Enjoy Life!

I managed to carve out just a little crafty time this afternoon.  We've been on the go most of the weekend, so I didn't know when I would manage to create this retirement card for one of the guys at work.  But...I did :)

I'm playing along in 2 challenges.  Retro Sketches #70 and the Moxie Fab World Mixy-Matchy Style Challenge.

Since I needed to create a card that would be big enough for a lot of co-workers to sign, my card measures 5 1/2" x 8 1/2".

Since this is such a large card, I kept feeling that there was too much empty space.  I had to resist the urge to fill it up!  But since this card is for a guy...I tried kept the embellishments to a minimum.  Just a few of those fun wood veneer stars from Studio Calico.  I tapped them onto a red ink pad to color them.
The date that I stamped on that calender is the first day of retirement for the recipient...July 3rd.
I wish him all the best!

Thank for looking!

Supply list ~
Card stock: basic black, very vanilla, riding hood red (SU)
Stamps: calender stamp set (Precious Remembrance Shop)
Ink: poppy parade (SU), onyx black (Versafine)
Patterned paper: 5 & dime (October Afternoon)
Other: wood veneer stars (Studio Calico)

A Sympathy Card - Dynamic Duos #59

Hello!  I'm here with my card for Dynamic Duos #59 challenge.  This week is just a bit different.  Take a look at our graphic and you'll see what I mean ;)

Use Basic Gray & the color of your choice.  The possibilities are endless, right?
Well, I couldn't wait to use one of my new In Colors from Stampin' Up!, Crisp Cantaloupe. I thought it would be just the right color for the scene I wanted to create.

It's been a while since I've done some sponging to create a scene.  It's a technique that I love!
I cut a mask from printer paper, using a Spellbinders die, then sponged on Crisp Cantalope and Basic Gray to create the sky.  After that I tore a mask from cardstock, then sponged on Basic Black to create mountains.  I drew in a few birds, stamped a sentiment and added 3 gray gems to finish my card.  Oh, and added the Gray card base.
I hope you'll join me and my awesomely talented team mates this week at Dynamic Duos.  Links to their blogs are listed in my blog's side bar.  What color will you combine with Basic Gray?

Supplies list ~
Cardstock: basic gray (SU), white linen (Ellen Hutson)
Ink: basic gray, crisp cantaloupe, basic black (SU), onyx black (Versafine)
Stamps: flowers (Clean & Simple Stamps)
Other: gray gems (Recollections), die - for masking (Spellbinders)

Over the edge - with CAS-ual Fridays

Hi!  I finally had a little time this afternoon to play along with CAS-ual Fridays CFC1061: Over The Edge challenge.  I love their challenges, but just haven't had the time to join in lately.  Here's the challenge.

In this case "over the edge" refers to an element that goes off the edge of the card front.  Well, that's something I love to do.  So...no problem!  In fact, I created a set of 3 cards for a family member.  I'll show you my challenge entry first.  Then, a little further down in this post you can see the entire set.

I popped up a strip of patterned paper along the edge of  my card.  Then a leaf die-cut, a sentiment strip and some "candy dots" from SU.  The final touch was to do a little faux stitching with a marker.
Here's a look at the set of 3 cards...thank you, sympathy & birthday.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supply list ~
Card stock: kraft (PTI), very vanilla, midnight muse (SU)
Stamps: simple sentiments (PTI)
DSP: print poetry dsp stack (SU)
Ink: midnight muse, crumb cake (SU)
Dies: double ended banner die, turning a new leaf (PTI)
Other: regals candy dots (SU), foam tape, scor-tape, tombow runner

A Retro Card - Paper Smooches Cool Shades Challenge

I'm playing along with the current challenge at Paper Smooches.  It's my first time playing along, but it sure won't be my last.  Such a fun challenge!  This one is Paper Smooches Sparks: Cool Shades Challenge.

Great summer time colors, aren't they?  Well, I pulled out my PS stamp sets and was drawn to the Boob Tube set.  I already knew that I wanted to stamp my own background.  I've also been wanting to use some of my colored embossing powders on black card stock.  So.  When I saw the challenge colors on a black background, well...this is the result.

I used 3 different EP's on the black card stock. Citron, turquoise & pool party.  For the retro TV set, I placed the stamped sentiment behind a piece of acetate.  The antenna is a piece of silver cord.  Then I used a couple of the new Candy Dots from Stampin' Up! for the little knobs on the TV.
Lots of fun!  Let me know what you think.  Ok?
Later!

Supply list ~
Card stock: basic black, daffodil delight, lucky limade (SU), clear acetate from the packaging of a stamp set
Stamps: boob tube, sentiment sampler (Paper Smooches)
Ink: onyx black, versamark (Tsukineko)
Other: citron ep (Recollections), tempting turquoise, pool party (SU), green candy dots (SU), classic ovals large die (Spellbinders), silver cord (The Ribbon Store), corner rounder (Photo Max)

Happy Birthday - Dynamic Duos #58

Hey, it's Saturday...finally!  It's time for Dynamic Duos #58 color challenge.  Take a look at the colors Lesley chose for us this week.

I have to admit, when I first saw this combo I thought of autumn.  Very rich, warm earth tones.  But since summer just arrived, I'm not ready for autumn yet!  So I used the colors with a nice bright white cardstock for a light summery feel.

I was happy to get the chance to use my Stampin' Up! tangerine tango embossing powder.  For so long I had only neutral embossing powders - what was I thinking?  When SU introduced these fun bright colors, I had to snap them up!
Anyway, I colored in just a few hearts and loops with my cajun craze marker.  The sentiment is embossed in white. Then I added a few pearls and popped up the sentiment panel with foam tape.
I hope you'll play along with us this week.  Each week I'm so amazed at all of the beautiful entries in our challenges.  I would love to see what you create!
Thanks for taking a look today.

Supplies list ~
Card stock: white (PTI), cajun craze (SU)
Ink: cajun craze (SU), versamark (Tsukineko)
Stamps: quilled elegance (PTI)
Other: tangerine tango & white embossing powder (SU), white pearls (Recollections)

Flowers from the garden - Dynamic Duos #57

Hey, another Saturday post with Dynamic Duos!  This week it's Dynamic Duos #57.  We have a very striking color combo for you this week.  And...there is a "dessert" option.  Just take a look.

Uh huh.  I told you, didn't I?  So, if you choose to, you can use the Dessert Option of Plant Theme, along with these great colors.  I have a new die that I wanted to play with, and it fits this theme perfectly (I think so, anyway!).  I recently won a gift certificate from one of the online stores, so this die was one of the items I chose.
Here's my card.

I used a Spellbinders die to cut the rectangular opening in my card base.  The green panel was stamped using Versamark, then the die cut tulips were glued to it.  I adhered that panel behind the "window", after stamping my sentiment.  I felt the card still needed something.  I finally cut 3 very narrow strips of cardstock and adhered them below the window.
I hope you'll play along with all us at Dynamic Duos.  We love to see what you create!

The DD Design Team:

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:

Cardstock: basic black, pear pizzazz (SU)

Ink: versamark (Tsukineko), pear pizzazz (SU), onyx black Versafine (Tsukineko)

Stamps: in the background-flair (CTMH), flowers (CSS)

Die: tulip (Memory Box), long classic rectangle large (Spellbinders)

Other: tombow multi glue, scor-tape

Sharing a publication!

I can finally share a bit of news with you.  Over the Christmas and New Year Holidays, I had a bit more time to stamp.  So I decided it was time to take a close look at the latest Call for Submissions from Paper Crafts Magazine and jump back into submitting for publication.  I submitted 8 cards.  Well, my favorite of the bunch was accepted!  My card appears in the current issue...the July/August 2013 edition.  I might be just a little excited!

I'm allowed to show you one photo.  But, you'll have to buy a copy of the mag...or subscribe to the digital edition to see the details.  Anyway, here's my published card!

Edited to add:  I forgot to include a pic of the magazine cover.  Here it is!

And HERE is where you can click to order a copy of the magazine.  Or you can subscribe HERE.
Thanks for taking a look!

Happy Anniversary - FMS 89 - CFC104 - MIM 119

Hi, I hope you're enjoying your Saturday!  A quick post today, to share I card I created for the Freshly Made Sketches 89.  It's been quite a while since I played along.  I was asked to create a 50th wedding anniversary card, and this sketch was a great starting point for my card!
Here's the sketch.

*Edited to add: One of my friends reminded me that the challenge at CAS-ual Fridays, CFC104 is banners and flags.  So, I'm entering my card in the CFC104 challenge also.

*ETA: I'm also entering my card in Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday 119 Challenge.  Flagged borders!

My card.

I decided to use just ivory and gold for this 50th wedding anniversary card.  The card looks fairly simple doesn't it?  Well...not so much.  I spent almost 3 hours on it.  Yikes.  My fingers and brain were not playing well together today.
Now that it's finished, I'm pleased with the results though.
I used gold embossing powder, brushed gold card stock and a piece of gold cord...along with naturals ivory card stock.
Well, I've got to go.  I still need to make a Father's Day card, so  I'd better start now.  You know, it might take me all week to complete it.  Grrr!
Thanks for taking a look today.  I appreciate your visit!

Supplies list ~
Card stock: naturals ivory, brushed gold (SU)
Ink: versamark
Stamps: background basics - wrought iron, beautiful butterflies (PTI)
Die: number time trio (PTI)
Other: gold cord, foam tape, scor-tape, tombo multi glue

Let your dreams take flight. - Dynamic Duos Challenge #56

Hi!  It's Saturday, so that means we have a  new color challenge for you.  Dynamic Duos #56 uses a color combination that is SO pretty.  Well, maybe I say that every week, huh?  :)   Lesley really does come up with the best color combos!

I could hardly wait to make my card for this week's challenge.  I wanted to use blushing bride as my primary color, with just a few accents in soft suede.  This is what I created.

Yes, these feathers were made using the same templates as the one I used in THIS post.  I really enjoyed using that template, so I just had to pull it out again.  Had to!
I traced the 2 feather templates onto a hymn page, then cut them out.  I sponged some ink onto the edges of each feather.  I love the soft look it created.  I'm not sure how well you can see in the photos, but I used a sheet music impression plate on the white panel.
Anyway, I loved working with these colors.  So I hope you'll join me, and the rest of the design team, and play along with us!  Here is another link to the challenge blog.

P.S. I'll be placing this card in my Etsy Shop.

The DD Design Team:

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: soft suede, blushing bride, whisper white (SU)

Ink: blushing bride, soft suede (SU)

Stamps: happy trails (PTI)

Other: sheet music impression plate (PTI), 6mm sequins (CCartwrights), hymn page, foam tape, scor-tape

Dynamic Duos #55 - Shoes!

Happy Saturday!  I've created something a little different for this Dynamic Duos Challenge #55.  If you've followed my blog for a while, you've seen some of the shoes I've created from card stock or patterned paper.  Well, it's been a while...so I decided to pull out the template and see if I still remember how.  I do!

These are the colors that Lesley chose for this week.  So pretty, aren't they?

My shoes ~

I'm pleased with how these turned out, but it took me quite a while to make them.  It seems I was a little out of practice!  I created each flower from 5 die cuts.  I folded each die cut in half, then in half again. I stapled the tip with my tiny attacher, then hot-glued these to a 3/4" circle of card stock. The 5th folded die cut was glued into the center, where the points of the others meet.  It might sound difficult, but it wasn't.

I'll be listing these shoes in my Etsy shop soon.  Here's the link.

I hope you like my project for this week's challenge.  Now, I hope you'll click over to my team mate's blogs and check out their creations.  They're all so very talented AND a fun group of crafters to play with!

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:

Card stock: raspberry ripple, wisteria wonder (SU)

Dies/punches: beautiful blooms die set (PTI), 3/4" round punch (SU)

Template: high heel shoe template (EllenHutson.com)

Other: clear gems (The Paper Studio), tim holtz tiny attacher, hot glue gun