Verve VLVJan2013 Week 4 sketch, added a fishtail, pearls, and a circle for the current Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge #204, and Washi tape was necessary for the Simon Says Stamp challenge. The card practically made itself once I decided I wanted to enter all those challenges! ;) The Simon Says Stamp & Show challenge this week is to make what you are "known for." I'm not really "known" for anything, but I tend to use distressing on almost every card I make, so that's what I went with.

And, speaking of distressing, these two rings were made with the empty plastic roll from a roll of red line tape. I inked it up with Walnut Stain Distress Ink, pressed it into the cs, then sprinkled some water on it to smear the ink a little. I love doing this kind of thing! ;)

Inside the card, I used scraps for the tan circles as well as the long blue strip. There is a pretty floral stamp in yellow in the center of the white panel, and the sentiment stamped over it is a PTI stamp I've had for awhile, but never used. I was organizing my craft room, yet again, and came across the sentiment and decided to finally ink it up. :)

These are the challenges I'm entering with this card:

Viva la Verve Sketch challenge: VLVJan2013 Week 4
CR84FN70 Color Challenge
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge FTTC204: Use a fishtail, pearls, and a circle.
Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Use Washi Tape
Simon Says Stamp & Show Challenge: What Are You Known For? (Distressing)

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

~Hugs,

 

Stamps: Blue Skies (Verve); Serene Silhouettes (Stampin Up); Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Glitter CS (Studio 18); Fiddlesticks, Hattie Papers (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Distress; Versamark; Memento
Dies: A2 Matting Basics, Classic Scalloped Circle, Labels Three, Postage Stamp, Reverse Wonky Rectangles (Spellbinders); Ribbon Banner (Verve)
Accessories: Scallop Diamond Edger punch (EK Success); embossing powder (Zing); Swiss Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); ribbon; sewing thread; pearls; Washi tape
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

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A Father's Birthday

Hi Friends! I hope you had a nice, long weekend, and enjoyed the Memorial Day holiday. My DD was invited to her cousin's birthday party, so we visited with family whom we don't get to see very often--a nice way to spend the day.

I have a quick card to share with you today. My DH's birthday is coming up, so I made a card for our DD to give to him. She's only seven, but already very particular about cards. This one passed her inspection with flying colors!

I used black embossing powder for the ship, sponged a little Distress Ink inside the oval die before stamping the sentiment, and also sponged black Distress Ink on the edges of the rectangles.

For the layout, I used the Viva la Verve May 2012 Week 4 sketch:

To accommodate the placement of the stamped image, I reversed the oval layer and bow, but left everything else as is.

I wasn't sure I would be able to use these colors successfully in a masculine card, but I like the way it turned out.

Here's a peek at the inside.

I'll be entering this card in the following challenges:
Viva la Verve May 2012 Week 4 sketch challenge
Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Father's Day/Special Male Challenge
Lexi's Creations Challenge 66: For the Man/Boy in Our Lives
Kaboodle Doodles Challenge: Anything Goes
Gingerloft Challenge GL41: Circles, Circles, and More Circles
There's Magic in the Air: Bingo--2 or more patterned papers, Brads, Circles

Thanks for stopping by. I'll be back soon with another masculine card.

~Hugs,

 

Stamps: A Guiding Light (Flourishes); Daisy Bouquet (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: Splendid (Authentique); Hollywood Vogue (Webster's Pages); Little Black Dress (Basic Grey)
Ink: Distress Ink; clear embossing ink
Dies: Classic Ovals Lg & Sm, Labels Seven (Spellbinders)
Accessories: Ranger Super Fine embossing powder; ribbon (Michaels); rhinestones; brads; twine (The Twinery); foam dots
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

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Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #145: Unlock Your Future

Happy Tuesday, Friends! It's Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge time, again! This week is our judged challenge with a twist: use die cut(s).  Stamping Scrapping is our generous sponsor, and our own Kathy Curry has come up with a fantastic sketch for this challenge.

I'm using the CR84FN53 color palette of pink, aqua, and neutral:

My niece is graduating from high school this month, and I wanted to make her a card, but I wanted it to be something soft and feminine, rather than academically-themed. 

I turned the sketch sideways, and made it rectangular rather than square. Then, I layered several different die cuts, sponging Distress Ink on the edges for a vintage look, and topped it off with a lock stamp from Our Craft Lounge. I used a deckle ruler to tear the edges of the stamped layer, cut the lock openings with a craft knife, then further distressed it with ink. I used a brick design embossing folder for the bg paper, which I sewed along the edges before adhering to the card base.

Here's a peek at the inside:

The "unlock" sentiment is one I created in Word, printed onto a transparency, then rubbed onto the cs. I used three different Our Craft Lounge stamp sets for the key, flourish, and congrats sentiment (they're listed below). 

Okay! Ready to play? Well, head on over to the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog, where you'll find all the rules, the linking tool, and lots of fab inspiration by the rest of the DT! Then get all creative with your own project--remember this is our judged challenge! I can't wait to see what you create!

I'll be entering this card in these challenges:
CR84FN Color Challenge 53: Pink, Aqua, Neutral
Great Impressions Rubber Stamps Challenge #3: Anything Goes
The Emerald Fairies Challenge #23: Anything Goes


~Hugs,

 

Stamps: Under Lock & Key, Say It Big, In Flight (Our Craft Lounge)
Paper: Cafe Mediterranean (DCWV); Love Next (My Mind's Eye); Just Chillin' (Making Memories); kraft cs
Ink: Distress Ink; Memento
Dies: Fair Isle Pendant, Ironwork Accents, Bird Flourishes (Spellbinders)
Accessories: Scallop Dot Edge Punch (Martha Stewart); Bricked embossing folder (Sizzix); ribbon (Michaels); Stickles; Enamel Accents; sewing thread; foam dots
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

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Hey Lady!

Hello Friends! I'm heading out to the grocery store, so this will be short and sweet. The Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge #163 this week is to create a birthday card. What great timing--I needed a birthday card for a friend next week! I went with a vintage look so I could join in the fun at Crafty Friends Challenges, a brand new challenge hosted by Beate Johns. If you haven't seen her work, be sure to check out her personal blog, Fresh & Fun. I assure you, you will be Wowed! She's also assembled a super crafty DT. I can't wait to see the projects they have in store for us!

For this card, I used the Deconstructed Sketch #46 for my layout.




















And the color palette of CR84FN51.

And, here's what I came up with:

It's hard to see in the photo, but the layer behind the flowers is actually white card stock that was stamped with a floral background stamp in light blue.

This is my first time to use the dress form image, but it certainly won't be my last. I colored the pearl necklack with a pink Copic and the one hanging from the belt with a yellow Copic. Stickles are used on the chains, the "jewels" hanging from the belt, and also on the belt buckle.

And, on the inside:

I used the same floral background stamp on the inside that I did on the white panel on the front of the card. If you click on the photo, I think you'll be able to see it. It's actually a really pretty stamp.

I'll be entering this card in the following challenges:
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge #163
Crafty Friends Challenge #1: Vintage
Deconstructed Sketch #46
CR84FN51: Pink, Peach, Light Blue

And, that's it for me today. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a Happy, Happy Easter!

~Hugs,

 

Stamps: Feminine Charm (Flourishes); Fancy Floral Background (Stamp Camp)
Paper: Annalee (Prima); Sweetness (Pink Paislee)
Ink: Copics; Distress Ink; Colorbox
Dies: Fancy Tags Three (Spellbinders)
Accessories: Pearls; Flowers; Lace; Sewing Thread; Stickles
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

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You Are a Treasure

Hello there...again! Didja miss me? My photo editing didn't take nearly as long as I expected, so without further ado, here is my last card for the day:

I stamped the sentiment first, then masked it and stamped one of the flowers. I then masked that flower and stamped another flower. I colored the flowers a little bit with Copics and used Mustard Seed and Vintage Photo inks along the edges of the sentiment panel.




















The sketch is the Viva la Verve February 2012 Week 3 sketch, and the color palette is CR84FN49.

The sentiment panel, flower, and leafy sprigs are all raised up with foam dots.

Eyelets on the vertical flag. The paint peeled a little bit, but I like the look on this card.

I stamped the flower once in Vintage Photo ink, then again in Mustard Seed, slightly offsetting the second stamping, then cut it out with a Scalloped Circle Nestie. Then, I adhered the button to the flower with hot glue, using just a little more than necessary so it would form the little nubs in the holes. 

I decided not to add a sentiment to the inside of the card, instead just decorating it with the same flowers I used on the front. I just loved coloring them. For the edges of the white panel, I used a deckle-edged ruler and moistened the paper just a little bit before tearing. I then sponged Mustard Seed Distress Ink along the edge of the paper and followed that with a light swiping of Vintage Photo. I can't believe I've had these stamps so long and haven't used them like this before. They are really pretty grouped together.

Well, that's all I have to share with you today. Looks like I may actually get to bed before midnight tonight! :)

Thanks for stopping by! 

~Hugs,

 

Stamps: Tag Time, Sunny Days (Verve)
Paper: Little Black Dress (Basic Grey); Watercolor Bouquet (K&Co)
Ink: Distress Ink
Dies: Leafy Sprigs, Curvy Bookplate (Verve); Classic Scalloped Circles Lg, Floral Doily Accents, Floral Doily Motifs (Spellbinders)
Accessories: Eyelets; Paper Lace II embossing folder (Cuttlebug); ribbon (Offray); Distress Stickles; Liquid Pearls; Enamel Accents; button; foam dots; deckle edge ruler
Size: A2 (4.25" 5.5")

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Bon Anniversaire Mon Ami

Hello again! One more card for today. This card is an anniversary card, made using a Just Rite stamp I picked up at the convention two weekends ago. For this card, I'm using the Ribbon Carousel Challenge Sketch #40, the CR84FN48 color palette of Chartreuse, Gray, and Lavender, and the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #156 theme of Love, with red incorporated into the design.

Aren't the colors Mona chose this time beautiful! I always love learning new things, so I decided to look up chartreuse. I found out that chartreuse is the name of a French liqueur, and is a color halfway between green and yellow and that there is a green chartreuse and a yellow chartreuse, with yellow being considered the more traditional of the two. In my opinion, yellow chartreuse isn't very pretty. The green chartreuse is exactly 50% green and 50% yellow and is what is displayed on Mona's palette.  

I've been seeing this Shabby Chic Labels Four stamp set for awhile, so when I spied it at the convention I went to recently, I grabbed it right up. I was a little bit intimidated about coloring it, but once I got going, I found it wasn't nearly as difficult as I'd imagined. I made the little roses on each end of the stamp red for the Timeless Tuesday challenge that required some red.

I turned the sketch sideways and layered a chartreuse satin ribbon and a lavender chiffon wired ribbon behind the image in lieu of a cs layer and flag that is on the sketch. Behind the Labels Four die cut I layered a portion of the largest Bird Flourishes die cut, then a Fleur de Lis Rectangle, then two of the Fancy Tags Two tags. I tell you, those Spellbinders dies are gorgeous when they are layered. It would be so easy to get carried away with them, but I think I got just the right ones on this card.

I put a thick coat of Glossy Accents on the center portion of the image.

I tried a lot of different things where the red flower is before settling on that particular flower. I think it works well with those two little blips of red I colored on the stamp, though.

On the inside, I first stamped another stamp from the Shabby Chic Labels Four set. I used Crushed Olive Distress Ink, and stamped off on scrap paper one time before stamping in the card. Then I used Aged Mahogany Distress Ink and stamped the Bon Anniversaire sentiment from that same stamp set. Finally, in Milled Lavender Distress Ink, I stamped the single rose stamp from Flourishes Sweet Nature stamp set. I also sponged Milled Lavender Ink lightly around the edges of the cs before adhering it to the inside of the card.

Well, that's all I have for today. Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget that you have until February 29th to enter the Prickley Pear February Sketch Challenge--$15 is up for grabs!

~Hugs,

 

Stamps: Shabby Chic Labels Four (Just Rite); Sweet Nature (Flourishes)
Paper: Little Black Dress (Basic Grey); Sweet Nectar (K&Co)
Ink: Copic markers; Memento; Distress Ink
Dies: Labels Four, Fancy Tags Two, Fleur de Rectangle, Bird Flourishes (Spellbinders)
Accessories: Ribbon (Michaels); rhinestones; flower (Recollections); foam dots; Glossy Accents
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

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Time With Friends

Hi Friends! I have some fun news about one of my cards today. A couple of days ago, I posted a card using an Our Craft Lounge stamp--a hot air balloon with hearts spilling out of it. I had won a gift certificate to Our Craft Lounge in a Lily Pad challenge and the balloon was one of the stamps I got with it. Anyway, I sent a link for the card to Lily Pad to thank them for choosing my card and they ended up featuring it on their blog! Then, late yesterday, just as my hubby and I were getting ready to leave for a date night (my daughter's dentist had a free parent's night out at his office, so we got to have a real grown-up dinner--AWESOME!), I got an email from Taylor at Taylored Expressions saying that she had selected ME as her very first Top Chef--for that same card! That's a new twist she is having in conjunction with her sketch challenge now. Whoo Hoo--I am pumped! And...I actually have one more bit of exciting news that stemmed from that card--yes, that same card, but I'll reveal that later. ;) Sooooo, it has been quite an exciting couple of days for me, and I just had to share it with all of you--my sweet, supportive blog friends!

And, now, I've got another Valentine's Day card. The layout is from the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge 152 (TESC152) and I used the CR84FN47 Color Challenge colors of red, pink and light blue.

This is a cute card that I made for my daughter to give to one of her best friends--a boy.

I colored the cute little By Lori Designs Be Mine Puddle Jumper image with Copics, then put Glossy Accents on the hearts and their eyes.


The blue "pearls" on the card are Liquid Pearls, and the red pearls were white, and I colored them with a red Copic marker.

The sentiment came from a piece of dp in a Prima Annalee paper pack, as did the strip of blue and the pink scroll edged border. Because the sentiment was six inches long, I split it into two pieces and used part on the front of the card and the rest on the inside.

And, here's a peek at the inside:

I'm slowly working through my list of the challenges I want to enter--just seven more to go. So you'll probably be seeing me at least a couple more times over the weekend.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a crafty weekend!

~Hugs,

 

Stamps: Puddle Jumpers-Be Mine-Digital Stamp (By Lori Designs); Happy Valentine's Day sentiment (Craftsmart)
Paper: Picket Fence (Lily Bee Designs); Annalee (Prima)
Ink: Copic markers; Distress Ink
Dies: Fancy Tags Three, Classic Ovals Lg (Spellbinders)
Accessories: Ribbon (Michaels); pearls; Glossy Accents; Liquid Pearls; Corner Chomper
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

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Life's Truest Happiness

Hi Friends! [If you're looking for my Flourishes Timeless Tuesday post, click here. If you're looking for my Tuesday Morning Sketches post, click here.]

Last post for the day...I promise. :) But, I finally finished my entire notecard set, including the box, and wanted to share the whole thing with you. :)

I originally stored my metal dies in dvd tins with magnetic strips inside, but now keep them in a 3-ring binder, so I've got about 20 boxes stacked up gathering dust. But, at least one of them has a new purpose--as a box for a set of notecards! For the past week, I've been posting, individually, the four notecards that fit inside this box. Here they are all together.

And, here's the altered dvd tin to store them in:

I used the Mojo Monday 222 sketch again, although not in time for the challenge :( , and the CR84FN45 Color Challenge, which I can still enter. :D

I lined the inside of the tin with yellow gingham paper.

And, the size 4 Bar cards and envelopes fit perfectly:

Actually, I stacked them, two by two, on one side of the tin, but I just wanted to be able to show all the cards and not just the top two. Because two of the cards are dimensional, I can only fit four cards in this box, but if I make another set and keep all the cards flat, I think it could hold 6 or 8 cards easily.

See...it still closes :)

And, that finishes up my little notecard set project. I hope you enjoyed it.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a crafty week!

~Hugs, 

 

Stamps: Friends Forever Quotes (Fiskars)
Paper: The Basics (The Paper Studio); Pocket Full of Posies (DCWV); Mango Frost Stack (DCWV)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink
Dies: Lotus Pendant, Labels Fourteen, Big Scalloped Ovals Sm., Ironwork Motifs (Spellbinders)
Accessories: Polka Dots embossing folder, Paper Lace II embossing folder (Cuttlebug); dvd tin; ribbon; Stickles; Corner chomper; Rhinestones; Liquid Pearls; Flower; Sewing Thread; foam dots
Size: Paper cut to 5" x 7.25"

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