Die cuts and Stencils Thank You

Hi Everyone!

Welcome back to my blog! I hope you all had a great weekend. I am back with another card using masking with die cuts and stencils. This card uses the mask of the die cut in the center to keep it protected while I stipple brushed distress inks in the background. For this one, I used Chipped Sapphire, Peeled Paint and Iced Spruce. Honestly, when I first thought about these colors together, I wasn’t quite sure I was go into like it! They just sounded very odd together. I should know by now, however, to just trust Kristina Werner’s keen color sense because I LOVE this color combination so much!

After adding a soft layer of color, I layered the swirl stencil from Hero Arts and secured it in place with some purple tape and added a darker layer of the same ink colors. I die cut the U several times which is from  an old Verve Stamps set and then stamped the Coordinating “U” stamp in Chipped Sapphire. I layered them all together for a “chipboard” type letter. I stamped the “thank” part of the sentiment which is from the same set in Iced Spruce and then layered it on the U as shown.; and then adhered it in the center of the die cut. I added a layer of diamond stickles to make it all sparkly and shiny.
That wraps it up for me today! Have a great start to your week and I will see you all again soon!

Challenges:

1. Crafty Calendars: Anything Goes (2nd Entry)
2. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends: Anything Goes (2nd Entry)
3. The Corrosive Challenge Blog: Anything Goes (3rd Entry)
4,  Dare to be Artsy Challenge: Anything Goes: (3rd Entry)
5. Get Creative Challenges: Anything Goes (2nd Entry)
6. Pammie’s Inky Pinkies: Anything Goes

CASE Study 4th Anniversary

Hi Everyone!

Inspiration Piece from Julee 

I was very excited when I stumbled upon the CASE study 4th Anniversary blog hop and challenge. I was so inspired by all the lovely creations I saw while completing the blog hop and commenting. I decided to play along and CASE this card from Julee Tillman over at Poetic Artistry. I was inspired by a number of elements in Julee's card. First, the colors and soft grungy-ness look of the card. Second, I liked the skewed panel in the front as well.

In order to replicate the background, I got out my distress inks and blending tools and got all inky and experimented and threw stuff away and experimented again and finally ended up with a couple of backgrounds I liked. I used the following distress inks for the backgrounds: Antique Linen, Worn Lipstick, Victorian Velvet; and Pumice Stone for the bottom layer. For the top layer, I used Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint, Scattered Straw and Pumice Stone. I used Verve's "Build a Poppy" set and mixed and matched some more distress inks and used the dies in the set  to cut them out. I layered the panels on to a piece of Fine Linen (PTI) card stock cut to
4 1/4 x 5 1/2 which I scored and folded from the top. I then added some liquid pearls for embellishments, and sequins to the center of the flowers. Finally, I added a bit of sparkle to the flowers with my wink of Stella pen.
I also decided to enter this card into the Diva Dare Challenge over at Verve where they are showcasing cards that celebrate! 

Challenges for this card today from Paper Playful:

1.Crafty Girls Challenge: Anything Goes

2.Quoth the Raven: Anything Goes (non cute)

3.Scrapbooker PhD: Die cuts and Sparkle (the poppies and leaves are all die cut)

4.Kraftin Kimmie: Anything Goes

5. Inky Impressions: Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me today. Have a great evening and I'll see you again soon! 

Mojo Monday: Coffee and Friends

Hi Everyone!

I am so thankful that I brought my Nook and keyboard to my son's doctor appointment today since they are running 2 hours behind!! I mean, seriously...how ridiculous is that?!

Well, at least I can be productive and blog a little. This is my card for yesterday's Mojo Monday sketch. This sketch was super fun to play with because it was easy and worked well with pattern papers. I could definitely see myself using it again. Oh and hopefully you can tell that the picture quality has improved a bit too. I finally found a place with some decent lighting and a good "on the go" photo editing app. I think the results turned out rather well, if I do say so myself!
I added lots of distressing and inking to the edges of the panels in hopes to make it warmer and inviting which is the feel I was going for especially considering that I will be giving this card to a friend along with some coffee and some chocolates.
I also found some fun challenges for this card:

1. Anything Goes Challenge: Anything goes (optional Coffee Break theme)
2. Loves Rubber Stamps Challenge: Anything Goes
3 Papertake Weekly: Anything Goes
4. Top Tip Tuesday: Embossing
5. Crafty Cardmakers : 1 image, 2 patterned papers, 3 embellishments
6. Mojo Monday: Sketch
7. The Pink Elephant Challenge: texture

That is all for me today! Thank you so much for visiting with me! Until next time....

Supplies:
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Terracotta Tile, Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink) 
             My Mind's Eye Stella Rose
Inks:  Rusty Hinge, Tumbled Glass and Vintage Photo Distress Inks
Stamps: "Delightful and Delicious" Verve Stamps
Accessories: Geometric Rings embossing folder, brads, button

Just Because You're You....

Good Morning Everyone!


Well, I just couldn't resist CASEing another one of Teresa's card. I won't be submitting this one to the Diva Dare Challenge because I've already put in the one from yesterday. Still, it just didn't seem like CASEing only one card was nearly enough! I was very intrigued by this beautiful card in Teresa's Verve gallery. I decided to see if I could do it any justice. I chose some beautiful fall colors as well as some pattern papers from the Basic Grey's "Indian Summer" collection. I embossed the bottom piece of Rust paper with my Inkadinkado polka dot stamp and copper embossing powder. I  stamped the flowers from Verve's Sunny Days collection on watercolor paper using Firebrick Red and Rusty Hinge Distress inks. I sprayed the paper with a little mist of water and then used my aqua painters to blend in some of the colors. I cut the flowers out and edged them both with some Walnut Stain ink. I cut the center panels using Label One Nestabilities. I embossed the top layer using the Birds and Swirls embossing folder and then used my blending tool and some Rusty Hinge Distress ink to go over it. I also edged the outer rim of the Pumpkin Pie Label. I stamped the leaves with Crushed Olive and cut them out using the Leafy Springs Die. I stamped the sentiment from Verve's Circular Sayings on a 1 1/4" circle and mounted it on a Pumpkin Pie circle measuring 1 3/8"


Lots of Challenges for this Fall Card:




1. Crafting For All Seasons: Fall Colors


2. I Brake for Challenges: Fall


3. Paper Shelters: Anything Goes


4. Penny's Paper Crafting: Fall


5. Scrapbook Sisters: Autumn Colors


6. Simon Says Stamp: (and show) some dies/and or punches

7. Four Crafty Chicks: Autumn

8. Paper Play Challenges: Autumn Leaves

9. Southern Girls Challenges: Anything Goes

10. Stampin B's: Use 2 or more Spellbinder's to make your card

Verve Diva Dare!

Hello!

Yes, I'm back again with ANOTHER Verve creation. I know, I know you are probably getting tired of seeing these; but I am just having way too much fun with my new stamps. I am actually on my way out the door, so I am here very quickly to share my card for the current "Diva Dare" challenge going on. This month's Diva Dare was to "Case a Diva" As soon as I saw this challenge, I knew immediately that I was going to case something from the AMAZING Diva Teresa Kline. Teresa's gorgeous creations are just beyond drool worthy! She has always been one of my favorite crafters and I do so enjoy her work. I had the best time looking through her Verve gallery and fell in love with this gorgeous creation. Now, as you can see I went in the polar opposite direction of Teresa as it relates to the color palette choosing to do fun pastel colors instead of the dark neutrals that Teresa used. I did, however, try to maintain the rest of the elements of the card as best I could. I think it turned out pretty well. I hope she likes it and I hope you to do.
Have a great day!

New Verve Mojo

Good Morning!

I got some new Verve stamps the other day and I couldn't wait to play with them! What better thing to do use them for than this week's Mojo Monday Sketch! I'll admit, the slanted panels threw me a little bit; but I think I mastered them pretty well. I used Verve's Sunny Days, the Graph Paper Plain Jane, and Where Flowers Bloom. I also used the Leafy Springs Cut above Die. This was my first time using the Verve Dies and I have to tell ya...they are AWESOME!! So easy and so fun to use.
The patterned papers are from My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Collection: Madison Avenue. This papers are so pretty and easy to use. I coordinated it with some dark brown, Blushing Bride, Kraft and Vintage Cream card stocks. I distressed the edge of the card with some Walnut Stain Distress ink. The "buttons" in the center of two of the flowers are stamps from the Sunny Days collection that I added a couple of layers of Crystal Effects to make them shiny.
Anyhow, so lots of fun playing with my new Verve! I ordered a ton of stuff, so don't be surprised to see lots of Verve Creations this week!!

A few challenges for this card:

Mojo Monday: Sketch
Make it Monday: Anything Goes
Kaboodle Doodles: Layers
Stamp with Fun: Anything Goes
Anything Goes Challenge: Anything Goes
Scrap-Creations: Anything Goes

Have a great day!

Thanks a Latte!

Hi Everyone!

I hope you all had a great weekend! Ours was nice and relaxing, with a little bit of football, Wii time, movie time and lots of playing!
Before I get to today's card, I just want to make a quick note of a change I've made here to my blog. As you noticed, when you arrived here today, I've set some music to play automatically. It's the video over there on the right hand side. I decided to just give it a try and see how I like it. It'll only play one time, so don't worry. If you don't want to hear the song, by all means just click the pause button and that will stop it. I will only put beautiful instrumental music here, so don't worry Lady Gaga will not come blaring out of speakers unexpectedly when you arrive! Each Monday I will choose a new song for the week. The prior videos will be listed underneath the "Inspirational Song" page tab at the top. You can read that page also for more information about where and how I select the songs.

Ok, so on to today's card. I made this card for the Viva La Verve's September Sketch Challenge: week 2: I used Cameo Coral, Fine Linen and pattern papers from Basic Grey's "Hopscotch" collection. The Scalloped Circle, 2 regular circles and the rounded rectangle were cut using my cricut and various SVG files. I stamped the coffee cup from Verve's "Delightful and Delicious" set on watercolor paper and then used Antique Linen and Tattered Rose distress inks to color it in. I added Coffee Bean Sparkly Fluff from Our Craft Lounge to the coffee for a little texture. The sentiment was stamped with Rich Cocoa ink by Memento.
The inside of the card was done very simply and I took a quick picture of that as well.
As you can see from the list below, I went a little challenge happy with this card! So, I better get busy and start linking it up. I hope you all have a fabulous day, and I'll see you tomorrow!

I Did it Creations: Anything Goes
One Stitch at a Time: Anything Goes
Stamp Something: Anything Goes
The Friday Mashup: Stitching
My Mum's Craft Shop: Lots of Layers
Little Red Wagon: Die Cuts (I used my Cricut and SCAL software to cut the scalloped circle, the 2 regular circles and the rounded rectangle for the sentiment
Catch the Bug: Punches and Die Cuts
Stamp Scrap and Doodle: Thank you
Paper Sundaes: Finishing Touches (complete the inside)
Pile it on: Layers

Delightful and Delicious Gift Basket

Hi Everyone!

TGIF on this last Friday of summer vacation! Only two days left for lazy sleep in days. I think the only person in my family that's going to have difficulty with that is Reagan!

Ok, so today I want to share with you the last two pieces of this gift set I have been working on and then show you how I brought it all together with the gift basket. This is the second basket I have done. Some of you may remember the last basket set I did. I will be sending this one to my mom as a gift and as a possible promotional item in her office, as I would very much like to figure out a way to perhaps to start selling them! It's a work in progress that I'm still trying to figure out all the details.
As you can see, I obviously kept the papers, patterns and colors the same throughout the basket and more images from Verve's "Delightful and Delicious" set. I've already shown you the altered notebook, and the simple note card set. Here I have the gift card holder, and the post it note holder. Now, I must tell you that I have looked everywhere (but Staples, which is where I know they are....) for the little mini gel pens that will fit with holder. Believe it or not, there isn't a Staples close to where I live; but I know there is one where my mom lives, so I'll just have her pick up one for me.
I also included a small Ghiradelli chocolate treat box as well; but I forgot to take a picture of it! You can see it in the front of the basket there though, it's the little box that says "Sweet Treats"
As you can see, I took two pictures for you of the basket. One so you could see how I arranged it and then one with it all pretty and wrapped up with the bows.

It's been a few days since I've linked to any challenges; so I wanted to make sure and do that today. Lots of Anything Goes Challenges this time! Anyhow, enjoy your weekend and be sure to check back with me on Monday, as I hope to have some REALLY REALLY good news to share with you!!!
Challenges:
Art Impressions Stamps: Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey: Anything Goes
Shelly's Images: Anything Goes
Stamp Insanity: Anything Goes
Creative Belli Blog: Gingham (I have the little strip of red gingham ribbon (from Lil Davis Designs) that is on the gift card holder FOREVER....seriously like almost 7 years!
Joyful Stamper: Inspire Me Friday

You Rock

Hi Everyone!

Well, I don't know about all of you, but my weekend sure was busy! We did all of our back to school shopping for supplies and clothes on Saturday because I absolutely REFUSE to be part of the chaos that will be tax-free weekend next Saturday! No thank you!! I will pay the $10 in taxes and save my sanity. I was exhausted Saturday evening and swore I wasn't leaving the house on Sunday and the next thing I knew...zip zam zoom Reagan and I were back at JC Penney yesterday afternoon and then Barnes and Noble!
Then this morning, we did the dreaded trip to the immunizations clinic and 2 of the 3 needed vaccines, Ugh! So, anyhow it's all done and everyone should be rip roaring ready to go for the first day of school next week.
Didn't have any time to stamp this weekend, so I am very glad I was able to do this card on Friday. This is for the third week of Verve Stamps Viva La Verve Sketch Challenge for the month of August over on SCS. Last week they had a fantastic blog hop showcasing their new Verve Sets which were released on Friday. Although I wasn't able to buy anything (yet!!) I was truly inspired by all the fantastic creations that the Verve Divas had for us to see. They really gave me some wonderful ideas and I think the end result turned out pretty well!
I started out with some pattern papers from My Mind's Eye Stella Rose Collection (Mabel). I used my Cricut for the Lace Circle. I used Ruby Red, Aqua Mist and Yellow for the coordinating colors. I stamped the large tag image from Verve's "Sweet Treats" set 3 times using Ruby Red, So Saffron and Cool Caribbean Ink and then layered them at an angle on the front of the card. I wrapped some embroidery floss around the strip of card stock to the left and then gathered it at the bottom and secured it with the flower and button/thread embellishment. I added the three little hearts and brad in the corner for a bit of a balancing piece in the top right corner. I also wanted to add a little something extra, so I added some gold stickles in the little loops on the cut out circle.

Challenges:
Fun with Shapes: Die Cuts, Punches and Twine
Inspire Me Fridays: Anything Goes
Jellypark Challenges: Use your favorite embellishment. I love flowers and buttons.
The Stamp Man: Anything goes with Summer Colors
One Stitch at a Time: Anything Goes

Up Up and Away with Birthday Wishes

Hi Everyone!

I'm back as I said I would be earlier with my crafty creation for today. I posted another non-crafty blog earlier today about my favorite things. Scroll down after this to read it! I used Verve's Viva La Verve Sketch from SCS for my inspiration today. I thought the balloons from "Up Up and Away" would be a cute way to put something inside the oval. I seem to be in the mood to make somewhat simpler cards lately. Well, simple for me I suppose! Anyhow, thanks for looking! Have a great weekend and I'll see ya'll on Monday!!


Challenges:

Delightful Challenges: Stitching

Sassy Studios: Use a sentiment on the front of your card

For Fun Challenges: Anything Goes

Card Making Mamas: Birthday Card

Inspire me Fridays: Anything Goes

Raise the Bar: Anything Goes

The Stamp Man Challenge: Stitching

Treasured Friend Gift Basket

Hi Everyone!!

Well, I am so so excited to be able to share this project with you. I made this basket of goodies to take to a special friend in my life while I'm on vacation this week. Actually, she's more than just a friend, she's my sister-in-law and I just think the world of her. I decided to make this for her just as a little surprise for her when we visit next next week. Now, I decided to take pictures of each separate elements of the basket, as well as pictures of the completed basket.
The first items in the basket are an altered journal that I made using OCL's "Treasured Friend" stamp set. Jennifer's favorite colors are aquas and greens and she's from Florida, so I just figured that the beach theme would be perfect for her. I also made a matching pen to go with it. I made a gift card holder as well using more pattern papers from DCWV "Linen Closet" mat stack


The next items in the basket are a gift card holder, and then a bookmark. I took two pictures of the bookmark, so you could see how it opens. It just goes on the corner of your page. I got this adorable idea from Kelly Rasmussen's blog during the Studio Calico/Hero Arts Blog hop last week. So cute and easy! Be sure to stop by her blog to see her sample and also for the instructions. She took a picture of it on a book as well, so you can really see how it's used.
Next, I made 5 note cards for her to be able to send to people for various occasions as she needs them. I embossed the bases with various cuttlebug embossing folders and then used Label 11 Nestabilities and Stampin Up's "Sincere Salutations" for the sentiments.
The final item in the basket is a little tea bag holder which has two bags of her favorite tea. The sentiment on the front is from Verve Stamps "Delightful and Delicious." I took a picture of the inside and the outside. Now, I must apologize because the outside picture is
terribly blurry; and I didn't realize that until too late.
The last two pictures are pictures of the completed basket, one before the final wrapping and one with the wrapping


Ok, so on to the challenges for the different elements of the basket:

1. Art Impressions Stamps: Stitching (I used real stitching on the bookmark)

2. Aud Sentiments: Use a sentiment that would make someone smile or enjoy their day. (I think the sentiment on the journal and the bookmark both fit this requirement!)

3. Craft us Crazy: Anything Goes

4. Crafty Purple Frog: Water inspired (Beach scene on the Altered Journal)

5. Shelly's Images: Anything Goes

Now, as I indicated at the beginning of my post, I will be out of town next week, so no blogging for me! Have a fabulous week and I will see you all soon!!

Just a little Thank You Mojo

Hello Crafting World!

How are you all today? It is looking to be another very very hot day here in San Antonio. I do so wish it would rain, it is so dry and everything is just dead. It's awful! They say we might get some tomorrow; but I'm not holding my breath!
So, yesterday was one of those guilty pleasure days for me! I crafted and watched Netflix pretty much all day and it was FABULOUS!! I just started watching the show "Saving Grace" I had never had a chance to watch it when it was on TNT; but I am enjoying it now!
Ok, well I know you're not here to listen me to babble on about my TV addiction! Now, as you can see my card for today is fairly simple; but it took me Forever to do because I just took my time and enjoyed doing it, which is also why I didn't get a chance to post it yesterday.
I used Ocean Tide, Summer Sun, Aqua Mist, and an olive green type paper that just matched! So, here are the challenges for this card:

1. Mojo Monday: Sketch

2. Bows and Berries: thank you or appreciation cards

3. Make it Monday: Anything Goes

4. There She Goes: Use 3 different stamp sets. I used Inkadinkado Polka Dot background stamp which I embossed with clear embossing powder, Hero Arts "Everyday Sayings" for the sentiment which I embossed with white powder and Verve's "Up, Up and Away" which I colored with various Copic Markers (BG10, Y35, YG03)

5. Creative Inspirations Challenge: Stitching. I did real stitching around the Summer Sun piece and faux stitching with my white pen around the Ocean Tide base of the card.

6. Pile it On: Show some Metal. I added four gold brads to the balloon stamp.

7. Quirky Crafts: Recipe Box. I chose the "Embossing" "Four brads" and " a stamped image" for my three squares.

Ok, so that's all for me today. I'm off to link up my card and visit a few blogs before I do some more productive things for the day, even though they won't be nearly as fun!! Enjoy your day everyone and I'll see you tomorrow or Wednesday.

Hi!

I hope you all had a good day yesterday. I actually made both of these cards yesterday; but just did not get a chance to get them posted until today. I am actually off to Tyler's first gymnastics competition this afternoon! We are very excited!
So here are the details and challenges for the cards:

For the first card, I used Ripe Avocado, Fine Linen, Melon Berry and White (all PTI) for my color combination. I used the Birds and Swirls cuttlebug embossing folder on the Fine Linen piece. I then took some Tea Dye distress ink and a blending tool and went over the embossed area. I used peeled paint around the edges. The image stamps are from a set of Clear Dollar Stamps I have that I stamped using various chalk inks.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

1. 4 Crafty Chicks and Rubber Cafe: Stitching (real or faux)

2. CCEE: Swirls

3. Craft Us Crazy: Nature

4. Shelly's Images: Lots of Layers

5. Stamp Insanity: Texture (for this one I used the embossing folders and then I also added some texture on the Melon Berry piece by adding some chalk ink and then spritzing it with water, crumpling it up and then adding some more colors while it was wet. It's hard to see in the photo, though!)

6. Eat, Sleep, Stamp: Sketch

The second card I also uploaded to my SCS gallery for sketch #2 for March's Viva La Verve challenge.

I decided not to enter this one into any challenges: but I hope that you like it!

Showing my Verve

Hi Everyone!

I am here today to share a couple of quick cards I made yesterday using my new Verve Stamps "Up, Up and Away" Believe it or not, I am not linking these to any challenges because amazingly enough I couldn't really find any that I could link them to.

For the first card, I chose a bright fun color scheme using some new colors that I got from PTI. Orange Zest, Hawaiin shores and Simply Chartreuse. I embossed the blue background piece with the Argyle Embossing folder. I did some score lines on the green piece; but they didn't show up well in the photo. I used Label 8 Nestabilities for the main image panels and then stamped the images in Rich Cocoa ink by Memento and colored with Copics. The two small butterflies are from a Penny Black stamp set I have.
The second card I have to share today is for the first week of March's Viva La Verve Sketch challenge going on over at SCS. I am excited about participating in this challenge for the first time and I am looking forward to the next sketch which will be posted on Friday!
This card is definitely one for the boys with all the blue and green. I used Enchanted Evening, Spring Rain and New leaf for this card. I stamped the balloons win Tuxedo Black ink by Memento and then colored them with Copic Markers. I stamped the words in the center of the balloons and then covered each one with some crystal affects to give them a nice shiny look. The picture is a bit tilted because I had to take the photo from an odd angle so that the shine didn't reflect off the balloons. Anyhow, it was a very simple card; but one that I think still turned out well.
Have a great day!

Thanks a Latte (for new stamps)

Hi Everyone!

I was so excited when I went and checked the mail yesterday because I got new goodies in the mail!! Yay!! After months and months of playing along with Mojo Monday sketches, I finally ordered some stamps from Verve. They are so awesome and I can't wait to create a ton of new things with them.
My card for today uses the set "Delightful and Delicious" and I adore it! I used Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream, and Kraft from PTI and Mellow Moss from Stampin Up. I used a polka dot background stamp by Inkadinkado for the kraft panels which I embossed with ersa mark and White Embossing powder from American Crafts.
I am entering this card into the following challenges today:

1. Stampin Royalty: Sketch

2. ABC Challenge: O is for Ovals

3. The Paper Variety: Stitching

4. Sisterhood of Crafters: Ribbon and Brads

5. Simon Says Stamp: Coffee and Cream

Have a great afternoon everyone, and don't forget to leave a comment if you haven't yet this week so you can be eligible to become a "Delightful Daisy" this week. Tomorrow will be the last week this month before I draw the winner for the $15 gift Certificate to Two Peas in a Bucket!