Merry Monday- Ready for Christmoose?!

Hi! I'm feeling a bit giddy right now! I am finally finding time to resume playing along with challenges again!! I've always enjoyed the fun of coming up with an idea based off of someone else's suggestions.  When I saw the challenge at Merry Monday Christmas Challenges was 'use a moose', I knew I had to dig out one of the cute moose images I had!  

The stamp is from Riley & Co, but I don't remember what it was called, sorry!  I colored Riley and his penguin friend with markers and added a little crystal effects to the earmuffs and scarf.  A little snow-tex was added to the 'ground' to complete the scene.  I also managed to use one of the wooden snowflakes that I've had for some time.  I covered it in white craft ink and then covered it with dazzling details for some added sparkle! There is also a hint of pastels on the background to create the sky.  Not a super complicated card, but I had a lot of fun playing with some supplies that have been neglected for some time!

On a personal note, I can't believe that June is almost over and that means Christmas will be here well before I'm ready!  Good thing the Merry Monday ladies helped me get an extra card added to my very small pile of completed Christmas cards!  If you get a chance, be sure to visit their challenge site and see all of the super cute moose cards, or even better, make your own super cute card and join in the fun!

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Card Recipe: Paper-whisper white, real red, Raspberry Tart dsp (ret), Ink-Memento tuxedo black, crumb cake, pumpkin pie, old olive, real red, creamy caramel, tip top taupe, Stamp-Riley & Co., Accessories-crystal effects, dazzling details, snow-tex, wood snowflake and white ribbon from stash

Anything But a Card Challenge 44-Friendship

It is week three of ABAC Challenges Friendship theme and my turn to share.  There has been a wonderfully creative showing from the team this month and I hope you stop by and check them out!  I have to admit that while this theme has so many options, I really struggled with coming up with something.  My brain kept going back to a Valentines style of project, but other than cards, I don't make many things for Valentines Day.  My inspiration hit when I was looking for a stamp set for a birthday card and I saw Blooming With Happiness.  I have used this for wedding and shower projects, and actually forgot about the friendship sentiment that came with this set until I saw it.  I decided to make another page for my art/quote journal using the umbrella and the sentiment.

It was a dreary wintry day when I made this and I think this led to my unusually bright color palette.  I must admit that looking at this page makes me long for the beautiful spring colors that will be making their appearance in about a month!

I used a heart and a dot mask to create the background.  The umbrella and sentiment were stamped on a scrap piece of very vanilla card stock, and I colored the image with melon mambo and daffodil delight markers.  Dazzling details and crystal effects were added to the umbrella.  I pulled out a remnant piece of pink organza, cut small square pieces, stacked them together, and randomly snipped the edges to make my tattered bloom.  A green glittery brad holds the layers together.  There is also a bit of the organza behind the panel with the image and sentiment.  I also added some pretty flowers (a gift from Hippie Aud), and a few leaves created with a MS punch.

You still have a few days left to join us in our Friendship challenge; I hope to see your project linked up with us!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Project Recipe: Paper-very vanilla, green from stash bucket, Ink-memento tuxedo black, melon mambo, daffodil delight, Stamp Set-Blooming With Happiness, Accessories-dazzling details, crystal effects, pink organza, paper flowers (Hippie Aud), polka dot and heart masks, MS leaf punch, assorted retired SU brads

Summer Smoochin' Cutie

Hi! I am so happy you are here!  I had some time this week to create and will be sharing them through the next few weeks.

I can not believe that our summer break is almost over!  How did that happen?  We are going back to school shopping this weekend and that just makes me a little sad...  On the upside, I did get quite a bit accomplished this summer and hopefully will finish the last of my 'to do' list before school starts.  I know once August starts things will get all mixed up with routines and requirements, so I'm glad there's scheduled posting for Blogger-keeps my blog from feeling too neglected!

Since I'm wanting summer to last a bit longer, I thought today's card was a good one to share.  I used a free digi from Cuddlebug Cuties.  The print quality was not the best on this one and I'm not sure if it was my printer running low on black ink or the actual digi stamp, but it was free so I can't complain too much!  I used a lot of bright happy colors on the image and when I was finished I knew I would use Summer Smooches dsp since it is also full of cheerful colors.

One of my accomplishments this summer was cleaning off my crafting table. It's not actually clean or empty, but it is a lot more organized than it was before.  I even found some ribbon from a swap that I forgot I had! It's like shopping without the travel or money!  Of course, we won't be sharing with my DH that I found supplies I forgot I had... 

I added some crystal effects to the balloons and glitzed up her top with some purple stickles.  Other than that, this was a pretty basic card.  My shading skills leave a lot to be desired.  The hair turned out ok, but I really botched the jeans...not at all what I was going for!  But it won't get better if I don't keep at it!

Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you have a fantastic day and if it's summer where you are, enjoy it while it lasts (unless it's really hot and humid then you can totally wish for fall!).

Card Recipe: Paper-whisper white, Summer Smooches dsp (ret), Stamps-digi image, Remembering Your  Birthday(sentiment), Ink-skin tone blendabilities, memento tuxedo black, copics, Accessories-scallop dot ribbon (ret), purple stickles, crystal effects, banner punch

Anything But A Card Challenges you to Summer Lovin'!

Hi! We have a brand new challenge at Anything But a Card.  Summer Lovin' is our theme and we would love to see your summer lovin' creations-beach, bbq, camping, vacation, sunny colors, anything that says summer to you is great with us!  The only thing you can't share is a card, hence the name of the site!  However, I am not sharing my DT project this week, so I CAN share a card with YOU!

This would be perfect for the theme if we could make cards! Mr. Riley is so ready to cool off in the pool, lake, or ocean...yeah! Let's go with ocean!  I made this for my nephew who has a birthday next month.  He would enjoy celebrating his birthday in the water too!

I played with the new Blendabilities markers on this one!  They are similar to copic markers, but Stampin' UP groups them in sets of three so coloring challenged people like me don't have to figure out how to get the perfect color shading.  Oh, how I love that!  I do have to confess that the flippers and the antlers were colored with copics.  While I'm admitting things, I fudged a little on the colors.  The marker family and cardstock is coastal cabana, but the blue in the dsp and twine is pool party.  But hey, at least they are both water themed!!  Honestly, I really couldn't tell that much difference.

Well, I hear the laundry calling my name (why doesn't it ever call my DH?), so I better get busy before it takes over again!  Have a wonderful week!

Card Recipe: Paper-coastal cabana, whisper white, basic black, sweet sorbet dsp, Ink-memento tuxedo black, coastal cabana, skin tones, and cherry cobbler blendabilities, soft suede, Stamp Set-Remembering Your Birthday (sentiment), Riley the moose from Riley and Co., Accessories-pool party bakers twine, scallop tag topper, crystal effects

Tiffany's Challenge

Every month our SU group, The Crafty SisTAHS, get together.  Tiffany, my upline's upline, hosts the meeting and everyone takes turns with sharing, making a project, choosing a swap theme, and bringing snacks.  This month, Tiffany had a challenge for all of us to make a card using a sketch and some cardstock she gave us.  We were allowed to add a neutral color and any embellishments, but couldn't change the color combo.  The colors were wisteria wonder, cherry cobbler, and pretty in pink.  Very girly colors! So I pulled out the stamp, Packed For Mom for the first time; added some whisper white, and began to put my card together. I had a great time playing with this image! I knew I wanted to color some of the images and pop up the flower and the next think I knew...the dazzling details  and crystal elements came out and there was even some fussy cutting too!

A closer shot of the image...

I have to confess that I did use a different base than the one Tiffany gave me.  I knew I wanted to use bakers twine as the 3 ribbon/bows part of the sketch and couldn't wrap them with the base she gave us.  So I cut a new piece the long way for my card.  Hopefully, she'll forgive me for taking liberties with her challenge : )  I really enjoyed doing this and hope she will continue to offer these challenges.  I really didn't use wisteria wonder too much before, but now I think it's starting to grow on me!  Thanks, Tiffany!

Card Recipe:  Cardstock-wisteria wonder, cherry cobbler, pretty in pink, whisper white, Ink-black Stazon and several markers, Stamp Sets-Packed For Mom and Party This Way (sent), Punches-modern label, large oval, word window, 3/4 " circle, Extras- white bakers twine, cherry cobbler & original dazzling details, crystal effects, basic rhinestones, perfect polka dots embossing folder

The Gnomes Part 2

If you came here today expecting a dignified post and intelligent conversation, SORRY!!  Remember my Gnome Sweet Gnome  card?  I was trying  to come up with a cute little saying to put inside and my blogging friend, Lisa,  gave me several ideas.  I settled on "Gnome-one is as special as you!".  She also planted the seed of a sequel as she was wondering where they were off to and what adventure they would have.  Well...I can't tell you all of the details, since neither would kiss and tell, but Chip and Rocky (he's a little chipped and she's made of stone, get it?!) wanted me to share their latest adventure...

That's right, they fell in love, are now happily married and living in Boulder (sorry...couldn't resist)!

Check out Chip's fancy suit and his crystal effects hat, jacket, and shoes.  Of course, Rocky is all dressed up as well.  Did you know that when you put lots of dazzling details on vellum, it wrinkles?  I didn't. However, since it is her wedding day, we are calling them ruffles and just attached the vellum to a piece of blushing bride card stock!!

I had so much fun with this card, especially since it really wasn't for anyone other than me!   Oh, just a heads up that Chip and Rocky are keeping in touch and may show up on my blog again for another adventure.  I hope you have enjoyed my 'pun'filled adventures of Chip and Rocky! If not, I blame Lisa! She started it!!

On a more professional, crafty note, I used my heart framelits for the first time on this card. I LOVE THESE THINGS!!! Can't wait to see what SU comes out with next in this department!!

Card Recipe: Cardstock-very vanilla, Sending Love DSP (ret), real red, vellum, Stamp Set-Gnome Sweet Gnome, Ink-stazon black, assorted markers, Accessories-very vanilla seam binding, cherry cobbler & original dazzling details, crystal effects, snow burst embossing folder, hearts collection framelits

Merry Christmas!

I can't believe that Christmas is here already! Through the magic of modern technology, I am able to post on Christmas day without actually sitting at my computer on Christmas day! My family understands my dedication to my blog and paper crafting, but I think they might draw the line at working on Christmas...  As this is posting, our girls are probably racing into the bedroom to inform us that Santa has visited us and asking if it's too early to wake up (I gave up trying to figure out that logic several years ago...).  Then I'll be dragging my sleepy self into the kitchen to make coffee, so we will actually be awake while opening  presents!

This year has been so amazing!  I began a new adventure by becoming a demonstrator with Stampin' UP! and started this blog.  Along the way, I have met many incredibly talented crafters that have helped me grow and have been a great source of inspiration and support!  Fortunately, my family has embraced this new facet of my life and have supported me through my first year (even if they don't quite 'get' how I can be friends with people I have never physically met).

But enough of the chatter... I have one final Christmas card to share with everyone and I have been saving my most favorite for last! One of my wonderful, fellow blog stalking, slightly warped, but ever crafty and talented friends, Lisa at You Made Me Ink! created a sketch of a snow family portrait on her blog to share with others.  When I made a card using her digi, I ever so subtly suggested that it would look just like our family if only it had a dog to knock the kids down in the snow.  (Shadow does this on a regular basis as the girls are playing in the snow.) Well... Lisa is such a sharp observer that she picked up on my incredibly subtle comment and created a new sketch for me! So here is a snow person version of our family portrait on this year's family Christmas card.  I received many comments on the clever image and had to give all of the credit to my very talented friend!

Don't mind the blue clip; it's holding the card closed for photo purposes. I made a trifold and it didn't want to cooperate for the photo. Hmmm... a lot like my family...

And below is a close up shot of our happy little snow family. Lots of dazzling details for snow and crystal effects to add a little shine!

It even looks like Shadow! Well, except that he's never really took off the kids' heads as they've played in the snow...

I hope that Lisa is having a wonderful Christmas and that next year's Christmas will be even happier for her and her family!! And to all of you who made it to the end of this winded post, Merry Christmas and may your time spent with loved ones be thoroughly enjoyed!

One last picture... This is the nativity scene at our church and it never fails to put everything into perspective as we stop our busyness to remember our greatest gift.

Merry Christmas!

Return of the mojo, sort of...

For the past week, I have felt a little 'blah' about creating.  I would see all of these inspiring creations from others and then sit at my table and think 'hmmm.....' I have created a few things for some upcoming projects that I didn't want to post yet, but other than the things I HAD to make, there hasn't been much creativity flowing.  So tonight I decided, no matter what, I was going to make something!  I pulled out my silver glimmer paper, punched a few ornaments, and got everything ready to color them.  If you have yet to be exposed to this technique, I saw this for the first time at Debbie's Designs.  She is so nice, super talented and always has the best tutorials! Anyway, as I sat there playing with my aqua painter (first time!) and the ink, things just sort of clicked.  I was having fun, not worrying about the end product (which was AWESOME!) and just experimented with the ink and paper.  So as my ornaments were drying, I starting thinking about this super cute image my super talented, always funny, friend, Lisa at You Made Me Ink, had posted a looong time ago that I had printed and colored.  I was waiting for just the right inspiration to strike so I could use this and I came up with this...

It's a little hard to appreciate from the picture, but the image of the 'not so perfect' snow family has been given a few little touches after the coloring.  I used dazzling details on the ground and accented the hat, Mother's scarf, and the instigator's earmuffs with crystal effects.  I really love this image and had to remember the many, 'not so perfect,' family pictures I have been a part of over the years.  It also seemed so fitting since there are four in our family (five if you count the dog).  Maybe I'll have to talk Lisa into commissioning a special image with Shadow knocking both of the kids down.  He is notorious for this!

 Because of the coloring, and added touches to this card, not to mention the glimmer snowflakes that I punched (glitter everywhere!) I decided this qualified for the challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  They are looking for 'over the top' cards.  You know, the ones that you make and love, but say "Never again..."  Not saying I won't ever do this again, but I sure wouldn't want to make 20 or 30 of these!

 

Just in case you wanted to see my tinted ornaments...

I'm hoping to be able to do something with these over the weekend. Wish me luck!

Card Recipe: Cardstock- pear pizzazz, whisper white, poppy parade DSP (in colors stack), glimmer paper, Ink- assorted SU markers, Stamp Set-image from Lisa M, Accessories-pear pizzazz seam binding, dazzling details, crystal effects, non SU snowflake punch

Ornaments: Silver Glimmer paper, cherry cobbler  and marina mist reinkers, aqua painter, ornament punch