Two For One

Hello!

How's your day going?  I'm enjoying a bit of a break from the chaos that is 4 teenage girls sleeping over, while they're at the pool.  I can only imagine that they're going to come back sunburned and/or "crispy" from being there most of the afternoon. lol  In the nice, quiet, alone time I have had, I created two cards.  I usually only post one at a time, but I wanted to share both of these right now.  I was a bit impatient in sharing these. :-)

Here is the first.

A few weeks ago I saw a card posted using a crochet mat.  I did some investigating, and found that Jessi Fogan, makes AND sells them.  I was super excited to place my order, and was even more excited when they arrived so quickly at my house the other day (she's awesome!).  I've asked her to try to find some neon thread.  Wouldn't they be awesome?!  It had been a while since I'd created anything but a square card, so I went with round for this one.  My peach/white flourish panel is actually the emboss resist technique, which I really should do more often.  I matted it in a pale yellow, and added it to my sage green crochet mat.  I then added a wood veneer banner that came in one of my Simon Says Stamp card kits, a twine bow, a hand crocheted flower I ordered on Etsy, and a few sequins.  In all, I think this card took me 20 minutes to complete, and I love it!

I've combined the following challenges in this card:

Stampin Royalty #189 - Photo Inspiration (hope I got close enough to the colors)
Drunken Stampers #137 - Twine (Hi Jessi!!)
Totally Gorjuss #197 - Die Cuts/Punches (my shaped card was made with dies)

And, here is the second card. 

If you know me, you know I LOVE blue.  I reminded myself about the need to continue my use of the emboss resist technique, and wound up with this beauty.  I made two identical panels, only one is embossed with snowflakes and has Mr. Huey's mist on it.  For a bit of added interest, I matted them in opposite directions.  The bottom layer starts with the darker colors at the top, and the focal panel starts with the lighter colors at the top.  I have to say, this turned out much better than I expected.  I added an MFT snowflake, a beautiful I Am Roses paper flower, and some cork paper leaves on top of my ribbon and sentiment, and was finished.  I think the emboss resist technique will be used again this afternoon, for some gift tags.  Or maybe a couple of bookmarks.  Ooooh, yeah...that would work!

I've combined the following challenges in this card:

Cards Galore August Challenge - Bingo (embossing/masks, sprays/inks, ribbon)
Cardabilities #81 - Sketch
Jingle Belles - Tic Tac Toe (embossing heat or dry, ribbon, stamping)
Just Add Ink #178 - Just Add Snowflakes
Just Us Girls #202 - Monochromatic Blues

Now that my long post is done, I've got a question to ask you awesome crafty people!  I recently started thinking that I might want to try my hand at getting published.  I've added it to my bucket list, but am in no hurry.  What advice would you give someone who's never tried this?  Any tips or hints at anything to help me out would be greatly appreciated. 

I'm off to try to create something else to share later in the week.  I'll be back on Monday with my next House of Cards project.  Hopefully, you'll get the chance to stop by and check out what I've made for that.  I do hope the rest of your weekend is fantastic!

Stay crafty my friends!

Papercraft Star Challenge #118

Greetings y'all!

I hope you're having a good week.  Things this week are a bit crazy, due to the end of month stuff again, but all in all it's not a disaster...yet. lol  I'm happy to report that I am off next week again, as I need to head back to my moms, in order to settle some personal business.  I look forward to that, as always.

So, I have another Papercraft Star project to share with you today.  The theme this week is:

Halloween Witch!

 

Once I saw the theme for this week, I knew exactly which stamp I wanted to use.  It's been in my stash for a while, and I love it.  Here is what I created.

 

 

My card turned out exactly how I saw it in my head.  I actually think it turned out a bit better than expected. lol  I love the CAS look, and it's not too bulky, so I can send it to someone without issue.  Gotta love those distress inks, as usual, as they worked perfeclty for what I wanted to do.  I wasn't sure what sentiment I wanted to include, and am thinking I may not even need one.  Another card for my stash, woo hoo!

Challenges I'm happy to include in my card today:

Raise The Bar #116 - Which is witch?
Card Crafters Circle #45 - Halloween
Card Makin Mama's - Halloween
Crafty Catz #155 - Halloween
Retro Sketches #34 - Sketch
Craftymess Challenge #20 - Halloween
Drunken Stampers #102 - Napoleon's Buttons
Hiding In My Craft Room #68 - Die Cuts (my scalloped border is a die)
Dynamic Duo's #25 - Basic Black & Pumpkin Pie (dessert option: die cuts)
So Artful Challenge October - Harvest Moon (photo inspiration)
Catered Crop - Circle Round
Come and Get It Challenge - Halloween
Glitter and Sparkle Challenge #3 - Bonfire/Halloween
Opus Gluei #142 - Leaves or Halloween
Scrappy Frogs - Halloween

As always, there are some amazing projects posted over at the PCS blog today.  I do hope you'll get the chance to check them out, and hopefully play along.  We sure love it when you share your wonderful projects with us!

Have a fabulous day!
Hugs!

Papercraft Star Challenge #114

Hey there!

How are you doing?  I hope you're having a good week.  My week, surprisingly, has been great.  It is crazy at work, but for some reason, it's not as frustrating or trying as usual.  Thank goodness for that!  I've even been able to come home at a decent enough hour and create some crafty stuff.  Go me! lol

It is Wednesday, which allows me to share another challenge project with you.  The theme this week at Papercraft Star is:

Keys & Locks

Since a lot of my crafty supplies are still packed away, and I'm only using what I absolutely need, I was without any kind of embellishment that even resembled a lock or key.  Good thing there's a Hobby Lobby right across the freeway.  I found just what I needed!

I'm not so happy with the photo of my card, but I am happy with it in real life.  It's a lot more bold, and the colors are fabulous together.  I love this digi image from the Wax Fruit Company.  I colored it with my Copics, and then cut it out and popped it up.  I wanted to make sure I had lots of texture on this simple sketch, to give it a little something extra.  I'm happy with my results.  And, here's another card for my stash!

I was also able to incorporate the following challenges in my card.

The Craft's Meow - September Sketch
Drunken Stampers #98 - Old Loves Die Hard (use stash older than six months - lace, papers & stamps)
Speedy Fox & Friends Challenge #126 - Tags

As usual, there are some gorgeous projects posted over at Papercraft Star.  I'm sure you'll be more than excited to see what I mean.  Why not head over there and check them out?

I'm off to work, then bible study and hopefully, I'll get to see some friends for dessert before heading back to the hotel. 

I'll be back soon with another something crafty.  Have a great day!
Hugs!

Unscripted Sketches Challenge #177

Hi everyone!

I hope you've had a decent week, and are starting off with an excellent weekend.  As usual, our end of month has gotten the best of me, and I've worked quite a few hours.  Even as you read this, I'll be working my Saturday away.  Boo!

Since it is Saturday, I have a new Unscripted Sketches project for you.  For all of the details on this weeks sketch challenge, click HERE.

I LOVE my card!  It turned out exactly how I wanted it, and it's beautiful.  The sketch is awesome, and the fall colors are fantastic together.  All of the details make everything just right.  I don't think I've ever made a card I was this happy with. lol  I'm going to send this to a dear friend who's been really helpful to me the last few weeks.  I think she'll love it as much as I do.

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

Drunken Stampers #97 - Hand Wash Cold (use washi tape)
Craft Your Passion #128 - Bingo (I chose, bling, ribbon, distress)
Love To Create #33 - Things With Wings
Use Your Stuff #52 - Fall Colors (orange/red, brown, green)

I do hope you'll head over to the US blog to see what the other lovely ladies have created for you today.  They're wonderful, as usual!

Enjoy your day!
Hugs!

Drunken Stampers #84

Well hello!

Looking at my last post, I am wondering where time has gone.  It has been almost two weeks since I last posted anything.  Goodness, that's bad. lol  It's end of month for us at work, again, and it's so crazy busy that my creative mojo hides from me.  Hopefully, I'll get back to posting more crafty stuff for you soon.

Anyway, I have my last Drunken Stampers card to share with you.  Sadly, I won't be able to stay on for another term, as I am just too busy with work.  I have truly enjoyed being a part of this team, and am thankful for the opportunity.  The challenge this week is Thank You.  For all of the details, click HERE.

I really like these colors together.  The patterned papers I found in these colors actually go quite well together also.  I'm not sure why I hadn't used this MFT doily die yet, but I love it.  It came together pretty quickly, and I'm sure the recipient will enjoy it.

I've combined the following challenges in my card:

Just Add Ink #106 - Sketch

Colour Create #90 - Lilac, Blue, White & Kraft

Delightful Challenges - Patterned Paper

Crazy 4 Challenges #125 - 2 Layered Card

Our Creative Corner - Over The Edge (have an element not restricted to the boundaries of your edges)

I hope you'll check out the Drunken Stampers blog to see what my friends have created for you today.  They're all pretty fabulous.

Hugs!

Drunken Stampers Challenge #83

Hi ya'll!

It's Saturday, and I have another Drunken Stampers project to share with you!  The challenge is: Texture.  I don't know about you, but I have NO problem with that.  For all of the details, click HERE.

I decided that I needed one more Valentine for this year and then I'm done. lol  I love the bold look of the red against the white.  I hope the recipient of this card likes it.  I made it just for her. :) 

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

Weekly Bloggers Challenge - In Bloom
Belli Challenge #136 - Valentine/Hearts (you have until the 14th to join us!)
Pals Paper Arts #128 - Any Reds
Delightful Challenges - Love
Fall To Sketch #177 - Sketch (my loose interpretation of it)
Fabulous Friday - Love
Card Crafters Circle #9 - Valentine's
Card Makin Mama's #38 - Valentine's
Crafty Catz #119 - Valentine's
Mami Doodles - Pink, Red & White

Stay crafty my friends!

Christmas Card Challenge Week #9 & Drunken Stampers #82

Hi hi!

So, because I'm a slacker, and I completely spaced off my DT obligations this week due to work, I am combining two of my challenges into one.  I apologize for the shortness of this post, but I have to go back to work this morning.  Boo! :(

The challenges this week were to Use Your Favorite Technique at the CCC and Use New Crafty Supplies at DS.  My favorite technique, which I'm sure by now you know, is embossing.  Everything on my card is new, with the exception of the bakers twine, which I've had in my stash for a while.  I'm diggin' how this card turned out.  I've also combined the following challenges in my card.

Totally Papercrafts - Pearls & Lace

Fussy & Fancy #55 - Polka Dots

Stampin For The Weekend #2 - Embossing

Crazy 4 Challenges #121 - Layers

Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge #143 - Sketch (I turned it sideways)

I hope you'll check out both design team blogs to see what my friends have all created for you this weekend.  All of them are super fab!

Hugs!

Drunken Stampers #81

Hi everyone!

It's Saturday, yay!!  I can't even tell you how excited I am that I got to sleep in a bit today. lol  I know, I'm so easily amused.  Anyway, hopefully, you're having a good weekend so far. :)

It's time for our first Drunken Stampers challenge of the year.  This challenge is Love.  Aww, how sweet!  For all of the details on this challenge, click HERE.

I was happy to get a break from the Christmas/Winter/Holiday cards that I had been creating lately.  Valentine's Day is just around the corner now, so I guess it's good to get a head start on my lovey dovey type cards.  I used THIS sketch, and love how it turned out. 

My fellow designers have created some amazing projects for you today.  Why not head over and check them out?

Back soon with another crafty something!
Hugs!

Drunken Stampers #80

Hi ya'll!

Welcome to the next Drunken Stampers challenge!  This is the last challenge of the year so you've got plenty of time to play along.  We'll return after the holidays with more fun challenges. 

So, this challenge is: Glittery Holiday.  I'm not sure if Peg knew this when she chose this challenge, but I'm phobic to glitter.  Well, loose glitter anyway.  I don't know what it is about it, but I don't own ANY.  lol  Thank goodness for Stickles!  Anyway, for this weeks challenge, click HERE.

I do hope that I was able to pull it off enough to everyone's liking.  I added some bling, and some Stickles to the snowflake.  It's definitely glittery.  I'm quite pleased with how this turned out.  The color combo is yummy and the embossing adds just the right touch for me.  Since I work late during the week, I've lost the ability to take my photos in my regular spot outside.  I'm having to now get my photos at work, wherever I can find a spot.  I'm hoping to find a new "home" for my picture taking soon.  I've combined the following challenges into my card as well.

Sweet Sunday Sketch #146 - Sketch

Paper Sundaes #98 - Recipe: Red, Stripes, Die Cuts, Stitching. (I used die cuts and stripes)

Pile It On #49 - Bling It Up

Stamptacular Sunday #141 - Christmas Color Combo (Baja Breeze, Black/Chocolate, Sahara Sand)

Card Caravan #7 - Make It Sparkle

I do hope you'll head over to the Drunken Stampers blog to see what everyone has created today.  They're wonderful!

Have a great day!

Hugs!

FYI Challenge #19

Hello everyone!

How's it going?  Can you believe it's December 1st already?!  Goodness gracious!  No wonder I'm walking around feeling lost these days.  It's because time is going by way too fast for me, and I can't seem to figure out where it goes.  I guess that's just how it goes sometimes.

I'm excited!  I have a new card for you today, for the next FYI challenge.  This challenge we're being sponsored by the wonderful and adorable Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps. 

SCRS has some absolutely adorable images!  If you haven't checked them out before, you must go see what I'm talking about.  You can visit them HERE.

Now, onto the inspiration photo. 

I love the deep, rich, vibrant colors in this photo.  The contrast between the soft sky and water and the bridge and buildings is fabulous.  I also love the reflection on the water from the lit buildings.  I'm told, by my Lovely Lotus Michelle, that this is a photo of Brisbane.  I might have to make a trip to see it myself sometime.  It looks beautiful.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE.

Here is the card I put together for this challenge.

I tried to get as close as I could to the colors in the photo, but in my picture, they don't look as similar.  I think the sun washed the colors out a bit.  Either way, I like my card.  Again, when I'm struggling with what to do, my Distress Inks always save the day.  I used THIS sketch, loosly, for the format of my card.  Loving the look of the lace with the seam binding bow.  I feel like I've added that type of layering to all of my cards as of late, but I can't get enough of it. lol  Anyone else have a technique they use ALL the time, no matter what? 

Anyway, the projects posted by my Lovely Lotuses are absolutely fantastic, as usual.  I do hope you'll head over to check them out, and to see the new announcement posted. 

Have a great day!

Hugs!


What's in it?
Paper:  SU! Crumb Cake & Whisper White cardstock, Fancy Pants Oct 31st Patterned Paper, Little Yellow Bicycle Paper Doily
Stamps:  SU! Bliss & Heart/Swirl Background, Verve Dream Big
Ink:  Spun Sugar, Milled Lavender & Dusty Concord Distress Inks, SU! So Saffron Dye Ink, Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Smooth Circles & Lacy Circles Nestabilities, Deep Purple Felt, Pretty In Pink Pearls, White Seam Binding, Ivory Lace

Drunken Stampers #79 & Christmas Card Challenge Week #52

Hello everyone!

I hope you and your families had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  If any of you were brave (or crazy) enough to hit the Black Friday sales, I hope you got some great stuff.  My sister wanted to go Black Friday shopping this year, but after thinking about it, we changed our minds. lol

I have one card for two of my design team challenges today.  Fortunately for me, both of the DT's for this card were nice enough to let me combine challenges.  For this weeks CCC, which is to use vellum, click HERE.  For this weeks Drunken Stampers challenge, which is to create a monochromatic project, click HERE.

I'm so bummed, and feel a bit lame.  In all of the hoards of crafty supplies I have, I couldn't find one piece of vellum to use.  You'd think that I'd at least have a small scrap, but no.  Not one piece.  I guess I will have to see about investing in some vellum now.  I really like how this turned out.  I used like 5 different shades of blue, and some new (to me) seam binding.  I also used some more new Verve goodies on this card too.  I know just who will get this card, now that I think of it.  Hopefully, they'll like it.  Blue is their favorite color.  I've combined the following callenges in my card today:

Sweet Stop #136 - Sketch

Hiding In My Craft Room #22 - Holiday (any holiday)

My Sheri Crafts 11/26 - Let's Decorate for Christmas

Sweet Stampin 11/26 - Punches and/or Dies

Addicted To Stamps #18 - Christmas Cards

Christmas Inspirations #37 - No Image Christmas Card

I do hope you'll head over to see what my friends at the CCC and Drunken Stampers blogs have created for you today.  As always, I'm inspired by their projects.

Hope you have a great day!

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!

Drunken Stampers Challenge #77

Hola!

So, I'm behind once again.  In my craziness last week, I totally forgot to create a project for this weeks Drunken Stampers challenge, which went live on Saturday.  I guess the month of October is just going to be my "off" month. lol  I hope to get it together by the time November arrives.  Anyway, this weeks challenge is pretty cool.  The challenge is books.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE.

I got this stamp at Hobby Lobby recently and fell in love with it.  Don't be surprised if you see it again, frequently. lol  My card came together rather quickly, once I had decided on the colors and layout.  I'm really digging the lace with the chocolate ribbon up top.  It's very pretty.  I've combined the following challenges into my card:

Lily Pad Blog - Sketch
Stampin Sisters In Christ #112 - Theme of Time (I used the Clockworks embossing folder on the top blue strip)
Corrosive Challenge #135 - Flying Things (of course, I have butterflies on my card)

I do hope you'll head over to the Drunken Stampers blog to see everyone's creations and maybe play along.  We had some wonderful participation last challenge, and look forward to seeing what you come up with for this challenge.

Have a great day!
Hugs!

Drunken Stampers Challenge #76

Hi everyone!

I'm SO excited to bring you my first project as a Drunken Stamper!  We have a fitting theme for our challenge this week, which is Halloween.  This is my first Halloween card of the year.  I didn't really think I needed to make any, so I haven't really been too concerned about it.  I'm thinking I probably should make at least two or three to take to work now though.  Anyway, for this weeks challenge, click HERE.

I really like the colors in this Halloween card.  I'm all about non-traditional, so any chance to steer away from that, I'll take it!  These papers are fabulous and I like how my card came together.  The embossed pumpkins at the bottom add just the right "something" to this, for me anyway.  I do hope you'll head over to the Drunken Stampers blog to see all of our first projects. They're pretty cool, I must say.  I've combined the following challenges as well:

Paper Sundaes #89 - Lots of Layers
Bloggers Challenge #232 - Sketch
The Pink Elephant #119 - Trick or Treat
Papertake Weekly 10/4 - Anything Goes
SCRS Challenge #63 - Light Blue, Orange & Black (I'm happy, I finally got to participate in one of their challenges!)

Alright.  I'm off to chat with a special someone (whom i've been keeping secret) while he's off on a work contract in South Africa.  I'm hoping I'll be able to persuade him into taking some photos for me so that I can scrapbook them when he returns. 

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs!

Guess What?!

I'm a Drunken Stamper!  I applied for a spot on their DT recently, and they chose me as one of three new designers.  I'm so glad I finally get to announce it, and I'm honored to have been chosen.  Challenges are posted bi-weekly on Saturdays.  My first project with them will be posted this Saturday, the 8th.  I do hope you'll stop by then to see what I've got up my sleeve.  I kinda like it. lol

You can check out who else made the team by visiting the Drunken Stampers blog HERE.

Have a great day!
Hugs!

My Hero

Hi ya'll!

How is your weekend going so far?  Mine is going to be fantastic!  I'm just waiting for a few of my co-workers to arrive and then it's time for pool party and bbq in the backyard.  I LOVE having a pool.  So relaxing after a stressful day at work, and always fun when having friends over.  *happy sigh*

So, my stupid internal alarm clock had me up at 6am today, bleh.  I couldn't get back to sleep, so I decided to start working on some Father's Day cards for work.  Here is the first one I created.

I love how this turned out.  If you've followed my blog long, you know I struggle with masculine cards. lol  I just got these star dies from MFT and had to play with them already.  I cut them out of old book paper and glimmer misted them.  They're really cool in real life.  I'm surprised at how well my card matches the idea I had in my head.  I'm going to enter this into the following challenges:

Crazy4Challenges #91 - Father's Day

Speedy The Cat's Friends Challenge #59 - Father's Day

Sketchbook Saturday #15 - Sketch (my loose interpretation)

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Father's Day

Stamp Something - Something Punched (I used dies)

Delightful Challenges - Father's Day

Stampin Royalty #75 - Celebrate Dad

Don't forget you still have time to participate in FYI Challenge #7.  There's a cute prize and the photo is amazing.  You can find all of the details HERE.

I hope you have a great day!  I'll be thinking of ya'll while enjoying my margarita, poolside. :D

Hugs!

Thanks!

Hi ya'll!

I spent Saturday afternoon with my wonderful friend Joni, craftying away.  I'm so blessed to have her in my life, and am thankful that we have such a great friendship.  I didn't create anything for any of my design teams.  I just made some cards that I wanted to make.  It was so refreshing to just play with my toys, without having any obligations to meet.  Here is one of the cards I made.

I've had this precious PI girl colored for a while, so I decided it was time to put her on a card.  I added a bit of glossy accents to my apple, so it's shiny.  I love these colors together and will probably use them again.  Had I been smart, I would have paper pieced her dress.  Either way, I still like my simple card.  I'm entering it into the following challenges.

C4C #75 - Use Dies (I used my Nesties, and a leaf die)
Drunken Stampers #55 - Absolutely To Die For! (Use dies)

I hope you're having a great week!  I'll be back soon with another card.  Yay!
Hugs!