Just Us Girls Challenge #336: Photo Week

Hiya!

How's your weekend, so far?  I hope everyone had a great week, and were able to get crafty.  I am thankful that the craziness is over, and I got to relax a bit this week.  Unfortunately, my R&R will be short lived.  I have been given several work projects, and will be mostly MIA for a while.  I will try to get some stuff made, as time allows though.  Fortunately, as you read this, I am out and about having a great wonderful time exploring with a friend who is visiting for the weekend.  I'm going to take advantage of every opportunity I get, to do fun things. :-)

So there is another Just Us Girls challenge posted today.  This week's challenge is: Photo Week.  The photo inspiration this week is beach themed, and so lovely.  It's a little bittersweet for me.  I've had a great time guesting, but this is my last week to be featured.  Here is the beautiful photo we got to work with.

And here is the card I created.

I was hoping to create something more "beach" looking, but for the life of me, I couldn't find any stamps or embellishments that were beach themed.  I then decided to pick a few colors and elements from the photo, and created a nautical, masculine card.  I love how this turned out.  I love the white on kraft, and will be using this again, with other stamps.  I'm excited to have another card to add to my stash.  Never know when someone will need it.

That's all for me today.  I hope you'll head over to the Just Us Girls blog to see what beautiful cards are posted.  They're nothing short of awesome, as always!  Hoping you'll get a chance to join in the fun this week too.

Have a great weekend!

 

Pile It On Challenge #103

Hello my friends!

It's another gorgeous weekend here in East Texas.  I am headed out on an early morning hike with my friends again, before we go to church.  I love being able to get out and do stuff, before the heat sets in this spring and summer.  Fortunately, I got some time to make some stuff during the week, after work.  It was a crazy, busy week for me, so I needed that crafty time to unwind.

There is a new challenge posted over on the Pile It On blog today.  This weeks challenge is to use the color green, with two other colors.  Here is the card I made.

     
I actually watercolored with distress inks for this card.  I wasn't sure if I was going to like the outcome, but in the end, it's really pretty.  I chose to use Squeezed Lemonade, Tumbled Glass and Mowed Lawn.  I blended them onto my panel, and then spritzed with it with lots of water so that the colors would blend more, and pool up a bit.  Once it was dry, I cut it down with the largest Simon Says Stamp stitched rectangles die.  I popped it up with some fun foam, and added some  Tumbled Glass splatters, before adding it to my card base.  This is such a cool card, and it was so easy to put together.  I'm glad I finally dove into trying the watercoloring thing.  Now I'm going to try my other watercolors I have on hand, that have never been used.  Wish me luck! :-)

I'm going to submit my card for the following challenges:
Cardz 4 Guyz #109: Create your own background
Star Stampz Challenge: Embossing
Crafty Creations #310: Sentiment As Focal Point
AAA Cards #59: Embossing
Less Is More: Color Week - Citrus
Hiding In My Craft Room #241: Spring Colors

So that's all for me.  I do hope you'll head over to see what my friends have also created for you today.  They're always so beautiful.  Hopefully, you'll get the chance to join us for this challenge.  You have two weeks to play along.  We enjoy visiting your blogs to see your creations and leave bits of love.  I hope ya'll have a great day, and an even better week!

Hugs!

 

Pile It On Challenge #102

Greetings!

How are y'all doing this weekend?  Have you gotten the chance to get crafty?  I have to admit that I haven't stayed indoors much lately.  The weather in East Texas this week has been absolutely gorgeous!  We've been in the 70's, with lots of sunshine and the perfect amount of breeze. *happy sigh*  I am trying to enjoy every minute of it, as I'm headed back to Michigan on Monday, for more work training.  I see the highs there next week are only going to be in the 30's, with more snow on Thursday and Friday.  Bleh.  I will be happy to return, after my training is done. lol

It's time for another Pile It On challenge.  Our challenge this week is to use paint.  We also have a lovely sponsor, Doodle Pantry.  The winner will get to pick 3 digi's of their choice, from the shop.

 Doodle Pantry is honoured and excited to be sponsoring Pile It On!  We have a nice variety of all styles of digital images at the shop  from the whimsical to realistic. If you've never worked with digital images before we also have a full freebies page! We look forward to seeing what everyone creates this week. We also invite you to join our Challenges.

Here is the card I made.

I needed a masculine birthday card for a friend, so I wanted to challenge myself to create one for this challenge.  And who says you can't send a guy a shaker birthday card? lol  I stenciled the stars onto the base panel, with white paint.  I then created my shaker part, and glued it on.  I finished with a couple of stars and a vellum sentiment.  Easy peasy, and I like how it turned out.  I hope he enjoys it. :-)

I'm going to submit my card for the following challenges:

Seize The Birthday:  Birthday
Stamp, Ink, Paper Challenge# 35:  Sketch
Addicted To Stamps & More Challenge #181:  Anything Goes
Fab & Funky Challenge #292:  Male Birthday
Simon's Wednesday Challenge:  Shake It Up
The Male Room Challenge #29:  Monochromatic
Time Out Challenge #50:  Photo Inspiration (I loved the text and colors in this photo)
Friday Mashup Challenge #243:  Birthday & Use Stencils

So that's all for me!  I'm off to church, then going to this cute little fruit and vegetable market with one of my friends.  I'm excited to get some fresh fruit before I head off on my Michigan adventure.  I hope you'll get the chance to play along with this challenge.  Don't forget, you now have two weeks to join us.  I hope y'all have a great week!

Hugs!

Pile It On #88 - Comic Book or Manga Style

Hello everyone!

How are ya'll doing?  I hope you've been well, and have had lots of time to get crafty lately.  Things around here have been fairly busy.  With homecoming week, and working two jobs, I've had a hard time keeping track of whether I'm coming or going. lol  The weather has started to cool off, with temps only in the 70's during the day and dropping into the 40's and 50's at night.  This makes for a very comfortable sleeping environment.  At least I'm well rested. :)

Enough about that though, there's a new Pile It On challenge posted.  This weeks challenge is to create a project with a Comic Book or Manga theme.  Our sponsor this week is the awesome  KennyK, and the winner will receive 3 digis of their choice.

Here is the card I made for this weeks challenge.

I thought the KennyK Fist Hero image would be perfect for this challenge, and I had already decided I wanted to use the Comic Book theme.  I also used the Ka-Pow set from The Alley Way Stamps, which was perfect.  I created the background behind the main image, in hopes it would resemble a comic book strip.  I colored and cut out the super hero, and popped him up on top.  I stamped my sentiment in random places, added the "sunburst" and called it done.  In all, I really dig how well this turned out.  It didn't start off all that great (this is attempt #3). lol

I'm going to submit my card for the following challenges:

Mojo Monday #416:  Sketch
The Unicorn Challenge #1: Mythical & Magical (Superhero's are mythical, right?)
Simon's Wednesday Challenge: No Patterned Paper
Fusion Card Challenge: Sketch and/or Inspiration Photo (I was inspired by the colors in the photo)
4 Crafty Chicks #265: Sparkle & Shine (My teal cardstock is metallic, and sparkles in real life)
Seize The Birthday: Anything Goes

I do hope you'll head over to the Pile It On blog to see what the other designers have created for you today.  They're all pretty fantastic.

I hope to be back soon with another something crafty.  Hopefully, the cooler weather will spark my creative mojo back into action.  I love staying indoors, making stuff, while it's chilly outside.  I wish you a great day!

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper: Bazzill Metallic Teal Cardstock, SU! Whisper White Cardstock, SU! Basic Black Cardstock
Stamps: KennyK Fist Hero Digi Stamp, The Alley Way Stamps Ka-Pow, CAS-ual Fridays Amazeballs
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Blendabilities Coastal Cabana Group, Copics: R14, R17, Y13, Y18
Accessories: Spellbinders Small Smooth Circles

MHK Designs August Release: Serene Seaside

Hiya!

Welcome to day two of the MHK Designs August release.  To visit Mynnette's Etsy store, click HERE.  I have no doubt there is something for everyone.

The next set that I got to work with, was Serene Seaside.

 Here is the card I made.

The nautical theme is popular these days.  I wanted to create something with this awesome anchor, so I enlarged it and paper pieced it with some light aqua patterned paper.  You can't see it that well, but in real life, it adds a little bit more interest.  I masked it, so I could stencil the background, to look a bit like netting.  I then added a bit of sea green colored splatters to the top left and bottom right.  I didn't want to hide the anchor, so I printed the sentiment on vellum, and added it over the anchor.  I like how it turned out.  This sentiment is perfect for a special someone I'm going to send it to, who just happens to live on the East Coast.  I hope he likes it.  I'm going to submit this card for the following challenges.

Crafty Cardmakers #145: Warm Summer Colors (The nautical theme reminds me of summer, hope this counts)
Love To Scrap #60:  Anything Goes
Ooh La La #187: For The Boys

We would love it if you helped us celebrate Mynn's new crafty endeavor.  We hope you'll be inspired, and will join us for this months release.  I can't wait to see what you come up with, using these gorgeous new digi's.

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper: Neenah Solar White Cardstock, Taupe Cardstock
Stamps: MKH Designs Serene Seaside
Ink: Copics: Y32, Y35 & B12, Tumbled Glass Distressed Ink
Accessories: SSS Stitched Rectangles Dies, Faber Castel Mixed Media Stencils, MFT Stitched Rectangle Frames, MFT Stitched Fishtail Flags

Happy Birthday

Hello my friends!

This is my second post for today.  Please scroll down to see my Word Art Wednesday card. :-)

I hope you're having a good week, and are looking forward to the weekend.  I made a few cards recently, but hadn't had an opportunity to get pictures until this afternoon.  This frigid weather, and two feet of snow, have made it almost impossible to get outside.  I think this spot on my desk at work will actually be a great place to snap a few pics from now on though.

Here is the card I have to share with you today.

I have been practicing with the CAS style again, and tried my hand at a masculine card for a change.  I really think this card is quite nice.  And, I even watercolored for the first time!  I've had these Winnie & Walter stamps in my stash for a while now, and was happy to finally ink them up.  Love the bold, silver sentiment on this one.  The recipient of this card is a pilot, so I hope he enjoys it.  I'm going to submit this card for the following challenges.

Seize The Birthday:  Anything Goes
CAS-ual Fridays #136:  Watercolor
Crazy 4 Challenges #271:  Masculine Birthday
Just Us Girls #278:  Sentiment As Focus
Mod Squad Challenge: Use Water (I watercolored the map image)

That's all for me today.  I'm off to work, and then hitting the gym with my co-workers.  I hope you have a wonderful day!

Hugs!

What's In It?
Paper: SU! Crumb Cake & Night of Navy Cardstock, Ranger Watercolor Paper
Stamps: Winnie & Walter The Big, The Bold & The Happy, SU! World Map Background
Ink: VersaMark, Ranger Shabby Shutters, Tumbled Glass & Frayed Burlap Distress Inks
Accessories: Simon Says Stamp Stitched Squares Dies, Silver Embossing Powder, Studio Calico Wood Veneer Plane

Happy Birthday

Hiya!

How's your day going, so far?  My alarm went off this morning, and I think I hit the snooze button four times, which isn't like me.  I was so exhausted, but unsure why.  I'm sure my day is going to be chaos too, since I was out four days last week.  I'm thinking quite a bit of coffee will be added to my diet today. lol

After we got tired of watching movies yesterday, my daughter went up to play video games, and I made a couple more cards.  Here is one of them.  I think it turned out very cute.

I think this is the most white space I've ever had on a card.  It was difficult for me not to want to keep adding stuff to it.  I love these Paper Smooches stamps.  I don't really enjoy "fussy cutting" anything, but these are very easy to cut, and they don't look mutilated like some of my images. lol  I know exactly who will be getting this fun birthday card.

I was excited to combine all of the following challenges.

Color Throwdown #305: Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay, Kiwi Kiss & Tangerine Tango (I got as close as I could, with what I had)
Mod Squad Challenge: Masculine Birthday
Seize The Birthday: Anything Goes
FTL #303: Sketch
The Paper Players #209: CAS Kids Birthday Card

Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge: Anything Goes

I'm off to work, hoping today will go smoother than I expect.  I hope everyone has a great day!

Stay crafty my friends!

 





What's In It?
Paper: SU Tangerine Tango & Whisper White cardstock
Stamps: Paper Smooches Cuteasaurus, Sentiment Sampler & Birthday Buddies
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink, SU Coastal Cabana dye ink, Iced Spruce distress ink, WPlus9 Sweet Nectar dye ink, SU Blendabilities Old Olive, Smoky Slate & Skin Tone assortment

You Are My Anchor

Happy Humpday everyone!

I'm SO excited that today is Wednesday.  That means in just three days I get to sleep in.  As I mentioned before, we have a newly remodeled upstairs in our house, and with the new remodeled rooms, we all got new bedroom and landing furniture.  I didn't even realize how much I needed a new bed, until I got one.  OMG, do I love my new bed!!  I'm sure you can tell that if it were up to me, I would spend as much time as I could in my new bed.  Do any of ya'll feel the same about sleeping and new beds?  I love to sleep. lol

Anyway, onto today's card.

I needed a card for my best friend.  He's been my friend for many years, and he has always been there for me, unconditionally.  Since I hadn't made him a card in a while, I thought this was a perfect time to do so.  I think he'll love it, as he has a sailboat, and loves to be out on the water.  I tried to use the stencil to create a somewhat looking net.  I sponged on some distress ink and then added Mr. Huey's in dark brown to try to represent the dark specs in the sand and white for the surf.  Not sure I achieved what I was going for, but it still looks decent.  There are lots of new Simon Says Stamp and Avery Elle goodies on this card.  I {heart} new goodies!  I was excited to combine the following challenges in my card.

Wanna Sketch #18: Sketch
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge (7/21): A Mid-Summer's challenge (I chose nautical)
Our Daily Bread Designs Challenge #210: Sponging or Stencils (I have both)

Just an update, we have chosen a wedding date...12-31-15.  It was mostly his idea, and because this is the first time he's ever been married, I wasn't going to rain on his parade.  New Year's Eve is pretty cool for a wedding though, and we'll have more than one reason to celebrate each year.  Now, if we could just agree on the guest list and colors (yes, he's involved in everything!!). lol  I hope you have a wonderful day!

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper: Blue Shimmer cardstock, Bazzil Red cardstock, SU Whisper White cardstock, Fancy Pants "Nautical" patterned paper
Stamps: Avery Elle "Knotty"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink, Copic Y28, Silver Uniball Signo pen, Ranger Scattered Straw & Old Paper distress ink
Accessories: Tim Holtz Honeycomb stencil, Studio Calico Wood Veneer Stars, Nestabilities

Cuteasaurous

Hello, hello!

It'll probably be a busy Monday morning, but I am relaxed, after creating a couple of cards yesterday.  I'll be posting them throughout the week, along with a couple more I plan on making.  I don't usually color anything, and I don't make a lot of masculine or boy cards, so I challenged myself to do both for today's card.  Here is how it turned out.

 
I think it's quite adorable.  My sister has a nephew on her husband's side, who is almost a year old.  I think this would be a great card for him.  I was happy to combine the following challenges in my card today.

Seize The Birthday: Twine or String
Just Us Girls Challenge #250: Turquoise, Green & Lime
Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge: Anything Goes

I'll be back with another something crafty soon.  I hope ya'll have a wonderful week!

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper: SU Whisper White cardstock, SU! Tempting Turquoise cardstock, Simon Says Stamp Turquoise Chevron Stripe & Green patterned paper (from one of last years kits)
Stamps: Paper Smooches Little Fella, Sentiment Sampler & Cuteasaurous
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink, Copics G43 & G46
Accessories: May Arts Natural Twine, Basic Grey Metal Stars

For You

Well hello there, my long lost friends!

I hope everyone is doing well, and have stayed busy crafting.  I didn't realize it had almost been a year since I last created anything, but looking at my last blog post says it all.  A lot has happened over the last few months.  Just to sum up a bit...things at home are now completely settled, my daughter finished her sophomore year with a 3.8 GPA, softball season came and went, my daughter is now officially driving, I'm down about 45 pounds since the beginning of the year, and I am recently engaged.  Whew!  I'll include a couple photos at the end of this post, so you can see how much fun we've had. lol

Onto why I'm posting today.  My creating and photography skills are a bit rusty, but I managed to get a somewhat ok photo of the somewhat decent card I made this weekend.  Check it out....

I'm pretty happy with the outcome, considering it's my first card in a while.  I'm happy to say that the papercrafting bug has bit again, and I will be posting projects more frequently again, hopefully.

For this card I was able to combine this weeks FTL Sketch challenge (#299) with this weeks JUGS challenge (#249) which is Woodgrain, and the new Curtain Call challenge, which is Anything Goes.

I hope you'll stop by again soon.  I'll be catching up on visiting all of you again now too, very soon.

Stay crafty my friends!

 

 

What's in it?

Paper: Brown, White, Teal cardstock, Studio Calico patterned paper, Vellum

Stamps: Simon Says Stamp "Happy"

Accessories: Woodgrain embossing folder, Studio Calico Wood Veneer stars, Nestabilities Smooth Circle dies

Dude! Happy Birthday...

Greetings y'all!

Here we are on June 9th, and it has been another gray and dreary week in Iowa.  It has been raining for most of the week, and it hasn't gotten above 65, in my area.  I suppose I shouldn't complain, as at least it's not in the 90's with tons of humidity, which I dislike. lol  The flip side is that I got to sit in my crafty space and create a few things this weekend.  Here is the first of a couple things I'll be posting this week.

I got home from work on Friday, and my June Simon Says Stamp card kit was waiting for me.  I was super excited and couldn't wait to play with my new goodies.  I finally own my first Kelly Purkey stamp set. :o)  There were tons of masculine elements to this kit, and if you know me, you know I don't do masculine very well.  I was having a bit of trouble putting anything together that I was happy with, so I walked away and then returned later.  This is my result.  I dig it, and I know the person who will be receiving this card.  I'm sure he'll like it.  He's got a mustache. lol 

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Sieze the Birthday #18 - Sketch
Bloggers Challenge - Masculine
Simply Create Too #39 - Father's Day and/or Masculine
Just Us Girls Challenge #192 - Washi Tape (the mustache background was made with the washi tape that came in the kit)

Our week is filled with work, and softball games, and then a road trip to the College World Series on Saturday, in Omaha.  I'm excited, as it has kind of been a family tradition to go to the CWS, and we've missed the last few years.  I'll post pics of our fun next week.

I do hope you have a wonderful week!
Hugs!

Drunken Stampers Challenge #78

Hey everyone!

I hope you're having a good weekend.  I apologize for the delay on this but blogger didn't cooperate with me this morning, and my post didn't go live as scheduled. 

I'm excited to bring you the next challenge over at Drunken Stampers, which is, Up In The Air.  You can interpret this in any way you like.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE.

I had hoped to use some kind of hot air balloon on my card, but alas, I don't have anything with hot air balloons.  Boo! lol  Instead, I took a different route and went masculine-ish, with this antique airplane.  It paired really nicely with the sentiment I found in one of my other stamp sets.  I used November's Sketch For You To Try and think it turned out pretty well.

I do hope you'll head over to the Drunken Stampers blog to check out what my friends have come up with for you today.  They're adorable!

I'll be back soon with another something crafty.
Hugs!