BIG AND BOLD

I can't believe it's already Friday.  This time last week I was sitting on the beach watching the waves come crashing in as my kid's ran from that freezing ocean water. Brrr was it cold.  I remember as a kid not caring a bit.  Not now.  I stuck one toe in and said, "Whoa!  I'm heading back to my towel and drink:)

I wanted to thank everyone for the warm comments on my mood yesterday.  I am feeling better today and realize that my blog is supposed to be a happy place.  I reread my post yesterday and thought..."What a crab.  Who wants to read that?"  So today I have a cheery card to share instead of "Woe is me" stuff.

This just screams fun doesn't it?  Today is my momma's birthday.  Happy Birthday Mom!  Love you!  This is not for her though.  I made this for the challenge over at Studio 313 Hot Spot. 

The challenge this week focuses on using psychedelic prints in the home.  That's what appears to be hot in home furnishings at the moment.  So how can you translate that to your cards?  Think Bold, Bright colors.  I used the digital paper by Shawne called, Carnival Dots and Spots and Carnival Sloppy Stripe.  I created my pinwheels by printing on each side of my presentation paper.  Instant double sided DP!  Pinwheels are so easy to make.  Simply cut a square of double sided paper.  (mine are 2 3/4" and 3 1/2")  Cut up from each corner into the middle with scissors ( but not all the way or you will cut it apart).  Take one corner and fold it up to meet the center.  I then put a bit of glue to hold it.  Do this on all four corners and then pierce a hole in the center.  Attach with a brad.  You can attach this to a stick if you want it to move.  Mine are stationary.  If you need a picture as reference check THIS out.

I really hope you all can join us for this fun challenge.  You don't have to use Studio 313 Exclusive Creations, but if you've got them why not use them.  If you don't have any this is a great way to win some.  The winner of this challenge will receive $25 worth of free digi's.  That's a great deal!

I am also entering this into a few other challenges.

CCEE Stampers- nursery rhymes....The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round. Ok, this may not be a nursery rhyme, but it's a song I sang at nursery school.  My card is the Pinwheels on the Card Go Round and Round....Oh Wait...no they don't.  Hmmmm....I may be stretching here.  It's still fun.  I'm trying to be positive:D  Indulge me.
CAS-tastic Wednesday- A card with CIRCLES!
CAS challenge on Splitcoast using a sketch.  I modified the sketch a bit in true "Nikki" fashion:)

But WAIT!  There's more.....

This is the first card I made and wasn't really thrilled with it.  What I have come to realize is that many times when I post a card I don't care for many others do like it.  Then cards I really like won't get as many comments.  The lesson ( other than the fact that my taste apparently STINKS) is that we all have different views and this is a place of sharing...good and bad.  Having said that.  Tomorrow I will have another post and I think I may share some of the struggles I have had this week.  You never know how it may affect someone else.  I promise it won't be so crabby though.  Oh, I almost forgot...the card!

See you tomorrow!(Said with a SMILE)

Rockin' Surfer

Hey!  I hope you can join us today over at the NEW Challenge Blog Studio 313 Hot Spot.

This is the challenge blog that lets you know the 411 on what's hot and then challenges you to apply it to your card making.  The "hot" thing right now is  chunky Lucite ( clear) Jewelry.  So we challenge you to use something clear on your cards.

I decided that the Surfer from Studio 313 would be perfect.  You can find this file under Seasonal- Summer.

I paired him with Ocean Waves Digital Paper  (under Bright section) and some vellum.  I added stardust stickles to the waves.  I also added some dew drops.  They ARE the chunky lucite of papercrafting.  I have to share some things I learned about them.  I only had pink dew drops....um...that doesn't work so well on a surfer dude card.  So I decided to try coloring them.  I used my Copics on the front and back.  VOILA!  It took the pink tint away and added a subtle blue.  I then decided to add sparkle behind them so I used stardust stickles to adhere them to the vellum.  Ummm.....no....stickles is not an adhesive.  I found this out when I picked the card up and all my little dew drops fell off the page.  So I glued them down with some jewelry glue.  I am sooo totally into this challenge.  JEWELRY glue:)  Ha!  Anyways, that is a little lesson for you  provided by me.  I created by wording using a die cut and vellum.  I then colored these with Copics.  Not sure I would do that again because the Copics wanted to smear on my card when I tried to adhere them.

I wanted to share that our trip to the circus last night was AMAZING!  My kids both had the BEST time.  If you have a chance to see, "The GREATEST show on Earth," GO!  Really, it is.  We have been to the circus once before and this was so much more spectacular.  It was like an actual show....music, singing, dancing, all the performances tied into a theme with a villan ( Mr. Gravity) who was so funny.  Magic...the works!  My daughter said it was her best birthday ever.  For a little under $15 a piece we had an incredibly memorable, MAGICAL evening.  So go....just don't buy the cotton candy.  It's almost as much as a ticket.  Yikes!  Eat before you go like we did.  I will have a few pictures next week.  Heading to Mi today after my hubby and I pop popcorn at school.  I will be back with a PWCO sketch on Sunday.

Til then my friends I leave you with this....Did you know that today is National No Phone Zone Day?  I pledged to not drive and text, talk on a cell.  Have you?  Save a life. Take the pledge.




Not convinced...watch a few clips here....


Stepping off my soapbox now:)