Birthday Wishes

Hola y'all!

I hope you've had a wonderful Saturday, and that the weather is being nicer to you than it is to us here in NW Iowa.  I've got three teenage girls who have been at the pool for most of the day, and they're headed back for the midnight swim around 9pm.  I'm glad they're keeping themselves cool, and entertained. lol

I needed a birthday card for a friend, and this is what I came up with.  It's not too girly for a guy, is it?

If you know me, you know I have a difficult time with masculine cards.  I have taken on the approach that if I keep it simple, it works out better.  This is a good example of that, I believe.

I've combined the following challenges in my card:

Creative Belli #173 - Stars
Color Throwdown #250 - Bermuda Bay, Crumb Cake, Melon Mambo & So Saffron (I used colors I thought were close)
Freshly Made Sketches #94 - Sketch
CASual Fridays #109 - Polka Dots
Annabelle Stamps #167 - Polka Dots

I'm going to take the girls to dinner, then we're having shaved ice, before they head back to the pool.  I'll be back soon with another something fun.  I know Monday I've got two really cool posts going up for some new DT work.

Hope you'll check back soon!
Hugs!

Happy Mother's Day

Hiya!

So the snow has melted, and we've had better temps here in Iowa lately.  The sun even came out, and I got to wear my flip flops again...finally!!  I'm sad that it will be chilly and raining for the next few days, but look forward to more spring like weather soon. 

I recently received my first order from Simon Says Stamp.  Yes, I know.  I'm really behind on ordering their awesome products, but hey, better late than never.  Right?  Anyway, I signed up for their monthly card kit, and am super happy with everything that is included in their kits.  I haven't been super busy creating much lately, so I think the card kit was perfect to jump start my creative mojo again.  Below is the card I made using the kit, and some other goodies I ordered.

 
There are two things about this card that I need to point out.  First, I colored with my Copics, and second I fussy cut the roses.  Those are two things that I pretty much NEVER do. lol  These flowers were just begging to have that done to them though.  Seriously.  You can't see it from my photo, but each of the flowers and frame around the sponged sentiment panel were also outlined with my Sakura clear sparkle pen, so they have a touch of glitter.  I cut out the center of the bigger flower, and popped it onto the other for more dimension.  After I added all of my elements, I used a touch of Mister Huey's, in white and added one of the chipboard hearts that I "painted" with the Liquid Pearls from the kit.  I'm happy with my card, but feel I could have done better compared to everyone else using this kit.  I really want to be like Vicky Papaioannou and Nichol Magouirk when I grow up. lol  They're amazing!

I am going to submit this card for the following challenges:

The Pink Elephant #198 - Mother's Day
Belli Challenge #169 - Mother's Day
I {heart} Sketches #17 - Sketch (my loose interpretation)
Kaboodle Doodles #170 - For The Ladies
Pretty Little Ribbon Shop - Lace
Crafty Bloggers Network #11 - X's & O's (I chose ribbon, die cuts/punches & flowers)
Pile It On #18 - For A Mother
Corrosive Challenge #173 - Mother's Day
The Paper Players #144 - Mother's Day

I'm off to pick Sydney up from softball practice, and then work on something else crafty.  I do hope you have a wonderful evening!

Hugs!

Creative Belli Challenge #146

Hello!

It's Wednesday, which brings us to another Creative Belli challenge!  The Creative Belli challenge, in case you're new to it, is a challenge blog set up to encourage you to use your neglected or hoarded embellishments.  Each week there is a theme as well.  This weeks challenge is to create anything but a card.  For all of the details, click HERE.

For my project this week, I altered a wooden gift bag.  I have a friend who recently had surgery, so I'm going to fill it with a few of her favorite goodies, and give it to her when I visit her.  My neglected stash include the Prima flower, the metal clip, and all of the patterned papers.  I hope she likes it! 

I'm sad to say that this project marks the end of my term as a Belli Girl.  I have enjoyed being a part of the DT for the last six months, and will do my best to participate, as time allows.  Darsie is a wonderful leader, and everyone on the team are just total sweethearts.  I'm blessed to have had the opportunity to be on a team with such wonderful, talented women. 

I'm hoping you'll head over to see what the other Belli Girls have created for you today.  Their projects are very nice this week.

Hugs!

Creative Belli Challenge #145

Happy Humpday!

I am so glad today is Wednesday!  It means I only have to get up early two more days this week.  The weather here in the DFW area has been hot, so I think I'm going to plan a pool party/BBQ for some friends and I.  Should be fantasic! :)

Since it is Wednesday, I have another Creative Belli challenge project for you.  The challenge is to use a sentiment only.  For all of the details, click HERE.

Now, before you say anything, let me explain. lol  As you know, I'm a HUGE fan of non-traditional Christmas colors.  When I was trying to come up with a card for today, I was totally stumped.  I asked a friend to help me out, by picking a couple of colors, so that I could try to challenge myself.  He chose yellow, black and green, which are the colors of his company's logo.  At first, I didn't really like how it turned out, but he did, and asked if I could make 50 Christmas cards identical to this one for them to distribute this holiday.  I declined, as I'm not one for mass producing anything, but I dig that he thought it turned out well.  As I look at it, I'm thinking it has a "Tim Burtonesque" look to it, if that makes sense. lol  At the end of the day, I'm content with being able to pull off these very difficult colors and make one more card for my stash.  The flowers and ribbon, as well as the patterned papers, are my hoarded/neglected items for this challenge.  I'm pretty sure we all know who will be getting this card for Christmas.  I've combined the following challenges in my card as well.

JUGS #139 - Sketch
Stampalot Challenge (June) - Bingo: I chose ribbon/lace, polka dots & the color green
Christmas Card Challenge Week #27 - Sentiment Only

I do hope you'll head over to the Creative Belli blog to see the wonderful projects that everyone has provided for you today.

Hugs!

Creative Belli Challenge #144

Hi ya'll!

It's time for another Creative Belli challenge!  I love these challenges.  Having to remember to use the stuff I absolutely HAD to have, and then forgetting I had them is very helpful.  This challenge is weddings.  For all of the details, click HERE.

I had a friend pick the colors for me, and this is what he chose.  Pink and chocolate always go well together, so it wasn't hard to get this card to work out.  I used THIS sketch, and love my card.  The flower, lace and chocolate ribbon have all been in my possession for over a year.  I'm glad I finally got to use some of it.  I don't know anyone who's getting married anytime soon, but at least I have a card for the box, just in case.

I do hope you'll head over to the Belli blog to see what projects the other designers have put together for you.  Beautiful stuff!!

Hugs!

Creative Belli Challenge #143

Yay, it's Wednesday!

I'm always glad when Wednesday arrives, as it means the week is half over!  I hope all of you have had a good week, so far, and are planning lots of crafty time this coming weekend. :)

I have another Creative Belli challenge project for you today.  The challenge is Baby.  For all of the details, click HERE.

I absolutely love this!  I'm not sure why, but I just do.  I used some Nestabilities I have had in my possession for over a year and a half now, to create the "Boy" sentiment layer, and I used some old papers for it as well.  Everything on my card is stuff I've had for over a year too.  My co-worker and his wife just welcomed a son to their family, so I think this is perfect timing for this card.  I hope they like it.  I've also combined the following challenges in my card.

The Craft Place - One for the boys.
2 Sisters #90 -  Anything goes
Great Impressions #3 - Anything goes
Craft Your Days Away #4 - For Children

I do hope you'll head over and see what wonderful projects the other Belli girls have created for you today.  They're adorable!

See you soon with another something crafty!
Hugs!

Creative Belli Challenge #142

Good day to all!

I'm back today with the next challenge over at the Creative Belli blog.  The challenge is to incorporate animals in your projects.  For all of the details, click HERE.

I wasn't sure what I was going to do for this challenge.  I don't really own much stuff with animals on it.  Fortunately, I found this older stamp set that I forgot I had.  Guess it's a good thing that I'm supposed to use old, forgotten stuff. lol  I didn't color in the monkey's cause I'm not good at coloring.  I kinda like the way they look, uncolored.  I used THIS sketch, and dig the way it turned out. 

I do hope you'll head over to the challenge blog to see what my fellow designers have created today.  I think you'll enjoy them, like I did.

Back soon with another something crafty.
Hugs!

Creative Belli Challenge #141

Hello everyone!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I have another Creative Belli challenge project to share with you.  This challenge is to create a project with a childrens theme.  For all of the details, click HERE.

My card is pretty simple today.  I used THIS sketch, because of the simplicity of it.  I wanted to go with a little boy theme, and I wanted to ink up some stamps that I've had in my stash for a while, but had never been used.  The patterned papers are also some that I've had for over a year.  I embossed the blue dotted patterned paper for a bit of extra interest, and love how it turned out.  I'm thinking that I should have sanded it a bit, but oh well.  Maybe next time.  I think this image, and sentiment are too cute, and I hope the lil guy who gets this will enjoy it.  I'm going to include a Toys R Us gift card, so I'm thinking he just might. lol

I do hope you'll head over to the Belli challenge blog to see what my friends have come up with today.  They're absolutely adorable!

Hugs!

Creative Belli Challenge #138

Hi everyone!!

Yay for humpday!  Only two days to go until the weekend.  I'm SO happy the week is almost over.  How's yours going?  Got big plans for your weekend?  I'm crossing my fingers that something I've been waiting for happens this weekend. lol :)

I'm excited to share my next Creative Belli challenge project with you today.  This challenge is a Sketch challenge.  For all of the details, click HERE.

I really think these colors are cool together.  I wasn't sure how I was going to pull it off with the sketch, but it all came together really well.  I've had the grey background patterned paper in my stash for almost two years.  I'm so glad I kept a few pieces of it, as it goes perfectly with this color combo.  I've also had the stamp set from Gina K in my possession for almost three years, and this is the first time it has seen ink.  Pittiful, I know. *sigh*  I hope the recipient of this card enjoys it.

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

Corrosive Challenge #143 - Dimension (all of my panels are on foam adhesive, although you can't really see it)
Creative Inspirations Paint - Paper Piecing
Scrapper's Delights - Bling It Up
Sentimental Sunday #91 - Lace & Pearls (I hope they don't mind that I used rhinestones instead)
CR84FN #49 - Yellow, Kraft & Gray

Please check out what my fellow designers at the Creative Belli challenge have posted for you today.  They're pretty awesome. :)

Back soon with another crafty project!
Hugs!

Belli Challenge #137

Hi there!

Thanks for stopping by again.  I'm excited to bring you my next Creative Belli challenge card, which is a recipe challenge.  The ingredients are 1 ribbon, 2 designer papers, 3 colors and 4 gems or pearls.  For all of the details, click HERE.

So, there's no embossing, no Nestabilities, not very many layers.  My goal was to step outside my box and do another CAS card.  I'm pretty sure this is one of the most simple, yet very pretty, cards I've made in a while.  I broke out the new Janome Sew Mini I got for Christmas and finally added some stitching.  I'm definitely going to have to practice stitching in straight lines more though.  Until then, I'm going to say that my stitching is "whimsy". lol  I've hade these papers in my stash for a few months, and I've never ever used them.  I've also had the pearls and the ribbon for while as well.  I'm slowly building up my stash again.  Thank goodness! :)

I've also combined the following challenges in my card.

Sketchbook Saturday #49 - Sketch (my VERY loose interpretation)
Card Caravan #12 - Ribbon
Craft Your Days Away #38 - Get Stitchy With It
Sweet Stampin - CAS

I hope you'll head over to see what the other lovely ladies have created today.  They're pretty fantastic, as usual.

Back soon with another crafty project.
Hugs!

Belli Challenge #136

Hello!

Welcome to the next challenge at the Creative Belli blog!  This challenge is to include hearts on your card, or you can create a Valentine.  For all of the details, click HERE.

I'm really enjoying the way this card looks.  The lace gives it just the right touch and the black knot ties everything together (pun intended, lol), in my opinion.  I've had these papers in my stash for at least a year, and the heart nesties are some I bought over two years ago, but don't get used that often.  I've also had the background stamp I used under the sentiment since I first started stamping.  Talk about dusting off some old stuff. lol  I will be sending this card to a special someone.  Hope she likes it.  I've included the following challenge in my card as well. 

Deconstructed Sketch #36 - Sketch

Flutterby Wednesday #187 - Embossing & Must include butterfly, angel or fairy

Crafty Catz #117 - Things with Wings

I do hope you'll pop over to the Belli challenge blog to see what everyone has created for you.  They're beautiful, as always.

Happy Scrapping!

Hugs,

Belli Challenge #135

Hola!

How is your week going?  It's humpday, so we've only got two more days until the weekend.  Yay!  Today I have my next project for the Creative Belli challenge to share with you.  This challenge is: Frames.  You can alter a frame, or frame something on a layout or card, or use a frame in anything you want to create.  The idea is to create something using your neglected, hoarded or unused stash.  You can find all of the details for this challenge HERE. 

For my project this week, I decided to alter a frame.  I seldom do anything but cards these days, so it was a nice change to create this.  I used an old book page as my background paper, then stamped my flourishes randomly around the edges.  I added my lace, ribbon bow, and flowers and was done.  I had hoped to do this as a gift for my sister, before Christmas, but didn't get around to it.  I know she'll love it.  The ribbon, lace and stamps have been in my stash for a couple years, so I was happy to break them out and use them.

If you haven't seen what the other ladies have created at the Belli blog, you should go check them out.  They're gorgeous!

Back soon with another something crafty!

Hugs!

Belli Challenge #134

Hi ya'll!

I'm SO super excited!  I get to share my first project as a Belli Girl with you today! 

This weeks challenge is: Snowflakes.  I have to admit, I was a bit burned out on all of the Christmas stuff, but I went "shopping" in my stash, and came across my Tim Holtz snowflake die and the creative mojo started flowing.  Here is what I came up with.

I LOVE this card!  I distressed the main panel with Barn Door and Fired Brick distress ink, then I stamped the flourish with water, and the script in brown ink.  I embossed my sentiment in white, so that it would "pop" against the red and it looks pretty darn good.  I added my snowflake border, some lace, twine and a bow with a pearl, and was finished.  Everything except for the stamps I used are hoarded supplies.  The lace, twine and die have been in my possession for over a year.  Now I can add this to my stash of Christmas cards for this year, and feel great about using up some of my stuff.  Yay!  I've also combined the folloiwng challenges in my card.

Speedy The Cat's Friend's Challenge #88 - Snowflakes
Crimbo Crackers #5 - Snowflakes

I do hope you'll head over to the Belli blog to see what wonderful projects my new friends have made for you.  They're all pretty fantastic!

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

So...

...2012 is going to start out very busy for me, craft wise.  Why, you ask?  Because of this!

I have been invited to be a Bellie Girl!  I'm super excited that I will be on a DT that forces us to use our old, hoarded and neglected stash.  I'm joining an amazing group of ladies, and I couldn't be more honored to be on the team.  Our challenges post every other Wednesday, so I hope you'll join me and use up some of that stuff you just had to have that hasn't ever been used.  I'll be back on the 4th of January with my first project as a Belli Girl.  :)

Have a great day!
Hugs!

FYI Challenge #14

Hello everyone!

I'm so excited to be back with our next For Your Inspiration challenge.  This weeks photo is absolutely breathtaking.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE.

I'm loving this photo.  The contrast of the light and dark colors, the jagged cliffs against the slightly rippled water, the way it looks as if something has been thrown into the water to make it "splash" against the sky.  Just gorgeous!  *happy sigh*

Here is the card I created based on the photo. 

I have to say, this actually turned out much better than I expected.  It's been a while since I've gone, WOW, at something I've created. lol  I hope my sister and brother in law enjoy this card.  It's their non-traditional anniversary card.  I've combined the following challenges into this card as well.

Sweet Sunday Sketch #134 - Sketch
Papertake Weekly 9/13 - Things With Wings
Belli Challenge #126 - String (I used bakers twine)
Flutterby Wednesday #171 - Open (must have a butterfly, angel or fairy)
Pile It On #37 - Layer It

I do hope you'll head over to the challenge blog and see what beautiful inspiration is posted.  I know you'll be as delighted as I am.  Remember you have two weeks to play along, and you can create anything you like. 

Have a great day!
Hugs!

Blue Skies Are Coming Your Way

Hola!!

I hope ya'll had a great weekend, filled with lots of crafting goodness!  As mentioned yesterday, I spent the weekend creating all kinds of things.  This week will be busy with posts.  :)

I think this next card is among one of my favorites.  Check it!

There is a lot going on in this card.  Lots of texture for sure.  The scalloped circle is actually a paper coaster I got at a restaurant not too long ago.  I loved the embossed texture it had, and definitely had some ideas running around in my head when I saw it.  I used my distress inks for the colors, it started off white, then I stamped a floral background stamp in water, and then I stamped my En Francais stamp in brown over that.  Not bad for a recycled paper coaster, huh?  I'm loving how it turned out.  I've combined the following challenges into my card.

Triplicate Trials Tuesday #8 - Sketch, Colors: red, orange & yellow,  Extra theme of Peace (they're having a blog hop as well)
Do You Stack Up #36 - Textures
Stuck On You 9/9 - Die Cut Flowers (my white rosette is a rolled flower die cut)
Just Us Girls #101 - Text as a background
Annabelle Stamps - Blooms/Flowers
Belli Challenge #125 - Acetate or Vellum (I have a transparency butterfly on my card, if you look hard enough)
Flutterby Wednesday #170 - Butterfly, open theme this week

Whew, talk about lots going on. lol  I'll be back soon with another card.  Don't forget, you still have time to join in on the latest FYI challenge.  It's open until Wednesday.  For all of the details, click HERE.

Have a good one!
Hugs!