Thursday, June 30, 2011

Quick Cards

Hey gang,

Just wanted to wish everyone a wonderful Thursday and show you a couple of cards that I put together really fast last night for a couple of challenges that are ending today. My first one is for the Stock the Pantry challenge #3 at Doodle Pantry where we are to use one of Laurie's images. I used the image and sentiment from her set "Gingko Leaves" along with some new paper "Far East" from DCWV and a border embossing folder by Cuttlebug "Organic Flourishes" that I found on our getaway.

This second card is for the clearly inspired challenge #30 at Clear Dollar Stamps which is a sketch.



Not very happy with this one, but it is what it is....wish that I had did some distressing or sponging on the leaves to give them more depth. My image is by Clear Dollar Stamps "Pear-fect Tree and Wreath" set which I colored with my Prismas and OMS. The ribbon is Stampin' Up so saffron and the papers are scraps from my stash of leftovers.

If you are fast, there is still time to play at both of these...off to take a friend out of town for a doctor's appointment, but I will try and visit later on today. Take care and happy day!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Sweet Sketch Wednesday with Bugaboo Stamps

Welcome to Wednesday and a new sketch at Sweet Sketch Wednesday where we are sponsored this week by Bugaboo Stamps with a prize of 7 digital stamps valued at $21.00.


I have been so excited to show you what I created with the image that I chose to work with from Bugaboo which is called "Fancy Umbrella #4" and can be found here in the store.
I will warn you that I have a few pictures in this post but I just couldn't not show you all of them.


My sketch you will find on the box top that I recycled into a holder for a set of cards, all using this adorable image. I love this and can't wait to try something else with it.

My die cut flower is a Sizzix flower 5 and I thought it looked so nice with the flowers on the umbrella. I also used the negative as a stencil for my cards.



Using Tim Holtz distress inks I sponged my flowers and then used the inks to color my umbrellas, each in a different color and with a different sentiment. These were so much fun.
I did want to show you the cards individually as well so that you can see them a little clearer.









By mixing the colors, I thought it gave it a watercolor effect which is what I had in mind. I hope you enjoyed my project for today and will stop by at
Sweet Sketch Wednesday and see what my teammates have to show you....you won't be disappointed.
Thanks for stopping by today and I hope to be by to visit with you soon, Rick and got a chance to get away for a quick overnight trip and now have to catch up from the last 3 days. Missed seeing you guys, but will stop in to see what you've been up to.
Happy Day all!!!!

Card Details:
Paper: Rubber Cottage ivory textured, Basic Gray design paper "Ambrosia"
Ink: Tim Holtz distress inks, Versafine onyx black
Image: Bugaboo "Fancy Umbrella 4"
Other: Sizzix Flower 5, Spellbinders Oval die, SU Oval Punches Large and Small, Making Memories brad
Sentiments: Stampin' Up Spring Solitude, Thoughts and Prayers, Simple Friendship, Simply Said, Just Believe

Monday, June 27, 2011

A End of a Journey


This is a bittersweet post for me today as it is my last post as part of the design team for Paper Cupcakes and the wonderful Nina May. I owe her so much, as at the time she selected me to join her and the team I had only been posting on my blog for a short time. I appreciate her confidence and trust in me and I want to personally thank her for the great guidance and the friendship she has shown me this last year. I look forward to continuing on my journey with you my friends and to many wonderful and creative things in all of our futures. I know that Nina knows that I wish her and Paper Cupcakes only the best in the world and will always be here if she needs me.

Now to my card: Ildiko has challenged us to create something with a 1920's or 30's feel to it and I chose to use the image "Dresser Bureau" which I framed in Word. My coloring was with my small collection of copics. I hope you can join us this week and play along in this fun challenge.

I hope you will still visit at Paper Cupcakes each week, I know that I will and I hope if you come from there , that you will visit me again in the future.
Happy Day my friends!!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Tic Tac Toe at Sugar Creek Hollow


It is Saturday and it is another sensational one at Sugar Creek Hollow. This week we want you to create your vintage, shabby chic or primitive inspired card or paper crafted project and play TIC TAC TOE.



Using the game board shown below, choose any row horizontally, vertically or diagonally and add the three items in that row to your project.  Just remember that all three items you use must come from the same row and all must be on your project.








We have another wonderful sponsor this week. A Day for Daisies will be providing our random winner with a $12 gift card to their store, which is filled with beautiful digital stamps.








The random winner will also receive a Sugar Creek Hollow badge to display on her blog. The Design Team will choose a Card of the Week and the creator will not only receive a Sugar Creek Hollow badge but will also be in the running for a Guest Designer spot.



For my card this week, I went straight across the top row using lace/buttons/die cut and the image "Baby Carriage" that you can find here in the store. I used K&Co Ancestry.com design paper which I layered over my card front and then die cut the alternate side with Spellbinders Labels 18, using the labels again to cut out my image. The middle layer is a label that comes from a digital collage sheet that I purchased from Plumrose Lane. I sponged my layers and colored the image with Tim Holtz distress inks. Don't you just adore this beautiful lace from McMahon Five? After layering the lace on a strip of the tan leather card stock from Gina K Designs I added some of Gina's buttons and a safety pin from Stampin' up's vintage trinkets.
I added another strip of the design paper and a sentiment from SU.

As always, the Design Team has created some inspiration for you and this time we have all used a wonderful image from A Day for Daisies. If you would like more details on each of the cards, stop by Sugar Creek Hollow and just click on the designer's name and you will be taken right to their blog.

Hope your weekend is fabulous and you will take the time to join us in this week's challenge. I am going to enter my card in the challenge at A Day for Daises where the challenge is pastel, but no pink. Come by and join in that one also. Happy Day!

__._,_.___

Friday, June 24, 2011

CAS at Paper Players


Good Friday Morning....hope your week has been a great one. I am doing a quick post this morning before heading out for the day shopping with my niece who is on break from college. She will be heading back for her student teaching in the Fall. I am so proud of her. She has went back to school to get her degree and is juggling it all with a family and work.

My card is CAS this morning with a sketch from the Paper Players .


Not only was this card CAS but would be a fast one to mass produce. I used Stampin' Up's paper "Deck the Halls" along with their sets "Winter Post" and "Short and Sweet" on a base of soft suede which I think matches this paper perfectly.  I created my sentiment tag with a SU punch which I stapled onto the focal image. My papers did a lot of the work here and I now have one more Christmas card in my stash and  I may just use this sketch to create more that are quick and easily mailed for this holiday season. Hope you like it and will stop by and play...you have until tonight at midnight pacific time.
Well, off to see if I can find a bargain and to stock up at Sam's....Happy Day!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Our Creative Corner with Colors and Punches



I am playing again at the wonderful blog Our Creative Corner where I am always inspired by the DT and the uniqueness of their challenges. This week they are combining a color challenge using these colors

and three different punches with one of them having to be a border punch. I made this card the other day and am just now able to post it....I had so much fun creating this one and hope you will scoot on over and give this challenge a try.

My card base is soft suede which I cut off a portion of the front and then used a Martha Stewart border punch to create a decorative edge, I then cut a piece of baja breeze which I also border punched. The regal rose I cut an eighth of an inch shorter all around and then ran through the big shot with the Stylized Flower embossing folder before attaching to the card front. I punched 4 scalloped circles in both the rich razzleberry and the regal rose and then embossed with a script embossing folder before wetting and scrunching....I attached these with a small brad after alternating the colors and after opening the bloom slightly, I allowed it to air dry. The leaves are made with a Martha Stewart leaf punch in soft suede and then ran through the divine swirl embossing folder. All of the embossing makes a huge impact in real life, but I couldn't get my picture to show it very well. My baja breeze piece is stamped with images from Stampin' Up's set "Simple Friendship" in baja breeze and highlighted with pink gems from Queen & Co.




I added a piece of rich razzleberry and regal rose which I border punched to the inside along with more from the "Simple Friendship" set.
Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit and hope you will be back soon. Love to have you stop by and hopefully you'll leave me a comment so that I know you've been here. Happy Day!!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Sweet Sketch Wednesday and Amber Inks







Well gang, this is my second week designing for Sweet Sketch Wednesday and thankfully since I didn't get kicked out after week one I am hoping that means I get to stay around for a while. I love playing with Arlana's sketches and am hopeful you will check out this great blog and play along....we are on Sketch 107 this week and this is what it looks like:


Our sweet sponsor this week is Amber Ink and this is the first time for me to play with their images. This one is "lovebunnies miffed" and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it, but am so happy with the outcome. Seems like it just all came together so smoothly, I know you know what I mean when I say that...some you struggle with and others, it is just like it was meant to be. Lol, getting philosophical on you.
I used some new papers that I haven't had long by Prima "So Cute" along with a sentiment from a wonderful free image site TLC where Paulette is more than generous. Be sure and stop by. I loved the twill ribbon with the embossed card stock and the corduroy buttons just matched my papers. Hope you enjoy this and will stop by at SSW and see the other ladies inspirational cards. They have some eye candy this week. Thanks for taking the time to stop in and hope you will leave me a comment. Happy Day to you all!!

Card Details:
Paper: GinaK Designs chocolate brown, tan leather, fresh asparagus, Prima "So cute" dp
Ink: Tim Holtz distress inks antique linen, peeled paint, walnut stain
Image: Amber Ink 'lovebunnies miffed" and TLC sentiment
Other: Stampin' Up twill ribbon, Making Memories brads, Clear Dollar Stamps designer dies, SU corduroy buttons,Spellbinder rectangel dies,cuttlebug embossing folder, Ranger stickles

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The Crop Stop Challenge


I am creating a new type of card for me and posting it at a new challenge site to me called The Crop Stop where this week's challenge is to make embossed embellishments. My card is a pattern that I found in the Summer 2011 edition of "Paper Creations" and I have been wanting to try this ever since I first saw it. This is the vintage basket and I loved making this and can't wait to try the other patterns. I used K&Co's dp 'black and ivory". My flower and leaves are both Sizzix dies and both embossed using Cuttlebug folders. The butterfly is cut and embossed with an Embosslit called Beautiful Wings from Stampin' Up. I sponged the flowers with Versafine black onyx ink and used a corduroy button from SU which I loved how it went so well with the American Crafts ribbon. My pattern called for you to use quarter inch squares for the basket handle, but love the way this velour ribbon looks. Hope you like it as well and will check out this fun challenge blog and play along this week. Sorry the picture doesn't show the embossing very well on the leaves. Thanks so much for stopping by and hope to visit with you soon.

Card Details:
Paper; Rubber Cottage ivory textured, Black SU, K&Co black and ivory dp
Ink: Versafine onyx black
Other: Pattern-vintage basket Paper Creations, Sizzix Flower #6 and Little Leaves, SU embosslit, Cuttlebug embossing folder divine swirls and script, American Crafts ribbon, Walmart Pearl pins, SU corduroy button

Monday, June 20, 2011

MMSC 108 with Pink Paislee

I finished this card for the sketch challenge at Priscilla's Midnight Madness and I knew just what I wanted to try when I saw the sketch. I hope you can see what I was trying to achieve in this picture. I saw a card in the new Paper Crafts magazine using score lines to showcase images in each block. I didn't want anything that formal, so I stamp my images using Stampin' Up's old olive from Pink Paislee's set Butterfly garden and then scored my card sponging more old olive to highlight the lines.



The design paper and bird are also from the Pink Paislee butterfly garden series. My pink paper flower is Recollections. Be sure and check out this fun challenge, if you have never played or it has been a while. They also have a CAS sketch each week, so the choice is always yours to make.

As a side note, I would like to say that I forgot to mention in my earlier post this morning for Paper Cupcakes (Scroll down one post if you would like to see it) that I will be giving up my position on Nina's design team at the end of the month. It has been a wonderful journey with her company for the last year and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with her images. The reason I am mentioning this now, is that Nina has a DT call out for the next 6 months and I wanted anyone reading this to have a chance to submit if you would like to work for them. Her call is open until the 24th of June....so head over to the blog and get all the details.
Happy Monday!!!

I'm Hosting Paper Cupcakes!


It is my turn to host the challenge this week at There's Magic in the Air Paper Cupcakes challenge blog and I chose an inspiration photo I found at Pinterest .  This site is for you to pin some of your favorite photos and things you love. Check this out if you haven't already.


My image is Nina's "Tulip in Bottles" and I colored it using my Stampin' Up reinkers and Tim Holtz distress inks. I also used an image from Gina K Designs that I stamped with Versamark and heat embossed using white embossing powder. I know my tulips are not a natural color but I am using creative license....lol. Hope you can stop by TMITA and see what the rest of the team has created.
I am hoping this is a wonderful start to your Monday and a great week ahead.

Card Detail:
Paper: GinaK 120lb white, chocolate and unknown dp
Ink: Tim Holtz distress inks and SU reinkers. Versamark
Other: Labels 4 by Spellbinders, white embossing powder SU

Sunday, June 19, 2011

CAS-ual Fridays Color Blocking


Hey guys, I am playing again at CAS-ual Fridays where for their 7th challenge the theme is color blocking. This is not a usual color combo for me but after creating my focal image...the other papers just felt right. I created my color blocks by a direct to paper method with my Tim Holtz distress ink pads and will certainly try this again. I used a tree image from Sarasota Stamps which I purchased at a stamp show last summer as well as the navy textured paper from Rubber Cottage. I am going back to that same show in a few weeks and hope to get some more of this paper.

My inside was stamped using Stampin' Up's set "Happy Everything". Now what are you waiting for...get your CAS thinking cap on and hop on over to CAS-ual Fridays and have a go at this. Lots of inspiration and lots of fun creating for them.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

It's Color Time at SCH...




Wow, it's Saturday already and we have a sensational color challenge for you this week at Sugar Creek Hollow. We want you to use PURPLE, KRAFT & BLACK when you create your vintage, shabby chic or primitive inspired card or other paper-crafted project.  Don't forget - all three colors must appear on your project.  Black is black but purple and kraft come in a variety of shades so it will be fun to see how creative you can be.

Our random winner will receive a badge to display and a digi of our choice.  The Design Team will choose a Card of the Week and that creator will receive a badge to display but will also be in the running for a Guest Designer spot.


I had a blast creating this card and it came together really quickly. My background images are from Stampin' Up's set Botanicals and I also used them on the inside. That lovely postcard of the Eiffel Tower is from a digital sheet that I purchased at Plumrose Lane . I know I have mentioned Sharon before, she is where I purchase my blog headers (by the way she has lots of elements for your blog for free) and I have bought several of her digital pages...these are full of beautiful images that you can cut out and use anyway you want on your project...the sky's the limit. My focal image is from Stampin' Up's set Provincial. Don't you just love that purple seam binding? I do, it is some that I won in some blog candy. Thanks Mary!



The Design Team had fun creating with these colors and have lots of inspiration for you. If you want more details about their cards, just click on their name at Sugar Creek Hollow and you will be taken directly to their blog.

Card Details:
Paper: GinaK Designs kraft, Stampin' Up black and purple
Ink: Versafine onyx black, versamark
Other" Martha Stewart laurel punch, crinkled seam binding-gift
Images: Stampin' Up botanicals and provincial and Plumrose Lane Paris Heart Mix1

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Just under the Wire!!

That's what this card is....the deadline for entering at Clearly I Stamp and Clear Dollar Stamps is today. I saw their challenge to distress and just couldn't not play. I love Lori's images and this is one of my favorites "Quiet Rocking Chair". It comes with several sentiments and the table and rocking chair are either one image together or separate images. So this is very versatile.

I distressed the papers with my scissors and the distressing tool from Stampin' Up. I colored this using Tim Holtz distress inks, lol, as a matter of fact every one that I own. Hope you like it, I am pleased with the way it turned out. Please stop by Clear Dollar Stamps and check out what they have...there was a new digital release yesterday.
Happy Thursday to you all!!

Card Details:
Paper: GinaK Designs ivory, K&Co Julianne dp
Image: CDS quiet rocking chair
Ink: Tim Holtz distress inks, copic T1
Other: Spellbinders Labels 18, SU chocolate chip satin ribbon

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

It's Sweet Sketch Wednesday!!! and News!



Good Wednesday morning my friends....you are seeing my post for Sweet Sketch Wednesday and I am showing it on Wednesday instead of next week....told you I would post it earlier in the week, lol. I am now on the wonderful DT that makes up the ladies of SSW and am so happy and honored to be part of their lovely group. I have enjoyed playing along with them for a while and hope you have enjoyed seeing my cards made with their sketches, so you can imagine how thrilled I was when Nancy contacted me to see if I would be interested in at DT spot. Of course I jumped at the chance and said a resounding YES....


This week's sketch is sponsored  by Digistamp Boutique with a prize of 6 free digi stamps to the winner.




I chose Sally Ann's image "Modern Flower Head 3" and after copying it 3 times and rotating it slightly I die cut it with my Spellbinders. The 3 blooms to the side are also part of this set. I really like how this turned out and love working with Arlana's sketches....here's hoping you will join us this week and give our challenge a try. We would love to see what you create.



Be sure and stop by at Sweet Sketch Wednesday and give the DT a look....you will love what they have come up with for this week.  Thanks for stopping by to visit and happy day to you all!!

Card Details:
Paper: Stampin' Up river rock, blue-unk, K&Co Blossomwood dp (Tim Coffey)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress inks Antique Linen, Faded Jeans
Images: Digistamp Boutique Modern Flower Head 3
Other: MS Border punch Embossed Petals, rubons by Doodles, Queen & Co pearls, Stardust glitter pen, spellbinders circle die

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Roses for your Birthday

As soon as I printed this image from The Doodle Pantry for their challenge, I knew what papers and colors I wanted to use. I love yellow roses and always have...so it was a no brainer. This is some paper that I have had for ages from K&Co and I paired it with some textured Bazzill card stock and a sheet of soft gray which I do not know the manufacturer. I colored the image using a copic and some Prismas with oms. The challenge at Doodle Pantry has a few more days if you would like to play....you are asked to use a DP image but Laurie has lots of freebies for you to try if you don't already own some.

For the inside, I used more of the soft gray and stamped with Memento London Fog a flourish from Stampin' Up's set Sweet Summer.

I want to show you also, a card that I made for the Friday Free for All challenge this week at StampTV where I haven't played in ages.....I used to play there all the time and just don't seem to get around to it, so this week, I made time. Lee Murphy has issued a recipe challenge for you and it is open until Thursday at 8pm CT, so stop by and check it out.



Card Details:
Doodle Pantry card:
Paper: Bazzill textured, gray unk, K&Co dp
Ink: London Fog by Memento, prismas and copics
Images: DP Mini pot of roses and sentiment from same set
Other: Spellbinders Labels 2, Recollection roses, Sizzlits little leaves,

StampTV card:
Paper: GinaK creme de menthe, chocolate, fresh asparagus, ocean mist
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Versamark
Images: GinaK Elegant Flowers and Vintage Backgrounds
Other: EK border punch, GinaK ribbon and button, linen thread SU

Monday, June 13, 2011

Paper Cupcakes and a Freebie

Happy Monday morning to you my friends....isn't this the sweetest image and sentiment?  It is the freebie being offered this week at There's Magic in the Air  , Paper Cupcakes' challenge blog and we, the DT have each created a card or project using this adorable " A Little House" image designed by our own Nina May. Please stop by and pick up your image and play along with us this week, we would love to see what you create using it.

Our host this week is Gloria Westerman and she is asking us to create using 2 of the following:
Flowers, Ribbon, Pearls/Gems or Die Cuts....for my card I used my Spellbinder Curved Rectangle die and made my flower from some of the Basic Gray "offbeat" design paper and the Bazzill textured card stock that I used for my card base.

So, on to TMITA and to see what the rest of the team has to show us....come on, what are we waiting for?

Sunday, June 12, 2011

A 2 for 1 Sunday Post!




Hope this weekend has been fun for everyone!! Rick and I had company yesterday and was so happy spend time with my niece and her husband and son. While surfing the blogs the other day I came upon a new site to me called CASual Fridays and since I had a few minutes this afternoon I decided to combine their tic tac toe challenge



Priscilla's sketch challenge at Midnight Madness where I used this sketch for this week.





For CASual Fridays I went straight down the middle using Gems/Dies/Flowers....this is a lovely Elisabeth Bell image called "Lilypad Dreams" which my good friend Carol stamped and sent to me. I loved coloring it with my Prismas and OMS. I added a stardust glitter pen to her wings but couldn't get it to show in my picture.

Hope you might have time to check these both out.

I also want to show you a shadowbox frame that I made yesterday. I have been working on some commission work for a business here in town and this was added to her order. She and her husband lost sweet Bailey on Memorial Day and she wanted to create something for her husband for Father's Day using this lovely photo. I am to take it to her tomorrow and I am hoping she will be pleased. I wish you could see it better but couldn't get the glare off of the glass.



Wishing you a great start to your week tomorrow....be sure and check back for my Paper Cupcakes post in the morning!!
Happy Day all!!!

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Sew Glad We Are Friends

Sew glad you could stop by to visit this morning and yes I am deliberately misspelling my word SO to highlight my card this week.

The week has flown by and it is another Sensational Saturday at Sugar Creek Hollow.  This week our challenge to you is to use DOILIES on your card or other paper-crafted project.  Your doilies can be paper doilies, die cuts or doily images.


You are reminded that your project must be made in a vintage, shabby chic or primitive style as that is the focus of our challenge blog.  We would also ask that you follow the theme of the challenge as defined and that you read and follow the challenge rules shown on the sidebar.  If your card is deemed to be ineligible, we will remove it and notify you with the reason. We certainly hope that won't happen because we really want to see your lovely creations.








This week we have a wonderful sponsor, Glitterbabe's Digis, who will provide the random winner with a $10 gift card to her store.  The random winner will also receive a Sugar Creek Hollow winner's badge to display on her blog.

I know that some of you that follow my blog play at Stef's sometimes and I hope you will join us this week and welcome her as our sponsor as we are so happy to have her.

The Design Team will also choose one card as Card of the Week and the creator of that card will receive a badge to display and will be in the running for a Guest Designer spot.

This week each designer has used an image from Glitterbabe's Digis and created some wonderful inspiration for you.  If you want more details on their cards, just click on their name and you will be taken directly to their blog.

This week it was my pleasure to use Stef's image "Sewing Basket" which comes with the sentiment and is also available in a colored version. I had so much fun making this card. I used a store bought doilie which I sprayed with Tattered Angels copper spray and I also used some images from a Gina K Designs set that I stamped on a manila tag with Versafine vintage sepia ink.



Here's hoping you will stop by and see what the girls have for you....their creations are awesome this week and I know you won't want to miss it. And please play along with us, we would love to see your creations.

Card Details:
Paper: Bazzill textured, K&Co Ancestry.com, SU ivory
Ink: Versafine vintage sepia, copics, TH distress ink Antique Linen, Tattered Angels copper
Other: scrap ribbon, tag-gift, EK border punch, Buttons GKD.  Spellbinders Scalloped Ovals
Images: Glitterbabe's "Sewing Basket", GKD Nana's Needlework