Defining Calories

My inspiration for this card comes from 2 sources: Deconstructed Sketch #200 and my determination to walk 10,000 steps per day. I started at accomplishing my goal 3 times per week and gradually over the last 6 weeks have increased to daily as of this week. I promised my youngest daughter I would give this 6 months to see what happened after she took 6 months running uphill from her school to my school after school was out and she was impressed that she attained many physical milestones despite being athletic to start with and I'm not, so I should see a lot of improvement.

I really love the combination of floral and polka dot pattern paper in this card. Typically I'm intimidated by the 'wow factor' of polka dots, but I think I used it to advantage here. They make a pretty background for the floral and bunting.

I built a great deal of depth into this card, and I'm not sure it was the right direction to go with it, except that the flat version left me feeling flat. The darkest bunting was made using a coredin'ations scrap I had laying on my desk, and I don't know where it came from. I sanded it to expose the embossing and I really love the effect.

stamps: calories (riley & co)
paper: almond cream (bazzill); cuddle cream (spellbinders); juliet (bo bunny)
ink: onyx black versafine (tsukineko)
accessories: baby buntings (spellbinders); dimensional foam adhesive (3L); mini screw head brads (tim holtz idea-ology)

Getting my Mojo on!

I saw this Mojo Monday sketch and was inspired! While I didn't finish it in time to add it to the mojo collection, ultimately that's not what this is all about. I was inspired to create something lovely, and I would encourage you to go back through older challenges from whatever your favourite source is to gain new perspective and inspiration.

Using what I already have is the name of the game for me during this season in my life. I'm buying groceries day by day so I am motivated to be creative with what is already in my fridge, freezer and pantry to feed my family. I'm using fabric from my stash to create clothing to supplement my wardrobe. For paper crafting, I'm using some very old supplies (5-10+years old) and combining it with online challenges that inspire me in the moment.

The pattern paper I've used here is from 2014 (no so old) with a vellum (purchased in 2005) overlay, and spellbinders dies from 2011. Not bad! The sentiment stamp is the baby of the project, from last year.

Have a wonderful week, friends! And I hope you are inspired!

stamps: glass half empty (riley & co)

paper: the story of us (simple stories); white, raven (bazzill); vellum (paper accents)

ink: onyx black versafine (tsukineko)

accessories: baby buntings, persian motifs (spellbinders); black ribbon (offray); clear rhinestones (want 2 scrap); black brad (unknown)

Using the Negative for some Positive

I made this card using Seth Apter dies and posted it early June.  When I made the original card, I nested the dies to conserve paper and created another image by carefully cutting around the die cuts to center the cuts in a panel. And to think, I almost threw this away!!

Since I had the panel cut out of this very distinctive basic grey pattern paper, I used similar colours to create this new card. The additional pattern paper is Blue Awning from K & Co. I'm fairly confident that it has been discontinued, but you never know what you will find if you look.

I've used a cheeky sentiment from Riley & Co. Funny Bones. I must admit, I do love me some sass when it's tasteful. I'm not sure if this could have used a little more embellishment or not, so for today, I decided less is more!

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned as I start blogging about my other passion - teaching Fashion. I have a whole pile of projects that I'm working on and I've been diligently designing and getting on the treadmill daily to attain 10,000 steps per day. It's proving challenging to design for a changing body shape!!

stamps: pretend to be normal (riley & co)
paper: hang 10 (basic grey); blue awning (k & co), white, rave n(bazzill)
ink: onyx black versafine (tsukineko)
accessories:A2 matting basics b, splatter proof, coffee ring (spellbinders); black ribbon (su!)

Seasons Givings Blog Hop

Happy New Year!! I am so excited to be participating in the Seasons Givings Blog Hop! If you are here from Dina's amazing blog, you are in the right place. If you would like to start the hop from the very beginning, I invite you to go to the Lawn Fawn blog, and make your way back here, via the creativity inspiring slow boat. The purpose of this hop is to thank you, our readers for your support to our creative endeavours.

To enter the draw for the prize shown above, please leave a comment on my blog with your contact information using the following format: yourname_at_youremailprovider_dot_com (or however it ends com/ca/net etc). My draw will take place at 7:00am (MST) on Friday, January 8th, and all comments to that point will be entered. The prize will be awarded as shown, with no substitutions. The winner will be responsible for any customs/duty charges incurred during shipping.

I created this card to celebrate all the resolutions that will be made and discarded over the next while. I tend to not make resolutions to ring in the new year, but I know it is a common practice among many. I don't really drink alcohol or coffee much, so while I think the last few stamped sentiments I've used are funny, it's through second hand information, believe me!

I really love the Tim Holtz blueprint stamps very much and this stamp is from his Fresh Brewed set. I applied glossy accents over LATTE in the corner before I sponged ink on so it would remain clean looking.

These print papers are from an old and discontinued Basic Grey collection, Origins.

I cut apart the original sentiment stamp (Depresso by Riley & Co.) so I could create a punny tag line on the front of my card. While I have many pun sentiment stamps in my collection, I chose to cut this one apart because I doubt I would use it as it was manufactured. I created this tag using Spellbinders Petite Pennants.

Lg Classic Rectangles and Sm Classic Rectangles were used to cut and emboss the coffee cup and sentiment. To colour the to-go coffee cup I used copic markers - C0, 1, 3, 5, W00, 1, 3, 5, E41, 43, YG91, 95, 99, colorless blender.

I sponged most of the papers used for this card with pumice stone, frayed burlap and black soot distress inks.

There have been a lot of changes in my house this year, and I can't even imagine what next year holds in store. I am both holding my breath with my eyes closed tightly and looking forward with eager anticipation. I wish you all the best in the coming year and wish you luck in this draw.

Lawn Fawn

Scrapbook Cards & Today Magazine

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Reverse Confetti

Technique Tuesday

CAS-ual Friday Stamps

Verve Stamps

Donna Salazar

Richard Garay

AdTech

Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

Inchie Arts

Avocado Arts

OHscrap (Bossy Joscie)

Rubermoon Stamps

Latina Crafter

A Jillian Vance Design

JustNick

Your Everyday Stamps

Latisha Yoast

AJ Otto

Kimberly Crawford

Julia Stainton

Laurie Willison

Teri Anderson

Jennifer Gallacher

Vera Yates

Wanda Guess

Nichol Magouirk

Kelly Klapstein

Anabelle O’Malley

Kim Watson

Chari Moss

Laura Bassen

Lydia Fiedler

Lisa Adametz

Alice Wertz

Daniela Dobson

Jenn Shurkus

Lori Craig

Amy Tsuruta

Lisa Henke

Margie Higuchi

Lee Murphy

Lori Tecler

Dina Kowal

(**you are here) Loretta Lock (here are you**)

Darsie Bruno

Marcie Sharp

Veronica Zalis

Barbara Anders

Maria Levine

Dana Joy

Melody Rupple

Keri Sereika

Asia King

Jennifer Ingle

Yvonne Van de Grijp

Beth Pingry

Erica Houghton

Mary-Ann Maldonado

Piali Biswas

Ashley Newell

Nicole Maki

Julee Tilman

Leigh Penner

Christina Griffiths

Lindsay Amrhein

Laura Williams

Debbie Seyer

Christine Emberson

Kerry Urbatch

Linda Lucas

Tosha Leyendekker

Giovana Smith

Bunny Vance

Stacey Schafer

Lee Ann Barrett

Ruby Naz

Julie Dinn

Jill Hawkins

Christiana Reulling

Jodi Collins

Gracie Chavez

Michelle Woerner

Tania Willis

Karisse Schilling

Lori McAree

Ashley Harris

Emily Leiphart

Heidi Blankenship

Coralynn Murray

Tenia Nelson

Pretty Philosophie

Jillian Vance

Misti Oblander

Hangover Humour

The inspiration challenge on Splitcoast is all about buttons. Love it! I love buttons. I chose this inspiration pin and it reminded me of a plaid paper I have. The rest of my card fell into place from there.

The Funny Bones stamp line from Riley & Co. has quickly become a favourite since they were introduced. I have a wee collection of them now and I really love making funny cards. I was going to make a card for new years using this sentiment, but I have another idea up my sleeve for that post (Come back for my Season of Giving blog hop post on New Years Day - so much inspiration and so many chances to win from every blog participating!!). My other favourite source for cheeky sentiments is TLC Creations.

This plaid paper is an older paper from Basic Grey, Bow Ties, but it was just too perfect for this challenge, and I have a particular weakness for plaid paper - I have quite a bit of it.

I've used Timeless Rectangle to create this side border and sentiment frame. The sentiment was cut and embossed using Classic Rectangles Lg. This magnificent paper bow was cut using Becca Feeken's new die set Tiered Multi-loop Bows. It is so easy to use with gorgeous results!! This is another set that has quickly become a favourite of mine.

Season's Greetings and Merry Christmas to you in these final days leading up to Christmas.

stamps; hangovers (riley & co)

paper; bow ties, figgy pudding (basic grey); white (bazzill)

ink; onyx black versafine (tsukineko)

accessories; timeless rectangles, classic rectangles lg, tiered multi-loop bows (spellbinders); lime crush rhinestones (bazzill)

Christmas Season 'Fact'

I know this is true for some people, not all. I've never gained weight over the winter holidays - just at other times of the year. The battle of the bulge is a universal issue that brings many of us together, I think, and the sentiment gave me a giggle so I wanted to share!

I have used one of my favourite new releases from Becca Feeken's line with Spellbinders. Flourish Frame has a lovely presence because it is large - perfect for a 5"X7" card - and the flourish insert is really THERE. It's feminine without being delicate or fragile, and I just love that about this die. The Flourish Frame is perfect for cutting a contrasting background to the insert so it really stands out.

I created the sentiment frame by using 5x7 Matting Basics A dies #1 & #3 (as always, #1 is the smallest die in the set) and cutting them simultaneously. Now, I just have to tell you that when I create frames like this, I normally use low tack tape to hold all the dies in place. Spellbinders has introduced a new Platinum Magnetic Platform for their Platinum machine, and it works like a charm. It holds everything just right and makes the process easier than ever for multiple die cuts, single die cuts and for embossing. Now, I only use low tack tape if I'm being super fussy about where the dies are down to the smallest measurements.

I really love this poinsettia accent die from the 5x7 Holly Frame set. It has truly become a go to die for my Christmas cards this year. I cut the poinsettia accent from paper included in this really old (aka discontinued) Basic Grey Figgy Pudding paper collection because I wanted to get a mottled effect of coordinating blue, green and brown as the striped background paper. I cut the poinsettia layers from white cardstock and sponged them using a dry sponge in dark red, medium red and medium brown inks. These little flowers are my personal favourite part of the card. I'm just so pleased with how they turned out.

I hope you have a blessed week as we continue on in this glorious advent season.

stamps; wondering eyes (riley & co)

paper; figgy pudding (basic grey), java, amsterdam, white (bazzill)

ink; onyx black versafine (tsukineko), aged mahogany, festive berries, brushed corduroy distress inks (ranger)

accessories; 5x7 matting basics a, 5x7 holly frame, flourish frame, platinum magnetic platform (spellbinders), rhinestones (unknown)

Health Benefits of Wine

I'm going to start right off by saying I'm not a big drinker. A couple of times a week tops with a glass of riesling or a Strongbow with dinner, and I very rarely drink hard alcohol. However, I do have a somewhat sarcastic and self-depreciating sense of humour. Today, I am using another cheeky sentiment stamp that perfectly exemplifies these behaviours and attitudes.

I have never been drunk or even slightly inebriated. My grown children will never say, "Whoa there, Mom!" but I suspect this is exactly what I would be like. I have no dance moves. I am one of the clumsiest people I know, so I often feel like my body is barely under my control at the best of times.

This sentiment is called Wine for Health Benefits and it made me laugh the first time I read it. I love this Hanging Sign die from Tim Holtz and I wanted it to look a little aged and crackled so I overstamped the label using Pumice Stone distress ink with an old stamp, Weathered,  that I think has been discontinued (sorry!!). I sponged the edges first with pumice stone then the outermost edges with black soot.

I cut the post from black cardstock using the Hanging Sign die. It lacked character, so I placed it in my Labels 34 Medallion embossing folder and ran it through my Platinum embossing machine. Because the cardstock is black, it was quite challenging to see the gorgeous texture.

Using my finger, I applied Silver Spark and Iced Espresso Metallic Lustre wax randomly over the surface. Oh, Mylanta! I love that stuff!!! It cleans up with water and is just such a forgiving medium. When I opened the Iced Espresso, it was stiff and quite unusable. I spritzed it with water and left it for a few minutes to soften up. Worked like a charm!

This is an older pattern paper, Capella from Basic Grey, that has long since been discontinued (sorry again!!) but it's a favourite of mine and it was perfect to increase the elegance factor for this project.

Thanks for popping by today!

stamps; wine for health benefits (riley & co), weathered (SU!)
paper; capella (basic grey), ash, horizon, raven, walnut creme (bazzill)
ink; onyx black versafine (tsukineko), pumice stone, black soot distress inks, ginger, latte, espresso adirondack alcohol ink (ranger)
accessories; hanging sign (sizzix), black ribbon (offray), brads (unknown), silver spark, iced espresso metallic lustre (deco art), labels 34 medallion 3D m'bossabilities folder (spellbinders)

Self-Control

Hello, friends. I saw this pin on an amazing Pinterest board in today's Inspiration Challenge on SCS, and I was inspired by the calm colours.

I am a high school teacher, and this sentiment speaks to me. Really. I love my students and I adore working all day, every day with the youth in my city, but some days what they come up with just makes me laugh. Frequently.

I love the pairing of the Pierced Word Bubble die with the knit print on this pattern paper from Authentique: Cozy. To me it's a visual representation of what the stamped sentiment says. I know. On occasion, perhaps today, I over think what I do, but when I saw this pattern paper, it all fell together. It was a fun little epiphany moment.

Since finding these cheeky sentiment stamps from Riley and Company, I have been using them fairly frequently in my paper crafting because I enjoy the contrast between the what is said, and the more structured traditional layouts of my cards. So much fun!!

Increasingly, I have noticed embellishments are getting big again. As I was searching my aging stash for this project, I discovered my embellishments haven't necessarily aged well, and my style has changed. Time to get creative to make it work because I have a whole bunch to use up before I can replenish my stock! I coloured some of these flowers by smooshing a few ink pads on my craft sheet and sprayed the ink with water. Next, I simply rubbed the flowers through the ink and left them to dry. I will be trying the ink on watercolour paper backgrounds soon, so stay tuned!

I hope today is a day of revealed blessings for you.

stamps; self-control (riley & co)
ink; onyx black (tsukineko), ocean aqua, pebble adirondack ink, tumbled glass distress ink (ranger)
paper; cozy (authentique), horizon, kraft, lily white (bazzill), vellum (paper accents)
accessories; pierced word bubbles, A2 curved matting basics A, A2 curved matting basics b (spellbinders), mulberry flowers (petaloo), triple butterfly punch, leaf punch, branch punch (martha stewart), buttons (basic grey), sewing machine, thread

A little inspiration

Happy weekend. I wanted to create a little something using a cheeky stamp I recently acquired. I do love sentiments that are a bit of a giggle.

The inspiration challenge today on SplitcoastStampers is a lovely pinterest board, and I have chose this delightful bridal wreath for my inspiration.

The lattice in the Decorative Fancy Diamond reminded me of the crossed twigs in the heart wreath. I wanted the lattice to be accented, so I sponged it with Juniper Adirondack ink.

I have used Reverent Square as the base for my decorative panel. This is such a gorgeous large die and it's among my top 5 favourite 6x6 decorative dies. Most of the cards I make are 6x6 and I am thrilled that there are so many lovely 6x6 dies available.

The sentiment was adhered centered over the ribbon inside the reverent square. Having the Decorative Fancy Diamond frame the sentiment softens the card.

I have quite a collection of cheeky sentiments, and I will be using them in the near future. And isn't there a wee bit of truth to this? I admit I am more virtuous on some days than others - aren't we all?

I used a wee pre-made flower and punched some branches to create the bow spray. I sponged the branches with brown ink to add visual interest. I used a few beads I had laying around to create the pin. I'm quite pleased with this project.

stamps; women are not moody (riley & co)
ink; juniper adirondack ink, bundled sage, frayed burlap (ranger), grayed flannel memento, onyx black versafine (tsukineko)
paper; ancestry (k&co), walnut cream, sterling, fern (bazzill)
accessories; sm & lg petite ovals, reverent square, decorative fancy diamond, fancy diamond (spellbinders), branch punch (martha stewart), flower, beads (unknown)

Spa Day

I've never visited a spa before, but the idea of it is very appealing sometimes. And I'm not fond of camping, as my family can attest to, so when I found this stamp I was very happy and giggled a little.

It seemed completely appropriate to create a spa themed, blinged out card to really drive the point home for this sentiment. And it made me giggle some more. And I've never been to a spa, so this is just what I think a spa would be like - lovely, soothing colours, kind of like a beach. But really I'm clueless.

As with most projects I make just for me, some of the supplies on this card are discontinued. The pattern paper I used on this card is the only discontinued product, so I think I'm doing pretty well this time. I even pulled out platinum stickles for this project! In the process of choosing which stickles to use, I sadly discovered that I have a bunch of stickles that have dried up, or the glitter has separated from the adhesive and I couldn't get them back together to look decent. Dang!

I really adore the Labels 46 and Labels 46 Decorative Elements. This die shape is so unusual and pretty - very easy to work with. With so many tight layers, I used both 5x7 Matting Basics A and 5x7 Matting Basics B so I could get precision cuts and placement (embossed lines are like colour by number for paper placement). Happiness! I would love to hear about your best spa experience in my comments!

stamps; i wanted to go camping funny bones RWD-066 (Riley & Co)
paper; flora & fauna (K & Co), coconut swirl, ash (bazzill), grey (worldwin)
ink; onyx black versafine ink (tsukineko)
accessories; labels 46, labels 46 decorative elements, 5x7 matting basics a & b (spellbinders), silver paint pen (marvy uchida), platinum stickles (ranger), grey bubbles (queen & co), white ribbon (offray), Bow-it-all v 2.0 (zutter)

brown sugar; sentiment - make it big
CCEE; bow
crafting with friends; anything goes
craft your passion; anything goes
crafty hazelnut; patterned paper
inspiration destination; anything goes
through the craft room door; anything goes
splitcoast stamper; feature stamper card (FS447)

Spellbinders Sapphire Blog Hop

Spellbinders has created the most darling die cutting/embossing machine called the Sapphire, available exclusively at Joann.com. It is on sale right now for $29.99 (US - prices subject to change without notice at the discretion of the retailer) and is a wonderful entry level machine that is compact and portable. Spellbinders has also introduced coordinating sapphire dies to be used with the Sapphire machine but any Spellbinders die up to 2 1/4"  wide will fit and can be used. For your chance to win a darling Sapphire Machine, see details HERE.

For this blog hop, I have created a cheeky unisex card using Simply Tags, Basics Set B, and Basic Rectangles.

I love cards that make me laugh or think, "Yup..." and this delightful sentiment did that for me. Keep an eye on my blog, there are more delightfully cheeky cards to come (nothing coarse, no foul language I assure you).

I am so incredibly thrilled that Spellbinders has launched new tag die templates in the Sapphire Collection. Tags are just so perfect for really framing and featuring sentiments on a card front. For this card, I have layered 3 tag dies from Simply Tags to frame my sentiment.

Good luck with the contest, and thank-you so much for stopping by. You really have made my day!!

stamps; sentiment - RWD-286 (riley & company)
ink; onyx black versafine (tsukineko)
paper; grey colormates smooth cardstock (world win), durable (authentique), whirl white (spellbinders)
accessories; simply tags, basics set 3, basic rectangles (spellbinders), jute rope cord (canvas corps)