City Of David

Welcome back! 

For several weeks now I have been participating in the Challenges over at CASology, just hoping that I would be able to produce something that was Clean And Simple.  Here is my card that I will be entering into to 2 Challenges; CASology #68, Black and for the Stamp TV, MIUM Challenge, CAS with a little accent.

 

The stamp set is, City of David, by Gina k Designs.   I don't think I have ever made a black and white Christmas card before, especially one that was soooooo CAS.  Kind of missing my layers, but I do like how this came out.   I used a Sakura Clear Star pen to trace over the star burst and for each of the doors and windows on the city, to give the illusion of light.  Rhinestone as the star's center and a strip of dotted DP, where I also traced the dots with the same Sakura pen, think stars! 

 

The card looks a little more sparkly in real life. 

 

Short and sweet.....I guess that's how CAS cards go.

 

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day!

 

*****  And how fitting is this post......CITY OF DAVID......Our very own Big Papi, David Ortiz!!!  Well done Red Sox......Well Done!!! *****

 

 

 



Black And White And Pink All Over

Day 2 of totally stepping out of my comfort zone.  Another black and white Christmas card.  I wonder if I will have to add a disclaimer to this card, so the recipient knows it is a Holiday card?  :)

This is for the Flourishes Challenge #244, Plaid Or Houndstooth.

The card uses the Flourishes stamp set, Star Of Bethlehem.  I love the circular layout of this stamp and the beautiful floral image and sentiment.  It's large, but not too large.  Just a very pretty design.  Had this great houndstooth DP in my Halloween stash and then I found a matching ribbon.  Score!  Don't you just love when things work out like that?  Added a bit of black pearl flourish and a couple of pink adhesive pearls and wha la.    I added some sparkle with Sakura pens, pink in the flower centers, clear star to outline each flower, and a bit of green on the leaves.  Another card that came together rather quickly.

Plenty of time to check out this week's Challenges.

Enjoy~~

Happy Birthday

Good Morning!  And after last night's Red Sox game it really is a good morning! 

Today's card is for a couple of challenges; Flourishes, We're Having A Birthday Party, to create a birthday card, and for the Simon Says Stamp, Anything Goes Challenge!

 

The stamps are from the beautiful set, Dahlias, available at Flourishes.  I think this was my very first purchase from them.  I hope in the coming winter months to turn to this set time and time again, to make me feel like I am still playing in my gardens.  Fingers Crossed!  :)

 

I actually remembered to whip out the old Janome mini sewing machine.  My New Year's Resolution was to incorporate more sewing on my cards.  I honestly have been doing it more and more.....well more than last year anyways.  And I fussy cut the entire image out, must have been a little bit of last week's Challenge still on my mind!  Colored with various Copic Markers and a touch of an orange Sakura Glaze pen.  A few layers of some pretty designer paper, a little bit of ribbon and some pretty aqua textured rhinestones.  Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Circle dies.

 

This card came together really quickly.   I was emailing with a friend while crafting, she was going on about how her work day was going poorly (we worked side by side for over 5 years together, you know, 40 hours of free therapy each week!  Gotta love your girlfriends!)  and I made the mistake of replying:  I'm coloring!  lol  Not at all what she wanted to hear.  I will have to wait for a special day and send her this card, or maybe just on a Friday!  That should smooth things over.

 

Have a wonderful Tuesday, hope all is well in your neck of the woods!

 

 

Fussy Cutting.....Oy Vay!

Of ALL the stamps sets, WHY would I have chosen THIS one to fussy cut?!?!  Because it's GORGEOUS.....that's why!  lol  But next time I may think a little more about which stamp to choose. 

Interesting (and aggravating!) Challenge over at Flourishes, #243, Fussy Cutting Fun.....let's just say THEY added the word FUN, not I.  hahahaha  Oh I'm just kidding!  It was fine.  The more I did actually 'fussy cut' the more I wanted to get the whole image done, but even I know my limitations.  So here is what I came up with.  And yes, I do know I just used this beautiful floral image, but man it is just so GORGEOUS, I couldn't pass it by.

The floral image is from Star of Bethlehem and the sentiment is from Anemones, both sets available from Flourishes.  Another Sympathy card, yet lighter than yesterday's.   I got almost the entire image fussy cut out, then I re-read the rules, apparently I could have gone with a 'cut file'  hahaha oh well, live and learn!  I am pleased that I got it almost completely cut out though.  Thank goodness for Cutterbee Scissors, what did we ever do before they were around?

So a few layered panels of ivory and blue over a pretty patterned paper from My Mind's Eye, Stella Rose (a $2 bargain for a 6x6 pack!)  Image colored with several Copic Markers and a few added center dots with a Sakura Glitter Pen, the flowers on the DP also have added dots to the itty bitty flowers.  Some lace and Copic colored pearl adhesives.  The sentiment is punched out with an EK Success 'label' punch twice for layering purposes.  And I think that's all she wrote!

As always, thanks for popping in.

And remember there is plenty of time to check out this Challenge.  And you do not need to use a Flourishes stamp in your project, however; if you do, your name will be entered twice. 

Now, goooo, go check it out!

Enjoy~~

Smooooooooooooooooch!

There's a great little Challenge going on over at Stamp TV,..........kissing!  Thought that would get your attention!  :)  Oh don't worry about Flu season, it's just a fabulous little technique.  They have even included one of Gina's great videos to show you exactly how....well, how to kiss!  Oh that Gal, is VERY talented!  lol

Here's my entry for the Challenge:

 

Using a flower and leaf stamp from GK Designs, Stipple Nature set, I kissed them with the 'wordy' stamp from her Botanicals set.  I love the detail of the words on the flowers and leaves.  Seems best to use a solid stamp with light ink, as the kissee and a darker ink on the stamp that actually does the kissing.  Oh who said stamping can't be FUN?!?!   The sentiment, With Sympathy, which you can barely see is also from GKD, Nature's Greetings.  I love the font on this stamp, traced over it with a Sakura Clear Star pen.   Added a few buttons and colored adhesive pearls and a piece of plain ribbon to finish off this sympathy card--I find these are very difficult to make, yet a necessity!

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Now go get inky!

A Touch Of Burlap

Good Morning!  Another fabulous Fall day.....how did we get so lucky?

Today's card will be entered in the Challenge at Flourishes #242, to use Burlap or Canvas and Penny Black October Challenge, Anything Goes (you can enter up to 3 times in each Challenge).

The floral stamp is from Flourishes, Star Of Bethlehem, AND I was lucky enough to win this beautiful set from a Blog Hop during their October Release!

 

 Colored with various Copic Markers, layered on panels of pale pink, blue, white and then adhered to the pale purple checked DP.  4 sage green eyelets, and this pretty burlap green fiber I had in my stash.  I also added a bit of a yellow Sakura Glitter Pen to the centers of each flower.  Sentiment is also a Flourishes stamp from the Dahlias set. 

 

Just a FUN stamp to color!

 

Hope you enjoyed today's post.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

*****  Pumpkin Dump Cake Update: 

It is delicious!  I even took a can of cream cheese frosting and slathered it all over the top.  The spice cake that you sprinkle over the top makes a yummy 'crumbled' texture and flavor.....even with the frosting.  I will be making this again and again!  Perfect for Fall! *****

 



Pretty Pumpkins, Gorgeous Gourds!

Well Happy Sunday afternoon!  And if you live anywhere close to Boston, you KNOW what a great day it is!  :)

Today's card is all about pumpkins and gourds.  Apparently lots of Challenges are feeling the Fall and want to show off the splendor of the Season!  So who wouldn't want to join in?

I will enter it in these 2 Challenges:  CASology #66 Pumpkin, and Curtain Call Gorgeous Gourds.

 

I used the Season Of Thanks stamp set from Flourishes, PERFECT for these Challenges. 

 

Colored with various Copic Markers, Honey Comb Embossing Folder, Spellbinders Classic Circles and Scalloped Circles Dies, Red Adhesive Pearls, a little bit of dotted Red Sakura Glitter Pen accent and a fabulous sparkly colors of Fall ribbon to finish it off.

Hmmm makes me want to bake a pumpkin pie.....but since I don't like pumpkin pie I think I will make this recipe instead:

Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake

1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie  mix)
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 box Spice Cake Mix
1 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar and cinnamon until well combined.  It will be very liquidy.  Pour this pumpkin mixture into a baking dish.

Sprinkle dry cake mix on top of pumpkin mixture.

Now take melted butter and drizzle all over the top.

Bake for about 55-60 minutes.  It might still be just a bit jiggly in the middle when done.  It will continue to set up as it cools.  Let it cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Be sure to refrigerate any leftovers.  Heat pieces in microwave for a few seconds before serving.  Dollop each serving with a bit of whipped cream.



Thanks so much Sharyn for sharing it with us all!  :)

Hope you all can enjoy this Fabulous Fall Day!

Ahoy!

I have a simple card to share with you today.  It is for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, Nautical and again for the Penny Black October Challenge, Anything Goes. 

This is kind of a "less is more" kind of card.  No coloring, no beautiful DP--although you might be surprised at what I did use--and it looks AWESOME!  :)

The lobster is part of the By The Tide set from Stampin' Up!  And it is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto.......wait for it......paint chips!  I found these great looking paint chips in Home Depot, in several different colors, here I used a pale blue, a pale green, and a darker blue......oh and they were FREE!  The focal image and paint chips are layered onto a light blue, white, and navy blue card stock and then onto a Kraft card stock base.  A little jute twine and some white adhesive pearls finish it all off.

I really like the simplicity of this card, VERY nautical......VERY Cape-y to me.

Hope you enjoyed checking it out as well.

Have a fantastic day!  Goooooooooooooo SOX!!!  (that was for Judy!)  :P

Happy Columbus Day

And Happy Thanksgiving Day to our neighbors to the North! 

Today's card is for a wonderful young couple who have just bought their first home together.  What a Happy Day!

I will be entering it in the Stamp TV Saturday Chat Challenge, to use pink, green and/or yellow with a sentiment that means something special to you or the recipient, the CMC #79 Challenge, Anything Goes and for the Penny Black October Challenge, also Anything Goes.

 

This card uses an older stamp set from Gina K Designs , Home Is, illustrated by Tami Mayberry.  It's funny, I keep buying more and more new stamps and find myself reaching for the older classic sets in my collection....well maybe not funny....especially if the Hubby finds out!  lol

 

Found some perfect DP in my stash, DCVW, Fresh Floral Stack, with the exact colors needed for the Challenge.  Images stamped in Memento, Tuxedo Black ink, colored with Copic Markers.   I punched the sentiment tag out with an EK Success paper punch twice, only using a portion of the tags and then layering.  The sentiment is stamped in Garden Green ink from Stampin Up!  I also punched out 5 little pink hearts and layered them together to add dimension.  Topped with some Cotton Candy Stickles.  The 'leaves' were stamped on solid card stock and fussy cut out, outlining them in a Sakura Clear Star pen, also outlined the 2 small stamped hearts.  Sakura black pen on the door knob and a little hi-light of yellow on the windows to make it look all aglow, giving the home some warmth.  A pink, green, and yellow ribbon layered to complete the card. 

 

I hope they are as happy to receive this card as I was to make it.

 

Thanks for popping by!  :)

 

*****  oh and for any of you still scratching your head over my sign Living On The Elbow, if you look at a map of Massachusetts you'll notice how Provincetown juts out into the Atlantic, travel back West and you realize it looks like an arm thrusting it's mighty fist into the Ocean.  Find the 'elbow' and you'll find me!  :)  *****

 

 

Enjoy~~

Chantilly Lace And A Pretty Face......

hahaha could not resist with the title, and you'll be singing THAT all day long......you're welcome!  :)

Today's card will be entered into the Flourishes #241, Pearls & Lace and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, to use a Rubber Stamp, no digis.



The stamp is Chrysanthemums, from Flourishes.   My local craft store (well if you call having to drive 1/2 an hour local) is marking down lots of paper packs.  This happens to be designer paper from My Mind's Eye, Stella Rose.......a 6x6 pack for only 2 dollars.  Filled with beautiful papers with oranges and blues.  The blue honeycomb background paper has a hue of orange running through it, and that is why I chose to stamp the image in Stazon, Pumpkin Ink.   It really brings the color right out.  The "wordy" paper is also part of this pack.   Added corner tabs, 3 paper flag tags, colored white adhesive pearls in orange and blue using Copic Markers.  A little bit of ivory lace and orange Baker's Twine and done!  I must say I really love these colors together......who knew?

I hope you all find some time today to do the things you love.

Thanks for coming by, appreciate it so!  Oh and did you see Tammy actually stopped by to check out my tag she inspired yesterday?   {grins}

Enjoy~~

Nothing Distressing About This Tag

Good Morning!  I know so many of you use Distressed Inks on a daily basis and LOVE them, me not so much.  I have a stack of about 8 of them and hardly ever use them.  Yes, I see everyone create such beautiful projects, blending colors oh so right and achieving a result Tim Holtz would be proud of.  Me....uh....not so much!  Until I visited Tammy Tutterow's Blog.  I have finally made something using Distress Inks that doesn't look like a murky puddle of brown.  Yay me!  lol

This tag is for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, Inspired By Tammy Tutterow.

 

I used a couple of stamps from Stampendous, the Tag itself and Follow Your Art.  The group of stars is a $1 stamp, the heart is from Stamp Craft and the branch is from Gina K Designs, Let It Snow.  I added some clear embossing powder on the heart to give it a nice shine.  I managed to use several Distress Inks (correctly!) blending and sponging; Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint, & Broken China.  A purple eyelet in the bottom left and some Clown Ribbon (that's what I call this great tied dyed looking ribbon from my stash) to finish it off.

All in all I am happy with this look, so I may quit while I am ahead.  :)

Thanks so much for popping in and always remember:

Enjoy~~

Where In The World Are You?

Today's card is for a FUN Challenge over at Flourishes, Your Corner Of The World.  Make a card or project showcasing YOUR little corner of the world.

As most of you know I live on Cape Cod, and I must say I am so thankful and grateful that I do.  I love the fresh scent of salty air, the ocean breezes, the blues of sky and sea.   I even do love the hustle and bustle of the Tourist Season, yeah I know I complain about not being able to take LEFT turns all summer long, but like me, people are just drawn to MY corner of the world.  :)  It is beautiful in ALL seasons!

Here is what I created, it's clean, it's simple, but this card just makes me HAPPY!!!

 

Swiping 2 different colors of blue ink onto white card stock, I created the Atlantic Ocean and the horizon beyond.  Taking a small piece of sandpaper I ripped it diagonally, making sure there was a little bit of ragged, lighter shade of paper exposed.  As I glued the sandpaper down on my water, it created an instant beach.  I added a bit of chunky white glitter to create the illusion of white foam.   I grabbed a Tim Holtz mini bottle with cork and added some real sand from my beach, a bit of white glitter and some green and blue seed beads.  I glued the cork back on. 

 

The Tag and Sentiment were created with Flourishes stamps; It's A Wrap & Holiday Topiaries.  This is exactly how I feel living this close to the beach.......LOVE & JOY!

 

I can't wait to see where everyone else lives!!! :)

 

 

Here's a sign I have over a living room window......I'll let you figure out what it means! 

 

 

 

 

ENJOY~~

Mixed Media Gown

Well I have tried my hand again at a Mixed Media Project for the Mixed Media Color Challenge #9.


 

I was quite pleased and surprised with how this actually came out.  It will be a gift to my newly engaged daughter! 

 

I found this video on YouTube by Gabrielle Pollacco.  She makes Mixed Media look so easy.  Quite Inspiring to say the least!

 

 

 

Instead of using a canvas I painted some heavy chipboard white as my base, as I knew I wanted to place this creation in a shadow box.  I found some gorgeous paper in my stash, I think it is by K and Company.   And folded it back and forth scoring along the way to make creases for the dress.

 

 

 

The dress is trimmed in a Tim Holtz rosette lacy ribbon.  A Prima Pink rose with added pearl accents.   Lace ribbon topped with a strip of pearls.  A red painted wooden double heart, with an "I Do" rub-on sentiment.   

 

 

A pink rhinestone flourish embellishment and a decoupaged dictionary page with object d'art with another rub-on of wedding rings.   The waist of the dress is trimmed in ribbon and flowers. 

 

  

I used several stamps from Gina K Designs;  Butterfly, Springtime Silhouettes,  Pocket Watch, Time  Musical Notes, Vintage Borders.  Another rub-on sentiment:  Whatever Our Souls Are Made Of, His And Mine Are The Same.  

 

 

Little pink seed beads were glued to a flourish representing movement, at the bodice of the dress, which also has a string of pearls and a feather as accents.  I actually love the look of the feather, it's kind of fun and fabulous!  :)  

 

This was an absolute JOY to create.  I am trying to let go of my fear of Mixed Media.  Lots of helpful YouTube Videos and lots of inspiration over at Mixed Media.  Check them out, you'll be glad you did!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Remember.....be crafty!

 

Enjoy~~

 

 

 

 



 

 





Christmas With A Twist

Good Morning!  Thanks for joining me today. 

Flourishes has a great little Challenge going on, Christmas With A Twist, to make a Christmas card without using the traditional red or green.  With so many ink and embossing powder options out there these days, this type of Challenge is becoming easier and easier. 

I used the Holiday Topiaries set from Flourishes.  This is a beautifully detailed Christmas Tree perfect for gold embossing.  I embossed the image on Wine With Everything card stock from Gina K Designs.  The gold embossing and the rich color of the card stock seem like they were just made for each other.  I also did a gold embossed trim around the layering piece.  Added a little bit of paper piercing in the corners with gold adhesive pearls and a small gold trimmed ribbon.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you find some time today to get inky!

 

ENJOY~~

Going Dotty

Good Morning Campers! 

Although we are still experiencing mild temps and warm days, I just had to get this stamp inky!  This snowman is WHY I ordered these stamps, and now that I hold it in my hand I love the entire set!  It is Let It Snow, designed by Theresa Momber, for Gina K Designs. 

The card will be entered into the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge, We're Going Dotty. 

Isn't he just the happiest snowman you have ever seen?  And if Frosty has taught us anything, we know how magical they can be! 

Lightly colored with Copics.  The JOY (my most favorite word evah!)  was stamped with Stazon Teal, outlined with a clear Sakura pen.  The snowman is covered in Diamond Stickles to give it that frosty look.  The designer paper has the feel of snow falling softly overhead.  The DP is actually an inexpensive paper pack I bought at my local craft store, A. C. Moore, for $2.  They have a great little section of inexpensive embellishment's.  Sometimes less is more!  

A simple card that makes me look forward to winter AND snow.  I think I will make it my mission this winter to build more snowmen.......care to join me? 

See all that shimmer and shine?  He's just so dang cuuuuuute!  :)

As always thank you so much for stopping by and checking out my projects and anything I might have to say.  I hope you continue to do so as I do appreciate you all!

ENJOY~~

Spooky

Here's a fun little Halloween card for the Curtain Call Challenge, Spooky Scene.  This is a simple card using the masking tape technique.   Place strips of masking tape directly on your ink pad, rub smooth, then place the tape on your card stock, rubbing smooth again.  Once lifted it leaves this awesome worn patch of ink.  Of course for a Halloween card I used black and orange, but I have seen and used pretty pastels and that looks so beautiful too, it really makes a lovely background!  Try It!!!



Gina K Designs, Wicked stamp set

 

The background paper is one of the special assortments sold in those "pounder packs", typically found around the various Holidays.  After using the masking tape I cut it out using Spellbinders die, Labels 2.  I also cut out a spider web using my Cameo, drawing lines on top of the web design using a Sakura glitter pen.  Added a criss-cross ribbon treatment to add a little "something", adhesive pearls in black and orange and a teeny black spider on top of the web.  BOO!!! 

 

Hope you enjoyed today's post.

 

And may all your trick n' treats be happy ones!

World Card Making Day

What a GREAT day!  I hope I actually get some time to make some cards on this OUR beloved Holiday!  :)

But for today's post I will share with you a card I made yesterday for the Flourishes #240 Challenge, Paper Piecing.

I used the Dahlias set from Flourishes.  Stamped the image on to green and purple card stock and then fussy cut out, man that was a bugger!  lol  Glued them all to an ivory colored oval, stacked on a purple scalloped oval, cut using Spellbinders dies.  Inked the edges in corresponding colors and traced the flower petals in a clear Sakura star pen, which is hard to see.  I used DP from DCWV, Latte, and a couple of flourishes (get it?)  :) Added 4 purple eyelets (does anyone else use these anymore???) and actually added a green rhinestone to the center.  Some gorgeous ribbon, button and Baker's Twine and wha la!

Now you still have time to get your project entered into this Challenge which runs through the 7th!

Good luck!

And of course, I hope you get to get inky today!

ENJOY~~

A Little Sketchy

Today's card is for the MIUM Sketch Challenge over at Stamp TV AND the Simon Says Monday Challenge, Say It With Stamps, where the sentiment/phrase shines through!

I chose to turn the Sketch on it's side, and here is what I came up with:

 

I used the Poster Board Sentiments stamp set from Gina K Designs.   The Designer Paper is from S-E-I, Dill Blossom......love the colors this paper pack has to offer.  I cut the flower out with a Sizzix folded die, that cuts AND embosses at once, Old Country Bloom.  I am so happy I FINALLY remembered to use my Scor-Bug Embossing Tool.  So quick and easy, I just placed the orange card stock on my scoring pad and lined the tool up in the groove where you would normally use your bone folder/scoring tool.  Adds such a nice even border.  Easy Peasy!  I cropped the FRIEND off  one of the stamps and made it into a little tag.  Added a button and some twine to complete the card.

 

 

PLENTY of time still left to play on BOTH Challenges.  I suggest you check them out!

 

And as always........ENJOY!!!  

Harvest

Good Morning!  I must say I am absolutely loving this October weather.  More sunshine, lots of warmth, and still NO tourists!  Love it!!!

Today's card is for the CASology #64 Harvest.  I used this beautiful stamp from Flourishes, A Season Of Thanks. 

Colored with Copic Markers, cut out using the Spellbinders dies; Classic & Scalloped Circles.  A little bit of ribbon, and white adhesive pearls colored with Copic Markers.

 

There's still plenty of time to play along, you have until Sunday 4:00 p.m. (central time) Go join in in all the FUN!

 

Hope you can get outside and enjoy some of this glorious weather.

 

ENJOY!!!