"Jackson"

This adorable little boy angel, reminds of my niece's little boy Jackson, who has blonde hair that is naturally curly. Haven't seen him in awhile, just in pictures that Rachel's posts on her Facebook page.


Gingersnap has a challenge to use a frame on your card, my frame is a little unconventional. Wanted the frame to be on the soft side, therefore, using ribbon around the image seemed to be the perfect touch that I was shoting towards.

Jackson's wings are 3-dimensional, so is the basket. Printed the picture twice and cut out the wings and basket, you can find the picture at The Graphics Fairy. Found these great snowflake shaped rhinestones at Michaels and they are the perfect finishing touch to my card. Used my corner rounder to soften the edges of the card and also the image.

This card also met the requirements for two other challenges:

The Pink Elephant #45---Winter or Christmas

Our Creative Corner -- Holiday or Christmas

We are getting ready to go on vacation for Christmas, leaving this weekend, am so excited to spead time with all of my family. This is the first Christmas that we will all be together for several years. The kids are older now, but know that this will be a special year, the first year we will spend with Kaylene and her new family, Kevin will be with us for the whole day (he is usually with his father part of the day). Jamie, Tim and the boys are coming from Reno, it will be our first Christmas at Kaylene's.

Won't have computer in Utah, so this is it until next year. Want to wish everyone out there in Blogland, Happy Holidays!! Thank you for sharing all of your talents and being so supportive. Look forward to the New Year, and know that it will have plenty to offer.

See you in 2010.

Card Tin

Having been making cards all year long for my granddaughters. Last year I made boxes, but have too many cards this year. Bought a white tin at Michaels and decorated lid and around the box.

When I need inspiration for decorating boxes or tins, can always find some great sketches at Mojo Monday. The sketch used is for week #116 challenge, this was such fun to do and am very pleased with the results.

The papers that were used for the first tin was from Scrapbooks...on the Go! Moments Remembered booklet. Used a corner rounder on the background papers, distressed the edges and also the mats for the circle, to give the tin an aged look. Circle cutting system from Creative Memories was used for the circles. A ribbon bow and charm was also added to complete the lid.

Ribbon was also placed around the tin and using 1 1/2" squares were also placed on the tin. This tin is for my daughter Jamie, she receive a paper box last year, this will be so much better has it will hold all different sized cards.

The second tin was for Katie, she plays the harp, wanted to used sheet music for the background and of course here favorite color of purple. The sheet music and 2 girls on the lid came from Graphics Fairy. Added purple rhinestones on the corner, Katie will love it, just because of all the purple.

Third tin is for Nicole, her favorite color is pink. You can never have enough pink.

Have opened a can of worms with these tins, want to make one for my other daughter, sister, and myself.

Need to start working on a few more Christmas projects, hope everyone has a crafty day. Please leave a comment, thanks for stopping by today.

Shop Til You Drop

Haven't had time to do much the last few days, my hours at work have changed so I am trying to adjust, and not doing a very good job. Have been working longer hours as the Rodeo is in town and we are extremely busy, don't get me wrong am not complaining on the other hand am extremely happy that we are busy.


I got an email yesterday and I won a challenge at Scrappy Frogs Challenges for my Thanksgiving Dinner layout, was in total shock. Super excited and now I can add another button to my blog. The challenge for this week is to show shopping. Knew that I had download clipart from Fairy Backgrounds that was perfect for the challenge and I have a plaque on my wall that reads "Born to shop not to mop."


All I need now was a sketch, off to Mojo Monday for Week #115 for the inspiration.

This is just what the doctor ordered, quick and easy. Here is the card that developed.





Love vintage clipart and am really enjoying working with all of these fun images. Oh, for the good old days! These wonderful images and be found at Graphics Fairy, check it out. am sure that you will find some inspiration.


Time for me to head off to work. Have more cards and a couple of beaded ornaments to share with you on my days off.


Please leave comments, they always brighten by day. Have a wonderful Sunday.

Snowflake Easel Card

This card was created for the Gingersnap Creations Home Page, didn't get it sent properly, so I still wanted to share it with everyone. Have already submitted a card for the monochromatic challenge, but here is a second project. A tutorial can be found for the easel card at Paper Craft Planet by Erika Martin - Stampin' Mama, the step by step instructions are easy to follow. The stamp that I used was larger, so it was necessary to change the size of the card.

The use of the corner punch on the corners allowed me to slide the picture on the red mat. It is really had to see in the pictures, but rhinestones were also added to the snowflake. Once again the stamps used were from a Christmas set by Indadinkado.

This is one of those cards that could be mass produced, quick and easy. Now all I need to do is get started with my Christmas Cards for everyone at work, am going to try and get Billy to help, but don't know how far that will go. Although I did get him to the mall the other night, wish I had had my camera with me. lol

Have a crafty day.

Cowgirls Rule

I am so bad, it was my granddaughters birthday on November 24th, had some cards that I had already made, but they just didn't seem to fit the bill, of course the card had to be unique. The search was on! Ali mentioned The Graphics Fairy (I think last week) so I dropped by, found some great old prints. The first one was a boy fairy, loved the print, it was a must to use. That card is going to be used for a challenge at Gingersnap Creations in the next couple of day, but I diverse.

The next print was of a cowgirl, it was perfect, my granddaughter is definitely a cowgirl, and I hear they "Rule". This card is the result:


This was so much fun to do, the edges of the print were torn and then burnt to give an antique look. The words were computer generated, the letters look like barbwire. The hat and boots are buttons, just so happens that GC has a challenge using buttons, what a coincidence, LOL.

Know that I have been absent alot this month, but my goal for December is to post more often. I have taken on a project at work for a weekly newsletter, so it seems that I am always at the computer trying to come up with ideas and articles that all the employees will find informative and interesting, therefore when I get home to post on my blog seems to be even harder, enough with the excuses.

We are getting ready for a busy 10 days here in Las Vegas, Wranglers National Finals Rodeo will be in town, they are so much fun, love to see the cowboys, in their, boots, hats, and tight jeans. LOL

Time to work on Christmas gifts, everyone have a crafty day.

Counting our Blessings

Hope everyone has some time set a side this week to give thanks for all the special people in our lives. Unfortunately, Billy and I will be working on Thanksgiving, but that won't stop me for giving thanks for my wonderful family, they truly are a blessing.

Jamie (my daughter) was going to come to Vegas for Thanksgiving, she lives in Reno,but decided not to this year. Kaylene (my other daughter) will be spending Thanksgiving with her inlaws in Utah. But the bright side is that we will all be together for a few days at Christmas.

Scrappy Frogs challenge until Thanksgiving was to incorporate Thanksgiving Dinner on your project. The wonderful memories came flowing back about our Thanksgiving a few years ago in Utah. Jamie and my two grandsons surprised my mother and I by coming to visit. We had no idea that they were coming so it made that year very special. My Aunt and her husband also joined up for the celebration. It was a no brainer it was absolutely necessary for me to take pictures and add them to my scrapbook.


The two page layout is very simple, and the turkey was made using my cutting system from Creative Memories. The picture on the righthand corner is everyone seating down for dinner and the main focal point is a plate full of huge rolls, they were humongous and we couldn't wait to get our hands on them. My Aunt Elayne usually does all the cookin', she has even published a cookbook, but my sister and I took on the challenge this year.

Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful week. Leave me a comment love to hear from my blog family.

Blue on Blue

Have taken the time to take on a couple of new challenges. Inspiration come from the list of challenges that are posted on my desk, Billy comments on all the post a notes, but it does help me to check out the daily challenges. This week there was lots of inspiration, and that makes it easy for me to set down and create a card.

The sketch on Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge turned on the light in my small brain, and I couldn't wait to give this one a try.

Later on in the week Gingersnap Creations offered up the challenge of monochromatic. The cards the ladies on the design team are all wonderful. These ladies are such an inspiration for me, each one is so supportive. The idea of doing a card in monochromatic was different for me, but that is why I love this group so much. These ladies always come up with new and fun ideas that push us to take on challenges that we otherwise would not.

The stamps that were used were from Inkadinkado, a Christmas set that was purchased at Michaels. This set has 14 different stamps, have used it on some of my other creations, and have some other projects that will be featured here in the next couple of days.

Wanted to add a little dimension to the card, so dimensionals were added to the large snowflake, (notice a pattern with my cards, last card had dimensionals, now this one.) Loved the small snowflake so much that I got carried away and stamped a couple on the envelope. The circles were made with my trusty cutting system.

Thanks for the inspiration and have a crafty day.

Cozy Home

I am back, it has been almost a month since my last post. Things have been a little crazy around the house, guess that is just an excuse for not creating any cards. It is that time of year that I try to come up with new ideas for Christmas. Last year I gave cards to my daughters, so that was kind of out, since I've been making new ones all year and they have gotten them when we have been together.

Have been doing a little sewing though, making PJs and rag quilts. One rag quilt down and one to go. The second one is for Billy and it is hard to work on it when we work the same hours. Have it cut, but now it is time to put it together.

At work I am working on a weekly newsletter, so writing on my blog seems to be chore now. I am going to have to change my thinking on that one. Took the time to check out a few challenges the other day, they did help to get me motivated on a couple of paper crafts.

This card is serving double duty, the GC of Cozy Home and Crafty Calendar which is weather. I have had this stamp for years and years, it was untouched and when GC had the challenge for Cozy Home, this was a natural.


Know this is a hard one to see all the detail in the stamp, but I think you get the picture. Colored pencils were used to color the stamp. You can't see it but I used the glue pen and embossing powder technique from GC on the snow. On the left corner there was a mistake, so extra embellishments were the answer, tried ribbon and buttons, but they just didn't seem to tie into the card. Cut out the trees from the stamp and added them to corner with dimensionals.

The challenge at Crafty Calendars was weather, the snow reminds me of Utah, where the weather changes on a dime. When we were there in September, one day it was in the 70's the next day there was snow. Miss the four seasons that Utah has to offer.

Thanks for stopping by today, and have a crafty day.

2 x CHALLENGE

Nothing like getting a challenge done at the last minute, but I am told by my friends that I like the pressure. The card that is pictured is for two challenges, Ink on my Fingers which was to use circles and Gingersnap Creations use the colors black, white, and silver.


For the circle challenge my cutting system was used to make a 3 layer circle mat, a bow with rhinestones was then added in the center of the circles. Love the colors of black and white they are so clean. The rhinestone bow was an item in the clearance area at Michaels, it was a hat pin, forgot that it was in my stash. This would have been perfect for the bling challenge at GC, always a day late and a dollar short.






The sentiment was from Stampology, this set has come in very handy. has 10 sayings and are very versitale. The flower and lace border were thank you notes that were also on clearance, (cheated on this part of the card, didn't have to use my punch) cut of the border off the bottom of the card and added it to the black base cardstock. Find myself drawn to the clearance area of the stores that I shop to see what kind of deals are hidden in this aisle.


Time for me to get ready for work. Have a great weekend and crafty day.

Harvest Time

As I have mentioned in previous posts, autumn is my favorite time of year, no wonder there was another autumn card in my future. There are some new challenges out there and that is where the inspiration came from.

Sherrod Studio has a wonderful sketch and this is the layout that was used for the card, love the idea of patterned paper, but even more using a diagonal cut on the card.

Used sheer ribbon and also grosgrain polka dot ribbon, this was such a fun card. The stamp is from Stampin Up "Harvest Time", used the sentiment that came with the stamp set for the inside.

Other challenges were as follows:

The Pink Elephant---Fall

Crafty Calendar Challenge ---Autumn, Optional Vegetation

Gingersnap Creations --- Harvest

I really do depend on the challenges for my inspiration, they make you think and then the real challenge is to use what is around the house. This is my way was harvesting, LOL.

Hope everyone has a great day, it's my Monday at work. Made another card for GC that will be posted in the next couple of days. Once again thanks to all the sites that offer challenges, have a crafty day.

An Untraditional Christmas

Decided that it was time to take on a couple of challenges on my days off. The new challenge at CCC is pale, interesting. Gingersnap Creations has had the challenge of stars and will be closing soon , so I really wanted to participate. Scrappy Frogs Challenge Blog (just happen on this one while checking out some work from the DT from GC) is to use a tree, any kind of tree.



The tree that was stamped is from Inkadinkado, which was purchased at Michaels, the set has ll clear stamps in the set. Garden Green ink from Stampin Up! was my choice of color. Had an idea for the layout, by changing the colors of the background and patterned paper two challenges would be acheived. Pale paper from "heidi grace designs" collection was used for the first card. This paper is available at Joann's, open stock. These are definitely not your standard Christmas colors, but then again neither is my Christmas tree decorations, it is all pink and crystals. This paper was a must just didn't know what project it would be used for or when.





That was the hard challenge, now onto challenge #2, stars for GC, that was easy, changed the background paper that had stars and add a rhinestone star on top of the tree. The ovals for the tree stamp were made with my cutting system from Creative Memories, and a bow completed the card. Base of the card is 5"x 5", the papers are from my stash, am sure that everyone that has been doing scrapbooking or making cards will recognize the paper from eons ago.

Enjoyed taking on these challenges and am very pleased with the outcome. Challenges have become my inspiration for cardmaking and love all the different avenues that are available to us.

I have been given a new challenges at work to put out a weekly newsletter. Am very excited about the opportunity, hope that I am upto this new "challenge."

Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty day.

Plump Pumpkins

Love this time and year, so this is another good reason to do a card for the Crafty Creations Challenge, this week is leaves, or autumn theme.


Just got the Harvest Home stamp, from Stampin Up while in Utah last week must have had an ideas that this stamp would be perfect for this challenge. The card itself is very simple, used colored pencils to color in the stamp, did faux stitching with gold and copper gel pens. The leaves are from a punch that came from Creative Memories. The inside of the card also used the sentiment from the stamp set.

One of the reasons I love fall so much is that it is the beginning of the holiday season, I know that I will be seeing my family soon. Our plan for Christmas is to be in Utah at from daughter Kaylene's. Jamie, who lives in Reno maybe coming to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving. Last year when Jamie was here we made bookmarks for her students, we will definetly be doing something special once again this year.

Hope that everyone has a wonderful and crafty day, thanks for stopping by.

Spooky Halloween

Each month Gingersnap Creations picks a theme for Home Page Art and members enter their creations, this is the card that I submitted for the month of October, the theme being "Spooky."

My grandson Kevin was born on Halloween, so of course he needed a special card, he will be 15 this year, can't believe it, I can't be that old. LOL.

The card is a 3D haunted house with all kinds of crazy creatures inside. On the front of the card dimensionals were used for the shutters. Distressed the edges of the windows and also the eves. What would a haunted house be without spiders and a purple door.

When you open the card, there seems to be alot of activity. Ghosts popping out, witches brewing their special potions a few laughing pumpkins, the tombstones also have skulls on them, but they are hard to see, got them at Michaels, know that Kevin will be "spooked" and surprised with the "Boo" that also pops out.

The inside of the card could also hold pictures of the kids in there Halloween costumes, so that family members could see how fun the holiday can be, what a great Treat for Grandma and Grandpa.

Was checking out all the challenges out there and this card also fit the bill for Daring Card Makers, folding is the challenge, think this card fits right into this challenge.

Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty day.

Angel in Pink

What would I do without challenges, probably nothing! This card is for OCC challenge to use light pink, hot pink, white and chocolate chip. The other challenge is for CCC to have a window on the card. Silly me thought this would be a piece of cake, but trying to make a window with 2 mats was an all day ordeal, but the results were worth the time invested.



Light pink was the base of the card, the cutting system from Creative Memories was used to make the window in the card with the oval. It was necessary to cut the smaller oval in the front of the card first using hot pink. The next oval was white cut a little larger and then the final oval out of chocolate chip.



The first card the angel was stamped on the inside of the card on pink, but this just didn't show off the stamp. Wanted the stamp to be a little bighter so the angel was stamped on the oval that was left when cutting out the mat. Colored pencils were used to color in the stamp which is from Inkadinkado. Purchased this stamp at Michaels, they have expanded their selection of clear stamps.





Used chocolate chip ink from Stampin Up for the design. Felt that the card wasn't quite complete so the hot pink ribbon was added and also the punched flowers in hot pink. This punch is also from Creative Memories.



Time for me to head off to work, it is my Monday. Have a crafty day.

P. S. My sister had started to blog, check out some of her work here.

Tea Time

Crafty Creations Challenges this week was tea or coffee. Tea is an every day part of my life. My S.O. has at least 10 cups of tea a day he says it is good for him, that it has antioxidant, which does, it he didn't added sugar the tea would be much more beneifical, he won't give the sugar and cream. Oh well, he has given up smoking and that is great.

The stamp used is from Hero Arts and is one of my oldie but goodies. It was a set with teapots and also had a tea cup border. Had used the border before, so I really wanted to use a different stamp for this challenge. The papers used are from Lasting Impressions and were perfect for the layout.

The squares reminded me of a quilt, thus I added the faux stitching, love the outcome of this card. Found the perfect saying at Quote Garden to finish the inside of the card, this is where I go to find all types of poems or sayings.

A limited edition corner rounder was used for the sentiment. Hope everyone has a wonderful week and a crafty day. Thanks for stopping by.

Fall is in the Air

My favorite season is fall, mainly because in Las Vegas, there is no fall. No wonderful trees changing colors, palm trees just aren't the same. Love to go to the canyons in Utah and see all the amazing colors for the season. This card is a representation of the season, and the sentiment "Thinking of You."

The motivation came from a couple of challenges, Rosie Dee's which was 2 squares and a rectangle. The other challenge came from OCC which is fall this was a no brainier.

Using a pattern paper for the background, the two squares are green and brown solid card stock in the corners of the squares I used a gold gel pen to get a faux look a very small brad. The leaves were created with a paper punch from Creative Memories. The tree from Stampin' Up, Thoughts and Prayers Set, with chocolate chip ink. The sentiment is from a K & Company set. It is hard to see but I also added stitching about the tree in brown.

This was such a fun card to do and everything came together with hardly any effort. I did pick out the stamp first, which I really need to do each time a card its made. It seems that I get too involved in the layout, and then don't have the right stamp to finish the card, have everything backwards.

Hope that this card inspires everyone to do something with these wonderful colors. Have a great day and take the time to do something creative.

Oh My! Pink and Purple

A special card and gift for one of the ladies at work. She loves the color purple, her car is even purple. On one of my trips to Utah, I found some wonderful beads at Hobby Lobby and ask my daughter (Kaylene) to make Gigi a beaded watch. This is the result, love it, know that she will also love it, not just because it is purple. The band can be changed to match your outfit, and she will be getting a different band for Christmas. These are such unique watches and can be personalized for anyone.

Thanks Kaylene for making such a perfect gift, know that Gigi is going to flip.

Of course it was necessary for me to make a birthday card, had a pink envelope and that is where the inspiration came from for this card. Used some patterned paper from Lasting Impressions and then the classic scalloped circles and ovals from Spellbinder. Would have never thought to put circles and ovals on the same card, I was always taught not to mix strips and plaids when growing up, so that is just the way my mind thinks. Years ago we would have never thought to mix patterns, in our clothing, but it is so excepted now that it is the norm, now I am telling my age.

The inside had to be a little funny, hence the quote from Lucille Ball---

The secret of staying young

is to live honestly, eat

slowly, and lie

about your age.

Used the classic oval once again to carry through the shapes on the front, and added the finishing touch of a flower in the corner. This was such a fun card to make and a one of a kind. I've been making 10 of all the cards I've been making lately, but wanted this one to be unique.

The only stamp used on this card was the Happy Birthday. Am so excited about giving Gigi her gift and card, can't wait to get to work. (I must be crazy!!)

Have a great weekend and crafty day.

Embossed Snowflakes

Believe it or not I have been working on some cards, have completed them, taken pictures, but just haven't posted them. My mojo is basically gone at this moment, well all of that is going to stop today, will be showing you some of the cards that I've been working on. The first one today is for the CCC #32 challenge to using embossing. The card is embossing by using my Sizzix and Big Shot with snowflakes, then stamped embossing for another snowflake and the sentiment.

Hope you can see the detail, but don't know, sorry for the lousy photo, that will have be my next learning experience, how to take better photos.

Think I am going to have to try and master the basics in cards, once again. When I first started scrapbooking everything was about making a beautiful page and I would spend hours making it perfect and forget that the focus should be on the pictures and memories, not all the extras, will be re-evaluating my thinking on cards.

Have a special card that will be posted tomorrow, it is for one of the ladies at work. Will also show you the beaded watch my daughter made as a gift.

Have a great crafty day.

Oh My! Patterned Papers

This has been a funny few days off, can't seem to get motivated to do anything. Have been checking out all the challenges to get the juices flowing. Once I checked them out it was a matter of using what I have on hand to try and conquer those challenges. CCC is one of my favorite sites. Their challenge this week is to use at least 3 patterned papers on one card, it may sound easy but for me this is really hard, just can't seem to wrap my mind around this concept. I went through all my scraps and came up with a few pieces that I thought might coordinate, this was part of my own challenge to use scraps, as there are so many.


The first card is using western paper, so denim seemed to be the perfect match, but what could be added? Why not a cowboy hat from another western print, the only sentiment that seemed to fit the bill was "Howdy" which once again was computer generated, hence this was the result.

Had quite an assortment of western paper so I did make a few more cards to use the paper, thus having less scraps in my stash. The other cards don't have three patterned papers, but it was fun to try and use what was on hand.

Had some other papers that were pink and this is my second card for the challenge. In my quest for inspiration, happened to land on Rubbernecker Stamps challenge for Wednesday which was "Cut It Out". Found this stamp that I have had for years, it had writing around the edge which I didn't want to use, thus I cut out the image and added it to my card. The lady on the stamp seems to be thinking of someone that is far away. Coloring in the stamp was done with colored pencils.

Well, it is time to get ready for work. Hope everyone has a crafty day.

Neopolitan Notebook

Was checking out all the challenges that were out there for Sunday and ran across Rosie-Dee's Challenge Blog. The challenge #50 is ice cream inspired, Neopolitan to be exact. I had just finished another altered notebook and this fits the menu perfectly.





The papers are strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla. Matted the paper with chocolate and then added strawberry and vanilla flowers. The flowers were made using my Sizzix, used three layers to give some dimension,then added die cut leaves that are from SU. The leaves and circle sentiment are in an additional ice cream color we will call blueberry.


The sentiment was computer generated, then layered using dimensionals, this is now my favorite notebook, and it will be given to someone special at our family reunion.

Happiness is one of the challenges at GSC and this is was makes me happy. They have had different quotes all month regarding happiness this is just one of them, it reads

Finding happiness is like

finding yourself. You

don't find happiness, you

make happiness.

David Leonhardt

Thanks to the talented ladies at GSC these quotes have been put to good use, copies them and made little signs for our office, they have been greatly appreciated by the staff, a little positive energy never hurt anyone.

The quote for today really hit home and can't wait to put it up in the office, know that all of your being so creative will relate to this quote:

The greatest happiness

in life is to be truly

and consistently

creative.

--Peter Koestenbaum

Hope everyone has a crafty day.

Rainbow Travel Journal

Not just one challenge, not two, or three, but four challenges in one. This was a challenge in it's self, but really fun.



Challenge #l was a rainbow and Gingersnap Creations. Wanted to make some journals for an upcoming reunion, had some paper in my stash and covered the composition notebook. Added some other colors on the cover and stamped "Memories" on the green. and "Enjoy" on the yellow.






Added pocket in red to hold the chipboard luggage tag. Chipboard was also one of the challenges at GC. Using chipboard is new for me, have purchased some and had also been given coasters from the local restaurant. Made a die cut of a tag from Sizzix, the tag was the challenge at Crafty Creations. The chipboard used had advertising on it, so it was necessary to cover the tag, used travel paper, then stamped it with "Our Journey" added ribbon, the tag can be used as a luggage tag for easy identification when locating your luggage at the airport.




The red pocket also has our "Our Journey" stamped on it (sorry the picture doesn't show the stamp.)




The last challenge was for Cinema Saturday Challenge, using red stitching, representing the movie "Field of Dreams." The red stitching was added to each white mat and also around the edge of the entire journal. (Once again I need to work on my photography.)




This is one of my favorite projects, in the past I have done notebooks for bridal showers, Christmas gifts for fellow employees, recipes books, and now a travel journal.

Just a quick note, I used a MOJO MONDAY sketch for the layout, it really works great, only required one full sheet of 12 x 12 printed paper, am ready to product a few more journals. There are all kinds of sketches out there the layouts are prefect for doing the notebooks.

Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty day.

Mellow Yellow

Getting ready to leave for Salt Lake at 6am tomorrow, but wanted to participate in this weeks challenge to use yellow at Crafty Creations Challenges. Have been working on the project before going to work, but just couldn't get it together, know that is no excuse.



Well this morning everything came together. This is my first time using my new Fifth Avenue Floral set from SU, love what can to do with these flowers, it will take some practice on my part to get a realistic look on the rose, but wanted to at least give this a try. Have been making 10 of each card, no doubt I can get some of the practicing done while in Utah and sitting around in the hospital. (Billy is going to be having some tests run, hopefully the doctors will be able to tell us that the pain in his legs is minor and that he won't have to have major surgery.)







Enough about all that stuff. A challenge for myself was to use some of the ribbon that I had hanging around, (this is ribbon I had when I was in business with my mom years, and years ago) the plaid has a touch of blue in it and thus the card is layered with just a touch of blue.



Time to start getting things together for our quick trip.



Have a crafty day.

Make A Wish

My favorite group is Gingersnap Creations. Thanks to the creative ladies they expand my horizons when it comes to making cards. This month Ali opened up the world of patterned papers, she had a wonderful technique and it is simple to do and the results are wonderful.



I don't use patterned papers very often, even though I have quite a selection. With Ali's help this is the cards that emerged.




I printed the sentiment on the paper before cutting it into strips. Will definitely be making more of these and will have a different perspective when checking out all those wonderful patterned papers that are available.

Thanks for stopping by today, have a crafty day.

COUNT 'EM TWO CHALLENGES

Yes, it has happened again, two challenges in one. CSCC#44 "The Thief Lord" the challenge is sisters or brothers. I haven't seen the movie, but can really relate to the challenge. I am blessed with one wonderful sister, she inspires me to be better than I am. Kay is so talented and has no limitations, she is so creative and shares her talents with everyone. When we are together my juices flow and we come up with all kinds of projects to do, the only problem is we don't have enough time to get everything completed. Kay is on the go all the time and can accomplish more in one day than I can in a month, she truly is an "energizer bunny" LOL

Last week I made a card that featured sisters, and wanted to make a new one for this weeks challenge, am pretty pleased with the outcome. Used patterned papers and also stamped on the papers. The sentiment was computer generated, and then stamped with a scroll on the sentiment paper. This was completely out of my comfort zone, but liked the results.

The second challenge was CC#27, to use buttons on your project. I only used one, hope that is still classified as a qualification for the challenge. Used gold twine to make a bow through the button to tie in with the sentiment. The stamps are from Inkadinkado, paper Lasting Impressions. Here is a close up of the poem about sisters.

Let me know what you think of the cards, and how they can be improved. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my projects.

Have a crafty day.

What Can I Say?

Happy Saturday! Hope everyone is having a great day, talked with my daughter, Kaylene, they were going fishing. Not going to tell Billy, he will be jealous. We will be going to work later today instead.

Was going to post this card yesterday, but had computer problems, I get so irritated when that happens, am not the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to this fancy typewriter. Luckily was able to get in touch with my son-in-law, Tim, the computer whiz and he got things going once again, thank goodness, don't know what I would do, this is my therapy. Enough about all that here is my card for today.

My first attempt at a tri-shutter card, have seen them on every one's blogs and was in aah! Just had to sit down and really focus on what paper to use and stamps. The video tutorial I used was over at Dawn's Stamping Thoughts, there is also a tutorial with step by step instructions and video at SCS in the resource section. The card looks complicated, but was really easy, everyone needs to give this one a try.

There are so many things that you can do with this card, and anyone who receives it will be amazed. I was so pleased with my finished project that I couldn't wait to show it to Billy, his comment was "WOW", that was the reaction I was hoping for.



The small butterflies and scroll stamps are from K and Company, the large one is so old I don't know, sorry. The large scroll is from Inkadinkado. The oval is a classic scalloped oval from Spellbinder. Unfortunately my selection of sentiment stamps are very limited, so once again I turn to my computer.

The base of the card is card stock, and then I used pattern papers from Lasting Impressions, the packet has 3 sheets of 5 different patterns, it worked perfect for this project, as I have a real problem with patterned papers, it seems they never come together quite right. With one packet of paper I was able to make 9 cards, love it!

The butterflies were colored in with pencils, this was such a fun project, it is on my list to do again.

Time for me to get my mind around going to work.

Have a great crafting day.

Sister's Day

Over at Gingersnap Creations, there is a list of Reasons to Stamp, the #2 reason is Sister's Day. One of my goals was to use scrap paper, but hopefully have enough paper to complete 9 cards. Everything just seemed to come together, I love vintage type paper had plenty in my stash, it was a no brainer. That is where the inspiration came for this card, also knew that everyone in my family would relate to the picture and verse.

After searching The Vintage Moth blog, I found the perfect photo. My mother came from a large family with 5 sisters, the majority of their photos were of the three oldest girls, hence the reason behind the vintage photo of "Three Sisters". Now it was necessary to find the perfect verse, knew that I hadn't seen a stamp, so the quest was on. Found all kinds of great sayings, but the one that hit home was as follows:

I know some sisters who only

see each other on Mother's Day

and some who will never speak

again. But most are like my

sister and me.......

linked by volatile love, best friends

who make other best friends ever so

slightly less best.

----Patricia Volk

The photo is matted with classic scalloped oval from Spellbinders. Distressed the edges of the sentiment card on the front and inside. (Could not get a picture of the inside, have to use your imagination,sorry!)

Didn't use any stamps, but love the results.

Stop by Gingersnap Creations for more reasons to stamp, we are also looking for new members, love this group of ladies.

Have a crafty day.

Inspirational Challenge

CCC's challenge this week was to use the art of Lauren Alexander as an inspiration for a unique creation. The colors are very bright and that was my original inspiration. Started to work on a card, but the card just wouldn't come together. Did complete a card was not happy with it, so I got to thinking about some of the cards we had made in Utah. This was the card that immediately came to mind, bright colors and very whimsical, can't be any more whimsical than a silhouette of Tinkerbell.




Tinkerbell was cut out by using Cricut Expression, loved the look, very clean and simple layout. A true inspiration is to "Be Yourself," this is one of the reasons I like creating cards because we can be ourselves, no holds barred as to what or how we want to interpret a challenge.









Thanks for stopping by today, have a great crafting day.

GC Ribbon Challenge

Really quick today, wanted to post the card for Gingersnap Creations Ribbon Challenge. The card was made while in Utah. My daughter Kaylene cut out the ornaments using a Cricut and putting the ornament together, all I had to do was put them on a card add the ribbon and the sentiment.

The hard part of this card was taking the photo, sorry it isn't that great, the hologram paper on the background made it pretty hard to photograph.

Gingersnap Creations is looking for new members, it is such a fun group, and they offer great ideas and challenge to motivate it's members. Check it out, think you will really enjoy all of there contributions.

Thanks for stopping by today, and have a great crafting day.

Friendship

It has been awhile since my last post, things have been crazy around my family. We came home from Utah and then returned 5 days later. Billy had more tests done, and I was able to spend more time with my daughter and sister. We will be returning to Utah once again in August, hopefully will get some answers about the pain in his legs and we will know what the next step will be.

We were able to make cards, nine to be exact, we made six of each for a swap, so we really did get alot completed. I will be posting some of those cards at a later date.

I really wanted to participate in a challenge at Crafty Creations to get motivated again. My goal is to make 6 of each card to continue the swap with my sister, her family and my family, finding that it is just as easy to make one card as six.

This is Sketch Challenge #25 for CCC.

This was a new experience for me, I've not used a sketch for a challenge so this definitely a challenge for me. I seem to always go for solid colors and stay away from prints, am trying to use more prints, but it didn't really happen with this card.

The flower pot stamp, was part of a set from Hero Arts, this was in my stash from years ago, longer than I'd like to remember, LOL! The sentiment stamp is from Stampology.

Reversed colors and added rhinestones, and a flower rhinestone for accents.

Will continue to try and create out my comfort zone. Do like the results, but know that improvements can be made.

Have a great crafting day.