Blue Skies

Greetings!

I hope everyone is having a good week, so far!  It was a lazy weekend around our house, but I was able to get a couple of crafty things done.  Here is a card I made for a friend in need of encouragement.

I wanted to try a technique that Dawn McVey introduced on a weekly tutorial for PTI, that uses two different background stamps together.  You can barely see the light pink polka dots in my photo, but in real life, they're pretty cool.  I have a feeling I'll be trying this technique again.  It's easy.  I've had this stamp in my stash forever, and decided it was time to ink her up after neglecting her for about a year.  I paper pieced the umbrella, and cut her out so I could pop her up.  I think this card is bright, and cheerful, and I'm hoping it will bring a smile to my friend.

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

Crazy 4 Challenges #197 - Paper Piecing
Sketchbook Saturday #102 - Sketch
Dynamic Duos #64 - Strawberry Slush & Daffodil Delight (I tried to get as close as I could)
Our Creative Corner - Words, Words, Words
Kaboodle Doodles #183 - Anything With Scallops (my lace has scallops)
The Pink Elephant #211 - Texture
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #232 - Backgrounds (using your stamps)

I am hoping to get more crafting done this week, as we're expecting rain over the next few days.  Great time to make a bit pot of homemade veggie beef soup too, I think.

Have a great day!
Hugs!

All of My Love

Greetings!

It's been a busy week, but I have managed to get some crafty time in.  I'm excited that tomorrow's Friday, but my goodness, time sure is going by VERY quickly!  In two weeks from today, I'll be basking in the breathtaking views with my favorite girl.  We're headed to the Denver area for a nice, extended weekend getaway, with my mom, sister and brother in law.  I can't wait to see her face when she sees the mountains.  This is her first trip to Colorado, and I sure hope she loves it as much as I do.  Maybe I can talk her into applying to the University of Colorado? *crossing my fingers*

Anyway, here is a card I put together before bed the other night.

I'm not a huge pink fan, but I really wanted to use the floral paper, that I've been hoarding for a couple years now.  Everything came together rather easily.  I like how it turned out, and now I've got another card for my stash.  I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Mojo Monday #301 - Sketch
ODBDSLC161 - Love, Wedding or Anniversary
Papertake Weekly - Old, New, Borrowed or Blue (my patterned papers are old, but the die cut is a new die I just got)
Kaboodle Blog #179 - Anything French (the green background stamp on one of the panels is the French Script stamp from SU!)

I was excited to find out that I was chosen as a Pals Paper Arts Pick.  Thanks a bunch!

I'm off to watch a movie and hang out with my girl, before heading to bed early.  I'm exhausted and I have an early conference call in the morning.  I hope all of you have a wonderful evening!

Hugs!

Happy Birthday!

Hello!

How are y'all today?  I'm glad it's Wednesday, and I have tomorrow off.  I plan on being a total bum, playing with my new Simon Says Stamp goodies.  If anyone needs me, I'll be in my room. lol

I'm totally excited that the House of Cards challenge blog is up and running, as of Monday.  My cards aren't due until the third week of each month, but I am going to try to create a card each week this month, to show my support.  Here is what I created for week #1.

There is an awesome photo posted, with a fantastic color combo, that is very fitting for this holiday week.  The theme is Cute & Fun.  I'm hoping I pulled it off well enough.  I'm not much of a cute and fun person, but I dig how this turned out, and I've got another card for the card box. Yay! :o) 

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

Kaboodle Doodles #178 - Flag Colors (USA is red, white & blue)
Craft Your Passion #169 - Red, White & Blue
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
ODBDSLC160 - Patriotic - Red, White & Blue

I do hope you'll head over and check out the challenge.  There are some fabulous cards posted by the DT.  Maybe you'll be supportive too, and join us?

Have a great 4th of July holiday weekend!
Hugs!

Father's Day

Hey y'all!

So, how about one more card to finish out the week? :o)

My best friend Drew is celebrating his first Father's Day, and I wanted to make sure I sent him a card in honor of this.  I wanted to keep it simple, yet make an impact.  This is what I came up with.

I got this sentiment from last weeks Word Art Wednesday Challenge, but I didn't get the chance to use it.  I printed it on cream cardstock, then inked it while still in my die.  You can't see it in the photo, but I outlined the inside of the die with my clear glitter pen, which gives it a sparkly brown colored frame when combined with the distress ink.  It looks awesome in real life.  I do hope my friend likes his card. 

I've combined the following challenges in my card:

Kaboodle Doodles #175 - For Your Favorite Guy
Papertake Weekly - Hello Boys
Use It Tuesday #57 - Masculine (The patterned paper has been in my stash forever)
ODBDSLC158 - Masculine/Father's Day

Here are a couple pics of Drew and his son.  I was lucky enough to get to see them while I was in Dallas over Memorial Day weekend.  Aren't they both adorbs?!  And yep, I'm pretty sure Shade is going to be a ginger as well, even though he had a full head of black hair when he was born. lol

That's it for me.  I'm off to finish up my week of chaos and then head out for the weekend with my favorite girl.  I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs!

FYI Challenge #46

Hello peeps!

It's the second Thursday of the month, which brings us our next FYI challenge.  This weeks photo are lovely Aspen trees.  Check it out!

I love Aspen trees!  They make me long for Colorado.  I was first introduced to them when I lived there years ago.  So, how are you inspired by the photo?  Here is what I came up with.

This card is also different than normal for me.  I wasn't really sure where I was going with, so I just gathered some supplies I wanted to use, and winged it.  I am happy with the result, but am not sure I like winging it. lol  I've also combined the following challenges in my card.

Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #171 - Use ribbon and at least one button. (I hope they don't mind I chose twine instead of ribbon this time)
Papertake Weekly - The Sound of Music
Use It Tuesday Challenge #55 - You Can't Touch This (I broke out the musical washi tape, and the blue and yellow patterned paper I had been hoarding.)

I do hope you'll stopy by and check out what my Lovelies have created for you today.  They're beautiful, as always!

Have a great day!
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!

FYI Challenge #45

Greetings y'all!

It seems like forever since I posted something crafty.  I guess it has been about 4 months, huh?  I haven't created anything, at all, in the past few months.  I'm still shocked that I have a card for you today. lol  Rather than rambling on about everything else, lets get to my card for today.

Here is the inspiration photo posted over on the FYI challenge blog.

Isn't it beautiful?!  I LOVE lighthouses!  I've never actually been to one, but I still think they're lovely.  And knowing why they were built in the first place is quite fantastic.  Below is the card I made, based on the photo.

I got out my distress inks again, and they worked wonders, as usual!  This is my first time using washi tape, and I'm quite happy with how it all turned out.  The colors in the photo I found to be quite masculine, so I rolled with it!  Unfortunately, my mother used up all of the sympathy cards I had in my stash, and she needed another.  Lots of people around here being called by the Lord recently.  May they rest in peace. 

I've combined the following challenges in my card as well.

The Pink Elephant #197 - Washi Tape
Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #169 - Brown & Tan
Craft Your Passion #160 - Well Read (use text)
The Paper Shelter Challenge #110 - Music
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Anything Goes

I hope that you'll head over to see what my Lovelies have created for you today.  They're more than fantastic!  This challenge is open until Wednesday, May 15th, so that gives you two weeks to join us.  We hope you'll give it a go!

On a side note, I leave you with a picture of my landscape as of yesterday afternoon.  It's May, why is there snow??!!!  *sigh*  I am seriously ready for the warm Texas weather I'm missing!

I'll be back soon with another something crafty.  I'm starting to feel that itch to create more. :-)
Hugs!

Papercraft Star Challenge #124

Hiya!

My goodness time is flying by!  Here we are at another Wednesday, and it doesn't even feel like it's been more than a day since I posted my last PCS card. lol  I hope you've had a good week, and are looking forward to the weekend, like I am.  Only two more days and I get to sleep in again. lol

This post is going to be a bit short, as I've got lots to do this week.  The theme this week at Papercraft Star is:

A Christmas Tree!

Here is the card I created for this weeks challenge.

Are you shocked that I created another traditional red and green Christmas card? lol  This seldom happens, but I was looking through some older papers I found, and decided I wanted to use them.  I love how it turned out!  I now have another Christmas card to take to work.  I'm also happy to have found the following challenges to include in my card today.

Christmas Card Challenges Week #2 - To Die For (use die cuts)
Kaboodle Doodles #129 - Use The Color Red
The Pink Elephant #178 - Photo Inspiration
ColorQ #167 - Real Red, Always Artichoke, Sage Shadow, Lucky Limeade, White (hope I got close enough)
Use It Tuesday #45 - All About Christmas/Hannukah (the papers have been in my stash for over a year, and i've had the stamp set for about six months)
Die Cuttin Divas #94 - Holiday Spirit (must include a die cut)

I do hope you'll head over to the PCS blog to see the other gorgeous projects that are posted for you today.  So inspiring!!

I'll see you guys next year!
Hugs!

Unscripted Sketches Challenge #181

Yola!

Happy Saturday friends!  I hope you've had a good week, and are planning on having an even better weekend.  I'm happy it's Saturday, and I got to sleep in, a bit.  I've got a couple errands to run, and then I'm going to get my craft on.  I've got a list of things I want to get done, and I'm determined to finish them all. 

So, I have another Unscripted Sketches project to share with you today.  This week, there is also a piggyback challenge, which is movement.  For this weeks challenge details, click HERE.

I needed a couple of thank you cards for a set, as a gift for a friend.  I wanted something different than the usual square, or A2 card, so I made her a set of round cards.  They're all fall themed, with slight variances in colors.  My "movement" element for the piggyback challenge is that they slide open from the side, instead of opening from a fold at the top.  They're held together with a brad a the top.  Here's a picture of the opened card.

I dig them.  Unfortunately, I was running out of sunlight, and wasn't able to get a photo of all of them together, that I liked.  In real life, they're beautiful all together.  I hope she enjoys them. 

I'm excited that I was able to combine the following challenges in my card today.

Kaboodle Doodles #141 - Anything Fall or Pmpkin Patch
Forever Friends Challenge #47 - Halloween/Autumn
ColorQ Challenge #159 - Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Only Orange, Pear Pizzazz & White (I subbed my Only Orange for So Saffron because I couldn't find anything in that color)
Use It Tuesday #41 - All About Fall - The stamps, roses and twine are all older than six months old.

I do hope you'll head over to the US blog to see what other fabulous projects are posted.  I do think you'll enjoy them.

Also, before I forget, I've lost a total of 5 pounds within the last two weeks.  I've told myself that for every 10 pounds I lose, I'm going to buy a new article of clothing.  Quite the incentive, I must say. :) 

Have a great day!
Hugs!

Papercraft Star Challenge #115

Howdy!

I hope you're having a good week!  It's been nice and quiet around here, and I've slept better the last two days, than I have in a while.  I'm not sure why, but I'll take it! lol  I'm also super excited, as I will be home visiting my mother this weekend.  It's been a rough couple months, and sometimes I just want my mom.  Any of you feel that way too?

Anyway, I have another crafty project to share with you.  The theme this week at Papercraft Star is:

Anything Goes!

 

I wasn't sure what I wanted to to with this weeks challenge.  I'm itching to put together a project that isn't a card or layout, but all of my stuff for that is still in storage.  Unfortunately, I procrastinated too long with trying to figure out what to do, that I had to create another card.  This is my result.

 



I've had this THATB digi printed out, and sitting on my desk, for a while.  I've wanted to incorporate it into just about everything I've made this week, but ultimately, it was waiting for today's card.  I love the digitals provided by THATB.  They're so easy to work with, and they're all gorgeous!  I paired it with some rich fall colors, bakers twine, leaves and a pin and called it done.  It's cute and I have another card for my stash.  I've combined the following challenges in my card today also.

Crazy 4 Challenges #156 - Leaves
Speedy Fox Friends Challenge #127 - Circles
Kaboodle Doodles #139 - Colors of Autumn
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

That's all for me today.  I'm off to work, and then off to Bible study.  I'm still getting adjusted to my new eating habits, and I hate drinking all of the water the doc says is healthy, but I guess it's not terrible.  We'll see how long I stay this determinded.  It's been a rough two days. 

Anyway, I hope you have a great day!
Hugs!

Unscripted Sketches Challenge #178

Greetings!!

I hope you've had a good week!  Our end of month is finally over, and I get to sleep in for two days.  I'm excited about that! lol 

I have another Unscripted Sketches project for you today.  The sketch this week is fantastic, and leaves a lot of room for interpretation.  For all of the details, click HERE.

I decided to make my card round.  I really like how it turned out.  I used more digis from THATB, and paired it with distress inks, bakers twine and some bling.  It's adorable, and I know just the person who will receive it. 

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

Crazy 4 Challenges #155 - Thank You or Thanksgiving Inspired
Stamptacular Sunday #182 - Bling It On
Kaboodle Doodles #138 - Stitching
The Pink Elephant #167 - Chevrons or Hexagons
Stampin Royalty #143 - Use Your Bigshot/Die Cuts

As always, there are some wonderful projects posted over at the US blog.  I do hope you get a chance to check them out, and maybe play along. :)

I'm off to be a bum, while watching The Avengers, and then I'm off to the grocery store.  Not sure what I'm going to do the rest of the weekend, but I hope to get my craft on. lol

Have a great day!
Hugs!

Just For Fun :)

Hi everyone!

It's Thursday, which means there's only one day left in the week.  Yay!  It's supposed to be a nice weekend in the DFW area this weekend, so I'm looking forward to just hanging out, and being a bum.  Maybe I'll grill something, with friends.  Not sure what to do just yet. :)

So, earlier in the week, I was caught up on design team work, and got to play along with some challenges.  Just for fun.  As mentioned before, I don't get to do that too often, so I'm always happy when I do.  Here is the card I created.

I'm digging the CAS look to this.  It turned out how I pictured it, and I'm happy.  I hope the recipient of this card likes it. 

I have a quick question.  Do you guys go looking for challenges to include in your card, or do you create something and then go find challenges that fit with what you've created?  Or maybe both?  I usually go hunting for challenges before I create my project, to try to step outside my normal box.  I was just curious. 

Below are the challenges I've combined into my card, along with the color combo from Design Seeds (have I mentioned I LOVE this site?!).

The Craft's Meow - Sketch
Creatalicious Challenge #33 - Butterflies & Add Some Flowers
I Brake For Challenges - Florals
Pretty Little Ribbon Shop #10 - Blooms & Butterflies
Through The Craftroom Door #10 - Happy Mother's Day
Kaboodle Doodles #118 - Honoring Mothers
The Pink Elephant #147 - All About Mom

I'll be back soon with another crafty project.  Hope you have a wonderful day!
Hugs!

Unscripted Sketches Challenge #157

Yola!!

I hope your weekend is off to a fabulous start!  I was up early this morning so that I could participate in a challenge issued to my community group at church, by our church pastors.  The challenge was for all of us to take 15 minutes, at the same time on the same day, and pray for each individual in the group.  Since everyone in my group is super busy, the only time everyone was available was today at 7:15am.  I would have loved to have slept in, as I don't get to do that often, but it was well worth the sacrifice.  I'm feeling cleansed and refreshed, and content.  Anyway, onto my crafty post for today.  Thanks for letting me share. :)

There is another wonderful sketch posted at Unscripted Sketches today.  For all of the details, click HERE.

When I first started my card, this was not how I pictured it in my head. lol  I was hoping to have things turned around, a bit, but it didn't work out as planned.  Instead, this is what I wound up with, and I'm happy with it.  I've wanted to use this daisy image forever, but hadn't really been able to make it work before either.  I recently debated on selling all of my Copic markers, but am glad now that I didn't.  A doily, some lace, and a butterfly, and I was done.  This will be another card for church as I think it has the perfect sentiment to go there.  I've combined the following callenges in my card as well.

Kaboodle Doodles #117 - Add some dimension (image and butterfly are popped up)
The Pink Elephant #146 - Spring
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes
My Mum's Craft Shop Challenge #55 - Embossing
Whimsy Inspiration #37 - Spots and Dots

I hope you'll go check out the sketch and see what my friends have come up with for you today.  They're fantastic!

Back soon with another something crafty!
Blessings!

CIC #102 - Welcome Spring

Hi everyone!

Did you remember to reset your clocks?  Daylight savings time kicks in today.  I totally forgot about that until a bit ago.  So, are you ready to be inspired by some more yummy cupcakes and stuff?

This weeks sponsor is Doodle Pantry.  They were kind enough to let us play with some of their images, and my gosh are they darling!  This week they are also being generous in donating a $10 gift certificate to our lucky winner.  You should go check them out.  They're adorable!

For this weeks inspiration photo, we had this to work with.  To check out this weeks challenge, click HERE.

Wow!  Talk about yum-o!  These were absolutely gorgeous to get inspiration from, and I had little trouble creating my project. 

I used Spring Song Birdies for my card, and I added the Welcome Spring sentiment from the same set.  This image was a lot of fun to color and I think it turned out really cute.  I like how the pop of black felt offsets the rest of the card.  I embossed all of the base layer together to get the hearts how I wanted them, and then added a butterfly, of course, to finish it off.  I'm also going to enter this into the following challenges.

Kaboodle Doodles #57 - Go Green (Use green)
Corrosive Challenge #106 - Going Green (Use green)
Crafty Cardmakers #41 - Fabric (I used felt)
Papertake Weekly 3/8 - Lemon Zingy (Use yellow)
The Pink Elephant #95 - Springtime
Monday Lunchtime Sketch #164 - Sketch

The other Sweeties have created some amazing projects for you today.  I can't wait for you to head over and check them out.

Hugs!