House of Cards May Challenge

Hello!

I'm so late getting this posted.  By the time I got my card finished yesterday, it was too dark to get a photo.  I volunteered to babysit for a couple at church, and didn't get home until late, and then had to be up early to help with the two year olds at Sunday school this morning.  A nap sounds great, right about now. lol

This months challenge at House of Cards is clear papers.  You can use vellum or acetate, or anything that is transparent.

 
Here is the card I made.

I waited until the last minute possible to get my mom's card made for Mother's Day this year.  I've been so busy, that I actually had to schedule it into my week this week. lol  The weather has been awful, so I wouldn't have been able to get a good picture anyway.  I've kept this one simple too.  You can see the beautiful chevron patterned paper underneath the vellum, and I wanted to keep it that way.  I love this patterned paper!  I'm sure my mom will be happy with it also. She's my biggest fan.  

Anyway, sorry this post is so short.  I have things to do, and need to get them done before tomorrow, because my supervisor will be out all week.  I hope you'll head over to the HOC blog to see what gorgeous cards my friends have made for you this month.  Hopefully, you'll get the chance to join us for this months challenge. :-)

Take care!

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!

I'm On A Roll!

Hiya!

I've got another crafty post, just for fun.  Isn't that interesting. lol  I needed one more Mother's Day card for my supervisor at work.  His wife is pregnant, and they're having a girl, and she LOVES pink.  I'm not a huge pink fan myself, but it worked out, and I'm sure she'll love it.  He sure did.

I've always known pink and chocolate look great together, but I have to say, I dig the pink and kraft color combo too.  I'm actually quite fond of this card, even though it is super pink. lol  Gotta love it when something comes together quickly, and how you pictured it.  I've combined the following challenges in my card:

Celebrate The Occasion #62 - Mother's Day
Going Grey With Scrap Creations - Happy Mother's Day
Tuesday Throwdown #97 - Motherly Love
Scrapalicious, USA - Mother, I Love You :)
Stampin' Royalty #123 - Punches

I've got a couple posts scheduled for this weekend, but I'll be gone for most of it.  I do hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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!

Use It Tuesday Challenge #31

Hiya!

I'm back today with the next challenge at Use It Tuesday.  The challenge is All About Mom.  For all of the details, click HERE.

This card turned out exactly like I pictured it in my head.  That doesn't happen to me that often, so I'm always quite surprised when it does. lol  I've had these stamps for about a year now.  The doily, button and ribbon have all been in my stash for at least six months each.  Here's to using up more hoarded stash!  I used the colors from the photo below, and I've combined the following challenges in my card as well.

Raise The Bar #103 - Text/Letters/Type (the background is stamped with a text background stamp)
Paper Sundaes #119 - Mother's Day
Delightful Challenges - Mother's Day
Sentimental Sundays #101 - For A Special Woman

The other designers have put together some awesome Mother's Day projects.  I do hope you'll get the opportunity to head over and check them out.

Hugs!

Unscripted Sketches Challenge #156

Hi ya'll!

How's your weekend going?  I'm SO glad today is Saturday.  It's been a rough week, and I don't think I could have taken another day of end of month chaos.  Bleh!  I am excited though, I've got church this evening, and then I am having dinner with friends.

It's been a while since I've had anything to post on a Saturday.  I spoke with some old friends, and fortunately for me, they've been keeping my spot warm at Unscripted Sketches.  I'm excited to be back on the US design team, and can't wait to share the fabulous sketches with you again each week.  For all of the details on this weeks sketch challenge, click HERE.  This is what I came up with.

I wanted to challenge myself to keep things CAS again.  Every once in a while I feel like I'm trying to add so much "stuff" to my cards, that I need to scale things down a bit.  I was quite stumped at how to create my card for today.  When I first saw the sketch for this week, I was unsure as to how I would get my idea onto paper.  I'm glad that I had some new Nesties sitting on my desk to help me out.  I've never created a banner on any of my projects before, but have always wanted to try.  I love how it turned out.  These are some of my favorite colors together.  The yellow and blue is so appealing to me.  I hope that whomever receives this card loves it as much as I do.  :)

There are some fabulous new designers at US, and they've created some fantastic projects for you today.  I do hope you'll head over and check them out.  Maybe you'll get the chance to play along with us too. 

Back soon with another something crafty!
Hugs!

CIC #109 - Mom

Hi ya'll!

It's Sunday, which brings us to another Cupcake Inspiration Challenge.  This weeks challenge is really bright and colorful.  We also have a fabulous sponsor.

Anita B Stampin has some awesome, fabulous images and some wonderful items in their store.  You should go check them out.  I'm sure you'll enjoy the visit to their store and blog.

This weeks inspiration photo is adorable.  I love the idea, and how they decorated the cupcakes.  Just too cute.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE.

See?  Isn't it adorable?  I challenged myself to do something clean and simple for this challenge.  Check it out.

There are no layers, very few embellishments, and the sentiment on white pops against the pink.  I really like how this turned out.  Simple, and fun.  I know my mom will enjoy it.

I hope you'll head over to see what the other Sweeties have created for you today.  They're always very well done.

By the way, don't forget that you have until Wednesday to participate in the latest FYI challenge.  :)

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs!

Twisted Sketches #57 - Happy Mother's Day

Hello my friends!

It's time for another Twisted Sketches card.  This weeks twist is: Shine - any how, any way.  For this weeks sketch challenge, click HERE.

I'm really digging how my card turned out.  I used this weeks Color Throwdown (#139) and think these colors are really great together.  For the "shine" part in my card, I die cut a transparent butterfly that I sandwiched between the twine bow and Prima flower.  It's very pretty in real life. 

My fellow design team friends have created some amazing cards for your viewing pleasure today.  I do hope you'll head over to see what they've created.  Always so inspiring!

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs!

CIC #107 - Happy Mother's Day

Hi everyone!

It's a beautiful weekend here in the DFW area and I have enjoyed laying out with my roomies, chatting the time away.  I'm going to have a nice tan soon and I'm thrilled about that.  What have you guys been up to this weekend?  Anything exciting? 

I have another Cupcake Inspiration card for you today, and we are being sponsored again by Prairie Fairy.

There is a sale going on, from what I understand, so you should head over there and check it out.  This weeks lucky winner will also receive a prize of 5 images of their choice.  Talk about lucky!

Now onto this weeks inspiration photo.  Check it out.

 
Oh my goodness!  I was so excited when I first saw these.  I love the Asian theme, and the colors are wonderful.  I think I might just need some of these at my next birthday party. lol  Below is the card I created using this photo.

I think I may have found a comparable spot to take my photos at the new house.  The colors may be a bit off, but it is the best photo I got, so far.  I used this weeks Sweet Stop Sketch (#104) and like the results, for my first card in three weeks. lol 

You should head over to the CIC blog to see what the other Sweeties have created for today.  They're absolutely amazing!

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs!

Twisted Sketches #55 - Mom

Hello my people! :)

I've missed being crafty, and visiting all of my "blog friends".  I'm happy to report that I am unpacked, and getting settled into the new place quite nicely.  I should be back to posting on a more consistent basis again.

I'm excited to bring you my Twisted Sketches card for today.  I absolutely love Anam's sketches.  The twist this week is: Green - any how, any way.  I'm sorry if the picture is a bit "different".  I'm still trying to find the best place to take my photos here.  For this weeks sketch, click HERE.

I'm in full Mother's Day card mode right now.  This year just about every person in my office asked for at least one Mother's Day card.  Talk about pressure, lol.  I love the pop of yellow my butterfly brings to this card and I love the papers. 

So, that's it for me today.  Are you ready to be inspired some more?  Head over to the Twisted Sketches blog and check out what the other designers have created for you today.  As always, they're amazing!

Hugs!!

CIC #104 - Happy Mother's Day

Hi again!

This is my second post of the day.  For my CCC project, please scroll down. 

So, I have another Cupcake Inspiration challenge project for you today as well.  It's another beautiful inspiration photo, and we have another fabulous sponsor.

This week we are being sponsored by the super fabulous Paper Pretties.  They have some wonderful stamps and digi stamps, among other items in their store.  This week, they're being very generous in offering a stamp set to our winner.  You should head over and check them out!

And now, here is our gorgeous cupcake inspiration photo.  Talk about beautiful!  And they're CUPCAKES! lol  For this weeks challenge, click HERE.

I went looking through my stash and found some awesomely coordinating papers.  It was easy to put my card together once I had everything picked out.  Check it.

I used THIS sketch, and love how it turned out.  One of my coworkers needed a Mother's Day card for his mother in law, and I'm pretty sure they'll both enjoy this.  I love this sketch.  I think it's the off centered panel underneith the main one.  Not sure why, but I do. lol  And, it wouldn't be a Steph card without some embossing and a butterfly. :)

I hope you'll had over to the CIC blog to see the amazing projects the other designers have created for you today.  As always, they're nothing short of fabulous!

Have a wonderful day!

Happy Mother's Day

Yay for Thursday!

That means I only have to get up early for one more day this week.  I love sleeping in, don't you?  Anyway, I have another quick post so that I can share another card I made last Saturday while at my friend Joni's.  I wanted to break away from the traditional Mother's Day card, and here is what I wound up with.

I've had some Pixielicious paper for a while now.  I'm happy with how this came together, using those papers.  I stamped the gorgeous Verve flower onto some patterned paper, cut it out and popped it up using dimensionals.  I absolutely love the textured leaves on this.  I think they add a nice touch, and more dimension, without being bulky. 

That's it for me today.  I'll be back on Saturday with another project for you.  Have a great day!
Hugs!