You are missed! CAS-ual Fridays Challenge

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Wow, can you believe it's the last day of July already?

I'm playing along in this week's challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays.  It's CFC #13 - The long and short of it.

The challenge is to make a 4" x 9" card...and keep it clean and simple.  I like to vary the size and orientation of my cards.  So, I was up for this challenge!  Sometimes it's difficult for me to do "clean and simple", but I've been practicing.  And, I'm loving it, too.

This is what I've created.

I sat for the longest time...staring at my work space.  Waiting for an idea to pop into my brain, for this challenge.  Sitting.  Staring.  Scanning.  Finally, I decided that I would  1.) Decide who the card would be sent to. 2.) What I wanted to say.  3.) Which new stamp set I wanted to use.
Bing!  From that point on, it all flowed...well, except for a little frustration with the embossing.  But, I won that battle :)
I used a new stamp set from Lawn Fawn (at least it's new to me).  The sentiments in this set are so cute and so versatile.  They were created to be used with another Lawn Fawn set, but I already had this cute typewriter stamp from Hero Arts.  I think they work together just fine.
I stamped the typewriter twice, cut out the second one after I embossed it and popped it on top of the first image.  Then, I stamped the "paper" portion of the stamp 4 times and used several combinations of words to stamp those.  I curled the first one around a pencil to give it some dimension before I adhered it to the typewriter with foam dots.  My last step was drawing a border around the perimeter of the card with a Stampin' Write marker.  This was such a fun card.  I hope the recipient enjoys receiving it as much as I enjoyed making it!
Thanks for stopping in!

Supplies:

card stock: barely banana, whisper white (Stampin' Up!)

stamps: my type (Hero Arts), just m type, too (Lawn Fawn)

ink: basic black stamp pad and marker (SU)

stamin' emboss powder: black (SU)

other: versamark pad, heat gun, anti-static pad

A shoe - but no card! PDCC#91

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Yes, this is something a little different for me.  I don't often create 3-D projects.  They used to frustrate me, maybe because cards are "my thing" - I guess I felt out of my element making projects.  Well, I've decided to push myself to try other things.  Um...at least today.
Actually, I didn't get frustrated making this shoe.  I took my time (and it took a long time) and just enjoyed the process.  You know what?  It was fun.  And, I'm really pleased with the results!

This shoe is going into the Play Date Cafe #91 challenge.  Check it out!

Black and white with a splash of color - we get to choose the color, but use only a splash!  My splash is yellow.

This is what I created ~

I found the template for this shoe at Creating Keepsakes website.  They have so many great templates; you might want to check it out.  The link in the previous sentence will take you to the shoe template.
I added just a few embellishments to dress up my shoe a little.  What do you think?

Supplies:

patterned paper from the Black Orchid pack by s.e.i.

black woven scroll trim by Wright

yellow roses from my stash (from a long time ago, when I used to throw away the packaging.)

Aleen's paper glaze, Scor-tape

Season's Greetings - PDCC91

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Yes, I know that it's July.  But, since is seems to take me so long to make a card...I have to begin creating my Christmas cards now.  Last year I made a total of 55.  Anyway, you'll be seeing a lot of holiday cards on this blog for the next few months!

This card is going into the following challenge:

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #91

And our instructions are to use black & white with just one color, of our choice...and just a splash!
I was so happy to see this weeks challenge, because I love PDCC's color splash challenges!  This is always fun!
This is what I created.  I chose red as my "splash" ~

This is one of my favorite Christmas sets from Stampin' Up!  It's so elegant.  I think this set is just perfect for embossing.  I heat embossed the trees and sentiment in white.  See that tiny little red bird?  After tapping my stamp onto the Versamark pad, I wiped him off...then stamped onto my cardstock.  I embossed with white powder.  I applied Versamark (the marker) to the tiny bird, next.  Then I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig (love that tool!) to align him perfectly, stamped him, poured on a little bit of red EP...and embossed him.  Fun!
Some matting and a few gems completed this card.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by.  I appreciate it!

Supplies:

cardstock: basic black, real red (Stampin' Up!), stampers select white (Papertrey Ink)

stamp: senic season (SU)

emb. powder: really red, winter white (SU)

other: versamark pad and marker, stamp-a-ma-jig tool, red gems

Dream, create, inspire - CAS-ual Friday Challenge

Saturday July 23, 2011

It's a beautiful Saturday, here in northern Illinois!!!  It's RAINING!  Yes, I love it.  So much.
I can almost hear my flowers drinking in the moisture (it's been very, very dry here).  We've been watering our flowers...but it just isn't the same as a good rain.  I truly see a difference in the plants after we've had a soaking rain.

Anyway...back to paper crafting.

I'm playing along in the CAS-ual Fridays CFC12 today.  Here's the challenge:

Yup, dig through your stash and find those rub-ons that you haven't used in a while.  That's what I did.  And, you know what?  I've got a whole lot of great sentiments and images in those packages.  Why haven't I been using them???   Thanks to the DT at CAS-ual Fridays, I'll be using a lot more of those rub-ons :)

I decided to challenge myself to use only rub-ons on my card...no stamping, no embellishments, no layers either.

I did add 3 score lines above the border of leaves.  This was an easy card to make - once I decided which images to use, and where to place them.  That took longer than actually making the card.  Way longer.
Thanks for stopping by!

Just a few supplies ~

stampers select white card stock from PTI

summer love rub-ons (retired) from SU!

scoring board from MS (borrowed from Cheryl, when I stamped at her home yesterday!)

Summer Cookin' Thank You - PPA102 challenge

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Ahh...summer.  It's a beautiful sunny, bright day here in northern Illinois.  But, it's 91.1 degrees and humid.  Ick.  Even though my flower beds need to be weeded (again), I decided to stay indoors this afternoon.  And stamp :)
Good decision, don't you think?

The DT at Pals Paper Arts has given us this challenge:
PPA102 - Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy - Especially with Blog Candy!

We're told to draw inspiration from this photo...or whatever says summer to us.  Well, I just bought the new DSP from Stampin' Up!, called Domestic Goddess.  I think the colors look SO summery.  I cut 3 images from that DSP for this card.  And then, there is that cute gingham stamp in the House and Home stamp set.  Love.  It.  I just had to ink it up!  This was such a fun card to create.  I know...I say that a lot.  But it was.
I'm posting several photos, to try to show the details on this card.  Can you see the little wisps of steam rising from the pie?  That's a few lines from my clear Stardust pen.

Oh, I almost forgot.  I took a piece of that DSP and used it to line my envelope, too.
Thanks for visiting...I hope you'll leave a comment.  I appreciate them so much!

Supplies:

cardstock: baja breeze, tangerine tango, whisper white, so saffron (all Stampin' Up!)

ink: baja breeze, basic gray (SU)

stamps: sentiment from the pocket silhouettes set, gingham from house and home set (both are SU)

dsp: domestic goddess (SU)

other: tangerine tango striped grosgrain ribbon (SU), paper crimper, clear stardust pen (Sakura)

Hello Doily, Hello Friend - 2 challenges

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Whoo hoo!  Just a couple of days ago, I got some SU! goodies from the new catalog.  Oh my.  I love these new doily stamps.  You should see my wish list of the other items I want from the new catty.  Well, maybe I'll keep that to myself!

Anyway....I did a little blog surfing this morning and found several challenges that I want to do.  For this card, I've narrowed it down to 2 challenges.  Take a look.

Card Patterns sketch #124

Just Us Girls #93

And my card ~

Yea, I love doilies :)
Not just doily stamps.  I love handcrafted doilies, especially vintage ones.  I've picked up quite a few at estate auctions.  I love the connection with the past, that I feel with those doilies (and depression glass, and stoneware crocks.)  Yes...there are a few collections in our home!


Oh...my card ; )




I used cameo coral (a retired SU color) for my card base.  It's the only coral cardstock I have.  In these photos it looks much brighter than in real life.  I really like these colors together.  I don't know that I ever would have combined them, but I'm so glad that Andrea chose them for this color challenge!  I'm sure I'll be using this combo again.
The sketch at Card Patterns really called out to me, because I enjoy creating a larger card now and then.  This card will fit in a standard size business envelope.  Besides...on a larger card, I can add more images, embellies, etc.  I like that!
The buttons for this card came from a jar of buttons that I bought at an estate auction.  I was surprised at how closely they match the ribbon.
I was almost done with my card, and felt it needed a little something more.  Ah ha.  I pulled out the bottle of silver pearl Liquid Pearls that I've had for a few months...and hadn't used until today.  I think it's the perfect finishing touch.
Thanks so much for stopping in!  I hope you'll leave a comment...I love reading them.

Supplies:

cardstock: cameo coral, pretty in pink, basic gray (Stampin' Up!)

ink: basic gray, basic black

stamps: hello, doily (SU), think big favorites #3 (PTI), delicate doiles (SU)

other: basic gray satin ribbon (SU), silver pearl liquid pearls (Ranger), buttons from my stash

My blue dress - 2 challenges

Oh my...what a fun weekend this has been :)  We had a chance to spend some more time with some of my relatives from Texas, today.  You wouldn't believe some of the stories that were told AND some of the topics of conversation.  But...I'd better not tell!

I think I'd better move on to today's card, huh?

I'm playing along in 2 challenges:

Pals Paper Arts #101 - a color challenge "chase away those summertime blues"

CAS-ual Fridays #10 - create a shaped card

It's been quite a while since I created a shaped card.   And, since they're so much fun to make...of course, I had to play along.  And, the color challenge at PPA really called out to me...I love those blues.
So, here is my take on the 2 challenges:

I really enjoyed making this card and it was so easy, too.  I had downloaded this dress template a while back from Paper Crafts magazine's website.  Kim Hughes is the designer. PC has so many cute templates.  This is the first time I've used this one.
I used bashful blue card stock for the card base - or should I say dress?  I stamped the palm leaves in not quite navy and marina mist inks.  The bodice of the dress is made from not quite navy card stock and I sponged around the edges with a little ink, in the same color.  I row of tiny clear gems finishes off my card.
Normally, I would stamp a sentiment on the front of my cards.  But, I felt that even a small sentiment would be too distracting on this card.  I'll add a sentiment to the inside, when I decide who the recipient will be.
I'll be using this template again.  I have so many ideas for colors and prints!
Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you'll leave a comment.

Supplies:

card stock: bashful blue, not quite navy (Stampin' Up!)

ink: not quite navy, marina mist

stamp: the palm leaves from Forever in Our Hearts (Verve)

gems: recollections (Michaels)

And.....a few more pics from my flower gardens :)

Well, this isn't from the flower gardens.  This tiny maple leaf was on the sidewalk.  I thought it looked so pretty with the drops of water and the angle of the sunlight.

A mix of yellow and pink coneflowers.

These golden stargazer lilies are much taller than they've EVER grown before.  I'm 5'5" tall, and they're taller than me!  I included the door in this shot, so that you can see how tall they really are.

Birthday Wishes - CR84FN33 challenge

Monday, July 4, 2011

I really enjoyed playing along with CR84FN33 color challenge in my previous post HERE.  So, I decided to play again today.
Take a look at the inspiration provided for us!

Pretty, huh?  I'm not usually a fan of pink.  But...these inspiration photos really called out to me.  lol

Here's my second take on the challenge.

I love this doily stamp from Hero Arts, and I decided to use pink embossing powder to give the image some texture.  I'm really pleased with the look.
Well, this has to be a short post - we're off to spend time with family today!  I'll add my supply list later :)

Make a Wish - 2 challenges

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Ummm...I created 2 cards this afternoon.  But, you'll only see one of them.  I'm really pleased with how this card turned out.  The other one?  Not so much.  In fact, not at all.  Part of it ended up in the waste basket.  And I rarely do that.  I finished the card, but...I'm not sure if I'll ever send it.

Moving on.

Cath, over at Moxie Fab World has a really fun challenge for us.  Love her challenges!  I've just recently started playing along.  Here current challenge is Beautiful Borders in the Moxie Fab World.  We're challenged to use border strips in an innovative way.

And, CR84FN has such a pretty color pallette for their current challenge.  Take a look :)

I decided to combine the 2 challenges into one card.

Here is my entry:

I used a Sizzix die to create this ric rac border.  But, instead of using it as a border, I've used it as birthday candles.  With a few gems for "flames".  For my sentiment I used PTI's Think Big Favorites #1, and I added a tiny gem to the dot.  A little baker's twine tied around the top of the card, finished it off.
I'd love to know what you think.  And I love reading your comments!

Supplies:
cardstock: cherry cobbler, pretty in pink (SU) stamper's select white (PTI)

ink: cherry cobbler

clear stamp: think big favorites #1 (PTI)

other: baker's twine (RRR), clear gems (Recollections from Michaels)