Hooray! It's Monday

I know, most people hate Mondays.  I look forward to the start of what will hopefully be a better week.  This is the beginning of my start as a volunteer at school.  BOOK FAIR WEEK!  Hooray!  I love book fair.  This year I am determined to get ALL the Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  My son loves these books and we would have to wait forever from the library since there are like 24 requests for them.

This is also the start of "The Popcorn Lady"....ME!  I'm trying to be optimistic about it, but honestly, I don't have things ready.  I've got the week and may take a little trip to town with my husband to get supplies.  It seems like forever since we have shared a day together...alone.

I hope your week starts off well too!

I have a few cards to share.  This first one was my original idea for my friend's card sets.  

It uses this week's Card Patterns Sketch.  It also celebrates birthdays.  Stamp Something is Celebrating Something.

I decided after making it that I should probably go a little more elegant and so I made this using the same colors.

This card uses one of my favorite sets from Verve, "Thankful Accents."  I used Crystal Stickles around the circles.  I also made a grid pattern on both cards using my Martha Stewart Scoring Board.  I got mine from Michaels using a coupon and what a deal.  This scoring system is great because it has a groove every 1/8".  This can be a bit tricky.  My TIP:  Take a Sharpie and color the score line every inch.  Use a different color to mark every half inch.  This really helps to ensure you are lining things up correctly.  The only thing I don't like about this board is the bone folder/scoring tool that comes with it.  OUCH!  It comes to a sharp edge all the way around.  I'm sure this is great for folding the score lines you have made, but it hurts my finger when I score.  I use an embossing tool instead.  So much more comfortable. 

 I'm entering this into the Paper Sundaes Challenge because I have had that dotted ribbon forever and this is the first time I've used it.  Yeah me!

That's All FOLKS!  Be back here tomorrow for an interesting and FUN A Crafty Place Challenge.

See you then!

What's In It?
Stamps: Cling by Memory Box, MCS Birthday Numbers
Ink: Versafine Black,Kiwi Kiss
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, White, prism blue
Other: Black EP, turquoise glitter, dimensionals, ribbon, scoring board, corner rounder, sponge, paper piercer, Pebbles glitter dots 


Stamps: Thankful Accents (verve)
Ink: colorbox aqua, green, kiwi kiss
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, white
Other: ribbon, dimensionals, stickles, circle punch, scoring board, corner rounder

My Sweet Fishing Boy

Hey All!   I have been the WORST blogger lately.  I'm so sorry.  I am having a hard time adjusting to my new school schedule.  My daughter now goes to school about an hour and a half  before my son.  I have to get her up around 6:15am.  Then I run her to school and come back and wake my son up and then take him to school.   Next I try to walk my dog, feed both dogs and then I finally get a chance to get ready.  Quite honestly, it's all  cut into my crafting time.  I'm still trying to figure it all out.  I've said before that time management is NOT a strength of mine.  Give me a few weeks and it will all work out, I'm sure. 
  I've also been doing a lot of reading on dog training.  I'm one of those people that can either read or create...not both.  Throw in a few sleepless nights from my son being sick and me trying to meet my Simply Scrapbook deadline, along with an all day seminar for my Dental Hygiene License renewal and I feel a bit CRAZED.

I did finally get my projects done and delivered yesterday.  TGF image above is from a set I got to work with.  I LOVE HIM!  My son has fallen in love with fishing.  I made this little project for him out of a lunchbag.  I just folded it over and sewed to create a pocket.  The great thing is that it created TWO pockets.  

Oh how I wish I could have taken a picture of the final project with the little snacks I put in, but I didn't:(  So imagine this with 2 mini bags of Swedish Fish in the very back pocket.  Swedish Fish are so yummy!  I also made a little card to put in the front pocket.  It  has a picture of my son and his first BIG CATCH.  He got that when we went camping this summer.  He was the only one who caught a fish that day.  That made him feel pretty proud since he was with older people.

This looked so cute with the snack bags of fish popping out the top.  It kills me that you don't get to see it all.  I made this using the Card Patterns Sketch this week.  It's turned on the side. 

This also has lots of layers including those pockets, so I'm entering it into the Pile It On Challenge.

The Shabby Tea Room has a Tag Challenge.


 I've gotta run.  We have no food in the house.  I was supposed to get groceries yesterday, but I had a big surprise when I dropped off my projects at the scrapbook store.  I'll tell you about that tomorrow when I share another SS creation using Mercy's sketch. 

Til then~!

Thinking Box and Paper Pierced Thanks

Another Purpl-ish Day????  Kinda.  I took the same papers by We R Memory Keepers ( my bad...I said Memory Makers yesterday....oops) and made several projects using just that one line.  I tried to pull a more pinkish purple tone with my creations today.  This is just a simple box.  I think it is an 8X12 piece that was scored at 2" and 6"  on the shorter 8" side and then scored at 5" and 7" on the 12" side.  Maybe I should come up with a template and share.  I'll do that later.  It's VERY simple, but hard to explain.

I created the flower by pulling the thread on one end of the saddle stitched ribbon to gather it and form a spiral. Glue this to a scrap of circle punch paper and top with a brad, button, pearl, whatever.  My "leaves" are just grosgrain that was tied into a knot.  This is for the Free For All Challenge to use Buttons and ribbon differently.  Ok...no button, but my ribbons are used VERY differently.

I used my Copics to color in the heat embossed frame.  Did you know that you can color over any Copic with a very light gray to tone it down or give the impression of a more vintage color???  I colored over my YG25 and RV 19( I think) with a W-2.  That is a light shade of warm gray and it took the harshness of the colors down a bit.  Just a tip for you:)

Here's another project using the backside of that same WRMK paper, Retro Glam.  I used some Colorbox Merlot ink and Sahara sand for the flowers.  I colored my prima flower that was HOT pink with Copics to match:D  I love Copics.  Don't forget the Copic Sale at DCRU that starts TOMORROW!  Cheap!

 I added some twill and rhinestone for bling.  My boo boo is covered by that "thanks" sentiment.  I hate when I add a sentiment as the final step and it smears a big blob of ink.  So stamp, punch out and cover it up...Yah!

Both cards are for :
The Pink Elephant~ Bling and Bows
The Creative Card Crew- Sparkle and Shine

This card uses Card Patterns Sketch and is for the challenge at  Allsorts Paper Piercing/piecing.

I'll be back with a few more creations tomorrow.  See you then!

It's a Lonely Love Story

Hello my dear blogging friends.  It's been a rough week.  I really haven't felt in the mood for creativity.  I have five cards started, sitting on my table,  just staring at me while I stare right back.  This morning I was committed to finishing at least one.  So I made this vintage card inspired by several challenges.
The Shabby Tea Room~ use chipboard
The Playdate Cafe Colors
(missed the deadline)
Card Patterns~ Sketch

As I was editing my picture I started to think about how this really isn't a "love story."  There is only one bird.  Maybe it's a card about loving yourself.  Let's go with that shall we?  I may make another bird and move them together.  I just didn't have it in me this am.  Besides, it would be like 4 more days before I could post it and then it wouldn't fit any of the challenges.  I think this may sum up how my week is going.  The other card, which I will share tomorrow, I adhered upside down.  Another good analogy of how I'm feeling this week:)

Because I'm in a foul mood, no pun intended, I will keep this post short.  I'm heading out to spend the day with my hubby.  I'm sure that will help and I'll be much better by tomorrow.

I wanted to share that my chipboard was painted with Distress Paint and then I dumped glitter on while the paint was still wet.  That gives it a bit of a different look.  Also, my chipboard bird was painted with Smooch and then aged with Fresh Snow and Sahara Sand ink.  Sahara Sand is a great ink to use for a variation on giving a project an antiqued look. IMO.


What's In It?
Stamps: Bo Bunny Cherished
Ink: Sahara Sand, versafine black
Paper: MME Quite Contrary, TPS texted DP, white
Other: Maya Road chipboard, wrinkled ribbon, distress paint, lace, glitter, smooch, button, twine, black pearls, sewing machine.

Congrats 3D

This was a card I made using Card Patterns sketch a few weeks ago.  I just never got it posted.  Such a fun, simple sketch.  I painted several chipbaord pieces using acrylic and Tim Holtz distress paints.  My sentiment is embossed with black and that doodled paper is from the K&Co Poppy Seed collection.  Such a super easy card.  Thanks for popping in today:)

Embrace Spring!

Wow!  Did morning come early today.  I am so not a night owl.  I stayed up way too late last night.  I've got myself a new coffee pot so I should be raring to go in a bit.

  A while back I got a mat pack of this really pretty, soft paper by DCWV called Linen Closet.  That title just conjures up such sweet smells to me.  Imagine sticking your nose into a big,, fluffy, white towel that was first hung on the line (then you stick it in the dryer for a fluff cycle so it is fluffy). AHHH!  This winter loving girl is really ready for spring.  So here is my "spring" card.  Hey ABC Toys...I'm entering again...LOL.

I also used those stickers from the dollar store on the top corners, my "Halloween" pearls and a hodgepodge of lace trim.  My flower was created with ribbon and I do have a tutorial on it.  I'll be back later with that.

UPDATE:  Tutorial is located HERE.

  I finally got to use some of my new Verve stamps.  I love this flourishy frame.  The inside sentiment is from a Unity's Bevy of Butterflies.  Do you see my butterfly?  I made that by stamping and layering a heart and flourish from the Verve set.  I love it when a set is multifunctional.  This set is Thankful Accents and it's so pretty!

 I have a few more challenges to enter with this card:
Verve Project Parade....again:)
Hope Stamps Eternal Cupcake Inspiration  
Flutter By Wednesday 100
Card Patterns Sketch 56
Cardvaarks Lace Challenge

Off to wake the kids.  Hope your Tuesday is fantabulous!




What's In It?
Stamps: Thankful Accents, Bevy of Butterflies
Ink: Spring Moss, Aqua Mist
Paper: white, Linen Closet
Other: lace trim, stickles, pearls, EK border punch, Aqua Mist ribbon, stickers, dimensionals

Happy Valentine's Day

I finally made it back today to post this card for this week's Whimsy Challenge...Sweetness and Love.  You have until February 22nd to participate over at the Whimsy group at  SNR Card Universe.  Whimsy is also sponsoring the Colour Create Challenge blog as they celebrate one year of challenges.  Head on over.  The color combo is one of my favs:  Pink, White, Choc and Red.  I used that same Bo Bunny Paper again from this morning.  I think this is the cutest of all the owl stamps I have seen.  Maybe because that's probably what my hair looks like when I get up in the morning.  I also have that same expression before  my first cup of coffee:D

I had a hard time putting this card together.  I finally used the really fun sketch over at Card Patterns today.  I have also discovered the joy of crepe paper.  I can't wait to get some more and start playing around with it.  How fun and CHEAP!  My favorite things:)  Today is also the last day to enter into the Die Cuts R Us Challenge.

Hope you are having a great Valentine's Day.  I can't believe tomorrow is Monday already.  Geesh!  I hope next week goes a little better than this week.  My kids will be home again tomorrow and we are headed out skating.  That should be fun.  I hope to have another creation for you tomorrow, but if not I will have a sneak peek for you on Tuesday.  Whimsy is having a release party on Wednesday.  Hope you can come and hop along with us.

Another Post for PTI

I have another quick post today for the PTI Color Challenge.   I keep missing the deadlines so I wanted to get this posted. I chose the favorite colors of Lisa Johnson.

 

I also chose to use the sketch provided by Card Patterns this week.

  I realized after making this that my flowers are WAY too far to the right.  I think I may have to try this card again because I love everything about it except how far those flowers are off to the right.  These are totally MY colors.  This is the color combo of my bathroom and I find them so soothing.  Ahhhh! 

  You may see this card again in a revised version.  Ok..off to make dinner.  Have a great night!






What's In It?
Stamps: Floral Frenzy
Ink: versafine black, colorbox spanish moss
Paper: Spring Moss, Cream, Black, Kraft
Other: circle nestie, May Art Ribbon, dew drops, paper piercer, velvet brads, filigree EF

PS....It's a Late Post:)

This is a SUPER quick card I managed to squeeze in today. (Took longer for the stickles to dry than anything) I had hopes for another card and tutorial, but no such luck.  My daughter's room is taking up a lot of time.  It is looking amazing though.  I truly am quite jealous.  I will show some pics if it's ok with her at a later date.

I had to point out that this card was inspired by that pink ribbon.  It came on a shower gift pack that my DD got at Christmas.  I knew I had to use it somehow.  I also used that giant heart brad that I picked up on clearance last year.  It's by We R Memory Makers...is that right?..hmmm...you know who I mean.  I love a cheap, repurposed card!  Thickers were colored with Copics and Stickled.  That's It!

Hope your day is going well.  I'll be back tomorrow with the Little Loud Stamps...Charlotte and Jacob!

See you then!

Fuzzy, Wuzzy Was A....

....POLAR Bear.

Fuzzy, Wuzzy had (Flower Soft) Polar White Hair:)

That's my REALLY BAD rhyme for the day. I just got some Polar White Flower Soft to try on some of the winter projects that I have in mind.

My card today uses the Card Patterns Sketch 33.

I know that it's hard to see in this picture, but it is a clear acrylic card.

Here's a side view:

I used several things that I got from Paper Maniac LLC. They have sponsored SEVERAL things in my Blog Candy for a Cause. I think they have a rockin' store. I used some really cool Cosmo Cricket paper called JOLLY by GOLLY. That little polar bear was also one of my purchases from the "dollar" section of the store. (It's no longer there, but they have many other things)

I also made this card to send as part of my challenge to Make a Child Smile. Do you want to play along and win a stamp set? Check out the details HERE.

I have to share the story of making this card because usually nothing in my life every goes very easily. I'm not complaining. It's just a fact of my life and I've learned to try and "roll with it."

So I'm up early this morning making this card. Trying out my new product, Flower Soft, and this new paper. I realize that the colors on this paper are REALLY hard to match with ANYTHING I have. I'm thinking I may try to incorporate some red into it.

After coloring the scarf all one color I decided maybe this is where I'll add the red. Mind you, this is AFTER I have already put the Flower Soft on.

I'm carefully coloring with my red Copic marker when I see that some of the Flower Soft has been SATURATED with red ink. Now I have a card for a sick child that has a BLEEDING Polar Bear on the front. Oh Yeah! THAT'S UPLIFTING:( UGH!!!!!

Fortunately, I was able to pluck the bloody pieces off and salvage the card. Then I decided to add some black dimensional paint that I just got for another craft project. Well, it ended up dripping and so my Polar Bear looked like one of those Mimes with the sad eyes who has been crying. Black eye make up smeared everywhere. Racoon eye-ish if you will.

I was bound and determined that this %$*&@ card was going to be HAPPY darn it! After stamping and redoing that Polar Bear about 6 times, I FINALLY got it right. AND I think he's cute. I hope that it makes Justine, the girl I am sending this to, smile. The inside says "Sending you Polar Bear Hugs."

I should be back tomorrow with another dotted card:D

What's In It?
Stamps: Imaginisce Polor Bear
Ink: Black Memento
Paper: Jolly by Golly, White, snow vellum
Other: Acrylic sheet, scalloped edge punch, dimensionals, prismacolor pencils, Inkssentials white gel pen, paper piercer, glitter, snowflake button, pearls (recollections) Janome Sew mini, ribbon (hobby lobby), crystal effects, Copics

I Think I Like Pink?

I have never considered myself as someone who likes pink. In fact, after my daughter was born and my mom bought every pink outfit under the sun, I swore that she would never wear pink again. Funny thing, my daughter hates pink. Go figure. I, though, find myself drawn to this "girly girl" color more and more. I blame in on the perfect pink....Stampin Up's Pink Pirouette. Lately, whenever I reach for a color to create with I am drawn to the many designer papers that I have in pink. So, I guess I am having a change of heart. Change is good.

This card was definitely not something simple to create. I just found myself adding more and more. I was inspired by Travelingmamma's Travelers Inspiration challenge. Go check it out. I love the idea of taking pictures of things and then using them as inspiration. We are not world travelers, but I find it intriguing to see the world through an artist's lens and then fit that into my paper crafting. I am also very inspired by the DT and sketches over at Card Patterns. I used their sketch as the starting point of this card.

The image is from my June KOTM from Unity. I experimented with my copics. Still working on that technique. The scalloped edges are lined with seed beads. This card as lots of sparkle...from the butterfly charm to the stickles and then those fabulous Taylor Twinkles. I LOVE those! That leaf was cut using an SU sizzlet on vellum and then sponged with Cert. Celery for a hint of color. When I got done with this card I realized it had no sentiment. So I had to add that to the sketch.

I heading out of town again for a family wedding. I have a few things to share before I go and then I'll be back on Sunday for the Stamptacular Sunday challenge. So hang in there with me and my crazy, busy month of July travels. Maybe I can get a shot worthy of a Traveler's Inspiration Challenge:)

See you tomorrow. I have a Work It Girl Wednesday Card! Can you believe it? It's been so long:)

What's In It
Stamps: Unity June KOTM, Oval All (SU)
Ink: Almost Amethyst, Memento Rich Cocoa, Cert Celery
Paper: White, Simply Scrappin DP, Celery DP, Vellum cardstock
Other: Cuttlebug, scalloped circle nesties, ric rac, charm, Taylor's Twinkles, pink taffetta ribbon, lace flower, seed beads, corner rounder, copics, SU punch (forgot the name...oops), dimensionals

Rain Drops Keep Fallin' On My Head

Could it rain anymore? I got up this morning and it felt like I was wading through a wall of mist. The floor feels wet, my clothes feel damp and my hair.....yeah, let's not even go there. Just think Brillo pad. I know I shouldn't complain. I really do love the rain. Rainy days give you all the excuse in the world to stay inside and craft. However, we had an issue with a big water problem in our basement right around ALL my stamps and supplies. Fortunately, most things seem to be undamaged. However, my card for my neighbor that just had the new baby got completely ruined. Therefore, the inspiration to my card for Card Patterns Sketch 19.




Pair that with the inspiration from Laura's card HERE and I am pretty happy with the results. Laura's lace treatment looks way better than mine. I think my lace is pretty thick to keep it from bunching the way it did. I also got a few water coloring tips from my fellow DT member Liza. Thanks Liza....I think they helped. This is another card that I almost ruined by adding "one more thing." I didn't have any tiny white pearls to add to her necklace so I decided to use liquid pearls. Well, I forgot that my liquid pearls looks more silver than white. I realized this after applying it. So I carefully took the LP off with a pin and decided to dump some dazzling diamonds onto what was left. I think the result looks pretty cool...for a mistake.

What I Used:
Stamps: Practically Perfect (Verve)
Ink: Memeto Brown, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Rose Romance
Paper: Hot of the Press DP (very old), White, Water color,
Other: Labels 4 nestie, cuttlebug, Paper Studio Lace, 1" circle punch, liquid pearls, pink taffeta , sponge, MM heart brad, Janome Sew Mini

Hope you stay dry today!

Card Patterns Sketch 18

Here is my first try at the Card Pattern Sketch this week. Go check out the challenge. You still have until Friday night to submit your own entry. They have some cool Unity Stamps up for grabs. I used a technique for my pleated ribbon that I learned HERE.

A few other things to point out... I stamped my bird twice and layered them. The top one is stamped on vanilla and I added Shimmerz to the breast area. (This was actually leftover from another project:) Also, the bird is mounted on a few layers of Labels 4 nesties. The baja breeze was embossed with an embossing folder and cuttlebug. I lightly sponged the DP too.

Here is the list:
Stamps: Friends 24-7
Ink: Choc Chip, Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand, white craft
Paper: SU retired paper pack, Urban Garden, kraft, white, baja breeze
Other: Pretties Kit, White Taffeta Ribbon, Shimmerz, Labels 4, cuttlebug, glue dots, dimensionals, Fiskars Punch, small oval punch,