Enjoy your special day - RS#99

Ok.  I promise not to whine in this post.  In case you didn't see it...or if you're even interested, click HERE to read my previous post.

I'm playing along with the current sketch at Retro Sketches rs#99.  Linking up with just a few hours to spare!

I created a masculine birthday card for a family member.

I used my Tipped Tops dies from PTI for the kraft and patterned paper layers. Before adhering the patterned paper, I took some Heidi Swapp bronzer color shine and splattered it onto the card.  If you look close you can see the shimmer.  I stamped my sentiment on a round die-cut tag, then added a bit of linen thread.  That's about it!

Thanks so much for stopping in; I love visitors. :)

Supply list ~
Card stock: kraft (PTI), old olive, naturals ivory (SU)
Ink: early espresso (SU)
Stamps: tiny tags, tiny tags II (PTI)
Patterned paper: this & that 6 x 6 pad (Echo Park)
Dies: tipped tops, tremendous tags (PTI)
Other:  linen thread (SU), bronzer color shine by Heidi Swapp (Pink Paislee)

TGIF? Not exactly.

I had big plans for this Friday at home.  Oh yes.  Laundry and stamping.  Ahhh, I couldn't wait to get started.  Workout done.  Breakfast done.  Next stop...my craft table.

Not exactly.

My DH called for an appointment at the optometrist.  Wow, they had an opening in 1/2 hour.  Great!
Except he asked to go with him, to help choose new frames.  Hmmm.  Ok.  How could I say no?  He's such a sweetheart.

Anyway, while we were out we did all of the errands on our "going into town" list.  I finally sat down to stamp around 11 a.m.  Oh, just got going on my card...time to make lunch.

So, I did finally complete 2 cards.  While I was stamping I heard water running.  The water softener recharging in the middle of the day???    Crap.  What's wrong with that thing?  Ok, it will complete it's cycle in about 2 hours.  We can put up with it.

Ummm.  Two hours later and waiting.  What is going on?  My husband went downstairs (basement) looking around to see what might be going on.  Uh oh...his socks got wet.  NO!!!!!!!!!!

When he told me where the water was, I suspected foul play by a critter.  There is an outside water spigot on that side of the house....above the wet area in the basement.  Sure enough, the water had been running from that spigot for TWO HOURS and had seeped into the basement.  I saw large dog paw prints across our front porch and behind the shrubs and past the spigot, which has a lever handle instead of a round one.  Easily brushed against by a large dog.   Arrrgggghhhh!

Well, instead of editing card photos and blogging I've been in the basement for the last half hour, doing water clean up.

What happened to my Friday???

Sorry, no card in this post.  Just a little venting.  Thanks for listening.

It's a Chevron Birthday Challenge!

I was so happy to see that our new challenge at Seize The Birthday Challenge has a Toppings option to use CHEVRONS!

 Remember that the Topping is optional, so if you're not in a Toppings mood, the choice is yours!  An "Anything Goes" Birthday is just fine.  We just hope you'll play along!

There are so many directions to go, using chevrons.  So I looked to Pinterest for a few ideas...looking for something a little out of the ordinary.  THIS fascinating iPhone case was the photo that kept pulling my back.  Go ahead.  Click over and take a look.  Just promise you'll come right back!

Here's my take on a fun chevron birthday card.  Sponging and stamping!

 I'm very pleased with the final results.  But, I have to admit...this card took sooooo long to create.  I had sponged the panel and started to create chevrons with a handmade stencil.  Well, I'll spare you the details.   But, that homemade stencil was NOT the way to go!   I sponged a new panel and started over, using this distressed chevron stamp from Close To My Heart.  Much better results.  Trust me!

I hope you'll join me and my super-talented team mates at Seize The Birthday for this chevron "Toppings" challenge.  I can't wait to see what you create!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supply list ~
Card stock: whisper white (SU) white (PTI)
Ink: fired brick, rusty hinge, spiced marmalade, antique linen, peacock feathers (distress inks my Ranger), smokey gray, onyx black (Versafine)
Stamps: in the background flair (Close To My Heart), signature greetings (PTI)
Other: blender tool and foam pads (Ranger)

Sending Love...just for you - 2 Challenges

Hello!  A second post today.  That hasn't happened lately, has it?  :)

I made a Valentine card for one of my Aunts today.  I'm entering it in 2 challenges that I haven't played in for quite a while.  I feel like I'm finally getting back into my stamping "groove".  There has just been so much going on in my life these past 3 months.  It finally feels like we're getting into some kind of "normal" again.

Well.  Enough about me.  You're here for the card, right???

Here are the challenges:

Seize The Sketch - STS #12

ColourQ - CQC #225

I have to admit...I struggled with these colors for a while.  After a couple of experiments, this is what I created.

I'm sure happy that I kept trying.  I'm kinda liking the end result!

Lots of layers on this card and a bit of texture, too.  AND I used some long-neglected ribbon.  By the way, the little die cut note pulls out of the envelope.  I wrote my Aunt's name on it.  I think she'll like this!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supply list ~
Card stock: chocolate chip, cameo coral, white, always artichoke (SU)
Ink: early espresso, cameo coral, always artichoke, cherry cobbler (SU)
Stamps: handwritten sentiments (SSS), flowers (CSS)
Dies: tiny envelope, tag sale #7, lace impression plate (PTI)
Other: cherry cobbler seam binding ribbon (SU)

Be Mine - A Valentine card

Since I'm snowed in today, why not make a card?  Yes, indeed.

I'm playing along with the challenge at Just Us Girls #225.  It's been ages since I've joined in and when I saw the photo inspiration I knew I wanted to play...if I could find the time.  Well, I found the time today!

As I looked at the little photos, one of them really caught my eye.  Surprisingly, it wasn't one with bold pops of red.  That's what I would normally use for a Valentine card.  Nope.  It's the one in the lower right corner.  A framed gray or black heart.  It's just so elegant.

Here is my take on the inspiration.

I love when a plan comes together!  This card actually turned out exactly as I planned.  I know.  You're surprised, right?  Believe me, it doesn't happen all that often. :)

This card measures 5 1/2" x 5 1/2".  I wanted this to resemble a framed wall hanging.  I textured the card base with a linen impression plate before attaching the frame I created with a square die.  It's popped up on foam tape.  The stamped and die cut heart is also adhered with foam tape.

You can see that I added just a bit of red to my stamped heart.  It needed just a little "pop".  I also added a touch of Stardust clear glitter pen to that tiny red heart.

I'm glad that this card is going to my husband on Valentine's Day, because really want to keep it!

Thanks for taking a look today!

Supply list ~
Card stock: white (PTI)
Ink: smokey gray (Versafine), raspberry ripple (SU)
Stamps: with all my heart (PTI)
Dies: stitched mats:squares (Lil' Inker Designs), limitless layers hearts (PTI), linen impression plate (PTI)
Other: stardust clear glitter pen (Sakura)

Our Beautiful World: Week 31

Hello,

For a couple of months I've been following a blog titled Our Beautiful World.  The photographs, from around the world, are just beautiful.  Several times I've been tempted to link up and share one of my photos.  But...I hesitated.  I love taking photos, but I've never taken a photography class.  Complete novice, that's me!

When I saw this week's prompt, though, I immediately thought of a photo that I took on my husband's birthday a few years ago.  So...I'm linking up!

Our Beautiful World: Week 31.  The prompt is:

Fresh

The day started out with a good rain, not unusual in April.  By the time guests started to arrived for the birthday party the rain had stopped.  Immediately I noticed the rain drops on the tulips and I had to snap a few photos.

This one is my favorite.

I hope you'll follow the link to Our Beautiful World and take a look at the other links.

Seize The Birthday - Coloring!

Hi!  This is my first challenge as a Design Team member with Seize The Birthday!  We have a Toppings option of Coloring.  I'm so excited to be joining this wonderful team of ladies.  Click on the link above to meet the other DT members and read all the details of our challenges!

Let's get started!

For this challenge, it's time to get out your colored pencils, markers, or water colors and have fun!
It's up to you whether to add the "topping", so it's ok if you're not into coloring.  Just create a birthday card to play along with us!

I pulled out my Prismaclor Pencils and colored this flower field stamp from Stampendous.  It's been a while since I've colored and blended.  I'm thinking I need a little more practice, but I sure had fun with it!  After I finished coloring, I added a few swipes of Wink of Stella to a few of the flower petals.  I love the subtle glimmer that it adds.

I hope you'll join in with us for this challenge.  Here's a link to the January 16th Coloring Challenge!

Supply list ~
Card stock: whisper white, so saffron, pumpkin pie (SU)
Ink: early espresso (SU)
Stamps: P116 flower fields (Stampendous), handwritten sentiments (Simon Says Stamp)
Dies: stitched mats rectangles (Lil' Inker Designs)
Other: prismacolor pencils, gamsol, blending stumps

News to share!

I am thrilled to share a secret I've been keeping for a few weeks!  I've joined the Design Team at the  Seize the Birthday challenge blog!

It was such a surprise (and an honor) to receive an email from Nancy and Lesley inviting me to join this amazingly-talented team.   My first post with STB will be on January 16th.  Tomorrow!!! Each challenge runs for 2 weeks, so there is plenty of time to play along.  Wait til you see the fun challenges ahead for us!  I hope you'll join in the fun!

You make me smile! MIM #146

Brrrrrrrr.  The temp is 5 degrees F here in northern Illinois this afternoon (and dropping steadily)  They're forecasting a low of -18 tonight!  So, since my house cleaning was already done and a pot of chili had been made...I decided it was a perfect time to stamp.  Don't you agree?

I'm playing along with the current challenge at Papertrey Ink,  Make It Monday #146: Angled Backgrounds.  It's been ages since I played along.  I saw Ashley's video tutorial a few days ago and it looked like so much fun - and easy to do - so I gave it a try.  Loved it!

Here's what I created.

I decided to go slightly retro with my card.  I used some fun patterned papers by October Afternoon, then machine stitched them...zig zag, of course.  I added 2 little banners under my PTI doily die cut.
This was so much fun to make, and not difficult at all.  Go watch the video HERE and you'll see. :)

Thanks for taking a look!

Supply list ~
Card stock: pool party, whisper white, confetti cream (Stampin' Up!)
Stamps: signature greetings (PTI)
Ink: onyx black Versafine
Patterned papers: modern homemaker 8 x 8 pad (October Afternoon)
Dies: doily details die collection (PTI), stitched banner flag die (Lil' Inkers), corner chomper (We R Memory Keepers)

Happy for You - 2 Challenges

After finishing my housecleaning today, I rewarded myself with a little time at my craft table!  I've been looking forward to playing along with my friends Tara and Hayley at their brand new challenge blog.  Colour Me...!  This is their first challenge, CMCC No.1  I hope you'll follow the link and go check it out.  AFTER you take a look at my card, of course!

I'm also playing along with CAS(E) this sketch #58.

Here is my take on the 2 challenges.

I noticed the chevron element at the left side of the Colour Me! graphic, so that was my starting point.  I'm realizing now, that you really can't see the impression in these photos.  Believe me...it really is there.  I think I'll add a shim next time I use this plate.
I die cut Happy 3 times, then glued them together to get a nice chunky piece.  After adhering it to my card, I wanted even more dimension.  So I added the row of stars, popped up on foam tape.  That's better!
The "for you" sentiment is heat embossed.  Then I finished it all off with a few tiny pearls.

Thanks for taking a look.  Gotta' go!

Supply list ~
Card stock: island indigo, whisper white (SU)
Stamps: friend stamp set (Precious Remembrance Shop)
Ink: versamark
Other: faux pearls (Recollections), one liners Happy die (PTI), chevron impression plate (WPlus9), white embossing powder (SU)