Pile It On Challenge #84 - Friend/Friendly Hello

Hello friends!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you've had a great weekend, filled with lots of crafty goodness.  We have been doing nothing, but relaxing.  My daughter just finished the first week of her senior year.  I was slightly emotional on the first day of school, but in all, I'm a very proud mama.  I cannot wait to see all of the things she's going to accomplish.

It's Sunday, which brings us to another Pile It On challenge.  This weeks challenge is Friend/Friendly Hello.  Our sponsor this week is Inky Impressions.  This weeks winner will receive a $10 GC to their online shop.  Awesome, right?!

Here is the card I made for this weeks challenge.

I have a friend who LOVES this color combo.  It's his favorite, and I wanted to try to use it for a masculine card.  I think I'm obsessed with stencils right now.  I want to use them on EVERYTHING. lol  I have to say, I really like how this turned out.  My focal cluster on the left hand side is simple, yet adds just the right bit of "something".  And I love those distress inks.  They're fabulous and blend beautifully.  I do hope the recipient of this card enjoys it as much as I do.  I am going to submit this for the following challenges.

Simon's Wednesday Challenge:  Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments Challenge #139: Fall Fun + Sentiment (my colors are very fall-ish)
CASual Chic #2:  Pretty Patterns
 Bloggers Challenge: Come Fly With Me (I have a wood veneer airplane on my card)
Just Us Girls #308:  Sketch (my interpretation)

That's all for me today.  I hope you'll head over to see what my PIO friends have created for you today.  They're all pretty amazing!

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper: Neenah Solar White Cardstock, Vellum, American Crafts DIY Shop Patterned Paper
Stamps: Reverse Confetti Circle Sentiments
Ink: Tuxedo Black Dye Ink, Iced Spruce & Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks
Accessories: MFT Bold Paisley Stencil, MFT In & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangles Dies, Spellbinders Small Smooth Circles Dies, Reverse Confetti Triple Chevies Die, Studio Calico Wood Veneer

MHK Designs August Release: Beginnings & Endings

Hi!

Welcome back!  We're on day five of the MHK Designs August release.  There have been some awesome, and inspiring projects posted this month.  I have no doubt that Mynn will be happy with the outcome of her first release.  She's got some amazing digi's this month, and I can't wait for you to see what she's got coming in future months.  So exciting!  To visit her Etsy store, click HERE.

The last set I got to work with this month, was Beginnings & Endings.  This was perfect for me. lol  Just by looking at my card, you'll know why.

 
Here is what I made.

Yep, a butterfly!  And a gorgeous one at that.  I wanted it to be the main focus of my card, so I enlarged it, and colored it with my Copics.  I think it's beautiful.  I added a vellum scalloped circle, a small tag, some washi tape, a few Pretty Pink Posh silver sequins, a wood veneer heart and some metallic melon Gelato splatters.  In real life, the splatters are so sparkly.  Love that!

That's a wrap for our August release.  We hope you've enjoyed everything and we appreciate your help in celebrating the grand opening of MHK Designs Etsy store this month.  We will be back in October, with five new sets to share with you.  I hope you'll be back to visit, and see what's in store.  If you happen to create something with any of the August sets, make sure to leave me a comment with a link to your project, so I can visit and leave some blog love.

Have a wonderful rest of your week!

What's In It?
Paper: SU! Whisper White Cardstock, Lavender & Light Aqua Cardstock, Vellum, Kaiser Craft Kaleidoscope Patterned Paper
Stamps: MHK Designs Beginnings & Endings
Ink: Metallic Melon Gelato, Copic Markers: V20, V22 & V25
Accessories: Pretty Pink Posh Silver Sequins, Studio Calico Wood Veneer Heart, Music Notes Washi Tape, Reverse Confetti Circles & Scallops Dies, MFT In & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangles Dies, Maya Road Natural Twine

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

Pile It On Challenge #82 - Bright Colors

Hello again!

This is my second post of the day.  Please scroll down to view my MHK Designs release post.

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I am sporting a cool new DT member logo.  As of this month, I joined the Pile It On design team.  I'm super excited to join this awesome group of crafty women, and I can't wait to share my projects with you.

The challenge this week is Bright Colors.  We are sponsored by Sweet Pea Stamps this week.  Each of us got to use one of their sweet images, and I love mine.   This weeks winner will receive 4 digi stamps of their choice.

Here is the card I created for this weeks challenge.

Isn't this little angle just darling?!  I really do love her.  As mentioned, the challenge this week is bright colors and I really wanted to have bright, cheerful colors on my card.  I LOVE how this background turned out.  I sponged on several colors of Distress Ink, using one of my new MFT stencils, and then I stamped over it in gray, with one of my flourish background stamps.  These colors are so gorgeous together, and who doesn't love a rainbow, right?  You can't tell from this photo, but her wings are extra sparkly, thanks to my Wink of Stella clear brush pen.  Here is a close up of her lovely wings.

Such a pretty card, in real life.  I intentionally left this card without a sentiment, because I wasn't sure how I wanted to use it just yet.  I will add it, when the time comes.  I hope the recipient enjoys receiving this card, as much as I enjoyed making it.  I am going to enter this for the following challenges.

House of Cards: Metallics (my sequins are silver)
Our Creative Corner: Mexico Moods Part 2 (I was inspired by the colors and circles in the photo)
Mojo Monday #410: Sketch
Try It On Tuesday: Use Stencils
Addicted To Stamps & More #157: Make Your Mark (I used Distress Inks & Copic Markers)
Crafting For All Seasons #107: Bright & Beautiful
Fab & Funky #270: Things With Wings
Cute Card Thursday #386: Anything Goes
CAS-ual Chic #2: Pretty Patterns
Frosted Designs: Metal/Metallics (my sequins are silver)


I do hope you'll head over to the PIO blog to see what other wonderful cards are posted today.  They're nothing short of beautiful!

Have a wonderful week!

What's In It?
Paper: Neenah Solar White Cardstock, SU! Daffodil Delight Cardstock, Doodlebug Design Take Note Patterned Paper
Stamps: Sweet Pea Stamps Little Summer Angel (by Molly Harrison), Hero Arts Design Block Flourish
Ink: Simon Says Stamp Fog Dye Ink, Distress Inks: Picked Raspberry, Ripe Persimmon, Squeezed Lemonade, Twisted Citron & Peacock Feathers, Copics: E000, E42, E47, E74, B000, BG01, BG07, R43, R85, Y35 & YG06, Wink of Stella Clear Brush Pen
Accessories: Spellbinders Small & Large Smooth Circles Dies, MFT Stitched Fishtail Flags Dies, Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangles Dies, MFT Staggered Hearts Stencil, Pretty Pink Posh Silver Sequins

MHK Designs August Release: Lift Me Higher

Good day!

I have some exciting news!  My beautiful friend Mynnette has been creating all kinds of digital stamps, and has decided to open her own Etsy store to feature them.  I'm honored to have been asked to be on her design team.  It's so much fun, getting to use these never been seen before sets.  You can visit her store HERE.  There are so many wonderful sets, I'm sure you'll be able to find something you like. :-) 

Here's how things will work.  There will be five new sets released every two months, with the exception of this month, which has ten sets being released.  Each designer will be featuring two to three sets for each release, and will post their cards during release week, which starts the 16th of each month.

The first set I got to work with, was Lift Me Higher.

And here is the card I made.

  
I chose to focus on the sentiment, but wanted to include a way to feature the image in the set, so I made a shaker card.  I kept the card completely clean, so that the image and sentiment were the only thing to focus on.  I love the white on white look.  Here is a close up of the shaker.

I colored the image with my Copics, then added stickles to create snow capped mountains.  I added some Pretty Pink Posh seed beads, and some star confetti from Butterfly Reflections, Ink to create this fun shaker part.  I think it turned out pretty great.  I love the sparkle from the shaker elements and the stickles.

Please help us in celebrating the grand opening of Mynn's Etsy store, by checking out what everyone else has created for you today.  There is tons of inspiration posted today, and there will be even more posted over the next few days.  I've seen all of the sets she's created, and honestly think you won't be disappointed.

Have a wonderful day!

    





What's In It?
Paper: Neenah Solar White Cardstock
Stamps: MHK Designs Lift Me Higher
Ink: Copics: Y00, Y13, Y18, B000, B12, G43, G46, E74, C3
Accessories: Spellbinders Small & Large Smooth Circle Dies, SSS Stitched Rectangles Dies, Star Dust Stickles, Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear & Marshmallow Seed Beads, Butterfly Relfections, Ink. Irridescent Star Confetti

CASE-ing Christmas Challenge #28

Greetings!

How's your week going?  Mine is crazy, after being gone for four days last week, but it's worth it.  Our trip to Dallas was very educational, exciting, and fun.  Three college visits down, two more to go.  Today is Wednesday, so I can see the weekend light at the end of the tunnel approaching.  I am going to be a total bum, and do as little as possible.  I need to catch up on some much needed rest.  I hope your weekend will include lots of fun, and hopefully some crafting. :-)

The next CASE-ing Christmas challenge is posted, and there are a couple of changes.  We have new design team members, and we are now a monthly challenge blog, with posts going live on the 5th of each month.  There is also a monthly prize to be won.  Who doesn't like prizes, right?  To kick things off, this month's CASE card just happens to be one of mine.  Here is the original.
 

And here is my CASE'd card.

I stuck to the design, but changed up the colors and elements.  I love this new to me stitched hearts border die.  I was happy I got to use it, finally.  I switched out the pearl for a jingle bell, and embossed the sentiment, and called it done.  It's a pretty simple card, and it's fairly flat, so it will mail nicely.  I'm excited to have another Christmas card ready to send at the end of the year.  I'm going to enter this for the following challenges.

Christmas Cards All Year Round: Snowflakes
Crazy 4 Challenges #297: Include the word Happy on your project.
Papertake Weekly:  Anything Goes
Simon's Wednesday Challenge: Tie It Up

I hope you'll head over to the CASE-ing Christmas blog to see what fabulous inspiration is posted for you.  I also look forward to seeing how you interpret my original card.  Can't wait to see them all, and visit your blogs!

Have a wonderful day!

What's In It?
Paper: PTI Kraft Cardstock, SU! Whisper White Cardstock, SSS Card Kit Patterned Paper (January, I think)
Stamps: Hero Arts Family and Friends
Ink: VersaMark
Accessories: Detail White Embossing Powder, Pretty Pink Posh Jingle Bells, MFT Stitched Fishtail Flags Dies, Maya Road Natural Twine, WPlus9 Stitched Heart Border

House of Cards August Challenge: Metallics

Hello everyone!

I hope you've had a wonderful week, and are going to have a wonderful weekend.  As you read this, my daughter and I are currently in Dallas, Texas, touring two more colleges.  Yesterday we visited TCU (which was awesome) and today we are visiting University of Texas Arlington.  We visited Iowa State University, back on the 24th, and loved it too, but I've asked her not to make a decision until we've visited all of the colleges she's chosen to apply to.  We have two more to go, later this month, and then she'll start applying.  This whole process is overwhelming, for both of us.  To say I'm emotional, is an understatement.  I am so proud and excited for her though.  She'll do great, whatever and wherever she decides.  The one thing I think might be a factor for her is the heat.  It's in the 90's with high levels of humidity right now, and she's not enjoying it.  Being from Texas, I'm used to it, so it doesn't bother me as much.  It's still pretty uncomfortable though.  I think we're going to hit up Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor after our college visit this morning.  That should help.

Anyway, onto why you're here today.  It's the first of the month, which brings us to our next House of Cards challenge.  This month, the challenge is to use Metallics.

This challenge was a bit difficult for me, as I don't really have much in the form of metallics.  I dug through my crafty stuff, several times, trying to find something.  Finally, I found some metallic cardstock that I had forgotten about.  Here is the card I made with them.

I love the bright, cheerful colors, and the card screams summer, to me.  I used a bit of metallic gold mist, for the background, but ultimately kept it fairly simple.  I know exactly who will receive this card, and I hope she enjoys it.  She's been my longtime friend, and never ceases to amaze, with her generosity.  I love her dearly.

There are so many inspiring cards today, created by my friends at House of Cards.  I do hope you'll head over to check them out.  You'll have until 11pm on August 31st to participate.  That's a whole month!  Hopefully, you'll get the chance to play along, so that I can visit your blogs, and see your beautiful creations.  I look forward to seeing them!

It's off to UT Arlington, then an afternoon of roller coasters and water slides for us.  I hope you have an awesome weekend!

Hugs!

What's In It?

Paper: Neenah Solar White Cardstock, SU! Whisper White Cardstock, Metallic Cardstock: Pink, Orange, Yellow & Aqua

Stamps: Reverse Confetti Fancy Word Coordinates

Ink: VersaMark, Mister Huey's Gold, Lemon Lemon Gelato

Accessories: Reverse Confetti Fancy Word Dies, Mama Elephant Polaroid Fun Dies, WPlus9 Sunshine Layers Dies, SU! Cloudy Day Embossing Folder, Detail White Embossing Powder