House of Cards July Challenge

Hello everyone!

How have y'all been?  It seems like it has been FOREVER since I've made anything crafty.  It also seems like I haven't been online much either.  I guess working two jobs, volunteering with my church group, helping with Sunday school and getting my daughter ready to go to college will do that. lol  I feel awful that this post is so late.  It was supposed to go live on July 1st, and here I am on the 17th, finally posting it.  I'm thankful and blessed to be part of such a wonderful group over at HOC.  They're kind, and patient, and very understanding.  I'm hoping to back off of so many hours at the second job, so that I can have more crafty time.  I feel the need to do that.

Anyway, onto this months challenge over at House of Cards.  This month you're challenged to create a card using food and/or drink, or the colors in this photo.

I couldn't find anything with food or drink, so I went with the colors.  I also decided to go with darker versions of these colors, so that I could use some patterned papers I've had in my stash that I really love, but haven't used yet.  Here is my card.

I love how this turned out, considering it's been ages since I've made anything.  For some added interest, I did some multi media stuff on the background panel with some embossing paste, silver ink splatters and white text stamping.  I also have more layers and "stuff" on this card than is normal for me.  I'm not sure where I was going when I first started this card, but this is where it ended up.  I'm going to send this to a great friend, who is always so amazing.  Hope she likes it.

Well, that's all for me.  I do hope you'll head over to the HOC blog to see all of the lovely creations everyone has made this month.  As always, they're absolutely beautiful!  If I don't make it back before August 1st, I hope you'll stop by then, to see what fun challenge will be posted next month. :)

Take care my friends!

House of Cards April Challenge

Greetings y'all!

Happy Friday!  How has your week been?  I'm so glad the weekend is here.  I sort of get to sleep in tomorrow, and Sunday, and will try to relax as much as possible.  I'm volunteering at our local food bank tomorrow morning, and doing some house work, but that's pretty much it.  The weather has been a bit rainy this week, but this weekend is supposed to be awesome.  Maybe I'll see if a friend wants to go for a walk at Tyler State Park.  I should try to take advantage of the great weather, before it gets too hot and humid.

I can't believe it's the first of April already.  This year is going by so quickly, youch!  Since it is the first of the month, the next challenge at House of Cards has been posted.  This months challenge is to incorporate script and/or the colors in the inspiration photo below.  It's such a pretty picture, and the colors are so very spring.

Here is the card I created.

I tried everything, but couldn't get a picture where the script stood out any more than it does.  I think the ink I chose was a bit too light, to get a good picture.  There really is script on this card though.  The cover up and the sentiment panel both have script on them.  I love the gradient of colors these two distress inks created when I blended them together.  I can't say it enough, but I think distress inks are my favorite.  They always look amazing!  I added a small bow and popped everything up on foam tape for added dimension, then called it done.  I'm going to send this to my mother.  She's awesome.

That's all for me today.  I'm off to start my chores, and hopefully make it outside for something fun.  I do hope you'll head over to the HOC blog to see the cards that are posted for you.  As always, they're pretty spectacular.  Since this challenge is a month long, hopefully you'll get to play along.  I'd love to see what you create.

Stay crafty my friends!

   

Just Us Girls Challenge #334: Trend Week

Hello hello!

How was your week?  Were you able to get crafty?  It's been pouring like crazy here, all week.  We've had several flash flood warnings, and I feel like I should be taking a boat to work, rather than driving. lol  The nasty weather outside though, has made it easy to stay inside and make pretty stuff.  It looks like I'll get caught up on lots of stuff indoors this weekend.

It's Saturday, which means there is a new Just Us Girls challenge posted.  How exciting!  I love their challenges, and am still shocked to be their guest designer this month.  This week is a trend week: Shaker Card.

And here is the card I made.

I've really been trying to step outside my comfort zone this year, to try things that I wouldn't normally try.  I believe my style is considered clean, classy and elegant, but for this card I went with cute.  I LOVE how Nichol McGourick creates all of those adorable cards, and I was hoping to try my luck at one of them.  In all, it turned out pretty adorable.  I think I'm going to put my clouds on the inside of the frame next time though, to add different layers of dimension.  I added a bit of foam tape behind my clouds also, so that some of the sequins would "land" in those areas and stay there.  Looking at the picture, I think you get what I'm talking about.  I've had this beautiful WPlus9 stamp and die set in my possession for over a year, but this is the first time I'm using it.  *sigh*  I feel like I have tons of stuff that never gets used.  I think it may be time to challenge myself to use anything that hasn't ever been used or purge it. lol  I'm going to send this card to one of my best friends who is in need of some cheering up.  I think she'll like it. :-)

So that's all for me today.  I'm going to clean my place, do laundry, and work on prepping meals for the week.  I will also probably catch up on a few shows on Netflix and watch a couple movies.  It's going to be a great, relaxing weekend for me.  I do hope you'll head over to the Just Us Girls blog to see all of the amazing projects posted today.  Oh my gosh are they wonderful!!

Have a great weekend!

Pile It On Challenge #103

Hello my friends!

It's another gorgeous weekend here in East Texas.  I am headed out on an early morning hike with my friends again, before we go to church.  I love being able to get out and do stuff, before the heat sets in this spring and summer.  Fortunately, I got some time to make some stuff during the week, after work.  It was a crazy, busy week for me, so I needed that crafty time to unwind.

There is a new challenge posted over on the Pile It On blog today.  This weeks challenge is to use the color green, with two other colors.  Here is the card I made.

     
I actually watercolored with distress inks for this card.  I wasn't sure if I was going to like the outcome, but in the end, it's really pretty.  I chose to use Squeezed Lemonade, Tumbled Glass and Mowed Lawn.  I blended them onto my panel, and then spritzed with it with lots of water so that the colors would blend more, and pool up a bit.  Once it was dry, I cut it down with the largest Simon Says Stamp stitched rectangles die.  I popped it up with some fun foam, and added some  Tumbled Glass splatters, before adding it to my card base.  This is such a cool card, and it was so easy to put together.  I'm glad I finally dove into trying the watercoloring thing.  Now I'm going to try my other watercolors I have on hand, that have never been used.  Wish me luck! :-)

I'm going to submit my card for the following challenges:
Cardz 4 Guyz #109: Create your own background
Star Stampz Challenge: Embossing
Crafty Creations #310: Sentiment As Focal Point
AAA Cards #59: Embossing
Less Is More: Color Week - Citrus
Hiding In My Craft Room #241: Spring Colors

So that's all for me.  I do hope you'll head over to see what my friends have also created for you today.  They're always so beautiful.  Hopefully, you'll get the chance to join us for this challenge.  You have two weeks to play along.  We enjoy visiting your blogs to see your creations and leave bits of love.  I hope ya'll have a great day, and an even better week!

Hugs!

 

House of Cards March Challenge

Welcome!

How are y'all doing?  It's been a crazy week for me at work, and it's only Tuesday. lol  Since I was in training all last week, this week is catch up and month end.  I'm sure it'll all get taken care of, but until the weekend, it's going to be very busy.  As I'm typing this post, I'm finding it hard to believe we're in March already.  Wasn't it Christmas just yesterday? lol  Time continues to fly by, and all we can do is watch. 

Since it is March 1st, it's time for a new House of Cards challenge.  This month's challenge is Silhouette. 

Here is the card I made.

I was aiming for a CAS look, again, and think it worked out pretty well.  I love how these inks from Avery Elle blended together.  I used Pixie and Mint To Be.  Once I was done blending the inks, I added my silhouette flowers and the sentiment.  I splattered on some white Mister Huey's and a few Pretty Pink Posh sequins, and I was done.   I'm excited to combine the following challenges in my card:

Addicted To Stamps & More #182:  Make Your Mark
Color Throwdown #381:  Pink, Light Green & Kraft (this challenge is now closed, but I still loved the color combo)
Freshly Made Sketches #225:  Sketch (my loose interpretation)
Simon's Wednesday Challenge:  Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday #414:  Florals
Crazy 4 Challenges #325:  Spring

I hope you'll head over to the HOC blog to see what the other DT members have created for you.  As always, they're pretty fantastic.  And don't forget, you have a whole month to join us!

Stay crafty my friends!

House of Cards November Challenge: Stamped & Cut Window Technique

Good day!

How has your weekend been?  I hope you've been able to get some crafting done.  This weekend has been another crazy one around here.  Today my daughter turns 19, so we've been celebrating all weekend with a house full of teenage girls, tons of movies, a trip to the haunted house, and cupcakes (along with lot of other food). lol  I'm going to sleep SO well tonight!

I'm a bit late today.  I can't lie, I forgot to create my posting for today.  There's a new House of Cards challenge posted.  This month our challenge is a technique challenge called the stamped and cut window technique.

Here is the card I made for this challenge.

I wanted to keep this simple.  I stamped my focal panel and then die cute out the parts that would be added after I popped it up with dimensionals.  I added some twine and some gorgeous Pretty Pink Posh sequins, and called it done.  I think I did ok with this technique.  I like how it turned out.  I think I'll try it again, to see if I can do a better job with it though.

I'm going to submit my card for the following challenges:

Color Throwdown #366:  Rust, Aqua & Gray
Simon's Wednesday Challenge:  Anything Goes
Freshly Made Sketches #210:  Sketch
4 Crafty Chicks #270:  Anything Goes
Can You Case It #93:  Fall Edition (I chose fall colors)

So, that's all for me today.  I'm off to make waffles, which is what the birthday girl asked for, and then we're starting another movie marathon.  I do hope you'll head over to see what my friends have created for you this month.  As always, they're pretty fantastic.  You have until the 30th to play along.  That's a whole month to get your craft on! :)

Have a wonderful day!

What's In It?
Paper:  Neenah Solar White Cardstock, MFT Sno Cone Cardstock
Stamps:  CAS-ual Friday's Loving Thoughts, Hero Arts Graph Background Stamp
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink, MFT Sno Cone Hybrid Ink, Simon Says Stamp Fog Dye Ink, Wild Honey Distress Ink
Accessories:  Spellbinders Small Smooth Squares Dies, Jillibean Soup Twine, Pretty Pink Posh Aquamarine Sequins

MHK Designs October Release: Butterfly Wisdom

Hello everyone!

This is my second post today.  To view my House of Cards post, please scroll down.

Welcome to the October release at MHK Designs!  There will be lots of beautiful projects posted, so we hope you'll be inspired.  Mynn has really put together some wonderful digi stamp sets for this month, which I wasn't surprised about.  Her stamps are really beautiful.  To visit her Etsy store, click HERE.

The first set I got to work with this month is Butterfly Wisdom.

Mynn sure knows me well, huh? lol  Here's what I created with this set.

 
When I first saw this set, I knew I wanted to use this butterfly.  I also knew that I wanted to keep the card somewhat simple, so that the image and sentiment were front and center.  I embossed the main panel with white embossing powder, and then added the main focal panel on top of that.  I printed the butterfly twice, so that I could do this...

I cut out the top wing, and added it to the main image, so that I could pop it up a bit.  This gives my one flat image more dimension.  In real life, it looks beautiful.  I love how this turned out!  Once my card was put together, I added some Pretty Pink Posh sequins, and was done.

We now have an MHK Designs Facebook page.  There will be lots more inspiration posted there, throughout the month.  You can visit our group HERE.  And one more thing.  Mynn will be giving away one of the sets from this months release, to one lucky person.  All you have to do is comment on any of the release posts on her blog.  You can visit by clicking HERE. 

I'm hoping you'll head over to Mynn's Etsy shop to see everything.  She's also got many beautiful digital papers you can choose from.  I will be back soon with my next project for this month's release.

Have a wonderful day!

 





What's In It?
Paper: SU! Whisper White Cardstock, Neenah Desert Storm Cardstock
Stamps: MHK Designs Butterfly Wisdom, SU! En Francais Background Stamp
Ink: VersaMark, Mr. Huey's Opaque White, Copics: B000, BG01, BG07, E74, E79
Accessories: MFT Zig Zag Stitched Ovals Dies, Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangles Dies, White Embossing Powder, Pretty Pink Posh Aquamarine Sequins

House of Cards October Challenge: Add Texture and/or Color

Yola!

How was your weekend?  Were you able to get lots of crafty time in?  How's the start to our week?  My weekend was pretty great.  The temps have cooled off significantly, and I feel like I've got lots of energy and creative mojo working.  This was my last weekend to work the part time job, for a few weeks.  We've got lots of stuff planned this month, starting this coming weekend.  My daughters birthday gift this year is tickets to see the Broadway play Wicked, in Kansas City.  We're super excited!  The weekend after that we're on our last college visit, the University of Nebraska, and then the weekend after that we have senior pictures and the Art Club sponsored Haunted House at school.  My daughter is the President of the Art Club, so this mama gets to spend all weekend helping at school.  I love it though.  Halloween is one of my favorite times of year, and I love seeing all of those cute, adorable kids in their costumes.  Whew!  Talk about a lot of activity!  I will be taking a much needed nap the final weekend of the month. lol

Anyway, onto why you're visiting today.  There is a new challenge posted at House of Cards.  This month the challenge is to use colors and/or texture from the inspiration photo.

Such a great fall inspired photo.  I love the texture from the gourds too.  Here is what I created for this months challenge.

I wanted lots of white space, so I could add pops of color from the inspiration photo.  I also used a stencil and embossing paste, to create my textured background.  I die cut the word Hello from Simon Says Stamp, five times, and layered them on top of each other for more dimension.  For a bit more added interest, I added some silver twine under the sentiment, and called it done.  I love how this turned out!  It was almost exactly how I pictured it in my head, and I know the recipient will love it.  She loves lots of texture.

I'm going to submit my card for the following challenges:

CAS Colours & Sketches:  Sketch #143 (my loose interpretation)
Inkspirational Challenge #92:  Fall Themed Inspiration Photo
Less Is More #243:  Something Shiny (my twine is metallic and is shiny)
Addicted To Stamps And More #164:  CAS
Simon's Wednesday Challenge:  Anything Goes

I'll be back soon with another something crafty.  I hope you'll head over to the House of Cards blog to see what my friends have created for you this month.  Don't forget, you have until the end of October to join us, so hopefully you'll get to play along.  I'd love to see what you do with this months inspiration photo, and visit your blogs to leave some love.

Have a wonderful week!

What's In It?
Paper:  Neenah Solar White Cardstock, SU! Pumpkin Pie Cardstock, Hunter Green Textured Cardstock
Ink:  Fossilized Amber Distress Ink
Accessories:  Embossing Paste, Silver Twine, MFT Blueprints 20 & 21 Dies, Simon Says Stamp Painted Hello Die, Simon Says Stamp Circle Dots Stencil

House of Cards September Challenge: Stitch It Up

Hiya!

I hope you've had a great start to your week.  This week seems to be flying by for me, which is great, since we have a three day weekend coming up.  I'm going to try to be a bum, and do as little as possible.  I will probably BBQ though, at least once.  I did promise my girl a movie, so we'll probably do that too.  Looks like being a bum may have to take a backseat to the list that is now growing for me. lol 

I'm here today to bring you the next challenge over at House of Cards.  September's challenge is Stitch It Up.  You can use real or faux stitching, as long as there is some kind of stitching on your project.

 Here is the card I made.

I used a few of my stitched border dies for this one, and really like the bright, cheerful outcome.  All of the items on this card are also from my August Simon Says Stamp card kit.  I kept it fairly simple, in an attempt to showcase the cute puffy stickers and the stitching.  I'm excited to have another card to add to my stash.

I do hope you'll head over to the HOC blog to see what everyone has created for you today.  This month will be filled with more beautiful projects, and lots of cool new techniques.  I hope you'll get to play along, so that I can stop by and leave you some blog love too.

I'm off to work, and then going to meet some friends for dinner.  I wish you a great day!
Hugs!

What's In It?
Paper:  SU Whisper White Cardstock, Gray Textured Cardstock (from SSS card kit), Rainbow & Hello Patterned Paper (from SSS card kit)
Stamps: N/A
Ink: Gray Metallic Gelato
Accessories: October Afternoon Puffy Stickers, SSS Stitched Rectangles Dies, SSS Sunshine Word Die, MFT Stitched Fishtail Flags Dies, MFT Stitched Basic Edges Dies

Pile It On Challenge #84 - Friend/Friendly Hello

Hello friends!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you've had a great weekend, filled with lots of crafty goodness.  We have been doing nothing, but relaxing.  My daughter just finished the first week of her senior year.  I was slightly emotional on the first day of school, but in all, I'm a very proud mama.  I cannot wait to see all of the things she's going to accomplish.

It's Sunday, which brings us to another Pile It On challenge.  This weeks challenge is Friend/Friendly Hello.  Our sponsor this week is Inky Impressions.  This weeks winner will receive a $10 GC to their online shop.  Awesome, right?!

Here is the card I made for this weeks challenge.

I have a friend who LOVES this color combo.  It's his favorite, and I wanted to try to use it for a masculine card.  I think I'm obsessed with stencils right now.  I want to use them on EVERYTHING. lol  I have to say, I really like how this turned out.  My focal cluster on the left hand side is simple, yet adds just the right bit of "something".  And I love those distress inks.  They're fabulous and blend beautifully.  I do hope the recipient of this card enjoys it as much as I do.  I am going to submit this for the following challenges.

Simon's Wednesday Challenge:  Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments Challenge #139: Fall Fun + Sentiment (my colors are very fall-ish)
CASual Chic #2:  Pretty Patterns
 Bloggers Challenge: Come Fly With Me (I have a wood veneer airplane on my card)
Just Us Girls #308:  Sketch (my interpretation)

That's all for me today.  I hope you'll head over to see what my PIO friends have created for you today.  They're all pretty amazing!

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper: Neenah Solar White Cardstock, Vellum, American Crafts DIY Shop Patterned Paper
Stamps: Reverse Confetti Circle Sentiments
Ink: Tuxedo Black Dye Ink, Iced Spruce & Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks
Accessories: MFT Bold Paisley Stencil, MFT In & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangles Dies, Spellbinders Small Smooth Circles Dies, Reverse Confetti Triple Chevies Die, Studio Calico Wood Veneer

MHK Designs August Release: Serene Seaside

Hiya!

Welcome to day two of the MHK Designs August release.  To visit Mynnette's Etsy store, click HERE.  I have no doubt there is something for everyone.

The next set that I got to work with, was Serene Seaside.

 Here is the card I made.

The nautical theme is popular these days.  I wanted to create something with this awesome anchor, so I enlarged it and paper pieced it with some light aqua patterned paper.  You can't see it that well, but in real life, it adds a little bit more interest.  I masked it, so I could stencil the background, to look a bit like netting.  I then added a bit of sea green colored splatters to the top left and bottom right.  I didn't want to hide the anchor, so I printed the sentiment on vellum, and added it over the anchor.  I like how it turned out.  This sentiment is perfect for a special someone I'm going to send it to, who just happens to live on the East Coast.  I hope he likes it.  I'm going to submit this card for the following challenges.

Crafty Cardmakers #145: Warm Summer Colors (The nautical theme reminds me of summer, hope this counts)
Love To Scrap #60:  Anything Goes
Ooh La La #187: For The Boys

We would love it if you helped us celebrate Mynn's new crafty endeavor.  We hope you'll be inspired, and will join us for this months release.  I can't wait to see what you come up with, using these gorgeous new digi's.

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper: Neenah Solar White Cardstock, Taupe Cardstock
Stamps: MKH Designs Serene Seaside
Ink: Copics: Y32, Y35 & B12, Tumbled Glass Distressed Ink
Accessories: SSS Stitched Rectangles Dies, Faber Castel Mixed Media Stencils, MFT Stitched Rectangle Frames, MFT Stitched Fishtail Flags

Pile It On Challenge #82 - Bright Colors

Hello again!

This is my second post of the day.  Please scroll down to view my MHK Designs release post.

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I am sporting a cool new DT member logo.  As of this month, I joined the Pile It On design team.  I'm super excited to join this awesome group of crafty women, and I can't wait to share my projects with you.

The challenge this week is Bright Colors.  We are sponsored by Sweet Pea Stamps this week.  Each of us got to use one of their sweet images, and I love mine.   This weeks winner will receive 4 digi stamps of their choice.

Here is the card I created for this weeks challenge.

Isn't this little angle just darling?!  I really do love her.  As mentioned, the challenge this week is bright colors and I really wanted to have bright, cheerful colors on my card.  I LOVE how this background turned out.  I sponged on several colors of Distress Ink, using one of my new MFT stencils, and then I stamped over it in gray, with one of my flourish background stamps.  These colors are so gorgeous together, and who doesn't love a rainbow, right?  You can't tell from this photo, but her wings are extra sparkly, thanks to my Wink of Stella clear brush pen.  Here is a close up of her lovely wings.

Such a pretty card, in real life.  I intentionally left this card without a sentiment, because I wasn't sure how I wanted to use it just yet.  I will add it, when the time comes.  I hope the recipient enjoys receiving this card, as much as I enjoyed making it.  I am going to enter this for the following challenges.

House of Cards: Metallics (my sequins are silver)
Our Creative Corner: Mexico Moods Part 2 (I was inspired by the colors and circles in the photo)
Mojo Monday #410: Sketch
Try It On Tuesday: Use Stencils
Addicted To Stamps & More #157: Make Your Mark (I used Distress Inks & Copic Markers)
Crafting For All Seasons #107: Bright & Beautiful
Fab & Funky #270: Things With Wings
Cute Card Thursday #386: Anything Goes
CAS-ual Chic #2: Pretty Patterns
Frosted Designs: Metal/Metallics (my sequins are silver)


I do hope you'll head over to the PIO blog to see what other wonderful cards are posted today.  They're nothing short of beautiful!

Have a wonderful week!

What's In It?
Paper: Neenah Solar White Cardstock, SU! Daffodil Delight Cardstock, Doodlebug Design Take Note Patterned Paper
Stamps: Sweet Pea Stamps Little Summer Angel (by Molly Harrison), Hero Arts Design Block Flourish
Ink: Simon Says Stamp Fog Dye Ink, Distress Inks: Picked Raspberry, Ripe Persimmon, Squeezed Lemonade, Twisted Citron & Peacock Feathers, Copics: E000, E42, E47, E74, B000, BG01, BG07, R43, R85, Y35 & YG06, Wink of Stella Clear Brush Pen
Accessories: Spellbinders Small & Large Smooth Circles Dies, MFT Stitched Fishtail Flags Dies, Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangles Dies, MFT Staggered Hearts Stencil, Pretty Pink Posh Silver Sequins

Hello

Good day to all!

I hope you've had a wonderful weekend, filled with all kinds of good stuff.  I had great intentions of hanging out at the pool, but that didn't happen.  Instead, I've been dealing with a work issue, since about 6:30 this morning.  No worries though.  Things always wind up working out.  And, I got the chance to make this card. :)

I absolutely adore the way this background turned out!  There's just something about a rainbow that makes me smile, every time I see one.  This is no exception.  I mentioned that I wanted to use my stencils more often, so last night I got them all inky.  I should have more for you to see over the next few days, using stencils, hopefully.  I'm excited to have another card for my stash, and I was excited to be able to participate in the following challenges.

Cardabilities #126:  Sketch
Alphabet Challenge:  K is for Kind Thoughts
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #13:  Anything Goes
We Love 2 Create #14:  Anything Goes

That's all for me.  I'm off to start dinner, and then maybe watch a movie with my daughter.  I hope you have a wonderful afternoon!

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper: Neenah Solar White Cardstock, PTI Kraft Cardstock, American Crafts DIY Shop Patterned Paper, DCWV Glitzy Glitter Paper, Vellum
Stamps: Simon Says Stamp Stripe Greetings
Ink: VersaMark, Mister Huey's Opaque White, Distress Inks: Abandoned Coral, Fossilized Amber, Twisted Citron & Mermaid Lagoon
Accessories: White Paper Flowers, Maya Road Natural Twine, SSS Stitched Rectangles Dies, Reverse Confetti Circles & Scallops Dies, MFT Stitched Fishtail Flags & Layered Heart Border Dies

Friends

Howdy!

It's hot out today, so my daughter and her BFF are at the pool.  I chose to stay indoors to catch up on some chores, and make some stuff. It's going be in the 90's tomorrow, so we'll all probably hit the pool to cool off.  I'm hoping to work on my tan. lol

Here is a card I made this morning.

 
I love any shade of blue or purple with yellow, so this card makes me super happy.  I mixed some embossing paste with some MFT Lavender Fields ink, for the damask background.  I will definitely do this again.  It's so pretty, and adds a lot of texture.  I really need to use my stencils more too.  I'm going to send this to a dear friend, whom I love quite a lot.  Hope she likes it.  I was happy to combine the following challenges in my card today.

MFT Color Challenge #25:  Limelight, Peach Bellini, Daffodil & Lavender Fields
Mojo Monday #405:  Sketch
Papertake Weekly:  Anything Goes
Runway Inspired Challenge #87: Holly Fulton  (I was inspired by the lavender, and beautiful lace blouse in the photo)
CAS-ual Chic Challenge #1:  Embossing (I used embossing paste, and dry embossing)
Just Us Girls #301:  Gold

I'm off to find something to make for dinner, then see about making more stuff.  I hope ya'll have a great afternoon!

Hugs!

What's In It?
Paper: SU! Whisper White Cardstock, MFT: Peach Bellini, Daffodil & Lavender Fields Cardstock
Stamps: MFT Words of Inspiration, Reverse Confetti Love Blooms
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink, MFT: Lavender Fields, Limelight, Peach Bellini & Coral Crush Hybrid Ink
Accessories: Pretty Pink Posh Gold Sequins, MFT Hearts A Plenty Dies, MFT In & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangles Dies, Reverse Confetti Love Blooms Confetti Cuts, Prima Damask Stencil, Open Book Embossing Folder, Embossing Paste

XOXO

Greetings!

How's your weekend going, so far?  Ours has been nice, and relaxing.  My daughter was very sweet, and woke up early this morning, to cook me breakfast.  She said that even though I'm physically her mom, I'm her mom and dad in most ways, so she wanted to do something nice for me on Father's Day.  What a sweet girl I have!  Our movie theater marathon was fantastic yesterday, although, I don't think we'll do that often.  By the middle of the third movie, we were kind of tired of sitting in the same chairs.  They're comfortable, but you know. lol 

I feel like I'm on a crafty roll this weekend.  I have another card.  Three days in a row is almost unheard of for me these days.  Here is the next card I have to share with you.

I have these gorgeous MFT Cover Ups sitting in my stash, and I had been wanting to use them.  So, I decided last night was time to do just that.  I love how this turned out, and again, decided that less is more.  For a bit of added interest, I touched up the petals of my flower with my clear Wink of Stella pen.  It's so pretty in real life.  I can't wait to send this to my friend.  I know she'll love it.  I'm going to submit this for the following challenges.

Papertake Weekly: Oh So Pretty
The Card Concept #37: Butterfly Effect (Inspiration Photo)
Fusion Challenge: Sketch & Inspiration Photo

I'm off to make more stuff.  I hope you have a wonderful day, celebrating the fathers in your lives. 

Hugs!

What's In It:
Paper: SU Whisper White Cardstock, MME Collectable: Notable Patterned Paper
Stamps: Art-C Butterflies, Our Daily Bread Designs Be Mine
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink, Salty Ocean Distress Ink, Clear Wink of Stella
Accessories:  MFT Jumbo Dot Cover Up, Art-C Butterfly Dies, Recollections Mulberry Paper Mini Roses, Avery Elle Caribbean Blend Sequins

You're So Nice!

Hiya peeps!

How is your weekend going, so far?  Mine is going to be nice and relaxing.  My daughter finally has a day off during the weekend, so we've decided to make it a movie marathon afternoon.  There are several movies we've wanted to see, and today we're going to see three of them, in a row.  We've never done more than one movie at the theater before, so this should be interesting.  Our movie theater will give free refills on popcorn, if you purchase the large size, so we will be set all afternoon! lol  Anyway, one of the color challenge blogs I saw yesterday had a gorgeous color combo posted.  I was so taken by it, that I had to create a card when I got home from work.  Here is what I made.

Tell me these colors aren't gorgeous together!  I definitely felt that less was more for this card.  Once I was done with the stenciling, it was hard not to love it.  You can't really see it in the picture, but the butterfly was stamped with water after I colored my paper with distress ink, for a bit of added dimension.  I think this stencil and the butterfly dies from MFT are going to be some of my favorites.  I love the clean look of this card.  And I'm so excited to have another card in my stash too.  I was excited to combine the following challenges also.

Colour Me #76: Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Coastal Cabana & Neutral
Simon's Wednesday Challenge:  Favorite Technique or Product (I used my favorite product, dies)
MFT Sketch Challenge #233: Sketch (I flipped it to suit my idea)
The Friday Mashup #214:  Stencil This

That's it for me today.  I'm headed on a walk with my mom, then get ready for our afternoon filled with movies and popcorn.  I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Stay crafty my friends!

Whats In It?
Paper:  SU Whisper White Cardstock
Stamps:  Lil Inker Designs Seriously Awesome, MFT Garden Flourish Background
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink, Shabby Shutters, Peacock Feathers & Seedless Preserves Distress Ink
Accessories:  MFT Bold Paisley Stencil, MFT Flutter of Butterflies Solid & Lace Dies, MFT Stitched Rectangle Frames Dies, Studio Calico Gems

You're The Bestest

Hola ya'll!

I was up early again this morning, thanks to my wonderful internal alarm clock. lol  It was no use attempting to go back to sleep, once I am awake, I'm awake.  Instead, I decided to play along with a couple more challenges.  Here is what I came up with.

I love the outcome, but am trying to fight the urge to add more to it. lol  I embossed the flower in silver, and then watercolored it with my distress inks.  I then cut it out, and popped it up on a white panel, and added a vellum sentiment strip, also embossed in silver.  I'm going to send this to a dear friend, who did something very sweet for my daughter.  I am going to submit this for the following challenges.

House of Cards: Photo Inspiration (I was inspired by the colors and the framed flower that looks watercolored)
Inkspirational Challenge #84: Photo Inspiration (I liked all of the flowers in the photo, so I went with that)
Speedy Fox & Friends Challenge #266: Use Only The Corner
Can You Case It #74: Summer Fun 

That's all for me today.  We're off to buy new stuff for our bathroom remodel, and then grab some lunch with my daughter, before she goes into work.  I hope everyone has a great day!

Stay crafty my friends!

Cards to Share

Greetings my crafty friends!

How have y'all been?  It's been a bit crazy around here with work, and getting ready for prom at the last minute.  Nothing like not wanting to go, and then changing her mind, because a boy asked her. lol  Fortunately, she's easy to shop for and we found the dress she wanted in under an hour (yep, lucky me), and they had the shoes she wanted also.  Win/win for us. :-)

Anyway, onto the crafty stuff.  I was excited to be invited to a small retreat last weekend.  I only knew one person there, but it was fun getting to know everyone.  Amazingly, I created 6 cards.  Usually, I am sitting around talking. lol

I wanted to participate in the latest MFT Color Challenge (#18).  The colors are Daffodil, Brown Paper Bag, Tangy Orange and Berrylicious.  I got as close as I could, with what I had.  I also wanted to try using embossing paste, so I embossed the clouds.  For added interest I dry embossed the background panel, after the embossing paste had dried.  This was inspired by this months Virginia's View Challenge (#14), which is to include lots of layers and dimensions.  Here is how it turned out.

The next card I made incorporates another technique I just started using, ombre.  I'm not a huge pink fan, but these colors were just screaming to be used.  I started with Barn Door, then added Abandoned Coral and finished with Spun Sugar.  I embossed the watercolor background with the SU! En Francais background stamp and embossed with white embossing powder first, for added texture.  The addition of the lovely SSS butterfly finished off my card perfectly, and I love it.  I'm going to submit this card  for The Challenge, which is anything goes, to celebrate their first year.  Yay for them!

My last card is one that I'm a bit on the fence about.  I really like the simplicity of it, but feel like I need to add something.  I got the inspiration for this card from The Shabby Tea Room challenge #248.  I'm thinking that I'll probably add another something to this card, before sending it, but I'm not sure what just yet.  The more I look at it, the more it grows on me, so maybe I'll just leave it.      

That's all for me today.  I'm off to spend time with my daughter, and then cook dinner.  I do hope everyone has a wonderful evening.  I'll be back tomorrow, with my next CASE-ing Christmas card.

Hugs!