Tuesday Trigger: Feather Weather

I'm sharing a quick post today, with a card I created for the Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger: Feather Weather.  I love the photo inspirations that Cath provides.  They're always fabulous!  I just wish I had more time to play along.
I was inspired by the neutral background with the tiny white flowers AND that single white feather.  Also, the golden yellow spray of beads.  Take a look at the inspiration Cath provided.

Beautiful, right?

Although I started out in a different direction...this is what I created.

I started with the white feather, which is a free download from Lia Griffith Handcraft Your Life. After stamping the leaves and berries in white ink, I colored each berry with a yellow marker.  Then the card was spritzed with Mister Huey Gold mist.  The sentiment is embossed in gold.  Then I added several gold sequins to my card.  This card continually changed as it progressed.  I won't even tell you the direction I intended, but it was SO different than what you see!  Anyway, I'm pleased with the result.  I'd love to know what you think.
Thanks so much for taking a look!

Supplies:
Cardstock: going gray, whisper white (SU)
Ink: unicorn white (Memories), summer sun marker (SU), versamark
Stamps: lovely leaves, signature greetings (PTI)
Other: gold EP (SU), mister huey gold mist (Studio Calico), paper feather template (Lia Griffith), gold sequins (CCartwrights), tombow multi glue, scor-tape, glossy accents

Happy Wedding Day - Retrosketches #65

I'm posting a card today, that I made for RetroSketches #65.  Here's a look at this week's sketch.

As usual, a fun sketch to work with!

I need a few wedding cards for my Etsy shop, so that's my theme for today's card.

I'm seeing the trend towards using gold in paper crafting lately...gold striped washi, gold embossing, etc.  It seemed perfect for a wedding card, so I gave it a try.  What fun I had!  I'll be doing this again.  If fact, I recently purchased a roll of gold and white washi from Paper Issues...that I'm looking for an excuse to use.  Soon.

For this card I used gold embossing powder and some brushed gold card stock from Stampin' Up!

Thanks for taking a minute or two to stop by.  I hope you'll leave a comment!

Supplies:
Card stock: white (PTI), brushed gold (SU)
Ink: versamark
Stamps: quilled elegance (PTI)
Other: heart punch (SU), gold and white embossing powder (SU), corner rounder (Photo Max), foam tape, scor-tape

I Miss You! - Dynamic Duos Challenge #54

Happy Saturday!  We've got another very pretty color combination for you at Dynamic Duos Challenge #54.  Just take a look!

Midnight Muse is one of my favorite Stampin' Up! blues.  Such a rich, deep color.  I had a frilly, lacy card in mind and I think it worked well with these colors.  I sure had fun piling on the layers for this card.  AND I had the Artisan Embellishment Kit, just waiting to be used again.  So.  I did.

I'm also entering this card into Paper Issues: Lifestyles to "Die" For.

It's been a while since I've created a vintage style, and I've really missed it!  I did a little machine stitching, used a border punch and a bracket die for my layers of cardstock. The wide lace is from the Artisan kit...I just ordered 2 more kits!
I hope you'll play along with us for challenge #54 at Dynamic Duos.  Just follow the link to see the details and be sure to check out what the rest of the Dynamos have created to inspire you!
Thank so much for spending a little time at my blog.  I love visitors!

Supplies list ~
Cardstock: midnight muse, bashful blue, very vanilla (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: bashful blue, midnight muse (SU)
Stamps: love stamp set (Precious Remembrance Shop)
Other: lace, vanilla flower trim (SU), eyelet border punch (MS), bracket die (MFT), labels four (Spellbinders), pearls (Recollections), craft sponge, thread, foam tape, scor-tape

Cards For Maddy Drive

I recently read THIS POST at Simon Says Stamp.  And I knew immediately that I wanted to send a hand crafted card to this little girl.   Maddy Justice has AML (this is a type of leukemia) and has relapsed.   She would love to receive cards from everywhere...far and wide.  So I'm hoping that you'll join me in brightening Maddy's stay in the hospital by sending her a card or two!

On the Simon Says Stamp blog post there is also a link to Maddy's CaringBridge site.  You can create a CB sign on and follow Maddy's family's posts on the site.

This card drive is important to me, even though I've never met Maddy.  That's because we lost a nephew to ALL (another type of leukemia) in May of 2010.  He spent a LOT of time in the hospital.  And those stays can be very, very long.  So, for someone like Maddy, who loves to receive cards...it's such an easy thing to pop a card in the mail.  And it could really brighten her day!

Pop on over to Simon Says Stamp and read the post.  HERE is the link again.  It includes a quote by Maddy from her CaringBridge page, plus more info about Maddy.  They've posted her mailing address, but I'll include it here too.
 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Maddy Justice-Patient
262 Danny Thomas Place
Attention Mail Stop 108
Memphis, TN 38105


Thanks so much!
Susie

Hello Sunshine! Dynamic Duos Challenge #53

Hey, it's time for another color challenge!  Dynamic Duos #53 uses some rich, bright colors.  Lots of fun to play with!  You'll see what I mean.

Pacific Point is one of my favorite SU blues and since this is a kid themed card, I decided to go bold.

I pulled out a couple of my Paper Smooches stamp sets for this card.  Then...just had fun :)
A couple of my fussy cut clouds are popped up on foam tape, along with the speech bubble.  If you've followed my blog for a while you know that I love adding dimension to my cards!
I hope you'll play along with us this week at Dynamic Duos.  Follow the link to the challenge blog to read the challenge rules.  Then, have fun :)
Now, scoot off and check out what the rest of the Dynamos have created for you!

Here are the links to all of the DT's blogs.

Anne Marie Hile

Alison Barclay

Debbie Henderson

Hayley Kew

Janet Bagnall

Janet Zeppa

Lori Turner

Michelle Folland

Susie Wittwer - that's me!

Tara Bourgoin

Tracey McNeely

Supplies list:
Cardstock: basic black, pacific point, whisper white (SU)
Ink: basic black, pacific point (SU),
Stamps: sunny skies, a birdie told me (Paper Smooches)
Other: sunrise impression plate (PTI), stardust clear glitter pen - on the smiley face (Sakura), clear gems (The Paper Studio), foam tape (3M)

Cat's Meow! Lawnscaping Challenge No. 57

Hi!  I'm sharing a card that I made for Lawnscaping Challenge No.57.  It's been quite a while since I played along.  And since I just added a few more sets to my collection, why not jump back in?  And besides...bling?  You bet!

Here's the challenge.

The idea for my card popped into my head almost a week ago.  So, I sketched it out right away.  Cause you know I'd forget it if I didn't.  Seriously.

I had fun with all of the little details on this card.  Yup, it was all in those notes I mentioned.
1. Woodgrain impression plate, then the scoring board to create the "siding" of this kitty's home.
2. Two square dies to create the window frame, adding 1 cross piece to simulate a double hung window.
3. Some patterned paper for the wallpaper.
4. A couple of pieces of coordinating patterned paper for the curtains (yes, I used my paper crimper for those!)
5. I stamped and fussy cut the kitty, then sponged on a little extra gray around the edges.  I gave him some black enamel accents on his nose, and of course...the required "blingy" collar.  :o)
Also, I traced the pattern in the curtains with a clear stardust glitter pen.  Just to add a bit more sparkle.

Well, that turned into a rather long post.  If you stayed with me all the way...thank you!  And thanks for visiting :)

Supplies list ~
Cardstock: white (PTI), basic gray (SU)
Ink: onyx black, smoky gray (Versafine), basic black (SU)
Stamps: critters in the 'burbs (Lawn Fawn)
Patterned paper: patterns pack III (SU...retired)
Other: black enamel accents (Ranger), stardust clear glitter pen (Sakura), green gems (The Paper Studio), double ended banner die, woodgrain impression plate (PTI), classic squares large dies (Spellbinders), scor-pal, paper crimper, foam tape, scor-tape

Dynamic Duos Challenge #52 - DD 1 Year Anniversary Challenge!

Happy Anniversary to Lesley, Anne Marie and the Dynamic Duos Challenge Blog!  We're celebrating 1 Year of Dynamic Duos Challenges with DD#52!  I hope you'll play along, it's sure to be fun ;)
Just take a look.

See what I mean?  You get to choose from any of the past Dynamic Duos challenges for this week's project.  So much to chose from that you may want to play along more than once!
I chose DD#6 for my card.  Loved the gray and rose colors together.  They really pop!

Since I don't have any Regal Rose (sadly), I used Rose Red.  I'm so pleased with this combination and I really had fun with this card.

I used a "new to me" stamp set from Lawn Fawn.  I couldn't resist that sweet tea cup.  Well, and everything else in the set. I admit it.   Also, I HAD to use that new ribbon from Stampin' Up!.  It's the Basic Gray Two Tone 1- 1/4".  So soft and so pretty!
I've added a few highlights to my images with a Stardust Clear Glitter pen.  It adds such a nice shimmer.

I hope you'll play along with us at Dynamic Duos this week and help us celebrate our 1st Anniversary!  Now, pop on over to the Dynamic Duos blog.  Take a look at the challenge details AND see what the rest of the team has created.  Ok?

Supplies:
Cardstock: rose red, basic gray, whisper white (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: rose red, basic gray (SU)
Stamps: my cup of tea (Lawn Fawn)
Other: basic gray two tone ribbon (SU), stardust clear glitter pen (Sakura), clear gems (The Paper Studio)

Kraft, bling & embossing - A CASual Friday's card

I managed to squeeze in a bit of crafting time today, between laundry and meeting friends for lunch.  A busy day, but very good day!

This card is going into CASual Fridays CFC100: Top 10 Tic Tac Toe Challenge.  It's their 100th challenge already (and their 2nd birthday).  AND they're celebrating...so you might want to check it out!

I chose the column in down the middle.  Kraft, bling and emboss.  Here's what I came up with.

I used kraft cardstock for my base and for the 2 panels I popped up with foam tape.  I used white embossing powder for my stamped images, then colored using my Prismacolor pencils.  Easy, but it took a while.  Then, I used a few sequins for my bling.  Yes, I finally ordered some sequins...and they arrived just yesterday.  Couldn't wait to play with them!
Thanks for taking a look today!

Supplies:
Cardstock: kraft (PTI)
Ink: versamark
Stamps: quilled elegance (PTI)
Other: light aqua, true green, green grass Prismacolor pencils, white EP (SU), crystal opaque mix sequins (Cartwrights), glossy accents (Ranger)

Dynamic Duos Challenge #51 - And a 1st for me!

My first challenge as a member of the Design Team at Dynamic Duos is today's  DD Challenge #51.  I'm so thrilled to be a part of this super talented DT, and this is my first experience on a Design Team!  I hope that I can provide you with a little inspiration and encourage you to play along with us every week!

Well, let's get to this week's challenge, shall we???

I love these summery colors!  And, believe me, here in northern Illinois we need some summer...or at least spring.  It's been a long winter.  Take a look at these sweet colors.

I need to restock my stash of sympathy cards and I think these colors are perfect for the occasion.

I just bought this very intricate die by Memory Box.  I knew exactly how I wanted to use it.  I die cut the Serefiina heart from Baja Blue, then also cut it from my white panel.  I inlaid the the blue into the negative space in the white panel.  Sounds easy, huh?  It took a little longer than I thought, because the die cut is so delicate.  But, I'm really pleased with the results.
Thanks so much for visiting!   Now...go check out the inspiration from my fellow teamies at Dynamic Duos!

Supplies:
Cardstock: whisper white, daffodil delight, baja breeze (Stampin' Up!), white (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: onyx black (Versafine)
Stamps: words of comfort (Close To My Heart)
Die: serefina heart (Memory Box)
Other: yellow gems (Recollections)