Saturday, August 31, 2013

Happy Saturday

Good Morning!  And what a HAPPY Saturday it is.  My last working Saturday of the season, whahoo!  I have survived!

Today's card is for the Flourishes #235 Challenge, In Distress.....and for the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge, Anything Goes



I made a 'pocket' of sorts, by just pulling back a corner of designer paper which is adhered to my stamped image base.  So I guess I would call this card, a pocket full of posies.   The stamp is by Flourishes, Chrysanthemums, just a beautifully detailed stamp set.   The sentiment was cut out using Spellbinders, Fancy Ribbons die.  Edges of the DP and card stock have been distressed with ink, and I also roughed up the edges a bit with a file.  Brad and ribbon round out the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

I hope you ALL have a very HAPPY Saturday!  Enjoy~~

Friday, August 30, 2013

3 in 1

Good Morning!  It's the Friday before the loooooooooooong weekend......LOVE it! 

Today's card will be entered into the following Challenges:  Stamp TV STV13MON34, Touch Of Gold  and  the Simon Says Get Dotty.


I did go lightly with the dots......using the Swiss Dots Embossing Folder on the flag banner.  There are also dots on the punched butterfly (EK Success 3 layer Punch) and a few on the stamped sentiment which is embossed in gold and a Gina K Designs stamp, Poster Board Sentiment.

Other Supplies;  Trade Winds designer paper from DCWV (which has this lovely embossed gold vine and flower design), gold ribbon, gold adhesive rhinestones.

Have an exceptionally fantastic labor Day weekend!  Let the FUN begin!

***  oh and did any of you wonder about my title?  Well I was going to also enter it into the Craft's Meow August Sketch Challenge.....BUT when I went to link it up this morning, it appeared to me that I was only ONE YEAR late......DOH!  It was for August alright.....August 2012......still a good sketch though! ***

Enjoy!  :)




Thursday, August 29, 2013

Another Try At Mixed Media

And I thought Masculine cards were difficult to make!  Geesh, this Mixed Media is a real bugger.  I think I am going to look around for some classes this winter for Mixed Media Projects, it can only help.....right?

This creation is for the Mixed Media Color Challenge #6, to use light pink, bright pink, and gray.

 
Here is what I came up with......if you squint it may look better.  lol
 
 
 
This is a square card that measures 5" x 5".  The sentiment and anchor stamps are from  Gina K Designs, Enjoy The Sunshine, the anchor was cut using the Classic Circles Nestability.  The Compass Rose is a mask from Tim Holtz, using the direct to paper technique. Added some 'banners' one embellished using the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder, the other a type of tissue paper, both stapled on to the card stock base.  Added some paint in grey and the 2 shades of pink and also white as a neutral.  I paper pierced a design to show movement, perhaps a cool ocean breeze blowing by.  And a ribbon punch threaded with jute twine.  Last but not least, a large white eyelet in the bottom right corner, painted in a pale pink. 
 
I will NOT give up on this technique, but I would like to be able to create something lighter something prettier.......back to the drawing board......and that's okay too!
 
Enjoy your day, getting close to the long weekend and the Official End Of Summer!  Love it!


Sunday, August 25, 2013

Autumn Blessings

My card today is for the Flourishes #234 Challenge, to use a Doily on your project.  But before I show you my card I would like to show you what I won from Flourishes last week.  I entered a card, as I always do, and lo and behold, to my happy surprise, my name was drawn.  (thank you Rosy for the head's up!)  I emailed Allison over at Flourishes telling her that I was so excited I didn't even KNOW what I had won.  She replied with, oh because it was our Release last week you won the complete set of new stamps......Holy Smokes! 

And here they are!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 Beautifully designed and detailed stamps.  Thank you very much Flourishes!
 
And now here is my card for the current challenge:
 
 This gorgeous image is from Autumn Blessings.  So easy and fun to color up.  I cut a doily in half and sponged on Antique Linen and Wild Honey, Distress Inks.  The focal image was cut out using the Spellbinders label 7 die and then mounted on a rectangle of Wine With Everything card stock, by Gina K Designs.
 
Other supplies;  Copic markers, Adhesive Rhinestones, Ribbon, Button, Twine, 3D Adhesive Squares.
 
Thanks as always for coming by!  Enjoy your day!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Up And Away

Good Morning!  Just a short little post, busy work day.....but there is some light at the end of the tunnel!  :)

Today's card is just a sweet little thing.  And it's orange.....I think orange seems to get a bad rap, and to be honest, it's not one of my go to colors!  But I think it works here.....what do you think?

 
Stamp from Gina K Designs, Up And Away.
 
 
This card is entered in 2 Challenges;  Curtain CallCarnival Craze and the Sketch Challenge at The Sweetest Thing.
 
 
And that's about it for today.
 
Hope you have a crafty kind of day, enjoy it all!
 
 


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Snips And Snails And Puppy Dog Tails

Good Morning!  Just another beautiful day in Paradise!

One of my BFF's from 'back home' just became a Nana for the very first time!  She has a beautiful new Grandson and this card is for the Happy Parents.  Whahoo!

I am entering my card in the JUGS #202, monochromatic blue and the CMC #75, anything goes Challenges.


I was sneaky enough to *borrow* the ribbons from her Baby Shower, as card makers, I bet you do the same for these happy little life moments! 

I absolutely LOVE this card stock, Blue Raspberry from Gina K Designs, the stamp sets are also from there; Basket Additions, Basket Additions 2, and Holiday Basket.

Spellbinders dies; Classic Circles and Heart Circles.  Copic Markers, Ribbons, Buttons, 3D Pop Dots.

Thanks for stopping by, need to pop this in the mail, little Ryan Joseph will be a week old by the time he gets this.

Enjoy all of your Happy Little Life Moments!

Monday, August 19, 2013

More Weddings

So, you know what that means.....more Wedding Cards!  Today I will show you a super easy and super cute Wedding Card.  I am entering it in the Dynamic Duo #66 Color Challenge, Light Aqua and Black, with an added option to use embossing.


I used a Sizzix Embossing Folder on the white card stock to mimic a Tuxedo shirt.  Added "triangles for the collar and bow tie.  The center of the tie is a brad that I added glue to and dipped into glitter.  Adhesive pearl "buttons" were colored with the corresponding Copic Marker. The sentiment is a Gina K Designs stamp from the Masculine Tags set.  And it's done!  Cute.  Simple. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a Happy Monday.....if that's possible!  :)

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Beach Picnic

Good Sunday Morning!    You probably all know how much I love.....love.....I mean LOVE my coffee, but today it just tastes even yummier.....rich, creamy, hot.....care to join me for a cup?

Today's card was made with the CASology Challenge #57 Picnic.

 
It's been far too long since I was on a Beach Picnic, I should rectify that!  AND when I do I think this is exactly what I would pack to sit and watch the sunset with the Hubby.  This is a 4.25" square card.  The stamps are from Gina K Designs, Basket Additions, Basket Additions 2, and Holiday Basket.  Colored with Copic Markers and fussy cut out, mounted on a Lacy Square die from Spellbinders with 3D pop dots.  I chose the red checked designer paper to mimic a picnic blanket.
 
 
With the waning days of summer (oooh my heart skipped a beat in anticipation), I will have more time to pack picnics, to sit and watch sunsets and just be still. 
 
Ahhhhhh.
 
Enjoy your wonderful Sunday.....be creative......be happy......be still and breathe a bit.
 

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Just A Hint Of Fall

Good Morning!  A very quiet Saturday morning here on Cape Cod, cool, crisp, and clear.  Well, it isn't even 6 a.m. as yet.....in about 3.5 hours you will hear the slam of every cottage rental door, time to move out and make room for the new renters.  If you have ever have been here on a Saturday change-over, you also know the traffic woes that lie ahead.  We try to stay home on Saturdays, playing in the yard, watching a good movie, grilling with friends.  We make do.  But the air has a chill and September is fast approaching.  Trust me when I say, September and October are the BEST months on Cape Cod.....truly......BUT don't tell anyone!

Today's card I would like to show you is for the Flourishes Autumn Challenge #233.


I have used the Dahlias stamp set from Flourishes.  These beautiful images color up so nicely with Copic Markers.  Although I only own 2 of their sets, so far, I LOVE what I have.  Their new stamp sets for the August Release are now available, the sets include;  Chrysanthemum, Mountain View and Autumn Blessings.

I found this great paper pack in my stash, S.E.I. Dill Blossom, love the look with the dahlias. Stamped image on Ivory card stock and then mounted that on Just Peachy cut out with the Lacy Circles die from Spellbinders, all mounted on Cranberry Tart card stock.  All card stock available at Gina K Designs.  Button and twine as accents. The inside is stamped with, When I Count My Blessings, I Count You Twice....

That's it for today.  Time to watch and listen to the families pack up, there's just something about seeing a family eat Popsicles for breakfast.  lol  I do remember those days, fondly! 

Friday, August 16, 2013

Matthew's Birthday

Come the end of the month one of my Nephew's, Matthew, will turn 18.  Wow!  Where does the time go?  I made a simple masculine card using the guidelines for the Flourishes #FLLCAUGH13 August Release Challenge.


I took the 3 colors for the Challenge, teal, grey, and rust, matted them down on a light piece of card stock and then using the Happy Birthday Cuttle Bug embossing folder, ran it through the machine.  Wrapped with brown Baker's Twine, added a button and then adhered that all onto brown card stock cut out with Spellbinder's Lacy Square die.   A small piece of plain tan Washi Tape added as a border.  The sentiment is from the  Flourishes, Dahlias stamp set, popped up on Spellbinders, Classic Circles and Heart Circles dies.  Ink is Stazon, Teal Blue and card base is Kraft.

A simple card.  A masculine card.  Plus, in this case, it's what's on the inside that counts, wink, wink!

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Dynamic Duos Color Challenge

Good Morning! 

First off, a VERY Happy Birthday to my big sister, Carol!!!  Hope you have a Happy, Happy Day!  Love you!!!

My daughter went to a bunch of weddings last year......so this year I think it will be the "year of the babies".  She placed an order for a Baby Shower card, a girl.....and 2 more Wedding cards.  How fun it is to make cards for special people for your special people.  Gotta love that!

Today's card is for the Dynamic Duos #65 Challenge Warm Pink and Soft Green.  A great color combo!


I used the Mommy To Be Diva stamp set from Gina K Designs.  If you have not checked out the line of Diva stamps, I would encourage you to do so.  She is fun.....she is fabulous......and she does it all!  Gardens, rides a scooter, she does yoga, has been to Hawaii and even got married.....hence the Mommy To Be stamp. 

Found this great lacy ribbon in my stash. 

 
 
Other supplies used:  Adhesive Pearls colored with Copic Markers, Copic Markers, Ribbon Flowers, Heart Shaped Button, Baker's Twine, Punched Hearts, Spellbinders; Classic Ovals, Beaded Ovals, Tag Paper Punch (which I cropped).
 
Thanks for stopping by.  And if you see my sister, please wish her a Happy Birthday!

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Early Release Wednesday

Gosh I used to hate them when my daughter was in school, but am kind of loving it on a glorious day like today.  Issues at my afternoon client, had to reschedule.....bummer.....not!  :)

Today I have 2 Tags to show you.  I made them for the Mixed Media Color Challenge # 5, purple, blue & green.  There are some really beautiful Mixed Media projects on this site.  My entry however, will not be one of the beautiful ones.  I just can't pull off this technique.  It's a tricky one for me.  If any of you have any suggestions or tips on making any kind of Mixed Media project please let me know.  I need all the help I can get.  I will keep trying so this might be the year of  'bear with me' .

Tag #1 (and my official entry)


Used the following supplies:  Paint, Sakura glitter pen, buttons, bottle cap, rhinestones, fibers, Gina K Designs stamps; Pretty Patterns 2 & Springtime Silhouettes, ribbon, butterfly charm, flower punch, clear embossing powder, hole punch.


Ran a piece of crafting metal through an embossing folder to capture the word JOY (my most favorite word ever!).  Added a ribbon tab, they really work well on cards too.   The small punched flowers are topped with small buttons and rhinestones.

 
Added paper piercing for the charm butterfly trail and traced the clear embossing with an orange glitter pen.
 
 
Tag #2   Once painted reminded me of Halloween so I went with that theme.
 
 
Supplies used:  paint, Washi tape, doily, border punch, mini clothespin, embossing folders, embossing ink, glitter, fibers, flower punch, Gina K Designs stamp set, Wicked.
 

 
 
I used a Picket Fence embossing folder and made this 'gate-like' feature, held closed by the mini clothespin.
 
 

 
When opened, screams.....Happy Halloween.  :)
 
 
That's it for today.  And any hints, tips, or tricks for creating a Mixed Media project is greatly appreciated.
 
Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by!




Friday, August 9, 2013

Sweet Summertime

Good Afternoon!  Welcome to Friday!

Today's card is for several Challenges:

Curtain Call's, Watermelon Wonder; CASology's, Dessert; and last but not least, STV's, Mix It Up Monday.

I haven't made a card in almost a week, and seem to still have no time to craft.....Oh The Horror!  But I snuck in and whipped this CAS card up in no time.  Quick Card......Quick Post.

Very simple card.  I knew I wanted to use a watermelon yet I have no watermelon stamps.  So I used the circle Spellbinders die to cut 2 layers, one in Passionate Pink and the other in Jelly Bean Green, both available from Gina K Designs, as well as the sentiment stamp I used, from the Sweetest Strawberries set.  Added some "seeds" using a Sakura Black Gel Pen and topped them off with Cotton Candy Stickles.  I also 'splattered' black paint on the pink panel using an old toothbrush.  The watermelon is popped up with 3D squares.

Spellbinders; Lacy Squares Die, Cuttle Bug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Adhesive Pearls, Black & White Gingham Ribbon, 3D squares.

Short.  Sweet. Simple.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your weekend!


Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Pretty In Pinks

Good Afternoon.  We have been having some gorgeous weather here in the Northeast, I couldn't have ordered better days!  Just heavenly!

Today's card I have entered into 2 Challenges; CMC # 74, Pretty In Pink, and  for the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge # 190. 

 
And here is my entry:     
 

 
 I rotated the sketch to accommodate this beautiful stamp from Flourishes, Anemones.  I have used them before, just recently, but I really love the flower image and how they color up so easily.   This card is for my Aunt who lives in Illinois, a dear and great friend to my Mom.....her Casino Partner.  Oh the trouble those 2 can get into!  I probably don't even know half of it.....and that's probably for the best!
 
I used a Fiskars border punch on the right hand side.  Corner punched the pink and white matted card stock.  Added lots of pink rhinestones to the edge and each flower center.  I also used pink striped, pink dotted, and solid pink Washi Tape on the "banners".  Added a bit of pink ribbon to tie the bouquet together.  Colored with Copic Markers.  The small flowers on the top right were punched with an inexpensive paper punch, layered in pink and white.  A very simple card that hopefully packs a punch!
 
Thanks for stopping by on this fabulous August afternoon.....one week from the month is gone!  C'mon Fall!  (don't you groan Judy Woodland!)  :)


Tuesday, August 6, 2013

2 More Challenges

Today's card is for 2 Challenges; Dynamic Duos #64, Strawberry Slush and Daffodil Delight and JUGS #200, Sketch Challenge. 


I used the Dahlias stamp set from Flourishes.  I did not use the entire stamped image, but cropped it to fit on my square focal point.  The Dahlias are just so fun to color......and grow, as I have some in my gardens too.  I also used Simple Numbers from Gina K Designs.  I like the whole idea of actually personalizing cards to that special or BIG day......how cool!!!! 

I know one of you Readers out there will think this card is for you!  AND....you're probably right......just be surprised when you get it in the mail!  lol  It's made with love!

Colored with Copic Markers, Spellbinders; Lacy Squares, Sizzix Embossing Folder, added Ribbons, and the ever present dollar gems!  You can craft on a budget!

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Wedding Smash Journal Cover

***  and now thanks to Nancy, I will enter this in the current Mixed Media Color Challenge ***

The next project I made is for my daughter, Lori.  In case you haven't heard our squeals of JOY from here, she and her beloved Tim,  got engaged on July 19th!  Whahoo!  I thought that she might need a notebook of some type to keep by her nightstand.  You know how you always wake up in the middle of the night with that great crafting idea?  Yup, you probably need one too.  I just updated a cover from a Sketch Pad.  It has 100 sheets of blank 60# paper.  She can write in it, stick post it notes, draw, glue and paste, etc.  all of those wonderful ideas she comes up with.   And of course I had to add just a little bit of bling.....after all it is a Wedding Smash Book!  Who knew there would be a need?  lol

 
 
 
I've had this stash of s-e-I designer paper, chocolat for some time now, had to whip it out for this creation.  I first glued it down to a piece of very thin chipboard, then applied that to the original cover of the book.  I cut out the flowers on the left and glued them down, to add a bit of depth.  Random bits of bling, a pleated strip of ribbon, and a strand of pearls.  I cut several hearts out of that same thin chipboard, and layered them up and added glitter.
 
Yes, this also has one of my most favorite sentiments a Gina K Designs stamp from the Mr. & Mrs. Diva set.....happily ever after.....who doesn't enjoy that?  The date was created with the Simple Numbers set.
 
I love to craft.....I love to create......but when you can do that for that special someone it sends me over the moon!  I am one lucky MaMa......and I know it!
 



Next time I see this Wedding Smash Book I hope to find it overflowing with wonderful ideas.

Glad you took the time to come on by! 

Enjoy your Sunday morning and I hope you can find the time to hide out in your craft room today!

Enjoy~~

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Beach Trinket Boxes

Good afternoon!

Today I have 2 little trinket boxes to show you.  I bought those very inexpensive paper boxes at Michael's and adorned them with papers, gems, ribbons and then added some wonderful little shells and beads.  They are for 2 upcoming birthdays, Bonny & Lynne......hope neither of you are reading this.  (if you are, act surprised!) 

 
 
 


I cut out a shell using my Cameo and stamped the inside with one of my favorite quotes from a Gina K Designs stamp set, Gifts From The Sea.


On this shell tag you can see how I scored the scallop shell to create the texture you would actually see on a real one.  I think scallop shells are the prettiest shells to find while strolling my beach.  I have seen them in blacks, whites, a combo of the 2, slate blues, even brilliant oranges and yellows.  Oh Mother nature, how I love thee!



The DP is from K & Company, Sea Glass......quite appropriate for this project.  I also added a little bit of Spanish Moss and seed beads in blue and green, and of course glitter. 


Okay maybe THIS is my most favorite quote from this stamp set.  (yeah, you're right, they ALL are!)


 
 
Thanks so much for popping by.  I'll have another little project to share with you tomorrow!
 
Happy Crafting!