Perfect Prom

Hello! I'm apologizing in advance for the poor photo quality... It's been a bit gloomy here and I struggle to take good page photos unless it's sunny.

I dressed things up a bit today because, well...it's prom!

This could count as a flashback page because everything on here but the glittery mats are old treasures from my stash.  I almost forgot about the metallic silver paper, but when I was looking for glittery paper I came across it and thought it would be a great addition to the page.  All the punches have been in my supplies for a very long time, and the background is part of a peacock paper pack I bought long ago to make cards for my mom.

I had to smile as I made this page because even though tearing her ACL and ending her varsity tennis season was devastating for my daughter, we had so many people that reached out to check on her, pray for her, and offer to help any way they could.  DD was also very upset that prom was only days away and she wouldn't be able to wear the glittery shoes she loved so much and dancing the night away was not likely since she was on crutches. Definitely not the accessory she was wanting... I made a desperate call to our local plant nursery who also does floral arrangements.  The owner told us to stop by after school and she would fix something.  When we left her shop, DD had a beautiful bouquet to bling up her crutches a bit.  DD was so moved by her kindness and ended up having a great evening in spite of her circumstances.  Sometimes the most imperfect things turn out perfectly fine...

Thanks so much for visiting and have a great day!

In Colors? Who knew?!

I have a confession... I do not normally get overly excited about the In Colors.  Not that I don't like them, but since they are usually only available for a limited time I tend to spend my money on the products in the catalog that can be used longer.  I do buy the markers and a mixed pack of the paper so I can share the colors with my customers and also use them in my classes, but overall they don't get a lot of attention from me.  I remember when the latest colors came out thinking they reminded me of ice cream and that they were pretty-end of thought.  Until I made this card!

I started out using the baked brown sugar because I thought it would be a great color for the wood.  This led to pulling out the coastal cabana and crisp canteloupe for the coordinating colors.  By the time the card was finished, I was in love with this color combination! This coming from a girl who usually does not like pastel combos...

Now I'm thinking I need the stretchy ribbon (this stuff is SO COOL) in every color, and I know I need to get more paper!  In Colors! Who knew?!

I liked this card so well it became one of the cards for my stampin' club! Don't you just love the punched out heart? This great design was found here. I noticed after making my card that she used in colors too, just different ones!

I hope I've encouraged you to experiment with the In Colors or at the very least, step out of your color comfort zone and try something new!  Have a wonderful day and happy crafting!

Card Recipe: Paper-crisp canteloupe, baked brown sugar, coastal cabana, whisper white, Ink-soft suede, coastal cabana, Stamp-Hardwood, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Hearts a Flutter, Accessories-heart punch, heart to heart punch, coastal cabana stretch ruffle trim, calypso coral bakers twine, vintage faceted buttons

ABAC Challenge-Hit the books!

I want to start off apologizing to my fellow teamies at ABAC!  I have not even introduced the latest challenge and here I am sharing for it's last week... So, a little late, I am letting you know there's a challenge at Anything But a Card Challenges and it's all about books!  You can alter a book, make art with a page from a book, create something inspired by your favorite book, and any other wonderful things you can think of that relates to books!  The design team has already shared two weeks worth of fabulous inspiration, so I hope you stop by and check them out!

Oh... I can not tell you how hard this challenge was for me!  While I am ever in awe of all of the beautiful altered books that I see, I have never been able to bring myself to actually tear up a book.  My love of reading and books began early in my childhood and has happily continued over the years.  I love finding an old book in an antiques shop, smelling the pages, and wondering how many eyes have poured over the pages.  I've also been known to finish a much loved book or series, and suffer a slight depression that my relationship with the characters has ended.

So you can see how this puts me at a crossroad...love of books or love of creating...  Fortunately, during a recent attempt to purge a few more things from my overcrowded home, I came across an old dictionary and some very neglected books that really were beyond being saved.  Rather than pitching them (which would have helped my cleaning efforts), I moved them onto the shelf with my 'recycle/repurpose' items.  It's probably best that this happened without any witnesses since I had just finished reprimanding the entire household about our need to get rid of all of the 'junk' that doesn't have a purpose anymore... Technically, I'm not deeming myself a hypocrite because they do have a purpose, right??

I had already spend some time on Pinterest looking at book inspired art and was amazed at some of the intricate folding and cutting that made sculptural masterpieces.  I knew that this was well beyond my level, but I did find several other inspirations that I pinned for future use.  One of my favorite techniques is covering all but a few choice words with paint and ink, and then adding artwork to enhance the visible words.  This is what I chose for my design team inspiration piece.

I used a page from a very mistreated Pocahontas book, and as I was painting the base, my DD (former owner of the book) freaked out on me wanting to know WHY I would cut up a book.  Little did she know that Sarcastic Mom was the mode of the day, and I responded without batting an eye "Oh, and on the floor being stepped on and ripped up is more appropriate treatment of a book?". No response to that one...  Which left me sitting in peace to paint around the great quote from the book.  As a tribute to the former owner of the book, I used purple to add a splash of color to an otherwise neutral palette.  I love the ultra subtle leaves on the background, and the glittery butterflies were added to tie into the 'listen with your heart' theme.

I realized a little too late that my initial paint coat was a little too thick in most spots.  I really wanted a few more words gently bleeding through. Live and learn...

I hope I have inspired you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new too, especially if you are a book lover like me.  At least that poor book had a small piece salvaged and treasured!

Project Recipe: vintage white & purple cow acrylic paint, crumb cake & soft suede ink, Lovely as a Tree and Gently Falling stamp sets, heart to heart punch, asst. stickles, purple burlap fibers

A CASE of CAS

As if paper crafting and blurfing weren't enough addictive habits to consume my time, I also found Pinterest a few months ago! Oh the possibilities! The card I'm sharing today was inspired from Mandy at A Little Space of My Own.  I loved the clean look and the huge pop of the red against the white.  It was also super fast and easy to make and since I'm only half way to my required goal of Valentines, this is a very good thing!

In case you missed it, I'm offering blog candy on the post below, so be sure to check it out! Have a wonderful day!!

Card Recipe: Cardstock-whisper white, red glimmer paper, Ink-cherry cobbler, Stamp Set-Loving Thoughts, Accessories-heart to heart punch and dimensionals

Valentine Hearts CASE

I usually do not make a lot of Valentines and often the children I teach receive store bought cards (GASP!) depending on how much time I have.  But this year, I am working on a project with my sister, who is a home health nurse.  My classes and I are making Valentine goody bags for her patients. So I am making more handmade Valentines than ever before!  I have to admit this has been a lot of fun and I've gone crazy with the heart punches and the new embosslits for most of these!  Today's card is no exception!  I found the inspiration for this card from Debbie's Designs and almost completely, and shamelessly CASEd this one!  Why reinvent the wheel when it already works?!

I love using the Fashionable Hearts embosslit for instantly cutting and adding texture! It makes things so much easier!

I spent the morning at my oldest DD's school for District Solo and Ensemble Contest.  This was my daughter's first year and her ensemble received a gold rating! Needless to say, they were all thrilled!  Now I'm hoping to sneak in a little nap before I have to think about making dinner! Wish me luck!!

Card Recipe:  Cardstock-whisper white, real red, pretty in pink, old olive, red glimmer paper, Raspberry Tart DSP (ret), Ink-old olive, Stamp Set-Outlined Occasions (sent.), Accessories-full heart and heart to heart punches, Fashionable Hearts embosslit, non SU embossing folder

Another Challenge Card!

Wednesday, I actually managed to squeeze in some crafting time to play along with some challenges! So if you're in shock at seeing another post from me already this week, now you know why!  Top Tip Tuesday has two different sketches (created by Lisa!) to choose from.  I chose the CAS one, although my card doesn't really look super CAS!  LOL!  My tip for TTT is pretty simple, but it is not something I realized when I first started making cards.  **When you are using several similar embellishments or stamped images, you can easily add dimension and interest by randomly popping some of them up with dimensionals (or pop dots).  I usually lay out my pieces and then decide which ones I want to 'pop'.**    Shopping Our Stash had a challenge to use borders of some kind.  My assorted hearts make the border on this card. BTW- If you have never played along w/ SOS, it is so fun! They actually encourage you to dig through those wonderful treasures that are hiding in your stash and use them (Wow, such a novel idea!!!).  The only relatively new thing on this card was the heart embosslit I used! The DP I used has not been pulled out in ages!

I have actually started to acquire quite the collection of completed Valentine cards! I may actually be finished by Valentines Day!!

Card Recipe: Cardstock-real red, pretty in pink, whisper white, Raspberry Tart DSP (ret), red glimmer paper, Ink-black Stazon and assorted SU markers, Stamp Sets- Gift Givers, Precious Butterflies (sentiment), Accessories-heart to heart punch, scallop oval punch, large oval punch, full heart punch, Fashionable Hearts embosslit, dazzling details and pink glitter glue

Cheetah Girl!

Here we are again with another Scrapbook Monday post!  Today's page features actual photos from 2011 (ooohs and aaahhs from the crowd).  I decided I better work on my newer photos as well as the older ones or I would forget what they were for...  This is from my DD's birthday party.  She is a cheetah fanatic and this attraction is fed by her 'fairy Godmother', who is also my sister.  This year she received a bath towel and a ultra chic scarf from her aunt.  Daddy thought he might look good in animal prints as well and tried on her scarf.  My layout was based on a sketch from Simply Stampin' Challenge.  This was their challenge a few weeks ago, but I didn't get around to creating with it until now.

Her scrapbooks are already full of layouts using cheetah/leopard prints, and quite frankly, I'm tired of using them! So I went with a sahara sand base, brown accents, and added just a hint of the animal print by using strips of fleece material as ribbon.

The background print was made using versamark, clear embossing powder, and a quick shot from the heat gun (have I mentioned my fascination with this process??)  The rest is pretty self-explanatory

Page Recipe: Cardstock-sahara sand, soft suede, very vanilla, pretty in pink, Ink-early espresso, crumb cake, pretty in pink (sponging), Versamark, Stamp Sets-sprinkles (ret), Broadsheet Alphabet, Notes and Details, Accessories-clear embossing  powder, heart to heart punch

A Three Hour Card, A Three Hour Card...

I think I know how the people from Gilligan's Island feel now! They only intended to take a 3 hour tour and spent what felt like an eternity on the island instead.  I set out to make a bridal shower card, not a big feat, and ended up spending 3 HOURS from start to finish on this!!  Those of you who follow my blog will understand immediately why this took me so long! I'm a CAS card maker by nature.  I do enjoy vintage and shabby, but they still end up being pretty simple.  Not this card, my friends...

In an effort to spare those from the challenge blogs who don't really want to hear my tale of endless crafting, here are the challenges I chose to  submit my card.  Shopping Our Stash is asking for all that glitters, sparkles, or shines (not a problem on this one!), SUO Challenges is asking for an infrequently used or new technique (lots of embellishing and Smooch spritz), and Top Tip Tuesday has an anything goes challenge. And my 3 hour card...

and the inside...

I saw the inspiration card on Robyn's Stamping Hood a few months ago and thought this would be fun to recreate. I must have been channeling Anne Marie  (aka the Bling Queen!) because the next thing I knew I was pulling out pearls, embossing folders, ribbon, smooch spritz, glimmer paper, and lots of other shimmery bling!  In all fairness, there are a lot of crafters out there who could have made this in 15 minutes, but this was so far out of my comfort zone that I would pull paper out, then put it back. Try this punch? No... What about this one?  Big pearls or tiny pearls?  It needs texture... No, that's too much...Hmm...which sentiment should I use... Even cutting the paper for the cake layers was an ordeal (cut 3 different times til I was happy)! When I finally was committed (or needed to be!), and adhered everything to the card, it still needed something.  Out came the Smooches!  When I finished, my table looked like the entire SU catalog had exploded and I had shimmery fingers from the smooch spray! But I have to say, when I picked up the finished project, this truly is one amazing card, by my standards.  Of course, with snow and freezing temperatures, I was not about to go outside just to get better lighting, so even though you may not be able to see all of the shimmery, glittery goodness, believe me! It's there!!

I used a LOT of goodies on this card and amazingly 90% was stuff I've had for quite a while! I am hoping that the bride-to-be will enjoy this card! I honestly don't know her, but she is marrying our neighbors son, and I have known him since he was a baby! Hope you have managed to make it through my extremely long post and that you enjoyed visiting!!

Card Recipe: Cardstock-pretty in pink, real red, very vanilla, Sending Love DSP (ret), red glimmer paper, Ink-real red, blush blossom marker (for shading edges and hearts inside), Stamp Sets- Loving Thoughts, Sprinkles (ret), Punches-modern label, heart to heart, scallop oval, corner rounder, large oval, Accessories-elegant lines embossing folder, basic pearls, vanilla shimmer and blushing bride smooch spritz, Chantilly crochet trim

Be My Valentine

Ever look at a piece of patterned paper and think 'Wait a minute...There's a card in there...'?  That is pretty much what happened with this card.  I was looking for some red sparkly paper for a different project and came across this paper.  It's a retired paper from SU and I actually forgot I had some left.  As soon as I saw the pattern, I had a pretty good idea what my card would look like.  I remember seeing somewhere that someone made an envelope with hearts spilling out, but wouldn't you know, I didn't save or pin that one (a million others, yes...)  So if this was your original idea, please let me know.  The basic design and layout, other than the heart envelope, is from my little ol' head.

**UPDATE- While reorganizing my pinterest card pins, I came across the original card and wanted to give credit where it's due.   Darlene Design is the website where you can see the inspiration piece!

This was not CAS or QAS (quick and simple) and I made 4 of these!  I do not have an envelope die (gasp!), so I used a template that I had from ages ago.  Then I got busy punching, and punching, and punching, and embossing, and glittering, and you get the picture.  I'm slightly obsessive when it comes to putting patterns together, so the hardest part for me was arranging the hearts into a design that I thought looked just right.  I really like the way it turned out!

When I finished this card both of my DD came over and exclaimed "We want to make these for our Valentines!" Ummm.... I DON'T THINK SO!!!!  So now I'm trying to find a more basic way to recreate this so they can make duplicates for their friends.  Plus, I'm not so sure the boys in my youngest DD's class will appreciate this very girly card!

Card Recipe: Cardstock-pretty in pink, real red, very vanilla, Sending Love DSP (ret), Ink-pretty in pink, real red, chocolate chip (distressed edge of envelope), Stamp Sets-Fabulous Phrases, Just Believe, Punches-heart to heart, modern label, word window, Accessories-very vanilla seam binding, basic pearls, square lattice folder, snow burst folder, dazzling details