Day 20, Phoenix Paper Crafters Create Daily Challenge

Dad, your guiding hand on my shoulder will remain with me forever. ~Author Unknown

Today is day 20 of the Phoenix Paper Crafters Create Daily Challenge located HERE .

This card started out with a “Miss you” sentiment but I never used so it has been sitting in my card file for several years. With the Create Daily Challenge I figure now was a good time to change it up so I would use it!

This card always felt masculine to me so I changed out the sentiment to Happy Father’s Day. I also decided a bit of color would go a long way to brightening it up so I used some yellow nuvo drops here and there. I didn’t even think about the ink being water based and the Nuvo drops re-activated it causing the color to change from yellow to a reddish orange in a few areas. While unintentional I do really like how it looks.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cara

Blessed ...

Let every man and woman count himself immortal.  Let him catch the revelation of Jesus in his resurrection. Let him say not merely, "Christ is risen," but "I shall rise."

~Phillips Brooks

Good morning!

Today, another Anything Goes Challenge starts at Through the Craft Room Door!

Our sponsor this week is DigiStamps4Joy with a $10 voucher

Come check out the inspiration from the Design Team and play along with us!

Here is my Inspiration for you!

Card size 5 x 7

Supplies

Image from DigiStamps4Joy

Alcohol Markers

Card stock from Stampin Up! and The Paper Studio

Darice embossing folder "Cross with Words"

Sentiment from "Blessed beyond Measure" from CTMH

Stampin Up! Ink

Thanks for stopping by!

(Hugs) Cara

Dandelions ...

Some see Weeds, I see Wishes!

Good morning

This is my week to select the Color Challenge for The Outlawz which started today and I am using this lovely inspiration photo! Every time I see a field of dandelion, my heart can't help but smile looking at all those possible wishes waiting to be sent out on the wind!

  

Our sponsor this month is

Newton's Nook Designs. 

 

Here is my 5 x 7 card

SUPPLIES

Card stock from The Paper Studio and Stampin Up!

E.Folder "Dandelions" from Darice

Glitter glue from Studio G

Glitter Paper from Recollections

Ink from Stampin up and Memories

Sentiment from Halo Rubber Stamps

Various small punches

Come Play with us!

(Hugs) Cara

Warmest Wishes

Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves. ~Eric Sevareid

Good afternoon

Christmas cards are finished and mailed. Between today and the end of the year I will be sharing some cards that I made... I won't always have the supply lists because I was not very good at keeping track of them. However, I do hope you enjoy and find some inspiration!

Blessings and Merry Christmas to one and all!!!!

Cara

Slinky tart for the Husband

They're not gray hairs. They're wisdom highlights.

Author Unknown

Good morning!

Today is my husband's birthday!

There is a story behind why I purchased this image.

You see, I am blind in my right eye and I always tell my husband someday I am going to get me an eye patch and bling the dickens out of it.

When I saw this image from Slinky Tart, I laughed and laughed ... then I bought the image and made his card! LOL

Card size 5 x 7

Supplies

Digital image "Big Tease" from Slinky Tart

Prisma Color pencils & OMS

Card stock from The Paper Studio & Stampin Up!

"Clockworks" Embossing folder from Cuttlebug

"Romantic Rectangles" die from Spellbinders

"Sprightly Sprockets" from Spellbinders

Gears #1 from Sizzix

Sentiment die from Little Yellow Bicycle

Rhinestones from Recollections

Chalk from Stampin Up!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cara

The Outlawz: Happy New Year Fireworks!

No one ever regarded the First of January with indifference. It is that from which all date their time, and count upon what is left. It is the nativity of our common Adam. ~Charles Lamb

Good morning!

Christmas is over. I am sad.

I will miss the carols and the bright lights and the pretty ornaments.

But the New year is right around the corner and brings with it the anticipation of new beginnings.

Nothing wrong with that. We all need that start point at some time in our lives.

2015 is going to be another busy year for us, but I guess I would not want it any other way.

Our kids are grown and they are embarking on their own life adventures, leaving us to plan our future days as empty nesters, which include talk of downsizing our home and general lifestyle.

On personal levels, My husband is finishing up classes he needs to start nursing school and I have plans for Through The Craft Room Door that I hope takes the Challenge Blog and the Magazine to the next level.

What about you? Are your resolutions lined up for the kick off on January 1st, 2015? 

This is the last week of 2014 and the last CAS of the year as well. Cheri wants to send it off in style with fireworks on our CAS cards and projects this week over at the Outlawz!

So here is mine.

I created the background by tapping my ink ad all over the EF before running through my Big Kick. This is not the results I was looking for, but I was using a new ink and for some reason, even with the whole EF covered, not all the ink came off. (Since I do this with other inks and never have a issue, I have to assume it was the ink and not my machine).
Either way, I dolike the way it came out and went with it.

Size is 5 x 7

SUPPLIES

Card stock: The Paper Studio & Stampin Up!

Embossing folder: "Fireworks" by Darice

Ink; Pallet

Sentiment: "Let's Toast" from The Angel Company

Rhinestones: Recollections

Edge punch: Martha Stewart

Glitter: My Stash

Glittery DP: My Scrap Bin

Thanks for stopping by!

(Hugs) Cara

29th Wedding Anniversary

One advantage of marriage is that, when you fall out of love with him or he falls out of love with you, it keeps you together until you fall in again.

~Judith Viorst

Yesterday, my husband and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary and I will be the first to admit that marriage is not for the faint of heart. 

For one thing, it's not just about you anymore!

It's about living with another human being 24/7 and sharing the bed covers on a cold night!

It is seeing each other at our worst and still loving each other ... and just as important ... still liking each other.

It's learning to communicate and compromise with each other when we'd rather not.

Marriage is tough enough on a good day, but especially so when you really don't know how they are supposed to work .. right?

My parents divorced when I was quite young. Both remarried and the step-parents were not overly fond of having my two older brothers and myself underfoot, especially when they had kids of their own from previous marriages. To that end, my mom's second marriage only lasted around 5 years and we just never had much contact with our father over the years.

My only clue to marriage longevity was my mom's parents. It was obvious they loved each other, but that was the extent of it. However, it was enough for me to know that was the type of marriage I wanted for myself. Consequently, while most of my friends were marrying out of high school, I was in my early twenties before I agreed to say "I do".

My husband was luckier ... while his parents divorced when he was young, his mother eventually remarried an incredible man who took on the raising of two children as his own. I adore my "step" father-in-law. He is most awesome!

Our marriage has had it share if highs and lows, like most relationship. Divorce has come up several times over the last 29 years and only once was it a very real consideration and we managed to work out, but it was a tough time for both of us and something we are still working through ...

Has it been worth it? all the struggles, the arguments, the second guessing of the relationship ...

I have to say yes - yes it has.

Because we have two awesome kids that we raised together under one roof, there have been more highs than lows, more huggles than struggles and we are closer now than ever. We talk and plan more about our future together and we genuinely enjoy each others company.

I truly look forward to the years I have left with the love of my life.

Here is the card I made for him.

SUPPLIES

Card stock from Stampin Up!

DP unknown

Embossing folder from Darice

Heart die from Spellbinders

India Ink from Memories

Image & Sentiment from "Clocks" by Sizzix

Brad & Pearls from my stash

CHALLENGES ENTERED

Stamphavie & More
Challenge 225 - Anything Goes

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog

#204 - Anything Goes

Lia Stampz

#77 - Anything Goes

The Crafters Cafe Challenge Blog

#91 - Anything Goes

Fan-Tastic Tuesday

#62 - Anything Goes with a Masculine Twist

TTCRD - Anything Goes with Little Blue Button Stamps!

“Life is precious, do not waste it doing anything that your heart does not respect or agree with.”

~ Leon Brown

Good morning!

Our sponsor this week at Through The Craft Room door is

Little Blue Button Stamps

I chose this image called "Steam Punk Jessica".

Now to be honest, I've never really tried steam punk, so this was a new experience and I probably didn't pull it off so well .. but I still think the card came out pretty cool!

Card size is 5 x 7. I colored the image with my prisma color pencils and OMS. Added a touch of paper glaze to her lips then fussy cut her out when everything was dry. 

I lightly inked up my embossing folder before adding my paper and running through my big kick.

I added glitter to the hat and her hair for fun.

Supplies

Image "Steam Punk Jessica" from Little Blue Button Stamps

Card stock, rhinestones & border punch from Stampin Up!

Prisma Color pencils

Oderless Mineral Spirits

Sentiment is from Halo Rubber Stamps

Embossing folder "Steam punk Gears" from Sizziz

Thanks for stopping by!

Looking forward to seeing you over at TTCRD!

CHALLENGES ENTERED

INSPIRATION DESTINATION
#8 - Anything Goes

CREATIVE FINGERS CHALLENGE BLOG
#57 - Anything Goes

BROWN SUGAR CHALLENGE BLOG
#121 - Use 2 or more colors

CARD MANIA
CMC #60 - Use a Digi

CRAFTY LITTLE FAIRIES
November - Not a Square

Clean & Simple: Bring on Fall!

There's something in a simple hug

That always warms the heart,

It welcomes us back home

And makes it easier to part....

Johnny Ray Ryder, Jr., "A Simple Hug"

Good morning!

Today is the start of a new Clean & Simple Challenge at The Outlawz and it is my turn to post!

Fall officially starts tomorrow kicking off (for me) a mental image of cooler weather and the upcoming holidays! Leaves, scarecrows, pumpkins, fall colors! Bring it on people, we wanna to see it all. Just remember - have fun and keep it CAS

So a while back I bought, on clearance (because I never pay full price for any craft item if I can help it!) I found some Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink Spray which I brought home and promptly forgot about until now.

Now I want more and need to buy some other colors.

I took my embossing folder and spritzed it a couple of times the gold glow & gingersnap mist, placed my paper carefully inside it and then ran through my Big Kick. I then spritz it with the white giving the whole piece a nice shimmer that sadly can not be seen well in the photo :O(

I used a shimmery gold vellum for a back layer and had enough left over for the sentiment that I die cut ... Perfection with the gold shimmer on the card.

Anyway, the card looks fabulous in reality!

Card size is A2

Supplies: Card stock (Stampin Up!), Fall Leaf background EF (Darice), "Hugs" die (Sizzix), Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink Spray (Clearsnap), Ribbon (Stash).

Challenges Entered 

Simply Less is more: Mostly Words

Lacy Sunshine Challenge Blog: Change of Seasons

Crafting from the Heart: Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday: Anything Goes

Pixie's Crafty Workshop: Must use Snippets (Scraps)

Thanks for stopping by 

Cara

Birthday for Tia

Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children. ~George Bernard Shaw

Good morning!

Today is the birthday of a Co-work and I made this card for her as I do all the people in our group.

The back ground was creating by inking one side of the embossing folder before running through my Big Kick.

SIZE A2

SUPPLES

Card stock from Bazzill and Stampin Up!

"Leafy Branch" EF from Cuttlebug

Hello Kitty (R) Daisies from Sizzix

Ink from Stampin Up!

Sentiment unknown

Flower center from Marvy (I think)

Bling from stash

Thanks for stopping by!

(Hugz) Cara

TTCRD Anything Goes Challenge: Party Time!

A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future.

Author Unknown

Good morning!

Today is the start of the Anything Goes Challenge at Through The Craft Room Door.

Click HERE to come play along with us.

This week our sponsor is

Make it Crafty!

I used their awesome image called "Late Rabbit".

My daughter is a huge fan of Alice in Wonderland so I made this 5 x 7 card with her in mind

I colored in the image using Prisma Color pencils and OMS and Aleens Paper Glaze has been added to his pink nose

SUPPLIES:

Based on Sketch #108 from Freshly Made Sketches

Card stock, Ink & Sentiment (Lots of Thoughts) from Stampin Up!

Prisma Color Pencils

Odorless Mineral Spirits from Gemini

Rhinestones from The Paper Studio

Clockworks EF & Swiss Dots EF from Cuttlebug

Banners were made with paper scraps from my stash

Aleens Paper Glaze

Thanks for stopping by.

Your visits make me happy and as always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. (Hugs) Cara

Masculine Birthday

Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. ~Samuel Ullman

Good morning!

I make all the birthday cards for my co-workers. I don't mind and it gives me a place to re-home the cards I make for challenges or for fun. However most of the time when I make cards they are done so with specific people in mind. 

I made this card for a male co-worker who will be celebrating later this month.

I have had this die cut index card in my stash for quite some time and I thought this was a perfect layout to use it on. The blue colored paper is actually a left over from a piece I made a while back using glossy card stock and re-inkers and the strip running across the card was created by inking up the embossing folder and running through my Big Kick.

This card is based on this sketch #225 from The Shabby Tea Room.

CARD SIZE: A2

SUPPLIES

Card stock, ink - Stampin Up!

Sentiment - Inkahootz!

Wood grain embossing folder - The Paper Studio

Embroidery Floss - Stash

Wood buttons - Stash

Pop dots

Aleen's Paper Glaze

Tools:

Sizzix Big Kick

Stamp-a-ma-jig

We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper

CHALLENGES ENTERED

The Shabby Tea Room

Sketch Challenge # 225

613 Avenue Create
Challenge #78: Anything Goes

Crafting from The Heart
Challenge #25: Anything Goes

Sister Act Card Challenge
Challenge #63: Anything Goes

Pixies Crafty Workshop
Challenge #131: Anything goes but must use scraps

Lucky Little Ladybug

Springtime is the land awakening.

The March winds are the morning yawn.

Quoted by Lewis Grizzard inKathy Sue Loudermilk, I Love You

Good Morning! 

Spring is right around the corner.

March 20th to be exact!

Such bizarre weather this winter season.

Unseasonably hot or cold depending on the region.

Record snow or rain fall. 

Living where I do, we don't deal with snow, but it does get cold so I'm ready for the smell of fresh cut green grass and the bright splashes of pretty flowers! Spring for us is such a short time period where we can shake off the sloth of winter, enjoy the outdoors without the fear of heat stroke and mentally prepare ourselves for the hot Summer months to come. :O)

Today is my turn to post the new Clean and Simple Challenge for the Outlawz.

Here is Arizona, a slight chill is still in the air, but if you pay attention, it is Spring!

I love to see Ladybugs, those little black and red harbingers of Spring flitting around.

This week we want you to show us your lovely lady bugs! 

all colors, all sizes - just keep it CAS!

Come on by to see what the rest of the DT have done!

Click HERE

Here is my card for the challenge!
The white card stock is embossed using a diffuser which left a circle untouched.

I fussy cut Ms. Ladybug and colored her up with a watercolor pencil and blender pen and added her, the heart and banner to non-embossed part with dimensional foam.

Card size A2

SUPPLIES

Stampin Up! Card stock

Image & Sentiment from The Angel Company "Squiggle Ladybugs"

Spellbinder die "Hearts One"

Cuttlebug EF "Polka Dots"

Staedtler Watercolor Pencils

SU! Blender Pen

Dimensional foam

Memories Black India Ink
Sizzix Diffuser

Something Fishy!

Goooood Morning everyone!
The newest posting for the Sunday Clean and Simple Challenge at the Outlawz is up and running.

The challenge this week is to create a CAS project or card using Marine Life.You can use anything that lives in or around water; fish, turtles, whales, stingrays, crabs. You project can be any color, any theme as long as you keep it clean & simple.

Here is my card!

Supplies: Stampin up! (Cardstock and Fish image), The Angel Company (Sentiment), Cuttlebug (Tiny Bubbles embossing folder), Sizzix (Embossing diffuser plate), water color pencils, blender pen, gel pen & rhinestones

God Bless America

4th of July is right around the corner ...
I made these two cards.

This particular card will be sent to my daughter in Japan and I also entered into The Outlaws Greeting Card Challenge where we were tasked to use stars and/or strips. I opted for a patriotic theme.

SUPPLIES
Card base: Paper from Michaels
Card Stock: Stampin Up! - Brilliant Blue, Real Red and White
Ink: Memories India Ink Stampin Up! Real Red
Sentiments: Stampin Up!
Star punches are from Marvy
Embossing folder is the Distressed stripes from Cuttlebug
Stars from my stash
A brayer was used to ink the stripes after embossing

This card I will be mailing out to family and friends

Card base: Paper from Michaels
Card Stock: Stampin Up! - Brilliant Blue, Real Red and White
Ink: Memories India Ink Stampin Up! Real Red
Sentiments: Stampin Up!
Star punches are from Marvy
Embossing folder is the Distressed stripes from Cuttlebug and Star and Swirls from Sizzix
A brayer was used to ink the stripes after embossing