House of Cards July Challenge

Hello everyone!

How have y'all been?  It seems like it has been FOREVER since I've made anything crafty.  It also seems like I haven't been online much either.  I guess working two jobs, volunteering with my church group, helping with Sunday school and getting my daughter ready to go to college will do that. lol  I feel awful that this post is so late.  It was supposed to go live on July 1st, and here I am on the 17th, finally posting it.  I'm thankful and blessed to be part of such a wonderful group over at HOC.  They're kind, and patient, and very understanding.  I'm hoping to back off of so many hours at the second job, so that I can have more crafty time.  I feel the need to do that.

Anyway, onto this months challenge over at House of Cards.  This month you're challenged to create a card using food and/or drink, or the colors in this photo.

I couldn't find anything with food or drink, so I went with the colors.  I also decided to go with darker versions of these colors, so that I could use some patterned papers I've had in my stash that I really love, but haven't used yet.  Here is my card.

I love how this turned out, considering it's been ages since I've made anything.  For some added interest, I did some multi media stuff on the background panel with some embossing paste, silver ink splatters and white text stamping.  I also have more layers and "stuff" on this card than is normal for me.  I'm not sure where I was going when I first started this card, but this is where it ended up.  I'm going to send this to a great friend, who is always so amazing.  Hope she likes it.

Well, that's all for me.  I do hope you'll head over to the HOC blog to see all of the lovely creations everyone has made this month.  As always, they're absolutely beautiful!  If I don't make it back before August 1st, I hope you'll stop by then, to see what fun challenge will be posted next month. :)

Take care my friends!

Just Us Girls Challenge #334: Trend Week

Hello hello!

How was your week?  Were you able to get crafty?  It's been pouring like crazy here, all week.  We've had several flash flood warnings, and I feel like I should be taking a boat to work, rather than driving. lol  The nasty weather outside though, has made it easy to stay inside and make pretty stuff.  It looks like I'll get caught up on lots of stuff indoors this weekend.

It's Saturday, which means there is a new Just Us Girls challenge posted.  How exciting!  I love their challenges, and am still shocked to be their guest designer this month.  This week is a trend week: Shaker Card.

And here is the card I made.

I've really been trying to step outside my comfort zone this year, to try things that I wouldn't normally try.  I believe my style is considered clean, classy and elegant, but for this card I went with cute.  I LOVE how Nichol McGourick creates all of those adorable cards, and I was hoping to try my luck at one of them.  In all, it turned out pretty adorable.  I think I'm going to put my clouds on the inside of the frame next time though, to add different layers of dimension.  I added a bit of foam tape behind my clouds also, so that some of the sequins would "land" in those areas and stay there.  Looking at the picture, I think you get what I'm talking about.  I've had this beautiful WPlus9 stamp and die set in my possession for over a year, but this is the first time I'm using it.  *sigh*  I feel like I have tons of stuff that never gets used.  I think it may be time to challenge myself to use anything that hasn't ever been used or purge it. lol  I'm going to send this card to one of my best friends who is in need of some cheering up.  I think she'll like it. :-)

So that's all for me today.  I'm going to clean my place, do laundry, and work on prepping meals for the week.  I will also probably catch up on a few shows on Netflix and watch a couple movies.  It's going to be a great, relaxing weekend for me.  I do hope you'll head over to the Just Us Girls blog to see all of the amazing projects posted today.  Oh my gosh are they wonderful!!

Have a great weekend!

Just Us Girls Challenge #333: Word Week

Hiya!

Thanks for stopping by today.  How's your weekend going?  Are you able to get some crafty time in?  I have plans to head out on a hike with some friends from work, since it's going to be a gorgeous day today.  I'm LOVING the warm Texas weather!  Fortunately, I got some time to play with my crafty stuff during the week, after work.  

I have some exciting news to share with y'all.  Last month I was chosen as Chic of the Week #328, at the Just Us Girls challenge blog, and I was invited to be their guest designer for the month of March.  I was completely shocked, but I'm super excited!  I hope you'll join me for this month's challenges.  This week is a word week: Flowers.

 Here is the card I made.

I've had this Vintage Roses stamp set from Altenew forever, but this is the first time I've used it.  I love the definition of the flowers, and I am going to have to play around with them more often.  I used my Wink of Stella clear glitter pen on the flower, and it's so sparkly and pretty in real life.  I stamped my sentiment in VersaFine Onyx Black and embossed it with clear embossing powder, to add a bit of texture.  Once I was done, I used my Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangles dies to cut it out and add it to the stamped background panel, also cut out with one of the stitched rectangle dies.  Once I had my card put together, I added a couple of Pretty Pink Posh sparkling clear sequins, and called it done.  I love all of the white space, and the pop of color.  I'm hoping the recipient of this card enjoys it.  I'm excited to combine the following challenges into my card too.

Curtain Call Challenge: Key Lime (I was inspired by the colors)
Sparkle & Shine Challenge #25: Inspiration Photo
Simon's Monday Challenge: Take A Leap Into The Unknown (I used a new, to me, layered stamp set/technique)
Try It On Tuesday Challenge: Feminine & Fancy
Time Out Challenge #51: Easter and/or Spring

That's all for me today.  I am hoping you'll get a chance to check out the other cards that are posted today.  They're absolutely gorgeous!!  I'm also hoping you'll get the chance to join us for this weeks challenge.  You have until 9pm on Thursday, March 10th to join us.  I cannot wait to see what you create with all of those gorgeous floral stamps that you have, itching to be inked up! :-)  

Have a wonderful day!

What's In It?
Paper:  Neenah Solar White
Stamps:  Altenew Vintage Roses, WPlus9 Pretty Peonies, MFT Garden Flourish Background, Verve Beautiful
Ink:  VersaFine Onyx Black, Studio Calico Lemon Zest & Going Green Dye Ink, MFT Lemon Chiffon, Orange Fizz & Gumdrop Green Dye Ink, Simon Says Stamp Green Leaf Dye Ink
Accessories:  Simon Says Stamp Detail Clear Embossing Powder, Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangles Dies, Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear Sequins

House of Cards August Challenge: Metallics

Hello everyone!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hugs!

What's In It?

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

Stamps: Reverse Confetti Fancy Word Coordinates

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

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

With Gratitude

Hi y'all!

I had some errands to run, so I took this afternoon off.  I'm still technically working from my cell phone, but at least I get to spend a little bit of time at home, so I can post my card. :-)

I wanted to join in on a couple more challenges, so here is what I put together last night.  I like it!

I have to admit, it's hard not to want to put a shaker on everything these days. lol  I think it's fitting for this sketch though.  I love the embossed vellum too.  I think it adds just the right touch.  There are lots of new, to me, goodies on this card.  And I am thrilled that my WPlus9 flowers turned out as well as they did.  Not bad for my first attempt, eh?  I will be dropping this in the mail for a dear friend, who is always there for me.  I hope she likes it.  I will also be entering this for the following challenges.

The Challenge #29:  Sketch
Butterfly Reflections, Ink: April Mood Board (dark blue, light blue, green and gold - inspiration photo)
Papertake Weekly: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: April Shower and/or Spring Flowers (I went with flowers)

I'm off to get my taxes done (insert unhappy face), and then I'm going to take my daughter to dinner.  I will be back soon with another something crafty.  I hope you have a wonderful day!

Hugs!

What's In It?
Paper: Neenah Solar White Cardstock, SU! Baja Breeze, Pacific Point & Wild Wasabi Cardstock, MME Charmed Patterned Paper, Text Patterned Paper (sorry, I can't find who makes this), SSS Vellum
Stamps: WPlus9 Pretty Peonies, Clearly Besotted Say It In Style

Ink: MFT Berrylicious, After Midnight & Daffodil Hybrid Ink, VersaMark
Accessories: SU! Butterfly Punch, Freckled Fawn Blue Pearls, WPlus9 Chevron Texture Plate, Reverse Confetti Wonky Double Edge Scallop Die, SSS Stitched Rectangles Dies, Butterfly Reflections, Ink. Navy Blue & Mint Green Star Sequins, Pretty Pink Posh Marshmallow Seed Beads, Pretty Pink Posh Gold Sequins

Winter Wishes

Greetings!

It's kind of gray and overcast this morning, so I plan on doing very little today, with the exception of spending time with my daughter.  School starts on Tuesday, so we're trying to get one more day of fun laziness and movies in, before she goes.  I can't believe how rapid this year is going by.  It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the New Year.  Wow...

Anyway, I have another card to share today.

I love these snowflakes!  Even though you can't tell in the picture, the snowflakes are very sparkly.  Thank goodness for glitter glue.  I think I'm the only papercrafter out there who does NOT like glitter.  I don't own any, except for a bottle of Dazzling Details from Stampin Up. lol

I'm excited to combine the following challenges.

Christmas Cards All Year Round August: Sparkle & Shine
Cardabilities #105: Sketch
Jingle Belles: Hanukkah Song (a winter or winter holiday card other than Christmas)
Just Us Girls #254: Blue, Green & Any Neutrals
Christmas Card Challenge #38: Embossing (the polka dots are embossed in clear)

That's all for me.  I'm off to cook a few meals for the week, and wait for her to wake up so we can start our movie marathon.  I hope everyone has a great day!

Hugs!

What's In It:
Paper: Papertrey Ink Kraft cardstock, SU Very Vanilla cardstock, Blue & White Snowflake patterned paper, Green Polka Dota patterned paper
Stamps: Verve Glad Tidings, CASual Fridays Snowflake Greetings & Out Loud, Papertrey Ink Polka Dot Basics 2
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink, VersaMark, Frayed Burlap distress ink, WPlus9 Ocean Drive dye ink
Accessories: Simon Says Stamp Kate & Eliza Snowflake dies, Studio Calica Green Gems, SU Dazzling Details

Just For You

Hi!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend, so far.  The day started off with my daughter and I joining my coworkers, in the local Tall Corn Days parade, representing my company.  Tall Corn Days is a festival held each year, in celebration of the town's history.  There is tons of fresh sweet corn, and lots of activities for both adults and children.  We had a blast handing out candy, t-shirts and other items with my company's logo on them.  It was a nice morning also, so we didn't mind the 5 mile walk.  After the parade though, it got gray and overcast, and sprinkled for a bit.  Perfect time to make a card, right?  I thought so too.  Here is what I made.

I saw the most beautiful sunset not too long ago, and tried to recreate it on my card.  I just got some new Avery Elle stamps that were perfect for my idea.  The embossed cardstock is a very pale blue, although it looks almost white.  I randomly placed some sequins and gems, although I have the most difficult time making them look "random".  Anyone else have that issue? lol  I'm going to add this to my stash, and send it to someone special, when they need a pick me up.  I'm excited to participate in the newest Fusion Card challenge.  You can see the beautiful inspiration photo and sketch I used for this card, HERE.  I love it when ideas turn out almost exactly how you picture them in your head.

I'm off to use my time wisely, and try to get a couple more cards done before the concert tonight.  I hope everyone has a wonderful afternoon!

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper: SU Whisper White cardstock, SU Very Vanilla cardstock, Bazzill Light Blue cardstock
Stamps: Avery Elle Bright Days, WPlus9 Damask Frames
Ink: Avery Elle Orchid & Pixie pigment ink, Tumbled Glass distress ink, Simon Says Stamp Smoke dye ink
Accessories: Smooth Circle Nestabilities, Musical Flourish embossing folder, Prima Laraine flowers, Simon Says Stamp Chantilly Crème sequins, Zva Creative Gems, Scalloped Heart Lace, Maya Road Twine