Just Us Grls Challenge #335: Color Week

Greetings my friends!

I apologize, but this post is going to be short and sweet.  Working about 80 hours this week, plus inventory this weekend, makes for very limited personal time.  Hopefully, I will get some rest on Sunday.

I'm back with my next guest card for Just Us Girls.  This week is a Color Week: Pink, Yellow and Purple.  Here is the card I created.

Again, I'm attempting to keep it CAS here.  I wanted to incorporate the colors in a non Easter kind of card.  I inked up the background panel and then added the top panel, that was cut with my circle dies, with foam adhesive.  I then added some purple splatters, and some Pretty Pink Posh sequins.  After that, I embossed my sentiment on black cardstock for a contrast of color, and added it to my card.  This is my take on Sunday Stamps Challenge #122, which is a sketch.  I'm excited to get this in the mail to a great friend, who has been very helpful recently. 

That's all for me today.  I'm off to get some sleep, and start another day of work in the morning.  I'm hoping you'll head over to the Just Us Girls blog to see the other gorgeous projects that are posted today.  Hopefully you'll get to join us for this challenge also. :-)

Have a wonderful weekend!

      

House of Cards February Challenge

Hello everyone!

I hope you had a great weekend!  It was in the 70's here, and I could not have been happier.  I got up early on Saturday and cleaned my house, so that I could try to spend the rest of the weekend outdoors.  I went to the local Farmers Market, went for a walk, and attended a BBQ at a coworkers house.  Gosh it was a great evening for a BBQ.  On Sunday, I went to church and for another walk before I decided to create a few things.  In all, it was a great weekend, and I'm feeling refreshed.

Today is the first of February.  This means there is a new House of Cards challenge posted.  I'm happy to be settled and back into creating for HOC again.  This month our challenge is to create shaped cards.

 
Here is the card I created.

I wanted to do something more on the CAS side again, but my card didn't exactly turn out that way, I don't think.  I did try to keep most of the white space, and eliminate a ton of embellishments.  In all, it's a very cute card, and I know just the person to send it to.  I hope she likes it.  I was excited to combine the following challenges in my card.

Addicted to CAS Challenge #80:  Red
Simon's Wednesday Challenge:  Anything Goes
Inkspirational Challenge #101:  Inspiration Photo (I was inspired by the love theme)
Just Us Girls Challenge #328:  Tic Tac Toe (I chose 3 layers, Flowers & Sequins)

That's all for me today.  I hope you'll head over to the HOC blog to see everyone's cards for this month.  They're pretty fabulous.  Hopefully you'll get to play along with us this month too.  We'd love to have you join us!  Have a wonderful week friends!

Hugs!

Pile It On #96 - Fancy Folds

Hi ya'll!

I hope you're having a great weekend, filled with lots of indoor crafty time.  It snowed here on Friday, and we got about 10 inches.  What a great time to stay indoors! lol  My mom made a huge pot of veggie beef soup, and some homemade apple dumplings, while I put together a couple of crafty projects.  My daughter had to work yesterday, but the snow was already melting, and the roads were pretty clear.  She made it with no issue.  I'm glad to be moving back to Texas, before this stuff becomes more frequent, and permanent.  Whataburger, here I come too! lol

Since it's Sunday, there is a new Pile It On challenge posted.  This challenge is to create a project with fancy folds.  Our sponsor this week is Fresh Brewed Designs, and the winner will receive 3 digi stamps of their choice. 

To be honest, I struggled a lot with this challenge.  None of the previous cards I created turned out well, at all.  After three attempts, here is the most decent of them all. 

And here are a couple more pics, so you can see the folds.

 

I know that the recipient of this card will enjoy it, but I think I need to create more cards with different folds, so that I'm more educated on making them.  I don't think I've ever made a card that wasn't traditional.  The addition of this adorable Fresh Brewed Designs digi, and those gorgeous Pretty Pink Posh gold sequins were perfect.  I also added some clear Wink of Stella to my pumpkin, for some additional sparkle.  In all, I think I did ok.  I'd like to submit my card for the following challenges.

Simon's Monday Challenge:  Thanks/Thanksgiving 

Addicted To Stamps #171:  Anything Goes

Color Throwdown #369:  Rusty Orange, Warm Burgundy & Pear-like Green (I tried to get as close as I could)

Aud Sentiments Challenge #145:  Anything Goes With A Sentiment

CAS-Ual Chic #5:  Precious Metals (I have gold sequins on my card)

The Friday Mashup #235:  Let's Be Thankful & Sketch (my loose interpretation)

I do hope you'll head over to the PIO blog, to see the other beautiful cards that are posted for you.  As always, they're pretty amazing!

Have a wonderful day!

 





What's In It?
Paper:  SU! Whisper White Cardstock, Green, Kraft & Orange Cardstock, Bo Bunny Apple Cider Patterned Paper
Stamps:  Fresh Brewed Designs The Great Pumpkin, Simon Says Stamp Handwritten Greetings
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Old Paper Distress Ink, Clear Wink of Stella, Copics: YR12, YR15, G40, G43 & E74
Accessories:  Pretty Pink Posh Gold Sequins, Spellbinders Large Smooth Circles & Large Big Scalloped Circles Dies, MFT Stitched Scalloped Edges Dies

Pile It On #88 - Comic Book or Manga Style

Hello everyone!

How are ya'll doing?  I hope you've been well, and have had lots of time to get crafty lately.  Things around here have been fairly busy.  With homecoming week, and working two jobs, I've had a hard time keeping track of whether I'm coming or going. lol  The weather has started to cool off, with temps only in the 70's during the day and dropping into the 40's and 50's at night.  This makes for a very comfortable sleeping environment.  At least I'm well rested. :)

Enough about that though, there's a new Pile It On challenge posted.  This weeks challenge is to create a project with a Comic Book or Manga theme.  Our sponsor this week is the awesome  KennyK, and the winner will receive 3 digis of their choice.

Here is the card I made for this weeks challenge.

I thought the KennyK Fist Hero image would be perfect for this challenge, and I had already decided I wanted to use the Comic Book theme.  I also used the Ka-Pow set from The Alley Way Stamps, which was perfect.  I created the background behind the main image, in hopes it would resemble a comic book strip.  I colored and cut out the super hero, and popped him up on top.  I stamped my sentiment in random places, added the "sunburst" and called it done.  In all, I really dig how well this turned out.  It didn't start off all that great (this is attempt #3). lol

I'm going to submit my card for the following challenges:

Mojo Monday #416:  Sketch
The Unicorn Challenge #1: Mythical & Magical (Superhero's are mythical, right?)
Simon's Wednesday Challenge: No Patterned Paper
Fusion Card Challenge: Sketch and/or Inspiration Photo (I was inspired by the colors in the photo)
4 Crafty Chicks #265: Sparkle & Shine (My teal cardstock is metallic, and sparkles in real life)
Seize The Birthday: Anything Goes

I do hope you'll head over to the Pile It On blog to see what the other designers have created for you today.  They're all pretty fantastic.

I hope to be back soon with another something crafty.  Hopefully, the cooler weather will spark my creative mojo back into action.  I love staying indoors, making stuff, while it's chilly outside.  I wish you a great day!

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper: Bazzill Metallic Teal Cardstock, SU! Whisper White Cardstock, SU! Basic Black Cardstock
Stamps: KennyK Fist Hero Digi Stamp, The Alley Way Stamps Ka-Pow, CAS-ual Fridays Amazeballs
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Blendabilities Coastal Cabana Group, Copics: R14, R17, Y13, Y18
Accessories: Spellbinders Small Smooth Circles

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

Monochromatic Birthday

Hiya!

It was another freezing weekend here in NW Iowa, so I was excited that I didn't have any plans or errands to run outdoors.  Instead, I got to spend the weekend in my craft room, making stuff.  Here is the first card I have to share with you.

I absolutely love this card, although this is attempt #4.  I couldn't get the idea in my head, to cooperate with my hands. lol  Finally, I masked the oval and the butterflies in the center, for an easy (almost) one layer card, added some twine and flowers and was done with it.  It's my attempt to get more comfortable, and better, at the CAS type of cards.  I hope the recipient of this card likes it.  I am excited to combine the following challenges in my card.

Seize The Birthday: Birthday w/optional toppings of hearts and/or arrows (there are hearts on my butterfly wings)
Addicted To CAS #57: Mask
Papertake Weekly: Bingo - I chose blooms, free spot & ribbon (I used twine)
CASology #134: Monochrome
CAS(E) This Sketch #111: Sketch
Show CASe Your Style #9: Birthday

I'll be back soon with another something crafty.  I hope you have a wonderful week!

Hugs!

What's In It?
Paper: Neenah Solar White Cardstock
Stamps: Clearly Besotted Elegant Butterflies & Clearly Besotted Sweet Little Sentiments
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink, Studio Calico Blush Crush Dye Ink, Ranger Spun Sugar Distress Ink, Copics: R46, R59, RV52 & RV55
Accessories: Spellbinders Large Smooth Oval Dies, May Arts Pink Twine, I Am Roses Paper Flowers

CASE-ing Christmas Challenge #3

Greetings!

It's time for challenge #3 over at the CASE-ing Christmas challenge blog.  I have to admit, I'm really happy that I'm on this DT.  It has renewed my crafty mojo, and I am building up my Christmas card stash, just like I wanted.  Here is this weeks card that we were to CASE.  It was created by Judy.  Isn't it fun?

 

And here is my card.

 

For this card, I also chose to use the layout.  I changed up the colors, and am quite pleased at how it turned out.  I love the non-traditional look of the light blue with the red, set against the pop of black.  I realized something while creating this card.  I have a new love affair with wet embossing.  I'm not sure why I hadn't really used it much.  It's so cool!  The tree on my card was embossed in silver, and then I added a few gold sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.  Instead of a greeting, I added some luscious red chevron twill ribbon from Pretty Pink Posh as well.  I am going to submit my card for the following challenges.

Christmas Cards All Year Round: Anything Goes 

Papertake Weekly: It's All New (the papers and stamp are new)

I do hope you'll head over to the challenge blog to see what everyone has created for you today.  Hopefully, something will inspire you to create a card, and join in the fun this week.  I hope to be back soon, with another card.

Have a wonderful weekend!

What's In It?

Paper: SU! Basic Black Cardstock, Echo Park Keepin Cozy Patterned Paper

Stamps: Sarasota Stamp Company Christmas Tree

Ink: VersaMark

Accessories: Silver Embossing Powder, Pretty Pink Posh Gold Sequins, Nestabilities Smooth and Big Scalloped Circle Dies, Pretty Pink Posh Red Chevron Twill Ribbon

You Color My World

Happy weekend ya'll!

I hope everyone is off to a great start to their weekend.  I am SO thankful to be done with my week of SQF/HACCP training, and think I absorbed enough to pass my test this coming Wednesday.  Crossing my fingers! 

We had tons of reading to do to keep up with the class, that I barely got time to make anything last week.  I was super exhausted last night, so I was in bed by 10pm.  At 2am, I was wide awake with an idea, and so I got up and made the following card.  I really love how it turned out.

It turned out exactly how I pictured it in my head.  Sometimes you just have to go with those random ideas when they hit, huh? lol  After looking at this photo, I think that I may add a couple of sequins.  It would add just a little bit of something.  I used the colors from this weeks Pals Paper Arts challenge (#215), and think they look fabulous together.

I'm off to Google bakeries in the Dallas area, so that I can schedule an appointment to try to get our wedding cake picked out.  If anyone knows of a good one in that area, please let me know!  I lived there for years, but I never had a reason to order a cake before, and could use the help. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper: SU Whisper White, Basic Black & Strawberry Slush cardstock, SU Vellum cardstock, Green Polka Dot patterned paper, Black Chevron patterned paper,
Stamps: Reverse Confetti Dream In Color
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink, Avery Elle Lemon Grass pigment ink, SU Strawberry Slush Stampin Write marker
Accessories: May Arts Natural Twine, Hero Arts Hues Black Gems, Labels 10 Nestabilities, Simon Says Stamp Full Card Hexagons die, Memory Box Lorelai Leaf Outline die

House of Cards - Happy Anniversary

Hi!

I hope you had a great weekend, and that your week is starting off well.  I dislike Monday's, but I've got quite a bit going on today, that it should go by quickly. 

Today is the next challenge at House of Cards.  This is the 5th week in the month, so it's a photo inspiration challenge, and you get to pick whichever style you like.  For all of the details, click HERE.  Check out the inspiration photo.

And here's what I created.

I needed a card for an anniversary coming up, so this is what I made.  I LOVE these crochet mats I bought from Jessi Fogan.  They are gorgeous!  I kept it simple, to focus on the sentiment panel.  I'm hoping it will make it through the mail ok, considering it's quite bulky.  I guess we'll see, huh? lol 

Anyway, I hope you'll head over to the House of Cards blog to see what has been posted.  Throughout the week, all of the DT's projects will be posted.  Lots of eye candy this week for you!

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs!

Happy Birthday!

Good day!

How's it going?  I hope you had a great weekend, hopefully, filled with lots of crafty time.  My house was filled with teenage gossip, laughter, and snacking.  All of my daughters friends who stayed with us over the weekend, call me mom, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  It is a bit like herding cattle though, at times.  They had me running in all different directions on Friday night.  Fortunately, they were at the pool for most of the day on Saturday, and then the mall on Sunday.  Thank goodness for small breaks in the action.  I'm getting old, and my body told me this on several occasions throughout the weekend.  lol  I'm glad everyone had a great time though.  School started today, and my daughter was more than excited to go back.  I'm lucky that my child loves school.  I have a feeling this year is going to be a great one.  Can't believe she's a sophomore already though.  Wow!

Anyway, onto why you're here, right?   I have a new card to share with you for our latest House of Cards challenge.  This month there is a sketch, and this weeks challenge is Classic & Elegant.  For all of the details, click HERE.

I have lots of birthdays coming up this fall, so I wanted to get a head start on the cards for everyone.  I was able to get a few cards made for my stash, but mostly I made birthday cards for specific people in our family.  I really like how this card turned out.  I used a page from an extra bible we had in the house.  I just randomly tore one out.  I stamped the leaves on it in two different colors of green and then double matted it in white and blue, which you can't really see that well in my photo (sorry).  I then used my handy dandy distress inks and Nestabilities, to create the sentiment, then added a bit of twine and was done.  Also, I outlined the inside of the Nestie while the paper was still in the die, for added dimension, but you can't really see that in this photo either.  In real life it's really cool and sparkly.  I hope the recipient of this card enjoys it.  I tried to combine many things I thought they'd enjoy.

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

Sieze the Birthday - Always Anything Goes (Birthday related)
One Crazy Stamper August Challenge - Birthday
Just For Fun Challenge #1 - Anything Goes
Daring Cardmakers - Colors of the Sea

As always, the other cards posted today are stunning!  I do hope you'll head over to see them, and maybe get to play along with us this week.  I'll be back with another something crafty soon.

Enjoy your day!
Hugs!

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!

A Man's Heart

Good day!

How's it going?  I hope you had a good weekend, and are starting your week off well also.  It was a nice, relaxing weekend in the Castro house.  We didn't do anything but go see the movie The Conjuring on Friday.  My daughter and I are huge scary movie fans, so this was a must see for us.  I wasn't sure if it was going to be that scary, but there were some great moments.  I think we'll see it again, once it's on DVD.  We've begun our vacation countdown as well.  In 3 days we'll be in my favorite place, Denver!  I am dying to get there already, and am finding it more and more difficult to be patient. lol  If any of my crafty friends are in the Denver area, and want to have lunch or something, let me know!  It would be awesome to meet any of you!

Anyway, I'm back with another House of Cards project for you.  This weeks theme is Shabby & Vintage.  I've gotten better at CAS, which means that Shabby and Vintage are now two styles that I really struggle with.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE.  Below is the card I created.

I really distressed all of my edges, and I tried to make it look "vintage" with my inking.  I do hope it's close to being considered shabby and vintage.  I really wanted to support this weeks group, so I am just going to go with it.  I've got another card for my stash now too.

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

WordArt Wednesday #89 - Anything Goes
The Paper Players #155 - Sketch (I flipped it)
Addicted to Stamps #60 - Lots of Layers (I've got 8)
The Hybrid Chick Card Caravan #46 - Red, White & Blue

I do hope you'll head over to see what the HOC Shabby & Vintage DT have created for you this week.  They're beautiful! 

Have a good day!
Hugs!

Shore Do Love You

Yola!

How's your weekend going?  Mine has been wonderful!  My daughter is home safe, I've been uber crafty, and I got a bonus because I'm now past my probationary period in my new position.  I'm now a permanent employee.  Yay!  If only I could sleep past 6:30am, I'd be even more happy.  Darn internal alarm clock! :o)

When I lived in Dallas, I worked at a LSS, where I got to meet the amazing Jen del Muro and Susan Liles.  They're both awesome, and fun, and I'm glad I got the opportunity to get to know them.  When I found out that Jen had started her own stamp company, I couldn't have been happier for her, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on her stamps.  I got my first couple sets of Reverse Confetti stamps a couple weeks ago, but hadn't inked them up until yesterday.  I absolutely adore them, and can see myself owning just about every set they come out with. lol  AND!!  Have you seen her amazing Design Team?!  Goodness, there is some major inspiration going on over there!  Anyway, here's my first card, using her stamps.

I used the Happy Harbor set.  Isn't this adorable?!  I love these colors together, and even colored with my Copics (with shading! lol).  As an added embellishment, I Googled how to tie a sailors knot, and wound up choosing the Carrick Bend knot.  It's not that difficult, and I like the way it looks.  I think it's a great touch to the card.  This card will be sent to a very good friend of mine in the great state of New York, who needs a bit of cheering up.  I hope he enjoys it.

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

CCEE1327 - Sumertime is Beach Time
Reverse Confetti SFYTT - July Sketch
SCS IC396 - Poketo (photo below - you can visit their site HERE)

I'll be back soon with more craftiness.  I'm off to get ready for church, and then my daughter and I are  headed to an extra special lunch, just the two of us.  My heart is happy...

Hugs!

I Can Do All Things...

Hiya!

Happy Saturday!  I am excited that I got to sleep in this morning.  Nothing like getting a couple extra hours of sleep. *happy sigh*  I'm sure I would have slept longer, had I not received a text message from a certain someone who's in another time zone. lol  I'm also super excited that my daughter will be home this afternoon.  I missed her very much!  I wanted to get some crafty time in before she gets home, so I created this, before breakfast even. :-)

This is my very loose interpretation of VLVJUL2013 sketch challenge over at SCS.  I wanted to keep it very simple, so that the sentiment was the focal point.  There is someone very close to my heart that will be going through something very difficult over the next few weeks, and I wanted to make sure she knew that I was praying for her, and that God would get her through it.  We both know it will all work out in the end, but getting there is often the hardest.  I've really taken a liking to CAS cards, and I LOVE how this card turned out.  It's simple, and beautiful.  I don't use the color purple often, but it's her favorite, so I know she'll love it.  

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

Word Art Wednesday #87 - Anything Goes
VLVJUL2013 - Sketch (again, my very loose interpretation)
CAS-ual Fridays #108 - Include Fabric, Felt, Canvas,etc. (the bottom layer of my focal panel is SU! fabric glued to cardstock, and then cut out with my Nestabilities to create the "frame")
Crazy 4 Challenges #193 - Lets Get Wordy (focus on sentiment, big or small)

I just found out this morning, that I was chosen as the Diva of the week, for THIS card.  What a shock!  Thanks a bunch!

By the way, don't forget that the new House of Cards challenge will go live on Monday morning.  You still have time to join the current challenge though.  You can click HERE, for all of the details.

I'm off to finish laundry, clean the house, and maybe make something else.  I do hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs!

You Are My Sunshine

Hello, hello!

I'm home today with a broken big toe and cellulitis (infection).  I can't get a shoe on, or put any kind of pressure on it, so I can't drive.  I decided to make a card to distract myself from the pain, and so that I don't feel like I've wasted a whole day, doing nothing.  The doctor says I should feel better, and see a significant improvement by tomorrow, and I can go back to work then.  I sure hope so!!

I recently got some new Lawn Fawn goodies, and decided I needed to ink them up.  Here is what I created.

The sweet Lawn Fawn group were very nice, and sent me some really pretty papers, as a thank you for my order.  I've used some of them in this card.  I think they go perfectly together.  The colors are nice and cheerful, and you can tell that Kelly Marie definitely chose the design elements for them.  I made this card, along with a few others, that I will be hiding in my daughters stuff, before she leaves on vacation with her best friend next week.  This is our first week apart, for longer than a day or two, in years.  I'm glad she's going, but am already starting to feel a little stressed out by the separation anxiety. lol  With everything that's happened recently, legal wise, she's been stuck to me like glue.  We'll see how we survive...

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

Our Creative Corner June Challenge - Recipe (Ribbon (twine), Wood, Inks)
Sweet Sunday Sketch #87 - Sketch
Use It Tuesday #58 - Bring on the Sunshine (I've had the twine, and bracket die in my stash for months)

I found out yesterday that I was chosen at a Top 2 at Use It Tuesday, for THIS card.  Thanks ladies!

I'll be back soon with another card.  I've received a lot of new goodies that need to be used soon.  Have a great day!
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!