Windstar Creations

Buttons and Bows at The Pixie Cottage

2012-02-22T01:00:00.001-06:00

Two and a half more weeks until my daughter's wedding. I keep getting asked if I am getting panicked and sometimes I wonder if I should be. I think we have been slowly working on things and getting things done that everything is just done, except for the cake and a few other last minute details. Once I get another camera I will take pictures and post everything.
So here we are with another Wednesday rolling around, and that means another challenge at The Pixie Cottage. This week it's Buttons and Bows. There is also the great sketch provided. So follow the theme or the sketch, or both! Come join us.

I used Copics to color Hanna on Stepping Stones by Sandra Hammer, available at Michelle's Scrapbooking. The image was cut /embossed with Spellbinders die and sponged with Distress Ink. All DP is Basic Grey Stella Ruby.

Stamps: Hannah on Stepping Stones from The Pixie Cottage.
Paper: Basic Grey Stella Ruby; The Paper Studio.
Ink: Memento, Copics, Distress Inks.
Accessories: Spellbinders Lacy Ovals die, Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish die, ribbon, buttons

Anything But a Card at The Pixie Cottage

2012-02-15T01:00:00.008-06:00

This week at The Pixie Cottage, the challenge is Anything But a Card. There is also a sketch to follow should you choose. Use the sketch or the them or both, but come join us for this week's challenge!
I saw one of these cute baskets back before Christmas somewhere in blogland, then I ran across it again here with this great tutorial. I thought it looked like one of those "fortune teller" paper fold up things we used to make and play with as a kid, and that's what it is!! How cute is that?!? A friend asked me to make some baskets for the tables at a bridal shower, with pink, brown and green as the colors, and she wanted it "funky but elegant". Ooooooookay. Not sure this fits into that description, but I got the colors right. All DP is My Mind's Eye, sponged with Distress Inks. I used the beautiful Faith Sentiments stamp from Michelle's Scrapbooking. The pink roses and top flower were handmade by me, and the other flowers at the base are from Michael's, spritzed with Glimmer Mist. Sorry about the poor picture quality, but my camera has gone MIA and I now have to use my cell phone, and no matter how I tried it would not focus on the sentiment.

Stamps: Pixie Cottage "Faith Sentiments" from Michelle's Scrapbooking.
Paper: The Paper Studio, My Mind's Eye.
Ink: Distress Inks, Memento.
Accessories: Martha Stewart punch, Spellbinders Labels Fourteen and Fleur-de-Lis Squares, handmade and purchased flowers.

Challenges
Make it Monday - Anything Goes
One Stitch at a Time - Anything Goes
Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes
If The Shoe Fits Scrap It - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Anything Goes

Pixie Cottage Challenge #106

2012-02-01T01:00:00.003-06:00

It's time for a Clean and Simple challenge at The Pixie Cottage. Every Wednesday is a new challenge, with a sketch and a theme. You can follow the sketch or the theme, or do both. Come join us! For this week's clean and simple challege, I followed both theme and sketch. I used Valentine Hannah by Sandra Hammer available at Michelle's Scrapbooking. I colored the image with Prismacolor pencils. Cut and embossed the image with Spellbinders Lacey Ovals, inked with Distress Ink. Sentiment (can't remember which company, because it fell off it's backing) was stamped with Colorbox Queues, then cut/embossed with Spellbinders Ribbon Banners and inked it with Distress Ink as well. The background DP is from DCWV Simple Elegance pack, and I photographed it so you can see the foil swirls.

Stamps: Valentine Hannah from The Pixie Cottage; (?) sentiment.
Paper: The Paper Studio, DCWV Simple Elegance, Neenah Solar White.
Ink: Colorbox Queues, Distress Ink.
Accessories: Spellbinders Lacey Ovals and Ribbon Banner dies, corner rounder/heart punch.

Truly Scrumptious - Love and Hearts.
Paper Sundaes - Valentines.
My Time to Craft - Adorable.

Love and Kisses at The Pixie Cottage

2012-01-25T01:00:00.025-06:00

How did another week go by so quickly?! I finished my daughter's veil and headpiece; plan to post pictures of both in next couple of days. I will also post a picture of the invitation, and eventually get each of the different favor boxes posted; there are 22 different ones, and I posted one way back here. Just need to get the rest up here.

Wednesday means another great challenge at The Pixie Cottage! This week's theme is "Love and Kisses". There is also the great sketch you can follow. Go with the theme or the sketch, or do both! I used this gorgeous digi image from the Pixie Cottage, called "A Bloom and Her Trio" by , available at Michelle's Scrapbooking. I was in a tinkering mood, so printed the image onto regular copy paper, then quick colored it with Prismacolor pencils. I spritzed the image with water and then smeared it around with my fingers. When it was almost dry, I sponged on some Distress Ink all around the image. I layered a piece of vellum over the image to give it a soft focus look, and cut both layers with Spellbinders Twelve. I cut the doily and inked the edges with Distress Ink. Put all the layers down, added the butterflies and the lady silhouette cutout.

Stamps: "A Bloom and Her Trio" by Artish, from The Pixie Cottage.
Paper: "Fairy Flora" by Prima, The Paper Studio CS and vellum.
Ink: Distress Ink.
Accessories: Cheery Lynn Designs French Pastry Doily die, Marianne D LR0139 Elegant Lady die, Spellbinders Big Scalloped Circles and Labels Twelve, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Stickles, flat back pearls.

The Pixie Cottage #104 - Embossing

2012-01-18T01:00:00.001-06:00

I have been MIA for several weeks. Life sometimes knocks the wind out of our sails temporarily, and I had a few days of feeling pretty ragged. My daughter, Shelbie, was home from December 24 and left late Sunday. I truly enjoyed her being home, and also seeing and hearing her and Tyler bantering with each other again. They are both such a joy. Shelbie and I managed to get quite a few wedding items taken care of checked off the list, the main thing being finishing all of the invitations and getting them mailed out. I also managed to get the earrings and necklaces for the bridesmaids made, Shelbie's veil finished, started on her headpiece. Got the fabric for the flower girls' dresses, and finally got the measurements for all five bridesmaids so I can get started on their dresses. March 10 will be before we know it!
So here we are again with another weekly challenge at The Pixie Cottage, this one being one of my favorite themes - embossing. There is also a wonderful sketch, and you can choose do follow the theme, the sketch or both. I have used the sweet Valentine Hannah by Sandra Hammer, available at Michelle's Scrapbooking. The image is colored with Copics, as well as the speckled background around it. All DP is Rhubarb Tart by Memory Box. The vine is a Cheery Lynn die that I cut apart. Can definitely say that die can hold up to repeated cuts...I have used it many times before, and also used it for the 250 wedding invitations, and it's still like new.

Stamps: Valentine Hannah from the Pixie Cottage.
Paper: Rhubarb Tart by Memory Box, The Paper Studio.
Ink: Memento, Copics.
Accessories: Spellbinders Deckled Oval, Deckled Rectangle, and Labels Twelve dies, Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish, embossing folder, corner rounder, gold leaf pen.

Challenges:
One Stitch at a Time: Anything Goes
Crafty Cardmakers: No Floral embellishments
My Time to Craft: Favorite embellishment (flourish)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE ! ! !

2011-12-25T06:11:00.000-06:00

May the peace and beauty of the season be with you always!

100th Challenge Blog Hop at The Pixie Cottage!!!!

2011-12-14T01:00:00.073-06:00

It's a very special challenge at ThE PixiE CottagE this week as we are celebrating our 100th challenge!

To mark this special occasion we are having an "Anything Goes Christmas" challenge and also a blog hop for some very special prizes!

You should have come to me from Davi Long Reid and if not, then please go back to ThE PixiE CottagE so that you don't miss a spot on the hop.

You'll need to collect letters from all the blogs on the hop to be in with a chance of winning.

Also, you must leave a comment at all the blogs as each one is giving away a PixiE CottagE Digital Image so plenty of prizes to be had. The winner from my blog will be chosen from the comments, and will win a digital image of their choice!

Finally, when you get back to the ThE PixiE CottagE leave your name and link to your blog in the Inlinkz box for a chance to win a $20 Gift Certificate to Michelle's Scrapbooking! We'd love for you to enter with a Christmas card/project but if you are only entering the blog hop, please add BH after your name. Only one "Blog Hop Only" entry per person.

So now you just need to leave me a comment and then hop along to Tanya Johnson to carry on with the fun!

For this 100th challenge, I made this little banner.

I cut the backdrops and letters with my Cricut, embossed each backdrop with a Sizzix folder then edged each one with a gold DecoColor pen. The letters were cut from a thick gold metallic cardstock. I threaded each little pennant onto thin gold wire with a sparkly bead between each one. I colored the cute "Not Even a Mouse" Pixie Cottage image with Copics, cut it out and mounted it on Spellbinders Holly Motifs. I then suspended it with fine wire from the Merry banner. The poinsettias were made with Spellbinders Poinsettia Creations, with sparkly beads added to the centers. Below are close ups of the image and one of the poinsettias.

Stamps: Not Even a Mouse, by The Pixie Cottage.

Paper: The Paper Studio, not sure who made the gold CS.

Ink: DecoColor pen.

Accessories: Cricut, Spellbinders Holly Motifs and Poinsettia Creations, Stickles, wire, beads, Sizzix Snow Globe EF.

Last Minute Gift at The Pixie Cottage

2011-12-07T01:00:00.010-06:00

The theme at The Pixie Cottage is last minute Christmas gifts and cards. As always there's a sketch you can follow as well.
You know how it is during the holidays...there's always one more little gift or trinket for something that comes up unexpectedly or last minute. Last year at this time I was the "newbie" at work and really didn't know anyone well at all. I chose not to participate in the name-drawing for Secret Santa gifts, because I didn't want anyone to feel obligated to buy something for someone they didn't know. There were two ladies that were very helpful with breaking me in and teaching me the ropes, and I made them each a little gift similar to this one pictured, just different colors and images. They loved them! :)

One of those ladies needed some little gifts for her daughter's classmates and asked if I could make up 15 of the mugs with an image that kids would like, and I went straight for "To Santa From Buffy" by The Pixie Cottage. Last week I had stamped and colored a bunch of these images to use on Christmas cards. I just love the chubby little bunny! They have now been reappropriated; just need to color up a few more. You can get this stamp from Michelle's Scrapbooking.

Buffy is colored with Copics, then I cut around the image very closely and attached it to Spellbinders Deckled Classic Ovals which I lightly sponged with Distress Ink. I made the "mug"from Kraft paper, embossed some little swirls with copper EP. I then attached the oval to the front of the mug. Inside the mug are two different flavored packets of cocoa, mini marshmallows in the cellophane, and two skinny chocolate covered peppermint sticks (that somehow managed to hide behind the cellophane). Quick and easy little gift!

Stamps: To Santa From Buffy, by The Pixie Cottage.
Paper: Kraft CS, Neenah Solar White.
Ink: Copics, Distress Inks.
Accessories: Spellbinders Deckled Classic Oval, Stickles, Liquid Pearls, copper EP, ribbon.

The Pixie Cottage Holiday Home Decor

2011-11-30T01:00:00.004-06:00

The challenge this week at The Pixie Cottage is a little different. We want to see holiday banners, ornaments, etc... Or if you create a card, it must follow this week's sketch (below)

I made this little wreath by stringing a bunch of jingle bells onto wire. The bow and curly tendrils are 1/4 metal strips I cut and curled. Few nicks on the fingers while manipulating it because the metal edges are sharp, but it turned out pretty. The leaves were in my stash, and I swiped a cotton ball with Distress Ink over them to give them a patina. I colored "To Santa From Buffy", available at Michelle's Scrapbooking, with Copics, cut around the image and suspended it in the center of the wreath. I have this hanging on the inside of my front door. Now I hear a pretty jingly sound when someone opens the door and there's no more sneaking up on me. :)

Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes.

Stamps: To Santa From Buffy by The Pixie Cottage.
Paper: Neenah Solar White
Ink: Memento, Copics.
Accessories: Liquid Pearls and Stickles, jingle bells, wire, cording, thin metal sheet.

Pixie Cottage Challenge #97

2011-11-23T01:00:00.006-06:00

Happy Wednesday all! Time for another challenge at The Pixie Cottage challenge blog. This week's theme is Make a Set. That could be something like a card and matching box, a set of tags or set of cards. There is also the sketch to follow, so you could choose to do the sketch as well.

My daughter is getting married in March, and I made this set of tags for each of the five bridesmaid's gifts. I know, I'm way early with these, but there is a LOT still to be done. I used the Faith Sentiments stamp available at Michelle's Scrapbooking, cut and embossed with Spellbinders Scalloped Rectangle, and inked with Distress Ink. The tag was cut with my Cricut, using some metallic cardstock from Hobby Lobby. I made all the flowers (I'm getting better and quicker at making them) , except for the white one at the upper right. The leaves are from Marianne D dies. Added scraps of lace, some pearls, and crinkled seam binding.

Hope you join us this week for a fun challenge!

Stamps: Faith Sentiments by The Pixie Cottage.
Paper: Metallic paper from DCWV, Neenah Solar White.
Ink: Memento, Distress Ink.
Accessories: Cricut, seam binding, flat-back pearls, Marianne D die, Spellbinders die, lace, handmade flowers.

Challenges:
Craft Your Days Away - Embellisment bingo (pearls, flowers, ribbons).
Gingerloft - Lace, fabric or felt.
One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes.
Simon Says Stamp - Tag, You're It!
Cooking With Cricut - Bible verse or quote

Pixie Cottage Challenge #96

2011-11-16T01:00:00.032-06:00

Whew...where are the days going? I can't believe next week is Thanksgiving! Over at the Pixie Cottage Challenge blog the theme this week is Family Thankfulness. There is also a great sketch to follow...so follow the theme, follow the sketch, or do both. But come play along with our challenge this week!

I need more Christmas cards, so I followed the sketch and used Sebastian the Snowman, available at Michelle's Scrapbooking. He is colored with Copics and has Stickles Frosted Lace on his feet. The corner embellies are Spellbinders Holly Motifs and the snowflakes are a Cuttlebug die. Gold Dew Drops for a final touch. Easy peasy.

Stamps: Sebastian the Snowman from The Pixie Cottage.
Paper:
Ink: Copics.
Accessories: Spellbinders Holly Motifs, Cuttlebug snowflakes, Dew Drops, Stickles.

This week's sketch

Pixie Cottage Challenge #95

2011-11-09T01:00:00.006-06:00

This week at The Pixie Cottage challenge blog, the theme is Blue For a Boy. There's also a great sketch to follow, as always. I just go this new Pixie Cottage image by Alisa Ramirez called Not Even a Mouse, available here at Michelle's Scrapbooking. How CUTE is that little bear with the mice sleeping all over him!! I decided to follow the sketch this time, flipped it on its side.

I colored the image with Copics and added Liquid Pearls to the fluffy parts of the hats. Cut and embossed the image with Spellbinders Labels Fourteen, edged it with a gold leaf pen. The little poinsettia and frilly diecut in the back are Spellbinders Holly Accents and Motifs. Used Cheery Lynn French Doily die on the green damask paper. Traced around the die and cut free hand for the matt, sponged the edges of both. All DP is The Paper Studio. Added the Dew Drops.

Stamps: Not Even a Mouse from The Pixie Cottage.
Paper: The Paper Studio.
Ink: Copics, Distress Inks.
Accessories: Dew Drops, gold lead pen, Spellbinders Labels Fourteen, Holly Accents and Motifs, Liquid Pearls.

This week's sketch

Jester Favor Box

2011-11-02T22:38:00.001-05:00

Over the past several weeks I have been making flowers, punching different leaves, and cutting box bases from scraps of cardstock and DP in my stash. Even a lunch bag didn't stand a chance and got punched out for a couple different flowers. I spent several weeks before all the cutting and punching, planning 22 different little favor boxes, all for my daughter's wedding. She knows I love paper crafting and I love boxes and she asked if I could make a different favor box for each table. So I now have one each of 22 different boxes completely finished, and 7 more of each cut out and the flower parts and leaves and embellishments cut out and ready to assemble. I'll eventually get them all posted.

So anyway, as I was surfing through different challenges I came across the fancy folds challenge at Our Creative Corner and use your scraps challenge at Mark's Finest Papers. This is the box that fits both as it is a fancy fold and is made entirely from scraps in my stash. I call it Jester (yes, I'm a dork...I named each box). I went to a Montessori school for 9 years, entering public school at age 11. I have kept in touch with the teacher I had during those Montessori years, and when I graduated from high school she gave me a book on origami boxes and this box is one of them.

The base is a 6 1/2" square scrap I had in my stash, have no idea who the maker is but I got it at Hobby Lobby. Various folds got it to the box form, with little "flaps" on each side. It came out to 2 1/2" square. The flourished paper I also got at HL, and thankfully have enough scraps for all eight boxes.

Here's a view from the top. For the base of the lid I traced around the outside of one of the Spellbinders Lacy Doily Accents dies, cut it out by hand, and then embossed it with the same die. I did a die cut from the same die using the another scrap same as the base and glued it onto the base, so it has an inlaid look into the embossed based. I have seen different tutorials for Prima-like flowers around blog land, using the Retro Flower punch. I don't have that punch, so I searched my Cricut cartridges and cut the layers of the flower and the star base on my Cricut and made the flower. It's tan cardstock with a sponge bath of Milled Lavender Distress Ink. The fern leaves are a punch.

Just another shot with the lid askew so you can see the inside.

Underside of the top, with it's little lid that fits right inside the box.

Our Creative Corner - Fancy Folds
Mark's Finest Papers - Use your scraps

Stamps: None.
Paper: Stash scraps, from Hobby Lobby (not sure of maker).
Ink: Distress Inks.
Accessories: Spellbinders Lacy Doily Accents, Cricut, fern punch.

A Pixie Cottage Christmas Card

2011-11-02T01:00:00.004-05:00

Time to start adding more Christmas cards to you stash, and this week's theme at The Pixie Cottage is Christmas card. There is also a wonderful sketch to follow. So create a card using the theme or the sketch, or both, but come join us for this week's challenge!

There are lots of wonderful Pixie Cottage stamps available at Michelle's Scrapbooking. For the Christmas card theme, I used the Winter Window image by Sandra Hammer. I colored it with Copics, sponged lightly around the edge with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink, and added some Stickles to the snow and tree. I stamped and cut out an additional tree, colored the same at the first one, and mounted it on foam dots. I followed the sketch and used DP from The Paper Studio. Sentiment was printed from my computer, cut/embossed with Spellbinders Double-Ended Tag and added the acrylic snowflakes.

Stamp: "Winter Window" from The Pixie Cottage.
Paper: The Paper Studio DP and CS.
Ink: Copics, Distress Ink.
Accessories: Stickles, foam dots, acrylic snowflakes.

Challenges
One Stitch at a Time: Christmas
Papertake Weekly: Anything goes
ABC Christmas Challenge: V for vintage.

Going For Gold at The Pixie Cottage!

2011-10-26T01:00:00.001-05:00

It's another Wednesday challenge at The Pixie Cottage. This week's theme is Going for Gold. There's also this wonderful sketch to follow. As always, you can choose the theme, follow the sketch, or do both! Hope you join us!
This week I decided to follow both theme and sketch. I used Hannah at a Fence, by Sandra Hammer, available at Michelle's Scrapbooking. Still need lots of practice, but I chose to color the image with Copics again. It is layered on cardstock and gold vellum. The background strips were embossed with a CB folder and layered over gold vellum background. The flowers I made, and the leaves are from a Crealies die. Added some gold Liquid Pearls to the corners of two of the panels.

Stamps: Hannah at a Fence from the Pixie Cottage.
Paper: Sand CS (scrap from my daughter's wedding invitation), vellum, SU! CS.
Ink: Memento, Copics, Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Handmade "Prima" style roses, Crealies CL CS 11 leaf die, Cuttlebug EF from Oriental pack, Liquid Pearls.

Sweet as Candy, Pixie Cottage #92

2011-10-19T01:00:00.006-05:00

Time for another challenge at The Pixie Cottage! As always we have two parts to the challenge and you can choose either or both to play along with. We have a fabulous sketch and our theme this week is Sweet as Candy. I finally figured out how to merge digital images, and couldn't wait to use Mystical Mushroom digital image by ARTish, available at Michelle's Scrapbooking.

Isn't that a cute image?!? It is a great background for the little fairy. The scene was colored with Copics. Added some Stickles to the swirlies. I cut/embossed the scene with Spellbinders Big Scalloped Circles, layered on top of In Spades Penant. DP is from Bearly Mine Designs. Flowers and leaves are Marianne D dies.

Stamps: Mystical Mushroom, The Pixie Cottage; Summary Fairy, The Greeting Farm.
Paper: SU! CS, Bearly Mine Designs DP.
Ink: Copics, Colorbox Queues.
Extras: Stickles, Spellbinders Big Scalloped Circles and In Spades Penant, Marianne D LR0111 and LR0150, flat back pearls.

Dark and Spooky at The Pixie Cottage

2011-10-12T01:00:00.045-05:00

It's another Wednesday (yay, two more days till the weekend!), and that means another challenge at The Pixie Cottage. Halloween is only a couple weeks away, and this week's challenge is Dark and Spooky. There's also another great sketch you can follow, or you can combine the sketch and the theme. I chose to go with a simple card layout again this time.

I used this cute little Hannah Witch stamp, available at Michelle's Scrapbooking and More. She is colored with Copics. I drew the moon around the witch, which is from Inkadinkado, and then added PearlEx in splotches. The background was sponged with Distress Ink. Background DP is a freebie from Bearly Mine Designs. Sentiment I printed from my computer.

Stamps: Hannah Witch from The Pixie Cottage, Halloween Trails by Inkadinkado.

Paper: Neenah Solar White, digital paper from Bearly Mine Designs.

Ink: Memento, Distress Inks.

Accessories: PearlEx.

Fall Fun With The Pixie Cottage

2011-10-05T01:00:00.003-05:00

Okay, I'm back in gear now, have my Pixie Cottage DT card ready. This week's challenge at The Pixie Cottage is Fall Fun. There's also a great sketch to follow, or you can do both theme and sketch.

Isn't this a fun image! It's a digital image by the wonderfully talented ArTish called Barnie's Fall Ride, available at Michelle's Scrapbooking and More. I colored it with Copics and cut the octagon shape by hand, sponged the edges with Colorbox Queues. All the DP is from Prima First Blush collection. The sentiment was printed off my computer, cut out with SU tag punch and attached on foam tape. I followed this week's sketch and kept this pretty simple.

Stamps: Barnie's Fall Ride digital image.

Paper: Neenah Solar White, Prima First Blush, The Paper Studio.

Ink: Colorbox Queues, Copic markers, Memento.

Accessories: Foam tape, round studs. :)

Pop It Up For The Pixie Cottage Challenge #89

2011-09-28T07:15:00.000-05:00

It's Wednesday again, and that means it's time for another challenge at The Pixie Cottage! I did not get back in time from Vermont to get my card created to go live for the challenge, but will get it posted hopefully this evening here on my blog.

This week's theme is "Pop It Up!" You can interpret this in lots of ways, you could make a Pop Up Card, use foam dots to pop up areas, make an easel card, anything just as long as it pops! As always, there is also a second part to our challenges, which is a sketch. Here is this week's great sketch you can follow.

Follow the theme, the sketch, or get wild and follow both! Either way, come join us at The Pixie Cottage!

My Brother's Birthday Cards

2011-09-24T08:32:00.000-05:00

Hello from beautiful Vermont! We just finished a wonderful breakfast prepared by our lovely hostess and inn owner, Jane Doerfer. We are here to visit my daughter at Norwich University's Parent Weekend, and this is our 7th or 8th stay at the Green Trails Inn. We have seen quite a bit of the damage from the flood waters hurricane Irene devastated this pretty little state with, and Jane sustained some damage to the inn, but all seems to be getting back to normal as well as it can.

I have two birthday cards to post that I sent to my brother. This first one is from me, and I am using for the House Mouse Challenge. They are having a big birthday blog hop, and I would love to play along, but time is limited, so I'm just posting my card. I believe this image stamp is called "Popping Mouse", colored with Copics and Prismacolor pencils. Did some sponging around the edges, attached over Tuscan papers. The sentiment was printed from my computer, cut/embossed with Spellbinders Ovals. Added the metal corners after I "aged" them a bit with Copics.

This next card is the one I made for our mother to give to my brother. I followed this week's Midnight Madness sketch. Used the Open Sea set from SU! as well as the nautical SU! papep. Lots of sponging and corner punching. The compass was embossed with gold EP, cut/dry embossed with Spellbinders Circles.

Both of these went together pretty quickly, and I really like how they turned out.

Heading home Monday night, and will be back at the craft table doing wedding decoration stuff for my daughter. Hope to get able to get more cards in as well.

Pixie Cottage Challenge #87

2011-09-14T01:00:00.004-05:00

It's Wednesday...that means two more day till Friday! :) It also means time for another challenge at The Pixie Cottage. This week's challenge theme is Fussy and Fancy, and there's also a great sketch to follow. You can choose theme or sketch, or both! I was going to do both, but not sure I came out so well with the fussy and fancy, but I flipped the sketch on its side and followed it. I used the digital image "Feather" from Michelle's Scrapbooking, colored with Copics, then cut/embossed with Spellbinders Labels Six die. That was layered onto Spellbinders Scalloped Square which I embossed with a Cuttlebug folder. I printed the sentiment from my computer, cut/embossed it with Spellbinders Oval die. The roses are from Wild Orchid. Added a couple curly ques and some rhinestones.

Stamps: "Feather" digi image by Artish.

Paper: SU! CS, unknown DP from stash.
Ink: Memento, Copics, Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels Six, Scalloped Squares and oval dies, Wild Orchid roses, rhinestones, CB embossing folder, Stickles.

A House Mouse Recipe Card

2011-09-11T15:34:00.000-05:00

Oh my gosh...I've had this card made for a week, but kept forgetting to take a picture of it and post it. Between working on stuff for my daughter's wedding in the evenings, and this past week dealing with two attorneys on my own at work because each of their paralegal's were on vacation...my mind took a vacation of its own and forgot a few things. Then had camera issues. Just got back from a [WONDERFUL] weekend at the beach and there it was, so I took a quick picture with my cell phone, so sorry for the not too great quality. Had to get in on the House Mouse challenge! :)

The challenge this time around on the House Mouse Challenge was to create something with a recipe on it. This recipe for chai tea is yummy and I thought this image was perfect to go on the card. I colored it with Copics, added some Liquid Pearls and Stickles. The tea tag says "rose hips" on the stamp, but I masked that off, then wrote on the tag with a Copic fine liner. Used bundled sage to stamp the vines onto a scrap of sage green SU! paper I still had left in my stash, then layered that onto another piece of SU! CS on which I used the MS Swirling Lace punch around the page.

Stamps: House Mouse "Feeling Rosey"

Paper: SU! scraps, Neenah Solar White

Ink: Memento, Copics.

Accessories: MS Swirling Lace punches, Liquid Pearls, Stickles.

Never Forget...

2011-09-11T08:23:00.000-05:00

We shall never forget
We shall keep this day,
We shall keep the events and the tears
In our minds, our memory and our hearts
and take them with us as we carry on.

Mellow Yellow at Pixie Cottage

2011-09-07T06:41:00.001-05:00

It's time for another challenge at The Pixie Cottage. The week's challenge is "Mellow Yellow". As always, there are two parts to the challenge...a great sketch and/or the theme. You can do either or both. This week I again chose to go with the theme, and again I used this adorable Hannah on Bench stamp available at Michelle's Scrapbooking. I just love this image. I colored her with Copics, cut/embossed the image with Spellbinders Labels Small. I followed the sketch at Midnight Madness. The background DP is HOTP, scraps from my stash. The upper portion was embossed with a new folder from The Paper Studio. Added some yellow Stickles and a few flowers and all finished with this cutie.

Challenges

Midnight Madness - Sketch

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Mark's Finest Papers - Bring on the Bling

Stamps: Hannah on Bench from The Pixie Cottage

Paper: HOTP, SU!

Ink: Memento, Copics

Accessories: Spellbinders Labels Small, Wild Orchid roses, Kort and Godt flowers, Stickles, "intricate swirl" embossing folder from The Paper Studio.

Are My Colors Giving Me Away?

2011-08-31T01:00:00.002-05:00

Can you tell I want fall to get here and bring cooler temperatures!? We had 107 and 110 degrees here this past weekend. This is crazy. But here we are with another Wednesday coming around, which means it's time for another challenge at The Pixie Cottage! This week's theme is back to school, and there's also this wonderful sketch to follow. Do one or the other, or do both. I followed the sketch, using "Pumpkin Bench" by Sandra Hammer, available at Michelle's Scrapbooking. I colored it with Copics, cut/embossed with Spellbinders Deckled Oval die. The little pots and flowers are a Rubber Stamp Tapestry set. All paper is MME.

Challenges:
Crazy 4 Challenges: Male themed card.
One Stitch At a Time: Halloween or fall theme.
Cards For Men: "G"...Goodbye summer. Thank you Mandy! :)
Creative Card Crew: Anything goes

Stamps: "Pumpkin Bench" from The Pixie Cottage, Rubber Stamp Tapestry "Pottery Garden".
Paper: My Mind's Eye "Home" pack, The Paper Studio.
Ink: Copics, Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Spellbinders Deckled Oval, seam binding, leaf charms.

Summer Nights at The Pixie Cottage

2011-08-24T01:00:00.006-05:00

Summer nights is the theme at The Pixie Cottage this week. We also have a great sketch to follow too. Either/or, it's up to you...come join us!I usually follow both theme and sketch, but this week I chose the theme. I used Hannah on Bench, available at Michelle's Scrapbooking. Even though it's blazing hot here and she's wearing long sleeves, I'm imagining Hannah in a Vermont summer night setting. My daughter is about to start her senior year of college up there, and she said the nights have been in the 50's already. I colored Hannah with Copics; still need lots more practice with them. Cut the image with Spellbinders oval dies and added the sunset "glow" with Distress Ink. All DP is Graphics 45. The flower was made using Spellbinders Rose Creations, then glitzed up with German Glass Glitter.

Challenges:
Midnight Madness: Sketch 118
Paper Sundaes: Sundae bar
One Stitch at a Time: Bling
Shabby Tea Room: Sweet Days of Summer

Stamps: The Pixie Cottage "Hannah on Bench".
Paper: Graphics 45 "Once Upon a Springtime", The Paper Studio.
Ink: Memento, Copics.
Accessories: Spellbinders Ovals and Rose Creations, deckle edge scissors, buttons, handmade flower, German glass glitter, twine

Midnight Madness Meets Delicious Doodles

2011-08-18T17:42:00.001-05:00

This card is for the Delicious Doodles DT call. The image is called Sexy Goth Girl, by Teresa Sherman and available at Stitchy Bear Stamps. The sentiment is from Verve's Artful Elegance set. I used the clean and simple version of the Midnight Madness sketch. Crazy 4 Challenges theme this week is monochromatic image. This image already has a lot of shading, but I added a bit more with Copics cool and warm grays, plus a hint of color for her eyes and lips. Cut/embossed with Spellbinders Labels 14. I really like the somewhat vintage feel to the card, along with the bit of whimsical with the image.

Challenges:
Midnight Madness: Sketch 117, CAS version.
Paper Sundaes: Just saying hi.
One Stitch at a Time: Anything goes.
Digis With Attitude: Anything goes.
Crazy 4 Challenges: Monochromatic image.

Stamps: Sexy Goth Girl digital stamp by Delicious Doodles,
Paper: SU! cardstock, Basic Grey Cappella.
Ink: Colorbox Queues, Memento
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels 14, Wild Orchid roses, Kort and Godt flowers.

Big on Birthdays at The Pixie Cottage!

2011-08-17T01:00:00.051-05:00

This week's theme for The Pixie Cottage challenge is Big on Birthdays. There's also a great sketch to follow, and as always you can follow the sketch, the theme, or both. I went with both. Again. :) This card was made for a friend's daughter, who loves ballet. I used the cute digi stamp Bellini (love the bows on her trunk!) by Artish, available at Michelle's Scrapbooking. I colored the image with Copics, rounded the corners and inked with Colorbox Queues. The little "presents" were made with scraps and the "ribbon" is a skinny strip cut with deckle edge scissors and covered with glitter. The bows were cut with my Cricut and glittered as well. My friend is French, so I thought the birthday sentiment in French was fitting. She said to use lots of pinks, purples and blues. Definitely got all that covered. Can't help but think of Dr. Suess when I look at this card. :)

Challenges
Papertake Weekly - Bingo (pearls, ribbon, bling for my free spot)
Simon Says Stamps and Show - Bling
My Time to Craft - G is for...(mine is gift and girlie)
Everybody Art - Gifts.

Stamps: Bellini digi stamps from The Pixie Cottage, "Bonjour Merci" from Crafty Secrets.
Paper: DCWV Pocket Full of Posies, The Paper Studio.
Ink: Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Corner rounder, Cricut, glitter, Stickles, ribbon, SU! punch, pearls.

Ridiculous Shipping Charges

2011-08-13T13:57:00.001-05:00

I came across this post about outrageous shipping charges on Donalda's blog. I have backed out of a shopping cart many times when I see the unreasonable shipping and handling charges. Hopefully some of these companies will take heed if enough people stop ordering from them.

House Mouse ATC

2011-08-11T20:20:00.001-05:00

When I first saw that the challenge at House Mouse and Friends Challenge blog was to create an ATC, I pulled out a bunch of HM stamps that could work for that little space. I decided on this cute little image, called "Oh Happy Days" when my cell phone rang...my ring tone is Billy Idol's "Dancin' With Myself". I used to play that song really loud on my stereo and spaz out (couldn't be called dancing) while I did house work. So I stamped little Monica and colored her with Copics. Clipped the corners, sponged with Distress Inks and added the tiny punched butterflies along with their dancing Stickles trails. Thought the sentiment was perfect, and stamped it with Sepia.

Challenges:

House Mouse and Friends: ATC

Flutterby Wednesday: Open.

Mark's Finest Papers: Anything but standard 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.

If the Shoe Fits...Scrap it: Show Us Your Green.

Stamps: House Mouse "Oh Happy Days", Verve "Beautiful You".

Paper: Neenah Solar White.

Ink: Distress Inks, Memento.

Accessories: Corner rounder, butterfly punch, Stickles

Say it With Flowers at The Pixie Cottage

2011-08-10T01:00:00.083-05:00

This week at The Pixie Cottage we have another great sketch you can follow, or you can follow the theme and use flowers on your creation. Or, you can do BOTH, which is what I did. I used Spring Time Hannah With Butterflies available at Michelle's Scrapbooking and More. I colored the image with Copics, then sponged on the clouds with Distress Inks. The big rose was made with Spellbinders Rose Creations die, and the little ones with a small retro flower punch. The gold sprigs were cut from vellum with a Marianne D die.
Challenges
Sketchy Colors: Pink, gold and white.
Gingerloft: Make it sparkle.
Everybody Art: Summertime.
Papertake Weekly: Handmade flowers
Creative Inspirations: Summertime.

Stamps: The Pixie Cottage "Spring Time Hannah With Butterflies", Verve "Fairy Tales".
Paper: Neenah Solar White, DCWV Lace and Linen, vellum.
Ink: Memento, Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Spellbinders Rose Creations, Labels Fourteen and Big Scalloped Circles, retro flower punch, The Paper Studio Intricate Swirl embossing folder, Marianne D Decorative Elegance die, glitter, foam tape.

A Spoonful of Sugar Birthday

2011-08-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

Oh what fun...to be a guest at A Spoon Full of Sugar! :). This week's challenge is Birthdays. I used this sweet image from Whiff of Joy, called "Willow With Sunhat", colored with Copics. I followed the sketch at Paper Sundaes, making it into a shaped card by cutting on the fold with Spellbinders Grand Labels Eleven, and used the color scheme from CR84FN. Willow was cut/embossed with Spellbinders Labels Fourteen die, and the sentiment, which I printed off my computer, was cut/embossed with Ribbon Tags Trio die. The lavender DP is Lilac Avenue by KaiserCraft. Tiny buttons from Michael's painted with Platinum Liquid Pearls.

Other Challenges:

Whiff of Joy - Buttons and Bows.
Paper Sundaes - Sketch.
CR84FN - Lavender, celery, gray.
Craft Your Days Away - Birthdays.
Crazy 4 Challenges - Shaped card.

Stamps: Whiff of Joy "Willow With Sunhat".
Paper: KaiserCraft Lilac Avenue, The Paper Studio.
Ink: Computer, Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Spellbinders Grand Labels Eleven, Labels Fourteen, and Ribbon Tags Trio, seam binding, buttons, Wild Orchid roses, Crealies CL CS 11, Marianne D LR0150 Forest Branch.

Happy 18th Birthday to My "Baby"!

2011-08-05T20:29:00.002-05:00

Hard to believe that 18 years ago I was in the hospital having my baby boy! Time flies so quickly. Tyler has grown into such a wonderful young man. I am so very proud of him! Trying to get a picture of him is like nailing Jello to a tree, but I do have a pic of him in my sidebar. :) Below are some cards I made for him...from me, my mom and my daughter.

I have been wanting to try the reflection technique, and I've seen it used many times in blogland with this set from Stampin Up. I couldn't find a piece of the plastic packaging - and I have a stack of it somewhere, so I stamped the "reflected" part onto a plastic baggie. Colored the grass with Copics and Prismacolor pencils, and the water with the pencils. Clouds sponged on with Distress Inks. I flubbed the right edge of the image, so cut it off and scooched it over to the edge. Embossed the card base with the Tim Holtz folder. Stamped the sentiment from Crafty Secrets and cut out with Spellbinders Labels Trio tag.

Challenges
Cards for Men - Clean and Simple.
Paper Sundaes - Clouds and Sky.
Desert Islands Crafts Challenge - Itinerary.

Stamps: Stampin Up "Lovely as a Tree", Crafty Secrets "Glamour Girls" (sentiment).
Paper: The Paper Studio, Neenah Solar White.
Ink: Memento.
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels Trios and Labels Eight, Tim Holtz woodgrain EF, Dew Drops.

This next card was made with the "Open Sea" set from Stampin Up. Compass was stamped with Versamark and embossed with gold EP. All other images stamped with Memento sepia ink. Sentiment printed from computer, torn and inserted into the Tim Holtz eye pin.

Challenges:
Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes.
Creative Card Crew - Best Foot Forward (encouragement).

Stamps: Stampin Up "Open Sea".
Paper: The Paper Studio, scraps.
Ink: Memento.
Accessories: Tim Holtz large eye pin, gold EP, foam tape.

Last but not least for Tyler's birthday cards is this one using Stampin Up's Sense of Time set. Clock was stamped on the crackled looking DP scrap. The smaller second hand was stamped on another scrap, inked and attached over the clot with a the clock hand. The clock face was then attached to Spellbinders Labels Three. I used a couple other scraps for the background, embossing the one with Tim Holtz Clock EF. Added the gears from Tim Holtz.

Stamps: Stampin Up "Sense of Time".
Paper: HOTP DP.
Ink: Memento.
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels Three, Tim Holtz Clocks EF, Tim Holtz gears and second hand.

On another note, my daughter finally came back from her Navy training cruise, having spent 60 days on a submarine. She's one of the first females to be allowed on subs. That was the longest period of time we have gone with no contact, and I have to admit...I almost went bonkers. But she is back home for a few more days, before having to go back to school in Vermont. Her fiance is here as well, and we sat down and did these Save-The-Date notices for their wedding. I had gotten this Marianne D Frame die while Shelbie was under the water and thought it would make a nice background for the notice. I had a mock-up ready when she got here, she liked it, and I put her to work on getting 160 of these made up. After showing her how to do sponging, I did most of the die cuts, printed out the center portion, Shelbie did all the sponging, her fiance pitched in by cutting all the corners, and I added the Liquid Pearls. They are very pretty IRL! Here is a close up of each...one has blue, the other lavender.

Stamps: None.

Paper: The Paper Studio.

Ink: Distress Inks, computer.

Accessories: Marianne D LR0111 Frame, Liquid Pearls, corner rounder.

A Favorite Technique at The Pixie Cottage

2011-08-03T01:00:00.021-05:00

This week at The Pixie Cottage we're sharing our favorite technique. I love, love, love embossing, especially "dry" embossing. So many different options available, from embossing folders, to smooshing something like an onion bag or piece of screening in your machine's "sandwich", to get all sorts of wonderful designs embossed into your paper.

I used Copics to color the adorable "Hannah at the Pond" by Sandra Hammer, available from Michelle's Scrapbooking. Not sure why, but the clouds came out extremely pale in the picture, but IRL they look great. I sponged Stormy Sky Distress Ink around an hand-cut cloud mask. Then I attacked almost every piece of paper with the Cuttlebug embossing folder, except for the dotted background. :) The flowers were punched with Nellie Snellen punches. I then sprayed them with water to soften up the paper fibers to get a deeper impression in the embosser. They were then tipped with Perfect Pearls.

Challenges:
Paper Sundaes - Clouds and skies
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Anything Goes - Pick of the Bunch (Flowers)
Crafts and Me - Anything goes

Stamps: Hannah at the Pond from Michelle's Scrapbooking.
Paper: HOTP, SU! CS.
Ink: Copics.
Accessories: Corner punch, Nellie Snellen flower punch/embosser, Cuttlebug EF, Drew Drops, Perfect Pearls, Stickles.

House Mouse #100!

2011-07-29T16:54:00.000-05:00

I love House Mouse images, and I have a bunch! This is the 100th challenge at the House Mouse & Friends Challenge Blog, and they're having a blog hop to celebrate, along with a great theme of Buttons, Bows and Bling!! This image, called Beading Basics, was the first one I thought about. I've had it colored for over a week, but just now had time to make the card today. I followed the sketch at Papertake Weekly.

The image was colored with Copics and Prismacolor pencils. Lots of Stickles and Liquid Pearls added to the beads. A few tiny buttons scattered on the table. The doily was cut with Cheery Lynn Designs die. Seam binding was died and scrunched by me. Background DP from K&Co., embossed with Cuttlebug EF.

Challenges:
House Mouse - Buttons, Bows and Bling
Papertake Weekly - Sketch.
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Anything goes
Crafts and Me - Ribbon
Truly Scrumptious - Buttons and Bows.

Stamps: House Mouse "Beading Basics".
Paper: K&Co. Julianne paper pack, Neenah Solar White.
Ink: Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Cheery Lynn Designs English Tea Party Doily die, corner rounder, Liquid Pearls, Stickles, buttons, seam binding, CB embossing folder.

Pixie Cottage #80 - Emboss it

2011-07-27T01:00:00.006-05:00

This week at The Pixie Cottage our theme is one of my favorite techniques - embossing. Can be wet or dry embossing. Adrina has also provided this wonderful sketch to follow. Can emboss, follow the sketch, or do both. Have fun with it!

I doubled up and followed sketch and theme. I chose this pretty Pixie Cottage digi image called A Bloom and Her Trio by Artish, available at Michelle's Scrap. I colored the image with Copics then cut and embossed it with Spellbinders Beaded Ovals die, also coloring the little ovals with Copics. All DP is from Prima Fairy Floral pack. The pink panel was embossed with a Sizzix folder and I ran Tattered Rose Distress Ink pad over the elevations. The image is attached on foam tape. Sentiment cut/embossed with Spellbinders Labels Six.

Stamps: Pixie Cottage "A Bloom and Her Trio" digi image by Artish, Flourishes "Many Sentiments".
Paper: Prima Fairy Flora, Neenah Solar White.
Ink: Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Spellbinders Beaded Ovals and Labels Six dies, foam tape, Sizzix embossing folder, Dew Drops.

The Pixie Cottage #79

2011-07-20T01:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for another sketch/theme challenge at The Pixie Cottage. This week's theme is Fun With Food. As always, there is an optional sketch to follow. You can choose the theme, the sketch, or combine the two. I chose the Pumpkin Carvers digital image available from Michelle's Scrapbooking. The image is colored with Copics then cut out with Spellbinders Deckled Rectangles. The swirls are from Spellbinders Floral Flourishes dies. I made this a joy fold card. The panel on the left was embossed using Spellbinders Paisley Impressabilities. The glittery DP is from MME Home pack.

Challenges:
Crazy 4 Challenges: Joy fold card.
Simon Says Stamp and Show: Embossing.
My Time to Craft: Citrus colors.
Papertake Weekly: Getting cute.

Stamps: Pumpkin Carvers digi stamp.
Paper: My Mind's Eye Home Glitter Pack, SU! CS.
Ink: Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Spellbinders Deckled Rectangles, Floral Flourishes, Paisley Impressabilities.

Pixie Cottage Challenge #78

2011-07-13T01:00:00.003-05:00

Happy Wednesday! That means only two more days till Friday, then it's the weekend. Woohoo! That also means it's time for another sketch/theme challenge at The Pixie Cottage. This week's theme is wrap it with ribbon. As always, you can follow the sketch, go with the theme, or combine the two. Have fun with it! This week I went with one of the new digital images by ArTish, called Feathers.

This image reminds me of a very good friend who lives in Miami. One of her neighbors has lots of plastic flamingos in her yard, and when I was visiting out there, my friend and I snuck over (at night of course) and hung some Mardi Gras beads around the birds. Next morning one of the flamingos was in my friend's front yard. Turns out the neighbor was watching us from her balcony the whole time; we gave ourselves away because we were giggling too loudly. Oh, those carefree days from...three years ago. LOL! I decided to fancy up this image a bit. I printed the image three times, twice on DP and cut out the body, "bloomers", wings and flower from the DP, and colored the rest of the image with Copics. Added a bunch of sparkle with Stickles. Thought the sentiment was perfect. Double layered some ribbons and added these gorgeous little butterflies cut with dies from Cheery Lynn Designs. The doily was also cut from a Cheery Lynn doily die. The DP is Basic Grey Lemonade pack. Lemonade and flamingos...couldn't get much more summery!

Come play along with our sketch/theme challenge. The randomly picked winner will win two stamps of their choice from The Pixie Cottage College collection.

Other challenges:
Basic Grey: Doilies and ribbon.
Crazy4Challenges: Summer theme.
Gingerloft: Make it sparkle.
Paper Sundaes: Paper piecing.

Stamps: Feathers digi image from The Pixie Cottage; sentiment from Verve.
Paper: Basic Grey Lemonade.
Ink: Copics, Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Cheery Lynn Designs Exotic Butterflies and French Pastry Doily die, Spellbinders Circle die, Stickles, ribbon, foam tape.

Make a Splash With House Mouse

2011-07-08T00:34:00.000-05:00

So glad it's Friday! Over at the House Mouse challenge, it's Make a Splash! I colored this image of the three micies showering with Copcs. I decided to go with the CAS sketch at Midnight Madness this time around. The DP is from Bearly Mine Designs Grunge Days digital paper pack, the little peachy squares from my scrap bin. Easy peasey after the coloring was done.

Challenges
House Mouse - Make a Splash
Midnight Madness - CAS sketch
Bearly Mine - Anything goes.
My Time to Craft - Food.
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes.

Stamps: House Mouse Summer Shower.
Paper: Bearly Mine Designs, Stampin' Up CS.
Ink: Memento ink, colorbox queues.
Accessories: Paper distresser

Wet and Wild for The Pixie Cottage Challenge #77

2011-07-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

This week's theme at The Pixie Cottage is Wet and Wild. Many ways to interpret this...wild animal, beach/lake, a drink, etc. There is also this wonderful sketch to follow. As always, you can follow the theme, the sketch, or both. Come on in...the water's fine! :)
I went with and sketch, making my card a center step card. I used the large background image The Dock from The Pixie Cottiage. Used masking technique to make Willow look like she was sitting on the dock. Entire image was colored with Copics and Prismacolors; clouds were made using Distress Inks. Flowers are hand-made. Sentiment from old stamp set, have no idea who made them. My sewing table has piles of fabric on it and I didn't feel like digging out the machine, so I did some faux stitching.
There are four super cute new digital images released this week at The Pixie Cottage. Be sure to check those out and join in the fun!

Other challenges
CR84FN - Red, pink, neutral
Crazy 4 Challenges - Center step card.
Basic Grey - Stitching.

Craft Your Days Away - Vintage.
Gingerloft - Add those beads.
Paper Sundaes - Stitching.

Stamps: The Pixie Cottage "The Dock", Whiff of Joy "Sitting Summer Willow".
Paper: SU! Cardstock. Basic Grey Stella Ruby.
Ink: Colorbox Queues, Distress Inks.
Accessories: Spellbinders Scalloped Circles and oval, Sizzix leaves die Stickles, beads

Chillin' With the House Mouse Challenge #98

2011-07-03T07:07:00.001-05:00

Now that it's officially summer time on the calendar, we can get ready for the really hot stuff! : ) Temperatures here have been crazy hot already - with several days of 103-104 weather in June. We usually don't get that until August. So it was easy to pick this House Mouse image for the summertime theme at the House Mouse and Friends Challenge. I can definitely relate to chillin' in the sand with a glass of something cold, and my feet planted on an ice cube. LOL The image was colored with Copics. Clouds made using Distress Inks. Birds were drawn in. The side strips were embossed with a CB folder, and the seashells and sand dollar are CB dies. Distressed the edges around the image and added the computer printed word. I followed the sketch at Midnight Madness. The DP is from Bearly Mine Designs.

House Mouse & Friends - Summer
My Time to Craft - Here comes summer
Bearly Mine Challenges - Summer is here
Midnight Madness #110 - Sketch
Simon Says Stamp & Show - A word

Stamps: House Mouse "Keepin' Cool"
Paper: SU! CS; Bearly Mine Designs Grunge Days Pack.
Ink: Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Cuttlebug dies and embossing folder, paper distresser, wavy edge scissors, flat-back pearls, Stickles, foam tape.

Pixie Cottage Challenge #76

2011-06-30T18:48:00.005-05:00

I'm baaaaack! :) It has been a busy month with my task list. My craft space looks like a bomb went off and it's kind of migrated out into out bedroom

I have some happy news...I am now on The Pixie Cottage Design Team! The weekly challenges are always fun, with two parts, a sketch and a theme. You can combine them or choose one part. This week's theme is Strawberries and Cream. I followed the sketch and went with more muted reds and pinks for my card. I colored Spring Time Hannah with Butterflies using Copics and Prismacolors. Cut the image out with SB Labels Eleven, and the matte is Grand Labels Eleven. I used three different Martha Stewart butterfly punches.

A couple other challenges:
Flutter By Wednesdays - Butterfly, fairy or angel.
Craft Your Passion - Seeing red.
Truly Scrumptious - Things with wings

Stamps: Spring Time Hannah with Butterflies, sentiment from Verve "Fairy Tales".
Paper: Basic Grey Two Scoops, The Paper Studio CS
Ink: Memento, Colorbox Queues.
Extras: Spellbinders Labels Eleven, Grand Labels Eleven, and Scalloped Rectangles, MS butterfly punches, Stardust Stickles, foam tape, corner punch.

Proud, Absent and Busy!

2011-06-13T06:52:00.000-05:00

It's been a few weeks since I posted anything. The summer has gotten busy with projects I've been asked to do and I haven't been able to make individual cards lately. My biggest news is my son's graduation from high school on June 4. Here is a picture of him and his girlfriend after graduation. He looks so happy! I am so proud of my "baby"! He is now amongst the ranks of those seeking full-time employment, though he is still holding down his part-time job he had since his junior year in high school.

Tyler and Averi after graduation

So here's a brief list of projects I'm working on that are keeping me out of trouble. Well, sorta. :)

Bridal headpiece for co-worker. Wedding in October, 2012.

Crystal wedding bouquet for co-worker.

Save-the-dates for my daughter's wedding. Wedding in March, 2012.

Wedding invitation for my daughter.

Wedding decorations for my daughter.

Bridal veil and headpiece for my daughter.

Wedding invitation samples for my daughter's college roomie. Wedding September 2012.

Think I can squeeze a few cards in here and there? : )

Football Frenzy at House Mouse

2011-05-23T06:39:00.000-05:00

This is my second post as Guest DT at the House Mouse Monday Challenge. This has been a wonderful and enjoyable opportunity! The next challenge has been set by Stacy...Football Frenzy...inspired by Super Bowl champs, Green Bay. For this challenge, we can go with colors, overall theme, team, etc. I chose this "Little Nibbler" image, because it's a good depiction of how I am during the play-offs and Super Bowl. I was rooting for the Colts until they were eliminated, then went with Green Bay for the Super Bowl. I didn't actually chew pencils during the game...but I did munch down a bunch of chips and salsa! : ) I went with green and yellow for the Packers' colors, colored the image with Copics, and added the lettering to the pencils with a Copic Multiliner. I used Spellbinders Labels 18, added some German glass glitter to the edges. I made this a twisted easel card, followed the sketch at Pixie Cottage, framing the image with embossed CS strips that I sprayed with Glimmer Mist. I stamped the background repeatedly with the clock from the "Sense of Time" set from Stampin Up.

Challenges:

The Pixie Cottage - Sketch

The ABC Challenge - Unusual fold

Simon Says Stamp - Sparkle and shine

Our Creative Corner - Frame it

The Stamp Man - Recipe

Crazy4Challenges - Humor

Stamps: House Mouse "Little Nibbler", Stampin Up "Sense of Time".

Paper: The Paper Studio CS, Neenah Solar White CS.

Ink: Memento, Distress Inks.

Accessories: Spellbinders Labels 18, corner punch, CB embossing folder, Glimmer Mist, German glass glitter, Liquid Pearls.

Some Wedding Cards...

2011-05-13T21:40:00.000-05:00

Monday I was asked by a lady at work to make a wedding card for her cousin's wedding, colors were turquoise, black and white, and whatever I came up with would be perfect. The wedding is this weekend and I was going to be leaving town Thursday. Hmmmm...I thought of the Orchids set I had just gotten from Flourishes. I stamped it on Neenah Solar White paper, colored the flowers with Prismacolors and Copics. I traced around a Spellbinders oval and cut out the "window". Sponged all over with Distress Ink, and the white paper is now a pretty vintage looking sepia. I stamped the sentiment on a scrap from my stash and attached it under the window with foam tape. The embossed turquoise "panel" under the main image is actually left over strips of the same paper the sentiment is on, from my scrap drawer. The strips were embossed and attached with foam tape as well. I used black crinkled seam binding and added some subtle bling with the turquoise pearls I happened to find in my collection. I took this card to my co-worker on Wednesday. She really liked the card, showed it off at the office, and I got a waterfall of requests for wedding cards. Six cards, two different weddings (they have all been working together for years). I, and they, knew they would be "quicker" cards so I could take them by the office Thursday morning before leaving town. Those cards are below, and everyone was very happy with them.

Challenges

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday - Anything goes.

Everybody Art Challenge - Flowers

Lily of the Valley - Ribbon and Bows

Creative Inspirations - Glitzy and Blingy

Stamps: Flourishes "Orchids", Crafty Secrets "Cherish"

Paper: The Paper Studio

Ink: Distress Ink, Memento.

Accessories: Craft knife, Spellbinders Oval, pearls, foam tape, wrinkled seam binding.

These are the other wedding cards. I got the ideas for these cards on Elly's Card Corner blog. I fell in love with her cards the first time I saw them, and thought they would make beautiful wedding cards. All the die cutting and figuring out how to lay them out was fun, and more time consuming than I thought because I kept changing my mind. :)

The first one, I have no idea who the silhouette stamp is made by. I stamped it with Versifine and embossed with black EP. The sentiment is from Stampin Up. All of these use various Spellbinders dies, Marianne D Creatables, Paper Punch, Martha Stewart punches.

Spellbinders Fandy Tags, Fancy Tags two, Labels 14, Marianne D LR0157, flower made with Marvy punches

Lattice Pendant, Fleur de Lis Doily Accents, Sizzix leaf die, flower made with sakura punches.

Spellbinders Labels 4, Plain and Scalloped Hearts, Fancy Tags Two, Marianne D LR0157, Martha Stewart Butterfly, flowers made with sakura punches

Spellbinders Parisian and Fleur de Lis Accents, fern punch, Martha Stewart Layered Arches PATP, flower made with Nellie Snellen punches

Spellbinders Labels 20, Fleru de Lis Doilies and Accents, Marianne D LR 0157, flower made with sakura punches

Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two, Fleur de Lis Accents, Floral Accents, fern punch, MS butterfly, flowers made from Marvy punches

Last One Before Hitting the Road...(Warning, it's long)

2011-05-12T08:33:00.000-05:00

Such extremes in weather all across the country. We haven't been able to buy a drop of rain, having severe drought conditions and already into stage 1 water restrictions, a few days from stage 2 for our city. Other parts of the country can't get dry! As I sit here writing this post, I am watching the severe weather report interruptions, showing the HUGE, creepy line of severe storms heading this way. It looks like 10:00 at night rather than 10:00 in the morning. Very dark outside, high wind already hitting here. I'm not good when there's high wind in bad storms, but don't think I need a straight jacket...yet. LOL

I fly out this afternoon, headed to Vermont. My daughter's fiance' graduates Sunday (they both attend the same university, then she and I will be off on our road trip, driving back home in her car. Not really sure of road conditions with all the flooding, but we are looking forward to the trip. We plan to stop in to see our friend, Barb, a super sweet lady I met here in blogville.

I have been absent from my craft cave way more than I've wanted to this past month. Adjusting back to full-time work (thank goodness for full-time!) and working on the yard and painting the exterior of the house in down time...haven't had the time I've wanted play, though have been able to get some cards and creations done. Hopefully when I get back from Vermont I will be able to get back into the swing of things.

In the meantime, I am posting this wedding planner I made for Shelbie. I had started with the dividers (posted a few several posts back), but finally finished the binder. It started with a 7x9" three-ring binder I had sitting around here. I started covering it with pretty DP but then noticed the vinyl on the binder was stretching and sagging. Well, that won't work! So I pulled off the paper and subsequently the vinyl, and ended up with separate pieces of thick paper board. So I use some book-binding tape and got it all put back together, then started over with the covering. I'm posting before pics as well, and the dividers, further down in this post. Most of the DP I used for the entire planner project was HOTP, some Anna Griffin, DCWV. For the binder itself I used HOTP and the musical note paper is Anna Griffin. I couldn't find my plain scallop punch so I used MS Cornice punch. All of the roses are from Wild Orchid, attached to the Spellbinders On the Vine Borderabilities. The metal corners I got from a local stamp store, and the little lock and key are from Hobby Lobb, and I attached them to the chain and the chain to the Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Ornate Plate. I printed "follow your dreams" off my computer for the insert. I just got the Labels 20 from Spellbinders so had to use those. Cut copper colored foil, embossed it with a CB folder and sanded it a bit.

On the inside, again I used HOTP paper. The vintage "marriage license" I got from Graphics Fairy, shrunk it down and printed off my computer, aged it with distress inks. Added a cut from the Borderabilities and a couple tiny hand made flowers.

The "before" pics and dividers are posted below.

Simon Says Stamp and Show - Anything Goes
Everybody Art Challenge - Flowers
My Time to Craft - Scallops
Papertake Weekly - Punch or die cuts
Wags N Whiskers - Dies or punch.
Crazy 4 Challenges - Flowers
Craft Us Crazy - Favorite embellie or something new.

Stamps: None for binder.
Paper: HOTP, Anna Griffin.
Ink: Distress Inks, Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Spellbinders On The Vine Borderabilities, Labels 20; Wild Orchid flowers, hand made flowers; MS cornice punch; digital "marriage licence", metal corners, lock and key charms, chain, Tim Holtz Ornate Plate, Spellbinders foil, sanding block, CB folder.

Open, vinyl still on.

"Stripped", ready to cover

A Little Bragging...

2011-05-09T07:00:00.001-05:00

Back in March I had posted a pic of a sewing pattern and pile of fabric, for a dress I was making for my daughter for her Junior Ring Ball at Norwich University. Since she wasn't here for me to take pictures, I had to wait for her to send me some. Finally have those. She looked beautiful! Thankfully the dress was a perfect fit, and she loved it. I also made her a matching purse, something I have done since she was a little girl. She has all the dresses and purses (and some hats) that I made for her in her closet.

This past Saturday was also my son's Senior Prom. I was a bit taken aback at the cost of renting a tuxedo, but it was definitely worth every penny when I saw him. He looked so handsome! He's a jeans or cargo shorts, T-shirt, and sneakers guy - as are most teenagers, but he sure cleans up good! :) Was like nailing Jello to a tree to get him to stand still long enough to take a picture, but I managed. : ) Tyler and I got back Saturday around noon from his State Competition in Waco, where he had two architecture projects qualify. We found out his 3D bed & breakfast project took first place! I'm so proud of both of my wonderful children!!

And...here they are!

Shelbie & her fiance', Ryan, Junior Ring,
Norwich University, April 15, 2011

Tyler before Prom, May 7, 2011

Matching purse

May Flowers in House Mouse

2011-05-09T06:15:00.000-05:00

I was thrilled beyond words to be asked to be a Guest Designer for May for the House Mouse and Friends Challenge blog! These little critters are some of my favorite stamps, and I have quite a few of them to play with!

For this first challenge of May, Sue K. came up with the idea of May Flowers, and the challenge is being sponsored by Simon Says Stamp. As always, the DT have created some wonderful inspirational designs, so be sure to check them all out.

For my card I used "Take Time to Smell the..." image, colored with Copics. The flowers I made using SB Rose Creations dies, one of my favorites. I sprayed the flowers with Deep Plum Glimmer Mist, then again with an iridescent mist I made with Perfect Pearls. The leaves are Crealies dies, and the lattice is MS Garden Trellis punch, through which I wove some wrinkled seam binding.

House Mouse - May flowers

Everybody Art Challenges - sketch

Our Creative Corner - Weaving

Craft Us Crazy - Mother's Day and/or flowers

Paper Romance - Favorite die.

Crazy 4 Challenges - Flowers

Stamps: House Mouse "Take Time to Smell the..."

Paper: Neenah Solar White, The Paper Studio, HOTP.

Ink: Memento, Copics.

Accessories: Spellbinders Labels Small, Blossom Four, and Rose Creations; Martha Stewart Garden Trellis punch, SU! scallop border punch, Crealies leaf die, brads, seam binding, Glimmer Mist.

Travelling Mouse

2011-05-04T21:29:00.000-05:00

I've been MIA from my blog for a few weeks. Chuck and I have been doing spring cleaning and yard work in our spare time, but I've missed my paper play time!

Over on the House Mouse challenge blog it's travel time, which is perfect timing for me because I'm off to Waco tomorrow to a state architecture contest my son is in. Then next week I'll be heading to Vermont to see my future son-in-law graduate from Norwich University, and then road trip to bring my daughter back for the summer. Oops, I wandered off track there. :) For this challenge I chose this super cute Hummingbird Express image, colored with Copics. I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch, added some floss that fits in Our Creative Corner challenge, and used the recipe from Crazy 4 Challenges (3 different DP, 2 flowers, 1 button). The scalloped square got some embossing.

House Mouse - Way to go - Travel
One Stitch at a Time - Emboss it
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes
Mojo Monday - Sketch
Our Creative Corner - Fab floss
Crazy4Challenges - Recipe

Stamps: House Mouse Hummingbird Express, Flourishes Birds in Vines.
Paper: Prima Botanicals, DCWV Tattered Time, SU! CS.
Ink: Memento, Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Spellbinders Circles and Scalloped Squares Nestabilities, Labels 10, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Crealies die, Wild Orchid roses, button from stash, embroidery floss, scalloped border punch.

Pastel Flower Tag

2011-04-10T17:22:00.001-05:00

Wow, did I not realize how spoiled I got to working only half days! Didn't like the half-time pay, but sure loved only working half-time. Kind of threw off my schedule last week, trying to get back in the groove. I finished my daughter's formal and made a matching purse (will post picture later). Chuck, Tyler and I did yard work yesterday and this morning, so this afternoon was the only paper playing time I've had this week. I was tinkering with a new Cricut cartridge I got, and saw this cut called "finial" but it looks like it could be a vase. So I cut it out as a tag, made a bunch of different flowers and created a tiny little bouquet. Lots of Stickles on the flowers, and as patina on the vase. Hopefully this week I'll be more in a routine so I can do some more paper creating, though I know I won't be able to keep up the pace I had been. Just not enough hours in the day. :)

Challenges -
Joan's Gardens - Weekly tag challenge
The Shabby Tea Room - Yellow, pink, green, peach and lavender, and a neutral.
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes.
Simons Says Stamp and Show - Anything but a card.
Simons Says Stamp - Spring colors
Crafts and Me - Glitter

Stamps: None.
Paper: Different scraps.
Ink: Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Cricut, Stickles, flower and leaf punches.

Midnight Madness, Shabby Tea Room

2011-04-01T07:40:00.000-05:00

Last card this week, as we are going camping this weekend, leaving this afternoon. Can't wait!! Monday I start full-time hours at the law firm. Finally! The part-time hours were playing havoc on the savings account! I've been at the law firm four months a 20 hours a week, and they asked me to go full-time. Still getting used to legal side of things, considering I have worked in medical field since I was 15, but they say I'm doing a good job. Okey dokey!

I had planned on using this "Ballerina Resting" digi image from Priscilla Styles for the Midnight Madness sketch, and when I saw that Crafty Cardmakers challenge was decoupage, this is what I came up with. I printed the image three times, colored it with Copics. Then I cut out the full skirt and then part of the skirt for the top layer. I used scraps of Grunge Paper to pop the images up, as foam dots were too thick. Added some Stickles and a few pearls for a bit of bling.

Challenges
Midnight Madness - Sketch.
The Shabby Tea Room - Flower Palette.
ABC Challenge - R for roses.
Crafty Cardmakers - Decoupage.
Paper Romance - Bling

Stamps: Priscilla Styles "Ballerina Resting" digi stamp.
Paper: HOTP.
Ink: Colorbox Queues, Distress Ink.
Accessories: Computer, Grunge paper, Wild Orchid roses, Stickles, Sizzix leaf punch, pearls.

Sweet Pea Spring

2011-03-30T21:19:00.000-05:00

It's supposed to be spring, but some are having snow (again), and we've gotten up into the mid to upper 80's already. I think we went straight to summer here. For the In A Sweet Pea Dream challenge this round they want us to do a springtime card, and the Sweet Pea Stampers challenge is to use punches. I chose the Fall Masquerade Fairy by Caron Vinson, available from Sweet Pea Stamps, and colored her with teal and peach, which are the colors for Joan's card challenge this week. Joan also wanted us to add a butterfly and use something frilly. I have several tiny butterflies scattered on here, and my frilly is the gorgeous lace behind the image. This was left over from a dress I made my daughter 15+ years ago. I think I've about used it all now. The flowers were made with Nellie Snellen punches, spritzed with some glimmer spray I made, and German glass glitter was added to the centers.

In a Sweet Pea Dream - Spring.
Sweet Pea Stampers - Punches.
Joan's Gardens - Peach and teal, butterfly and something frilly.
Friday Sketchers - Sketch.

Stamps: Sweet Pea Stamps "Fall Masquerade Fairy" by Caron Vinson, Crafty Secrets "Bonjour Merci".
Paper: Bearly Mine Designs digi paper, The Paper, DCWV Mariposa.
Ink: Memento, Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Stickles, Nellie Snellen flower and fern punches, German glass glitter, Spellbinders dies, MS butterfly punch, lace, seam binding, foam tape, corner punch.

Tagged an ATC

2011-03-30T18:29:00.000-05:00

I have had more fun than I imagined making tags. Joan at Joan's Gardens has been having a weekly challenge that really has added to my stash. Rebecca took over the Tag Tuesday challenge, and the theme she chose was vintage sewing. While I was making this, I found myself singing the song from Disney's Cinderella where the mice were making her ball gown. "We can do it, we can do it...we can help our Cinderelly". I know, I'm a dork. :) Over at OCC they're having us make ATC, with a color challenge thrown in, so I scaled my tag down to ATC size. The dress form was cut using my Cricut, burgundy layered over Kraft CS. I frayed the edges a bit on the fabric scraps, which are from the formal I am making for my daughter. I strug some beads onto the head pin and stuck it through the fabric. Had the little scissors charm in my stash.

Challenges:
Joan's Gardens Tuesday Tag Challenge
Tag Tuesday at Blog Challenge Garden - Vintage Sewing.
OCC - ATC, using Kraft, white/cream, chocolate/black, and one color of your choice.

Stamps: None.
Paper: Scraps from my stash.
Ink: Distress Ink.
Accessories: Corner punch, seam binding, sewing machine, head pin, beads, buttons, scissors charm, fabric scraps, Cricut, Spellbinder die.

Bah! Humbug, Crafty Hazelnut, and a Few Others

2011-03-30T18:01:00.002-05:00

Here is my Christmas card of the week, and woohoo, check out the gorgeous creations with Christmas trees by the DT at Bah! Humbug! I fell back on this gorgeous Rubbernecker set for my tree. I made the card square, so it will work for Crafty Hazelnut's challenge. I thought the colors at CR84FN of garnet, chartreuse and cream would be really pretty for this. When I took the picture, no matter where I was in the house, the garnet looked really RED, but it's not that red IRL. Oh well, it looks good. The tree images were stamped with Antique Linen, Shabby Shutters aned Fired Brick Distress Inks. I spritzed the felt poinsettias with Glimmer Mist.

Challenges:
Bah! Humbug! - Christmas tree.
Crafty Hazelnut - Square card.
CR84FN - Garnet, chartreuse, and cream.
Sketch Saturday - Sketch.

Stamps: Rubbernecker "Snowflakes and Stardust".
Paper: Bearly Mine Designs digi papers.
Ink: Colorbox Queues, Distress inks.
Accessories: Sizzix EF, corner rounder, foam tape, felt poinsettias, Glimmer Mist, pearls.

Playing With Digis

2011-03-29T14:25:00.003-05:00

I stumbled across these gorgeous digi papers from Bearly Mine Designs, and immediately got some. I was looking for lavenders and blues so I could finish the wedding planner that I have been working on. Love how these papers print out! I wandered over to The Pixie Cottage, which is one of the challenges I try to play along with each week, and decided to use my new digi papers and their sketch and/or sparkle challenge. I like how The Pixie Cottage always provides a sketch along with an optional additional element in their challenges. You can use either sketch or element, or both together. The Play Date Cafe has pretty, calming colors for their challenge. The image I used is from the "Violet Peacock" decoupage sheet from The Crafty Purple Frog. I layered a gold doily behind the image and digi paper, added the seam binding I dyed and wadded. The pretty leaves are from a Marianne Design Creatables die. I just punched it out of white CS and tapped some ink sporadically over it. I added some Stickles to the beads and bubbles on the mermaid, though that didn't come out well in the picture.

Challenges:
The Pixie Cottage - Sketch and/or sparkle.
The Play Date Cafe #74 - Color scheme.
Crafts and Me - Anything Goes
Lily of the Valley - Punches
Gingerloft - Punches and/or dies
House of Gilli - Ribbons and pearls.

Stamps: None. ("Violet Peacock" decoupage sheet).
Paper: Bearly Mine Designs.
Ink: Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Gold doily, MS butterfly punch, Marianne Design leaf die, pearls, Stickles, crinkled/dyed seam binding.

MMSC96, TSTR54, OCC, GB, FB147

2011-03-25T22:23:00.000-05:00

This card started with the center panel, for the OCC challenge which is to use something you would normally throw away. I cut this panel from a tissue box after I rescued it from the recycle bin. I ran it through my crimper and distressed the edges. While I was in a rescuing mode, I snagged a Pepsi can, cut it up, embossed it and then colored it with Adirondack alcohol inks, and then punched out the butterfly. Poor little butterfly kind of disappeared in the picture, but it's nice and shiny, front and center IRL! :) From here I thought the Midnight Madness sketch would be perfect. Then I wandered over to the Shabby Tea Room and they're having a Bingo challenge, to use any three connected squares, and I went with the bottom row of punches/die cuts, embossing, and ribbon. The flowers I had in my stash and I sprayed them with Glimmer Mist. Threaded some beads on eye pins and attached them behind the flowers. Added some seam binding I dyed, scrunched and tied in a floppy bow. All the DP is Basic Grey Periphery.

Challenges:
Midnight Madness - Sketch
The Shabby Tea Room - Bingo
OCC - Don't throw that away!
Basic Grey - Something recycled.
Flutterby Wednesday - Anything goes (with wings)

Stamps: None.
Paper: Basic Grey Periphery, The Paper Studio.
Ink: Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Recycled panel and can, MS butterfly punch, paper crimper, flowers from stash, beads, eye pin, seam binding, Cuttlebug EF, corner rounder.

Joan's Card Challenge #10

2011-03-23T21:03:00.000-05:00

This week at Joan's Gardens, Joan whipped up a pretty recipe for this week's card challenge - A thank you card with pink and green, stripes and scallops. I had this image already finished. It was a practice piece from a couple weeks back. The image is stamped on canvas with Stazon and then I colored it with Copics and Prismacolors. I cut around the image with deckle edge scissors, distressed with some ink. I cut out a scalloped rectangle then embossed it so it wouldn't look so blah. The sentiment is made with JustRite Trompe letters. The punch flowers have been in my stash for quite some. I ran them through my crimper a bunch of times to soften them up then shaped them a bit and added the starburst center.

Challenges
Joan's Gardens - Thank you card, pink and green, stripes, scallops.
Sketch Saturday - Nice sketch!
Paper Sundae - Embossing.
JustRite - Random Act of Kindness.

Stamps: Flourishes "Humming Along", JustRite Trompe alphabet.
Paper: HOTP, The Paper Studio.
Ink: Colorbox Queues, Distress Inks.
Accessories: Punch flowers, deckle scissors, Spellbinders scalloped rectangles and tag dies, Sizzix leaf die and embossing folder, SU! scallop border punch, ribbon, canvas, pearls.

This is What Happens...

2011-03-22T19:28:00.001-05:00

Scor-Tape is really sticky! I was hovering, about to place the top layer, my ninja cat distracted me and at the same time I sneezed...and this is where it got stuck. I tried to pull it back up but it would have torn, so that's where it stays. Actually, it's not too unfortunate looking. :)

I stamped the tulip with Distress Ink three times, one of them on vellum. I cut around one entire image, then cut petals from the vellum and other stamping. Curled and shaped those petals then attached them to the base image. Painted some Stickles on the very edges of the petals and also on the stem and leaves. The tiny Kraft tag I cut free hand, inked with white and added the eyelet before threading it onto the stem. I threaded the beads onto wire and looped that through the eyelet as well. The petal portion of the flower is attached on foam tape, the stem and leaves directly to the tag. The brown, turquoise and Kraft layers were cut with my Cricut. Used a little peg stamp around the edges of each of those layers. Seam binding dyed with Distress Ink is sandwiched between the tab at the top.

Challenges
Joan's Gardens - Tuesday tag challenge.
Crazy 4 Challenges - Pink, Kraft, turquoise, brown.
Truly Scrumptious - Tag it.
Wild Orchid - Die cuts or punches.
Blog Challenge Garden (taking over for Tag Tuesday) - Think Spring.

Stamps: Anna Griffin tulip, stamp from Rubber Stamp Tapestry "Wisteria Frame" set.
Paper: SU! Kraft, The Paper Studio, vellum.
Ink: Distress Inks, Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Seam binding, beads, wire, Stickles, eyelet, MS butterfly punch, Cricut, SU! tab punch.

Sweet Pea in Pink

2011-03-22T08:19:00.000-05:00

Here's another Sweet Pea card. I just love these images. A little escape into fantasy land. :) This image is called "In the Wind" by Ching Chou Kuik. She looks so peaceful and serene. I colored her with Prismacolor pencils, with Stickles added to the wings and Liquid Pearls on the moon. Flutterby challenge this week had a sketch and that's what I followed. Since I am severely ribbon challenged and can't make a bow look decent, I figured I couldn't mess up with seam binding since it's supposed to have a shabby look. I dyed it Distress Inks, wadded it up and dried it, made a bow, and ~poof~...it looks pretty good! :)

Challenges

Flutterby Wednesday - Sketch (plus something with wings)

In A Sweet Pea Dream - Pink
Sweet Pea Stampers - Scallops
Fairytale Challengeblog - Green and pink.

Stamps: Sweet Pea "In the Wind" by Ching Chou Kuik; Stampin Up! Garden Collage.
Paper: HOTP, Neenah Solar White.
Ink: Colorbox Queues, Distress Inks.
Accessories: Sizzix leaf die, seam binding, foam tape, Spellbinders dies, Stickles, Liquid Pearls, MS butterfly punch.

Bah! Humbug Meets Crafty Hazelnut For My COTW

2011-03-21T19:43:00.001-05:00

Back to a normal work week. Bleh! Back to school today for Tyler. He has a bad case of senioritis"...can't wait to graduate in June. Shelbie made it back to Norwich Saturday without any problems. So here we go with some more cards! This week at Bah! Humbug! they want us to use metallics. I combined this with Crafty Hazelnut's challenge to use silver, and my card ended up going in non-traditional Christmas colors direction. I had cut the snowflakes from some foil paper and they looked pretty but were missing some pizzazz. So I covered them with German glass glitter. Oh my, the bling from that is gorgeous! The cutesie image is Rubbernecker's "Crystal", colored with Prismacolors. The "fur" is Liquid Pearls. Sentiment printed from my computer. Now to separate this from my stash so Chuck doesn't see it, because this will be his Christmas card this year. :)

Challenges
Bah! Humbug! - Metallics.
Crafty Hazelnut - Silver.
Sunday Sketch & Stamp - Sketch.
ABC Challenge - Q for quote/sentiment.

A little update on the making of the dress for Shelbie (same pic as before, darn it). I have been sewing since before I was 10, consider myself an advanced seamstress. Thankfully I can look at something, sketch it, make the mock-up, and end up with a relative close copy, so Shelbie has always had one-of-a-kind formals. I bought this Vogue Designer, advanced level pattern about 7 or 8 years ago and had never opened the envelope. Apparently for Vogue advanced means HA! We left out some pieces! LOL! Four out of 19 pieces are missing. Nice. So I had to take extra time to figure those pieces out and thus was not able to get the dress finished before Shelbie had to go back to college. I'll be finishing it up this week and will ship it to her. I'll post a picture of the dress all by its lonesome, then Shelbie can have someone take a picture of her the night of the Junior Ring Presentation in April and I'll post it then. What I was able to get finished so I could do a final fitting on her looked beautiful, if I may say so myself. :)

Stamps: Rubbernecker "Crystal".
Paper: Anna Griffin, The Paper Studio.
Ink: Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Spellbinder scalloped rectangles dies, Stickles, Dew Drops, Cuttlebug snowflake die and embossing folder, German glass glitter.

MMSC95, CR84FN20, Shabby Birthday

2011-03-20T20:21:00.000-05:00

There's a birthday bash going on at The Shabby Tea Room - one year since they've started their challenges. So the theme is party time. I made this birthday card following the Midnight Madness sketch and the pretty color trio from CR84FN of plum, lavender and green. The main image I've had sitting around for months waiting to be used. I had inked it with several colors of Colorbox Queues then stamped it. Added several layers of UTEE, chilled and cracked it. Stamped the sentiment then tore it around it, inked the edges. Flowers I made from punches, sprayed them with home made glimmer spray.
Challenges
Midnight Madness - Sketch
The Shabby Tea Room - Party time
Simon Says Stamp - Birthday
CR84FN - Plum, lavender, green

Stamps: Rubbernecker "Flora and Flairs", Crafty Secrets "Bonjour Merci".
Paper: DCWV Luxury Stack, The Paper Studio.
Ink: Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Spellbinders Oval and Deckeled Oval, Sizzix leaf die, handmade punch flowers, rhinestones, embossing folder, homemade glimmer spray.

Tag From Left-Overs

2011-03-20T15:29:00.000-05:00

Left-overs aren't just for dinner anymore! I won't admit to how many paper scraps I keep, but I've gotten better at tossing the itsy bits into the recycle bin. I cut the rectangular aperture from this card, and that left-over rectangle was perfect for a Christmas tag for Joan's weekly tag challenge. I trimmed all the way around with deckle edge scissors, cutting the upper corners off as well. I used some of the same felt poinsettias I used on the card and added Stickles and Dew Drops to them. I love this owl image by Inkadinkado. I stamped it with Versamark and embossed with red glitter EP with a little gold EP added. It doesn't look very good in the picture, but IRL it's really pretty! I dyed and wadded some seam binding and using it for the hanger.

Joan's Garden - Tag challenge

Stamps: Inkadinkado Winter Birds
Paper: Cosmo Cricket.
Ink: Distress Inks.
Accessories: Deckle edge scissors, seam binding, Stickles, Dew Drops, red glitter embossing powder, felt flowers and leaves.

Weekly Christmas Card

2011-03-16T19:20:00.001-05:00

I've gotten hooked on the Bah!Humbug! Christmas card challenges...helps get the mojo going for my weekly card for my Christmas stash. This week they want us to use an aperture. I used the Stardust and Snowflakes set from Rubbernecker to stamp the tree, using Distress Inks for the first two layers, then gold EP for the star layer. I love, love, love how it turned out. Think this is going to be my go to set for a mass card production (later in the year). I put all the layers together following the sketch at Create4Fun, then cut the rectangle aperture and mounted the image behind it. I went around the aperture opening with a gold Decopaint marker, and around the sentiment as well. The felt poinsettias are from my stash.

Okay, paper playing is over. Back to playing with fabric! :)

Bah! Humbug! - Aperture.
Crafty Hazelnut - Gold
Create4Fun - Sketch
Crazy 4 Challenges - Use a tree.
Stamps: Rubbernecker Stardust and Snowflakes, JustRite A Merry Little Christmas.
Paper: Cosmo Cricket.
Ink: Distress Inks, Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Spellbinders dies, gold EP, Decopaint pen, felt poinsettias, brads.

Joan's Garden Weekly Challenge #9

2011-03-16T18:59:00.001-05:00

I am so enjoying Shelbie and Tyler being off for spring break! We've had a friend of Tyler's from Wisconsin staying with us this week too. Good times.

I have been working on Shelbie's formal, but had to take a fabric break for a paper break. : ) This card is for Joan's weekly challenge, this time to use orange and blue, spring theme, die cuts and a circle. I used the Sketch Saturday sketch. I have had this Stampin Up set for a while but had not used it, so got it inky today. I embossed the outline with gold EP. The flowers I made.

Challenges:
Joan's Gardens - Recipe
Sketch Saturday - Sketch
Wild Orchid - Die cuts and/or punches.
Papertake Weekly - Three of something

Stamps: Stampin Up! Heartfelt Thanks; JustRite Just A Note.
Paper: DCWV Rustic and Botanical stacks.
Ink: Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Handmade flowers, rhinestones, gold EP, Spellbinders dies, leaf punch, Cuttlebug embossing folder, corner rounder.

Lucky Mouse

2011-03-13T20:56:00.002-05:00

Woohoo! Both my kiddos are off this week for spring break. My daughter came in late Friday night from Vermont. Her flight was smooth, no delays, actually arrived here 15 minutes early. Way to go Southwest Airlines! That's the only airline we have had no travel issues with since Shelbie started college in Vermont!

I'm getting this House Mouse card in under the wire. I had it finished yesterday but got distracted and forgot to post it. Their challenge is to make a multifold card. I love easel cards and hadn't tried one of the twisted easels yet, so decided to give it a whirl. I used the sketch at The Pixie Cottage. I colored the image with Prismacolors and Copics. Added the rhinestone clover on inside and out. This is my only St. Paddy's card.

This week I will still post a few cards, but not as many as I have been so I can enjoy lots of time with my kiddos. I'm still working only part time, so that gives me extra time with them. Also, I have another project to finish this week, as my daughter needs to take it back to school with her. It involves what you see in this picture, as well as thread, boning, lining, etc... I will post the finished product, with Shelbie modeling it, later this week. Kind of hard to tell, but it's wine colored satin, along with wine colored georgette with different colored floral design. Beautiful fabrics!

Challenges
House Mouse - Multifold
Pixie Cottage - Sketch
My Time to Craft - Jewels
Paper Play - Shades of Green/Good Luck
Creative Inspirations - Easel card.

Stamps: House Mouse "O Lucky Day".
Paper: HOTP, The Paper Studio.
Ink: Colorbox Queues, Distress Inks.
Accessories: Spellbinders dies, corner punch, Stickles, rhinestone clover, Cuttlebug embossing folder.

A Cagey Tag

2011-03-10T19:42:00.001-06:00

I love the Tim Holtz Caged Bird die but didn't buy it since I have a Cricut and a jillion cartridges. Really should use it more! I cut this tag using two different cartridges, and using Design Studio to weld things together. The bird and branch are also cut with the Crickie. I used a Cuttlebug border folder. I shaped the bird's wing a bit with my bone folder, inked it a bit. The tiny flowers are from a Cuttlebug die, Stickles in the centers. Added the little quillie cue and some tiny MS butterflies. The photo tag keeps the cage closed.

Open the cage and there's a flap with the bird on the branch. Open that, and there is the writing spot.

Challenges
Joan's Gardens - Tag
Tag Tuesday - Surprise.
Wild Orchid - Anything goes.
Flutterby Wednesday - Photo inspiration
Simon Says Stamps - Anything goes.

Stamps: None.
Paper: The Paper Studio.
Ink: Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Cricut, Cuttlebug die and embossing folder, leaf punch, Stickles, photo holder, MS butterfly punch.

CR84FN18, MMSC94, FTTC108, 1-2-3-4

2011-03-09T22:05:00.000-06:00

Whole lotta alphabet soup in that blog title! :) When I saw that Flourishes Timeless Tuesday challenge is to use stitching, I grabbed my canvas. I stamped the image on the canvas and used Copics and Prismacolors to get a pretty watercolor effect. I cut the image borders with deckle edge scissors and inked with Distress Inks. I did some hand stitching on upper right border and added some beads, then sloppy machine stitched the rest of the way around. I used the color scheme at CR84FN of orange, yellow and Kraft and followed this week's Midnight Madness sketch.

Challenges
Midnight Madness - Sketch
CR84FN - Orange, yellow and Kraft
OCC - 1-2-3-4 (1 DP, 2 layers, 3 stamped images, 4 embellishments)
Flourishes - Sewing.
Crafty Cardmakers - Fabric
Craft Us Crazy - Nature

Stamps: Flourishes "Humming Along" and "Clematis and Butterflies".
Paper: Kraft CS, DCWV Rustic
Ink: Stazon, Colorbox Queues, Memento.
Accessories: Canvas, Spellbinders die, Cuttlebug folders, beads.

Embossed Angel

2011-03-09T07:48:00.002-06:00

Adding to my Christmas card stash. This week's Bah! Humbug! challenge called for embossing. I inked up this pretty Inkadinkado angel and embossed her with gold embossing powder. I inked the outside edge of Spellbinders Mega Rectangles then cut and embossed the image to get that sharp border. I also cut the card base with the largest die from that set, embossed the front panel with a Cuttlebug snowflake folder, and tapped the stamp pad on the snowflakes to bring them out a bit. The ABC Christmas challenge this time around is also embossing, plus three different embellishments. The gold vellum snowflakes are from a Cuttlebug die. The word is a metal word from Colorbok. It was silver, but I colored it with a gold DecoColor marker.

Challenges
Bah! Humbug! - Embossing.
ABC Christmas Challenge - Embossing and 3 embellishments.
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Metal.
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - Embossing.

Stamps: Inkadinkado Christmas Silhouettes.
Paper: The Paper Studio.
Ink: Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Versamark, gold EP, Spellbinders dies, Cuttlebug dies, metal word, rhinestones.

Vintage Love Is Gone

2011-03-08T20:44:00.000-06:00

Oh, to choose just one Sweet Pea image as a favorite - couldn't do it. Had it narrowed down to five, closed my eyes and grabbed one, and it's "Love is Gone". I colored the image with my usual Prismacolors. Painted the wings with Frosty Lace Stickles. The DP is Basic Grey Curio, and the sketch is a great one at Lili of the Valley. I used vellum "petals" in the flowers and for one layer of the butterfly. I also embossed the strip of vellum with Spellbinders Impressabilities.
Challenges:
Lili of the Valley - Sketch.
Sweet Pea Stampers - Favorite stamp.
PaperPlay - Shabby chic/vintage.
Paper Romance - Vellum.
Basic Grey - Wings.

Stamps: Sweet Pea "Love is Gone", Crafty Secrets "Pink Ribbon".
Paper: Basic Grey Curio.
Ink: Memento, Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Handmade flowers, Spellbinders dies and Impressabilities, MS branch and butterfly punches, Stickles, Twinkling H2Os, foam tape.

Under the Sea

2011-03-08T07:19:00.000-06:00

I really liked this sketch at The Pixie Cottage so even though I already entered with their theme of spring, I decided to do the sketch this time. I chose this Sweet Pea image called "Enchanting Gold" for the Under the Sea challenge at Crafts and Me. She is colored with Prismacolor pencils. Although I missed the Color Throwdown deadline, I love those colors together so used them anyway. :)

Challenges
The Pixie Cottage - Sketch
Crafts and Me - Under the sea
The Stamp Man - Curls and swirls
Color Throwdown - Navy, pink, baja breeze (late for this one)

Stamps: Sweet Pea Stamps "Enchanting Gold".
Paper: Basic Grey Two Scoops, Neenah Solar White, The Paper Studio.
Ink: Memento, Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Spellbinders Doodleparts and scalloped oval dies, Cuttlebug folders, Pebbles chalks, Stickles, corner punch, handmade flower.

Moonlit Fairy

2011-03-06T17:34:00.000-06:00

This week's Crafty Cardmakers challenge is silhouettes, and I immediately thought of this little fairy. I stamped it with Versamark then embossed with black EP. I used chalks on the moon, cut the image with Spellbinders Labels 14 and inked around the edges. The Craft Your Days Away challenge is black and white, and that made the rest of the card pretty simple. Followed the cute sketch at Crazy 4 Challenges. Both background DP are from DCWV La Creme Cardstock pad. I really like the black glittery one...looks like a sparkly starry night.

Challenges
Crazy 4 Challenges - Sketch
Flutter By Wednesdays - Anything goes
Crafty Cardmakers - Silhouettes
Craft Your Days Away - Black and white

Stamps: Rubber Stampede "Moonlit Fairy", Verve "Fairy Tales".
Paper: DCWV La Creme
Ink: Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels Fourteen, Cuttlebug embossing folder, black embossing powder, Versamark, foam tape, Pebbles chalks.

Whiff of Joy #99

2011-03-05T19:08:00.001-06:00

I have had this Whiff of Joy image colored for quite some time. I came across it and I'm using it for this weeks challenge #99 at Whiff of Joy - buttons and blooms. I cut her out and mounted her on foam tape. I cut the purple mat with Spellbinders Beaded Oval then ran it through an embossing folder. The Simon Says Stamp challenge this week is a recipe of 1 image, 2 DP and 3 embellishments. One DP is Anna Griffin, the other HOTP. Embellishments are the flowers from Wild Orchid, buttons and Flower Soft. I used the sketch from last week's Sketch Saturday.

Challenges:
Whiff of Joy - Blooms and buttons
My Time to Craft - Infants (or children)
Simon Says Stamp - Recipe
Wild Orchid - Anything Goes
Fairy Tale Challengeblog - Children

Stamps: Whiff of Joy Kneeling Willow, SU! Words.
Paper: The Paper Studio, Anna Griffin, HOTP.
Ink: Distress Inks.
Accessories: Flower soft, Wild Orchid roses, leaf punch, Cuttlebug embossing folder, foam tape.

Tuesday Tag Challenge

2011-03-04T17:40:00.000-06:00

For this week's tag challenge at Joan's Gardens, I went with a more masculine look. The base of the tag is card stock on which I used Distress Inks. The little postcard and the other DP are from HOTP. I tore the bottom DP all around then ran it through my paper crimper, distressed the edges. Wadded and flattened the postcard, used Distress Inks on it as well. The stamps are vellum stickers that I put on cardstock and cut out. Wrapped it all up with some twine, added the little lock and the Grunge Paper tag I recycled from the packaging.

Challenges:
Joan's Gardens - Tuesday tag challenge.
Tag Tuesday - Tag.
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Ephemera.
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Tags.

Stamps: None.
Paper: The Paper Studio, HOTP.
Ink: Distress Inks.
Accessories: Vellum stamp stickers, lock, twine, Grunge tag.

Dreamy...

2011-03-04T16:02:00.000-06:00

Yet another Sweet Pea image. This one is called "Inner Tender" I love the big cat watching over the sweet fairy. I used my Prismacolors blended with baby oil, using pink and being for the Sketchy Colors challenge Added a bunch of hand made flowers that I smothered in Glimmer Mist, though the shimmer doesn't show well in the picture. The sentiment I did on my computer. All DP is DCWV Lace and Linen pack, even the "ribbon" with pearls...it's a strip of DP!
Sketchy Colors - Pink and beige
ABC Challenge - P is for pink
Crazy 4 Challenges - Flowers
Bunny Zoe Crafts - Spring Flowers

Stamps: Sweet Pea "Inner Tender"
Paper: DCWV Lace and Linen.
Ink: Distress Inks.
Accessories: Stickles, corner rounder, flower and leaf punches, rhinestone.

Joan's Blog Hop

2011-03-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

Thanks for dropping by! Are you ready for some EXCITING NEWS?! This week you have the chance to win an AMAZING PRIZE PACKAGE you won't want to miss out on. JustRite Stamps has so generously donated the grand prize for this week's Joan's Garden's 8th Challenge for 2011. I am thrilled to be a part of Joan's blog hop featuring JustRite stamps! This prize package includes the following JustRite products:

Total Value $191.50 !!
One of each of the following:
Acrylic block set – $8.95
Mini binder box - $9.95
Mothers Natures Gifts – 16.95
Fancy tags- 19.95
Happy Everything -32.95
Nested frame dies 24.95
Nested sentiments dies 24.95
3 ¼” block -12.95
Fancy frames 19.95
Inspires me 19.95

Wouldn't you love to win this grand prize from JustRite stamps!?! In addition to this fabulous grand prize, there will also be additional prize packages from Joan's Garden's to give you 2 additional chances to win.
You will have until next Thursday morning (March 10) 6:00 AM EST to link your card/project. There are only two requirements for this week's challenge:

• Create a card/project using ONLY JustRite stamps (any JustRite stamps and matching dies are acceptable) Do not use any other brand stamps. You may use any card stock, design paper and embellishments you want.

• You must be subscribed to Joan's Gardens blog to win. This allows you to receive all updates about challenges and sales, etc.

The winner for the grand prize package from JustRite Stamps will be chosen from a Random drawing and will be announced Friday morning (March 11). This person will also be entered in the End of the Year drawing for a $100 gift certificate from Joan's Gardens. You may enter this challenge more than once, but each card/project must be made with only JustRite stamps.

TWO more chances to win another a great prize!
This week Selma and Joan have invited 12 guest designers to join them in a Blog Hop featuring JustRite stamps. You won't want to miss all the inspiration in the beautiful cards created by these talented designers. While visiting each of these blogs, you have a chance to win another great prize from Joan's Gardens. In order to be eligible for one of these two prize packages, you need to leave a comment on each blog in this Hop (12 guest designers, Selma and joan). Out of the fourteen blogs, there are two "mystery" blogs, each with a prize package from Joan's Gardens.

For a chance to win, be sure to check out all the wonderful creations and leave a comment on all fourteen blogs.

Carla
Donna R
Giovanna
Glenda
Gretchen
Kris
Lana
Mary Anne
Nancy (That's me)
Selma
Sharon
Sue
Vicki
Joan

Here is my project using JustRite products from Joans Gardens. I kept it simple in order to showcase the beautiful hibiscus bloom that is just one of the images in JustRite Mother Nature's Gifts Set. I stamped the image and border with Memento ink. Colored the flower with Copics, added some Stickles to the stamen. I also colored the border with Copics and added some flat-backed pearls I colored with the Copic marker to match. I stamped the sentiment from the same JustRite set in sections to the upper and lower panels. I taped off the part I didn't want inked so I could stamp the portion I wanted to, stamped directly to the DP. The Dew Drops are a very pale yellow. Easy peasy, and ready for spring! :)

Thank you for being a part of our blog hop. Dont miss out on the chance to win the amazing Justrite prize package! Create your own project with JustRite products and enter the challenge at Joan's Gardens. Also, be sure to see the other gorgeous creations and comment on each of the fourteen blogs in the blog hop for a chance to win an additional prize from Joan

Card recipe
Stamps: JustRite Mother Nature's Gift Set
Paper: HOTP, Basic Grey Porcelain.
Ink: Memento, Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Spellbinders Circle die, Dew Drops, Stickles, pearls.

First Bah Humbug Challenge

2011-03-02T16:09:00.000-06:00

I've been keeping up with my personal quota of a Christmas card a week, just didn't post the last ones because they were a "multiple" batch I put together. I did five of them; may include a pic at a later time. But this week I saw that Bah-Humbug's challenge was things that fly. I have a few images that would work for that, and I chose this one from Sweet Pea Stamps called Snow Fae, by Rachel Anderson. I colored her in muted shades with my Prismacolors and used this week's Midnight Madness sketch. The ABC Christmas challenge called for embossing and 3 embellishments. Think I got that covered. Not traditional colors, but I think it's purdy! :)

Challenges:
Midnight Madness - Sketch
Bah!Humbug! - Things that fly
ABC Christmas Challenge - E for embossing and embellishments.
Paper Romance - Anything goes.

Stamps: Sweet Pea Stamps "Snow Fae"
Paper: The Paper Studio, Neenah Solar White, Anna Griffin DP
Ink: Memento, Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Stickles, Dew Drops, Spellbinders Doodleparts die, CB embossing folder, ribbon, MS lilypond punch, felt leaves

Happy Little Mouse

2011-03-02T06:42:00.001-06:00

I had this post ready to go yesterday, just needed to insert the picture of my card, and I started having computer problems. Oh well...computer behaving now, so here's my card. I originally followed the Pixie Cottage #58 sketch, but that deadline was last night. This week's challenge at Pixie Cottage is a spring theme (and/or their weekly sketch), so I'm still going with my same four challenges! I love all my little House Mouse images, and this little guy is colored with Prismacolors with chalks for the background. The flowers are made from punches. Sentiment is from Flourishes.

Challenges:
Pixie Cottage - Spring
CR84FN - Color scheme
Paper Play Challenge - Use a sentiment
Everybody Art Challenge - Spring

Stamps: House Mouse Throwing Daisy Petals, Flourishes Humming Along
Paper: Basic Grey Lilykate, HOTP
Ink: Colorbox Queues, Memento.
Accessories: Spellbinders Fancy Tags and Circles dies, MS lattice punch, Stickles, flower and leaf punches, foam tape.

Bright Sweet Pea Poppies

2011-02-28T17:48:00.002-06:00

I usually tend not to use very bright colors, but I had this Sweet Pea image stamped and had her dress colored with a muted shade of green. When I saw the Playdate Cafe color challenge, I ramped it up turned her dress into this pretty aqua and pale green number. All coloring done with Prismacolors blended with baby oil. Added Pebbles chalks around the edge. Flowers are made with punches from DP that I stamped using a flourish stamp. Sentiment from JustRite.

Challenges:
Everybody Art Challenge - Sketch
The Play Date Cafe - Color scheme
Lili of the Valley- Circles
In A Sweet Pea Dream - Warm weather

Stamps: Sweet Pea Field of Poppies, JustRite Hope set.
Paper: Basic Grey Lilykate, The Paper Studio
Ink: Colorbox Queues.
Accessories: Spellbinders circles, MS branch punch, flower punches, Stickles, foam tape, Pebbles chalks, pearls.

Sweet Pea DT Search

2011-02-28T17:39:00.000-06:00

Well, I pretty much waited until the end to get this in. Sweet Pea Stamps is having a Design Team call, and there are so many very gifted cardmakers in the running, but I figured I'll give it a shot.

I have a huge collection of Sweet Pea stamps and it seems I'm adding to that quite often. I've always loved fairies and fantasy themes, and these stamps certainly fit that category! They are fun to color, and I love creating a card around these images. I tend to go on the simpler side for the card so as to showcase the image, but I really like how they turn out. I would love to have the opportunity to be a part of the Sweet Pea design team, and share more of these beauties!!

I have made quite a few cards with these images, but did not get pictures of them all (darn it!) Here are some of my more recent favorites:

Serene Night

Moonlight Fairy

Glam Goth Fairy

Restless Thoughts

Field of Poppies
(posting this next)

Distressed Hat

2011-02-28T08:09:00.000-06:00

Have you ever been in a rush to clean your craft space and accidentally tossed a keeper? That's what happened to my image, after I had finished with it. It got caught up in the drift of scraps that I tossed and scrunched down into the recycle bin. When I finally realized I had tossed the image ~*gasp!*~ I managed to find it. It was a little rumpled, so since I was making it for the OCC challenge which called for distressing, I went ahead and rumpled it some more, then added Distress Inks to bring out the abuse. :) The teensy little roses I made with 1/8" ribbon a couple years ago to put on a fashion doll make-over gown. I had some left over, so I colored these with Copics. The little paper rosebud is from Wild Orchid. Added the image to a gold doily, then mounted that on layers of K&Co DP. Added the little gloves charm onto the sentiment banner.

Challenges
OCC - Sketch and distress.
My Time to Craft - Hats
Paper Sundaes - Charms.

Stamps: Inkadinkado
Paper: K&Co
Ink: Colorbox Queues, Distress Inks
Accessories: Ribbon rosebuds, paper rosebud, charm, doily, corner rounder and punch.

Flourishes Birthday

2011-02-26T20:04:00.000-06:00

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday this week is to create a birthday card. I am using another image from the newest Flourishes release. This is the largest of the images, colored with Prismacolors. I stamped the sentiment directly onto theDP. The flowers are from MS hydrangea punch; I took a nip out of each petal then blended some Prismacolors and inked the edges of the petals. The paper directly behind the image is a gorgeous vellum with images of handwritten pages on it.

Challenges:
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday - Birthday
Midnight Madness - CAS Sketch
Spoonful of Sugar - Birthday
Lili of the Valley - Circles

Stamps: Flourishes "From The Desk Of"
Paper: HOTP DP and vellum
Ink: Distress Inks, Memento
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels Three and Lacy Circles dies, MS Hydrangea and branch punches, Dew Drops, Stickles

Need To Remember The Stripes

2011-02-25T21:49:00.000-06:00

I have lots of DP that has stripes, but for some reason I shy away from them. Don't know why. When I saw the challenge at Simon Says Stamps and Show - use stripes - I dug some out. Just so happens I've used this same striped paper on several other cards this month, but Paper Sundaes' challenge is to use masculine colors so I stuck with this one. Used this week's Sketchy Colors sketch. The image is from one of the latest Flourishes stamp sets, "From The Desk Of". This one doesn't take much color, but I did a bit with Prismacolors. Did a vignette around the image with Pebbles chalks, mounted it up on foam tape. The DP is HOTP and K&Co.

Challenges
Sketchy Colors - Sketch
Paper Sundaes - Masculine colors
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Stripes

Stamps: Flourishes From The Desk Of
Paper: HOTP, K&Co.
Ink: Memento
Accessories: Spellbinders Circles, CB folder, eyelets, foam tape.

A Simply Sentimental Card

2011-02-25T19:18:00.003-06:00

This week's JustRite Friday challenge is direct to rubber. I used Marvy markers on the sentiment, brown and burgundy intermingled on the stamp. I don't have any of the new frilly JR border stamps yet, so I used the marker to ink the corner from one of the square borders of the Hope set and stamped each corner individually. Colored some tiny rhinestones with Copic marker to match. The OCC challenge is to get wordy...use a sentiment stamp to make the background or a layer. I used a SU! word for the layer behind the sentiment panel. I followed the sketch at Craft Your Days Away, and cut the card shape using Grand Labels One. The little tea-time charms are from my stash.

Challenges:
JustRite Friday Challenge - Direct to rubber.
Our Creative Corner - Get Wordy
Craft Your Days Away - Sketch.
One Stitch At a Time - Anything but square.

Stamps: JustRite Friendship Nested Sentiments, and Hope Set, SU Warm Words.
Paper: MME, CS scraps.
Ink: Colorbox queues for edges, Marvy markers for stamps.
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels Eight and Grand Labels One, rhinestones, Copics, charms.

Basic Grey Sketch

2011-02-24T21:03:00.001-06:00

I came across this great sketch at the Basic Grey Challenge blog and thought it would be perfect for another fairy image. I used papers from three different Basic Grey packs...LilyKate, Capella, and the last one didn't have the cover on it so don't know the name of that pack. I had the wings on this Sweet Pea image colored pink and had added Stickles and then for some reason never finished it. So I finished her using the colors from this week's CR84FN challenge. I colored the image with Prismacolors blended with baby oil. The flowers were made from different punches.

Stamps: Sweet Pea "Restless Thoughts"
Paper: Basic Grey Lilykate, Capella
Ink: Memento.
Accessories: Spellbinders die, Stickles,

Challenges
Basic Grey - Sketch
CR84FN - Light pink, medium violet, gray
Crafty Cardmakers - Fairies and at least 2 punches
Wags N Whiskers - Punches

Buttons and Bows and Lace, Oh My!

2011-02-24T17:22:00.000-06:00

Well, darn...I had planned to use this Friday Sketchers sketch (one that came out last Friday) for my The Shabby Tea Room card, got it all put together, and missed the deadline for that challenge by about ten minutes. Oh well, still had to write this post so... I'll just have to check the deadlines better next time.
The image is from Art Creations Friday. I tinkered with the colors a bit and then printed it on canvas. Used deckle edge scissors to cut around the image, inked the edges with Distress Inks. All DP is Prima. The little tag is a Grunge paper tag that comes with the packaging. Attached it to the metal button with jump rings, then added the green button. Flower is made from punches, spritzed with Glimmer Mist. It's attached over some pieces of lace I aged with Distress Inks, and a few stamens I colored with Copics. The little sticker on the tag I cut from a Crafty Secrets sheet.

Challenges
The Shabby Tea Room - Buttons and Bows
Claudia and Company - Recipe (1 tag, 2 buttons, ribbon, sticker)
A Gem of a Challenge - Buttons, brads, beads, bows (say that three times real fast!)
The Pink Elephant - Buttons, lace, ribbon

Stamps: Digital image from Art Creations Friday.
Paper: Prima paper "The First Blush", Paper Studio CS
Ink: Distress Inks.
Accessories: Canvas, ribbon, buttons, lace, handmade flower, stamens, tag, jump rings, sticker.