House of Cards September Challenge: Stitch It Up

Hiya!

I hope you've had a great start to your week.  This week seems to be flying by for me, which is great, since we have a three day weekend coming up.  I'm going to try to be a bum, and do as little as possible.  I will probably BBQ though, at least once.  I did promise my girl a movie, so we'll probably do that too.  Looks like being a bum may have to take a backseat to the list that is now growing for me. lol 

I'm here today to bring you the next challenge over at House of Cards.  September's challenge is Stitch It Up.  You can use real or faux stitching, as long as there is some kind of stitching on your project.

 Here is the card I made.

I used a few of my stitched border dies for this one, and really like the bright, cheerful outcome.  All of the items on this card are also from my August Simon Says Stamp card kit.  I kept it fairly simple, in an attempt to showcase the cute puffy stickers and the stitching.  I'm excited to have another card to add to my stash.

I do hope you'll head over to the HOC blog to see what everyone has created for you today.  This month will be filled with more beautiful projects, and lots of cool new techniques.  I hope you'll get to play along, so that I can stop by and leave you some blog love too.

I'm off to work, and then going to meet some friends for dinner.  I wish you a great day!
Hugs!

What's In It?
Paper:  SU Whisper White Cardstock, Gray Textured Cardstock (from SSS card kit), Rainbow & Hello Patterned Paper (from SSS card kit)
Stamps: N/A
Ink: Gray Metallic Gelato
Accessories: October Afternoon Puffy Stickers, SSS Stitched Rectangles Dies, SSS Sunshine Word Die, MFT Stitched Fishtail Flags Dies, MFT Stitched Basic Edges Dies

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

R

Hi ya'll!

For some reason this didn't go live at 7am, like I scheduled it.  I guess Blogger wasn't in the mood to cooperate with me today. lol  I am excited as today is my Friday, and we get Monday off for the holiday.  That's a whole 4 days that I get to sleep in.  I'm also super excited because R and Hulk will be here tomorrow.  I cannot wait to see them.  I have to be honest, even though I'm independent and strong willed, this long distance thing is hard.  I miss him more and more each day.  I'm thankful that we do get to see each other about every other month though.  And fortunately, my daughter keeps me busy.  I am also happy to be creating regularly again.  That's another fantastic distraction.

So here is the next card I have to share with you.

I'm not sure I (personally) could get any more CAS.  Look at all of that crisp, clean, white space.  It was very difficult not to add more stuff to this.  I had to walk away and put my supplies up, before that happened. lol  I know exactly who will be receiving this card, very soon.  I hope they like it as much as I do. :-) 

I'm happy to participate in the following challenges.

The Card Concept #17: Photo Inspiration (Be Inspired)
The Pink Elephant #265: Anything Goes
CASology Week #110: Letter (I chose a monogram as my interpretation)
Pals Paper Arts #217: Sketch

I don't think I'll have much to post over the next few days.  I do hope everyone has a safe, and happy holiday weekend.

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper: SU Whisper White cardstock, Bazzil Yellow textured cardstock, SSSCK (August 2014) Yellow Floral patterned paper
Stamps: Simon Says Stamp Sketched Alphabet
Ink: Simon Says Stamp Smoke dye ink
Accessories: Clearly Besotted Small Geometric Rose die, Maya Road Natural Twine

More Than Ice Cream

Whew!

Today was a very long day, but I managed to get one more card made.  Woot!  I am happy to report that my daughter is feeling much better, thank goodness.  We're going to try to grab some dinner, and then be total bums for the rest of the evening.  Hoping she's well enough to be in the parade tomorrow morning.  Guess we'll see.   

Anyway, here's my next card.

I love the goodies in my August Simon Says Stamp card kit.  The stamps are adorable, and the sentiments are too cute.  My daughter is not a fan of ice cream, so I think this will be perfect to slip into her backpack, for her to find during the school day.  I apologize, but my colors look a bit washed out.  Not sure what happened there.  The script in the background is pink, as is the light color on the popsicle.  I'm glad I made it just in time, to enter the following challenges.

Retro Sketches #124: Sketch (my loose interpretation)
Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #270: Rose, Lime & Pool

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper: SU Whisper White cardstock, Papertrey Ink Kraft cardstock, Turquoise cardstock, Simon Says Stamp August card kit patterned paper
Stamps: Simon Says Stamp Ice Cream Dream, SU French Script background
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink, Simon Says Stamp Cotton Candy dye ink, Copics RV00, YG06, BG01
Accessories: Smooth Circle Nestabilities, Paper Smooches Streamers wise dies

Use Your Words - Sweet

Good day!

I hope you've had a good weekend, and are rested, before heading back to work tomorrow.  It was a nice weekend around here.  We went to the Clay County Fair yesterday, and boy did we have a great time.  We walked around and saw everything, then I let the girls do their thing.  They ate tons of fair food, and rode every ride on the midway, quite a few times.  To say that they were exhausted is an understatement.  Having that much fun is a lot of work, apparently! lol

Since today is the 15th, there is a new challenge posted at Use Your Words.  Our challenge this week is the word Sweet.  For all of the details, click HERE.  Here is what I came up with.

I needed a card for a friend, who doesn't speak English.  The word "dulce" in my sentiment, means sweet.  A direct translation of this sentiment is, you're so sweet.  I thought it worked perfectly, even if it was in a different language.  I received my Simon Says Stamp card kit not too long ago, and this is the first time I've had to play with it.  The colors and papers, and elements are beautiful!  Since I'll be mailing this card to my friend, I kept it simple.  Hopefully, she'll like it.

I do hope you'll head over to the Use Your Words blog, and check out the other projects posted today.  They're gorgeous!  I'll be back with my next project tomorrow.  Hope you'll check back then to see what I've got for ya.

Have a great 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!

Believe In Miracles

Hi there!

I hope your week has been going pretty well.  It's been nice for me, but I'm sure that won't last long.  Nothing in transportation ever stays the same.  School starts on Monday, and I'm going to have a house full of teenage girls for the weekend, so I'm hoping to be able to hide and get a few cards made to add to my stash.  Guess we'll see how that goes. lol

It's the 15th of August, and I have a new Use Your Words project for you.  Our challenge word is: Believe.  For all of the details, click HERE.

I was really trying to focus on making more layouts for this DT, but I couldn't find any photos or papers that really went together, for me.  It just wasn't clicking.  So, I did what I usually do, and made a card.  I LOVE my new Simon Says Stamp Card Kit papers and couldn't wait to dive into them.  I think they are gorgeous.  I'm very happy to report that I have a friend who sent an email a couple weeks ago, stating that her latest check up shows no sign of cancer, after a year.  She is officially a survivor, according to her.  Amen!  I wanted to send her some happy mail, and let her know that I'm still praying for her.  What amazing news though. *happy sigh*  When we were hanging out in Dallas, I remember going to the fair with her, just about every year.  How perfect that these papers have a carousel on them.  And, the Believe stamp set from Verve was perfect for this card.  I know she'll love it!

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

Card Mania #27 - Your Favorite Embellishment (Love my twine!)
Scrapping Everyday Miracles August Main Challenge #31 - An Accomplishment
Creative Craft Challenges2 #16 - Tic, Tac, Toe (I chose twine, ivory, distress)
Ribbon Carousel Challenge #84 - Summertime Fun (hoping my patterned papers will work)

That's all for me.  I do hope you'll head over to the Use Your Words blog to see the beautiful projects the other designers have posted.  I'm lucky to be on a team with such talented women.

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs!

Celebrate

Greetings!

Happy 4th of July to all of my American friends!  A very special Thank You to all of those who have served, and are serving, to protect our freedom!

I hope you're enjoying the time off with family and friends.  I don't have much planned for today.  I'm just going to relax, and play with all of my new goodies, as much as I can.  I wanted to participate in a few challenges I saw, and use one of the Design Seeds color combos (below) that goes well with this holiday week.  Here is what I put together.

I'm still struggling with my photos.  I think I may have to just break down and pay for a real light box.  This way, my photos will be consistent.  Either way, this card turned out exactly how I pictured it in my head.  That's always a plus for me.  That doesn't happen very often. lol  I really wanted to use the new stuff that arrived in my Simon Says Stamp July Card Kit, and am glad that I was able to pull it off.  I suppose this card could be use for several different occasions, not just 4th of July or birthday.  I'll just keep it in my card stash, and use it when I need to. 

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

Color Q #196 - Real Red, More Mustard, Night of Navy, Crumb Cake & White (Hoping I'm close enough)
Stampin Royalty #183 - Anything Goes
Pals Paper Arts #162 - Pacific Point, Real Red & Crumb Cake (Hoping I got close enough, again)

I'm off to make more stuff, and eat some amazing food that we've prepared for today.  Later, I suppose I'll leave the house, and go watch the fireworks with my mom somewhere.  Maybe. :-)

Just a quick reminder, before I forget.  Have you checked out the new challenge at House of Cards?  I hope you will, and if you can, play along with us.

Enjoy your day!
Hugs!

Happy Holidays

Yola!!

As mentioned in my last post, I was busy last weekend, crafting up a storm.  I don't think I've made more than one card in months.  Here's the next one I want to share.

I haven't created a Christmas card in months!  It's weird not making them, after having to create one every week, for the last four years. lol  I used my June Simon Says Stamp card kit for this card as well.  Who says you can't use regular papers for holiday cards, right?  I love how this turned out! 

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

Jingle Belles - Sketch
Christmas Card Challenge #28 - Lace (I have just a hint of lace peeking out from under my sentiment)

I'm off to work.  I'll be back soon with another something crafty.  Hope your week is going well.
Hugs!

Dude! Happy Birthday...

Greetings y'all!

Here we are on June 9th, and it has been another gray and dreary week in Iowa.  It has been raining for most of the week, and it hasn't gotten above 65, in my area.  I suppose I shouldn't complain, as at least it's not in the 90's with tons of humidity, which I dislike. lol  The flip side is that I got to sit in my crafty space and create a few things this weekend.  Here is the first of a couple things I'll be posting this week.

I got home from work on Friday, and my June Simon Says Stamp card kit was waiting for me.  I was super excited and couldn't wait to play with my new goodies.  I finally own my first Kelly Purkey stamp set. :o)  There were tons of masculine elements to this kit, and if you know me, you know I don't do masculine very well.  I was having a bit of trouble putting anything together that I was happy with, so I walked away and then returned later.  This is my result.  I dig it, and I know the person who will be receiving this card.  I'm sure he'll like it.  He's got a mustache. lol 

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

Sieze the Birthday #18 - Sketch
Bloggers Challenge - Masculine
Simply Create Too #39 - Father's Day and/or Masculine
Just Us Girls Challenge #192 - Washi Tape (the mustache background was made with the washi tape that came in the kit)

Our week is filled with work, and softball games, and then a road trip to the College World Series on Saturday, in Omaha.  I'm excited, as it has kind of been a family tradition to go to the CWS, and we've missed the last few years.  I'll post pics of our fun next week.

I do hope you have a wonderful week!
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!