Friday, January 27, 2012

Challenge Cards to Share . . .

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!
I hope you're having a great week and are looking forward to an even better weekend!

I'd like to share a few challenge cards with you today ... thanks for taking a peek!  And of course, COMMENTS are always appreciated!

What are your thoughts on these two cards I made for the Monday Technique Challenge over on SCS.  We were to mimic the design of Irish Beeleek pottery by inking our embossing folders with LIGHT color inks to create our background papers.  Here is what I came up with:

 The images on both cards come from the Crafty Secrets - Creative Scraps called 'Vintage Images'.  The top card was created using SU River Rock ink and the 5x7 Cuttlebug Swirl embossing folder. The sentiment stamp and heart are also Crafty Secrets.  One of their new medium stamp sets called 'Grand Greetings' - SM40.

The card below was created using the same embossing folder with SU Soft Sky ink.  The flowers are homemade.  Created using PunchBunch flower punches an the PunchBunch flower making kit.  The leaves were punched using a Martha Stewart leaf punch.

 My next card is one created for this week's challenge over at Joan's Gardens
Here are the requirements for this challenge:
  • Create a 4.25" x 5 1/2" birthday card
  • Colors to use are Pink, green and some purple
  • Include  some distressed edges
  • Add piercing
I have chosen an image from the Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps 'Birthday' sheet.  The background paper is DCWV and is more of a light green IRL vs the gray that it looks in the photo.  
I used my Zutter Distrezz-It All to distress the edges of that background panel.  Paper pierced the panel behind the focus image and my hint of purple is the lacy panel created using my Cheery Lynn Designs B136 Anastasia Border die.  The green flourish is also a Cheery Lynn Designs die ... B117 Fanciful Flourish.  (Items in RED were purchased at Joan's Gardens).  My sentiment stamp is The Artful Stamper and gold Stickles was added to the stamen on the flowers.  OH ... I also wanted to mention ... the purple panel on the outside of my focus image is actually a part of the NEGATIVE piece left over from die cutting the lacy panel. 
 Lastly is my creation for this week's Sketch Challenge over on SCS.  
I missed my friend Sue's birthday (yesterday) so decided to create this card for her using the sketch offered in this weeks challenge.  Sue's favorite color is purple and I thought this little girl's sad look would express my feelings for missing her birthday.  The image is from Nicecrane Designs and is a collage sheet called 'Children Paintings II CS'.  There are 8 images on this collage sheet ... ALL are equally adorable.  Be sure to pop over and see all the amazing collage sheets, papers, digi images that Ignacio has to offer.


Again, thanks so much for stopping by today.  I'm working on a project for Joann Fabrics and I'm only a third of the way through it ... so I'd better get BACK TO WORK!!  Have a wonderful day/weekend my friends and I hope to see you back here again real soon!

Hugs,
Darlene

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Shelly's Images Challenge

WOW ... can you believe we are near the end of January already???
AND ...
It's time for another fun challenge at SHELLY'S IMAGES!

Today's challenge is:

"TEXT ME"
(Use Text/Sentiment on the front of your project)

Once again this week, the team has "Designer's Choice" of images to use so that means MORE SAVINGS for you!!  Each image the DT members use on their creations, will be offered at a REDUCED PRICE - TODAY ONLY at the STORE.  So be sure to check out the team's creations and go grab those images at a fabulous price today! 

I LOVE vintage design and thought this sentiment digi called "Key To My Heart" would work fabulously ... and it did!


After printing out my sentiment, I saw this music panel laying on my worktable that I had prepared for another creation but then changed my mind ... and thought I'd incorporate it here and I'm so glad I did ... I really like the outcome of this card.
Recipe:
Papers:  White & Black cs, Hot Of The Press 'Music Score' dp, Gold metallic cs
Inks:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks ... Broken China, Tea Dye & Scattered Straw
Accessories:  Tim Holtz Distress Stain ... Wild Honey, Picket Fence, Tattered Angel Glimmer Mist Bronze, Spellbinder Vintage Die set for Lock & Key, Wilton Gold Doily, Zutter Distrezz-it-All, Stampendous Diamond Dots
I bought these TH Distress Stains last fall while attending a workshop at Joan's Gardens ... and other than doing the project for the workshop, I hadn't used them at all ... some aren't even open yet!  MY BAD!  That is until today!   
After attaching  my music score paper to my card front, I sponged around the edges using TH Tea Dye Distress INK ... that didn't seen like enough so I grabbed this dauber topped bottle of TH Wild Honey Stain and did a bit of 'swishing'  ... seemed a little to dark so I grabbed the bottle of TH Picket Fence Stain and did a little more 'swishing' and VIOLA !... the antique look I was hoping for!

Other Qualifying Challenges:
Crafty Purple Frog Challenge - Valentine Day/Show Us Some Love
Craft Us Crazy - Full of Love
Samuel Taylors Crafts - Distressing

I look forward to seeing YOUR Text Me creation.
Have Fun!
Hugs,
Darlene

REMINDER ... BLOG CANDY Still Available Through The 31st at SHELLY'S IMAGES!


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Sisterhood of Crafter's Challenge

Today at The Sisterhood, our challenge theme to you is

STRIPES
(use striped patterned paper)

I don't do a lot of creating with striped paper so this was a bit of a challenge for me!  LOL!  
HOWEVER, I did find this awesome 2-sided striped paper in the My Mind's Eye 'Lime Twist' paper pack that I purchased last summer at Joan's Gardens amongst my stash!


Isn't this little girl ADORABLE!?!
She comes from a collage sheet called 'Vintage Cute Kids' and can be purchased at Nicecrane Designs.  Each of the 8 images is precious and you'll love creating with these collage sheets that Ignacio has in his store.  Pink grosgrain ribbon was my only embellishment.  The bow was made using the Bow-Easy.

Other qualifying challenges:
Stamp with fun #144 - Cute Vintage
Stamps R Us Challenge - Cards for Kids
UnstampaBelles - Anything Goes ... no stamps

Won't you please come join in our fun!
See you at The Sisterhoood!
Hugs,
Darlene

Monday, January 23, 2012

Making a Scene

Happy Monday ... hope you are off to a great start!
Today I have a couple 'scenery' creations to share with you ... hope you like them.

BELIEVE

This creation began with this adorable "Little Ice Skater" digi image from the "priscillastyles" store.  To me, it appeared she was thinking about wanting to join in the skating but was a little shy and didn't have the confidence.  That was the THOUGHT behind using this Thomas Kinkade "Skater's Pond" stamp as the background.  I simply stamped the image onto my white panel using Versafine Black ink then colored it in with CHALK and  make-up applicators.  I printed the Little Skater image twice ...  once on white paper, then again onto red/white polka dot designer paper.  Using my Fiskars swivel craft knife, I cut out her dress, hair ribbon and skates.  Her hair & body were colored with a Prismacolor Marker - PM72 - Eggshell.  PunchBunch punches were used for the snowflakes and I used Pop Dots for added dimension.

Qualifying Challenges:
House of Gilli - Winter Fun

BEARLY READY FOR WINTER

This card was created with the "LET IT SNOW" challenge over on the Gingerloft Challenge Blog.  The bear image is one of her digi images and I simply colored it with brown CHALK.   My background was made by first punching snowflakes and a moon (circle) from Eclipse Masking material.  I placed them around on my white cardstock then sponged over the entire surface with Tim Holtz Broken China distress ink ... then Faded Jeans distress ink.  A touch of SU More Mustard ink was sponged across the one side of the moon just to soften it a bit.  Not sure it came out exactly as I had it envisioned ... but it's okay.  I've used Pop Dots on the bear as well as a couple snowflakes that I had laying on my workstation that had been leftover from another project.  They were die cut using the Spellbinder Create-a-Flake Three die set.  I haven't added a sentiment yet because I'm not sure how I want to use this card.  Time will tell!

Other Qualifying Challenges:
Victorine Stamps - Anything Goes

I'd like to take a quick moment and thank ALL of you who stop by and an extra Thank You to those who take the time to leave me a comment.  It interests me to hear what you think of my work.
Guess I'd better get dinner started!
Catch you later!
Hugs,
Darlene

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Valentine, Christmas Stockings & SNOW

Today's card was created so I could use my NEW Spellbinder Heart Circle dies.  It actually started out as a get-well card but after making the bottom panel, I realized it would make a better Valentine card so covered over the center section of the circle with a "priscillastyles" digi image called "Love Birds" which I already had colored and ready to use.

Recipe:
Papers:  Red cs, Paper Pizazz designer paper, White cs
Accessories:  Spellbinder Heart Circle & Classic Circle dies, Martha Stewart heart border punch, Prismacolor markers, art glitter glue

Challenges:
Crafty Calendar Challenge - New News  (Circle Hearts die + bow on image)
Drunken Stampers Challenge #81 - Love
My Sheri Crafts - New Things
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday - Have a Heart
Just Us Girls Challenge - Color Challenge - Red, Pink and White
Cardmadfairy's Digi Days - Ribbons & Bows (in the digi image-hope that counts)
The Poodles Parlour - Valentine
Simply Create Too - Love is in the Air
The Stamp Man Challenge - RED
Wags 'n Whiskers - Valentine/Love
Lily Pad - Photo Inspiration
Craft Us Crazy - Full of Love
Crafty Creations Challenge - Valentine Theme
Scrapbook Sisters - My Sweet Valentine
Alota Rubber Stamps - Hearts
CMIT Featured Designer Challenge - Valentine's Day
Crafter's Companion - Love is in the Air

* * * * *
My daughter and her family found an opening in their crazy busy schedules to make the drive over to our house today so the kids could get the goodies that were still in their Christmas Stockings here at Nana & Pappy's house.  We take all their gifts to them on Christmas morning but they don't get their stocking until they come to visit.  They always look forward to the fun goodies ... this year was no exception!


There are always WARM items as well as GOODIES in their stocking.  Jon was busy helping his dad plow the driveway before they came to visit and said he could have really used this 'hat' this morning when he was shoveling.  Morgan is always ready for more socks ..and PINK is always a good thing!

It was a very nice visit and when I heard they were coming, I quickly made a red raspberry/blackberry pie and put on a pot of coffee.  YUMMY!  

* * * * *
Here is how we ALL spent our morning ...
 Yep,that's me outside playing in the snow!!  We got a good 4" of snow overnight and I got the chance to make sure my snow blower was in good working order before any additional snow storms blow through this winter.  I actually don't mind this job and Mark always buys me really good equipment.  My snowblower is self-propelled, large enough to get through a deep, heavy snow and even has a reverse!  All I have to do it guide it!!   SURE BEATS SHOVELING!!!


Well, it's nearly time to 'call it a day' and spend some quality time with Mark.  
It just might be time for another piece of that berry pie, Mmmmm!
Hope your having a wonderful, warm, safe weekend!
Hugs,
Darlene

Friday, January 20, 2012

More cards for Mom . . .


I have altered  this gold 'treasure chest' and am filling it with cards for my mom's birthday the end of the month.  I can't show you the finished product yet because my friend Lana (Blest With Stamps) has the same gold box and we have CHALLENGED EACH OTHER in our altering method.  She's not been feeling well (hang in there Lana) so doesn't have her's done yet ... so I will wait until she's had a chance to complete hers then I will share not only MY finished product ... but her's too!  In the meantime, I've been busy making cards that I think my Mom would like to place inside ... here are a few more:

Paper:  SU Groovy Guava cs, Graphic45 dp
Ink:  Tiim Holtz tea dye distress, SU groovy guava, Versamark
Accessories:  Sponges, Stampendous White embossing powder
Technique:  Emboss Resist

Challenges:  
The Perfect Sentiment - Emboss Resist
CropStop Challenge - A Bit Old You Said (distressing)
Delightful Challenge - Distressed / Vintage
 
Papers:  Bright Pink cs, Mellow Moss cs, DCWV dp
Image:   'Women's Painting Vol. II' from the Nicecrane Designs Store
Accessories:  Petaloo and Prima flowers, gold Stickles, Pink grosgrain ribbon

Challenges:
Colour Create Challenge - Pink & Green

Papers:  white, pink, old olive cs ... SU designer paper
Image:  'Women's Painting Vol. II' from the Nicecrane Designs Store
Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs B132 Flower Chain Border die, Prismacolor Marker for Faux Stitching, Zutter Distrezz-it-All
Technique:  Faux Stitching

Challenges:
Clearly Inspired - Pastels
4 Crafty Chicks - Summer in January



Papers:  DCWV dp, SU Pacific Point blue cs, white cs
Image:  Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps ' Vintage Photos'
Accessories:  Martha Stewart punches, Joann's flowers

Challenges:

Thanks so much for stopping by and letting me share my creations with you! If you're in the path of the 'clipper system' coming across ... filled with the 'white stuff' ... be careful out there and stay safe/warm.  We supposed to get 4-6" of snow starting around dinner time and throughout the evening.  Guess I'll be hiding out in my crafting cave!  Oh Shucks!!
Happy Day All!
Hugs,
Darlene

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Joan's Gardens Challenge

WOW!  What a fabulously challenging challenge Joan has over on her blog (Joan's Gardens) today!  Here's a quick run down of the deets:
  • Use a door or window or something similar
  • Use an out door type of stamp
  • Use a flourish 
  • Use either an embossing folder or embossing powder
Well ... since I have yet to order of those fancy doors/windows dies from Joan (my bad) ,,, I had to get creative and make my own.  Here's what I came up with ...
I must admit ... I had a little help with this one!  It just so happened that Shelly (Shelly's Images) and I were crafting via Skype today and she was guiding me through my 'window framing'.  It is actually TWO layers (Shelly's idea) because after I had it together I said ... "dang, I wished I had embossed the frame before putting my photo behind it" ... to which Shelly said ... "so, make another one, emboss it and layer it over top"!  DUH ... good idea ... THANKS SHELLY!

Recipe for this card:
Papers:  Chocolate Chip cs, Garden Green cs, White cs
Stamps:  Ala Art (sky), Stampscapes (trees, birds, sentiment)
Inks:  Momento Bamboo Leaves, ColorBox Rose Coral, 
TH Broken China & Stormy Sky
Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs Fanciful Flourish, Cuttlebug EF
Prima flowers, Stickles, Sponge Daubers
(items in red were purchased at Joan's Gardens)

This was a fun challenge and after dinner I'll pop back in to see if there are other challenges out there that this creation might qualify for.  Right now, I'm headed upstairs to get dinner started.  Hubby will probably be late ... IT IS SNOWING & BLOWING and I'm sure traffic will be a mess!
Thanks for stopping by.  See you in a bit!

Okay I'm back!  Hubby was late getting home due to the weather but he's safe & sound and I'm ready to link this creation up to other qualifying challenges with the help of Feline Playful.

Crafty Purple Frog Challenge - Anything Goes
 Creative Belli Blog #13 - Frames
Anything Goes Challenge Blog - Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Anything Goes
Paperminutes - Anything Goes
Make My Monday - Create a Scene
There She Goes - Back to Nature

Hugs,
Darlene

Shelly's Images Challenge

Hello Everyone!  
Are you interested in some BLOG CANDY??  
Well you'll want to be sure to pop over to SHELLY'S IMAGES and check out our 2nd Anniversary Blog Candy ... being offered through the end of the month and while you're there ... come join in today's challenge too!  We have a really easy one for you this week!  

SHOW US WHAT YOU GOT!
(Anything Goes)

This week we have a variety of FEATURED digi images to share with you at a REDUCED PRICE TODAY ONLY ... because Shelly has offered the team to have a 'Designer's Choice' week.  That means savings for you!  What ever images we (the team) decide to use will ALL be offered at a reduction today!  How Awesome Is That!

I chose to use Shelly's BASKET image to create today.
I thought it would be fun to fill my basket with handmade flowers for someone special, who is always SO BUSY ... I'm afraid life is just going to pass her by!


My design is simple because I wanted all the focus to go to this 
beautiful basket of flowers.

A team mate recently commented on how she was able to create some fun cards and use up SCRAPS at the same time.  Well, that is what I've done here!  The paper used for my flowers, leaves & design panels were all in my scrap bin.

Various Martha Stewart punches were used to create the flowers & leaves.  And, I've used Diamond Stickles for all the flower centers.

I hope you'll join in our challenge fun and REMEMBER ... BLOG CANDY IS UP FOR GRABS ... check it out HERE!!

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Darlene

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

SCS Challenges and a RECIPE . . .

One of my New Year resolutions was to starting playing a few more of the challenges over on Splitcoast Stampers.  Yesterday I entered TWO creations into the Try A New Technique Challenge which was to 'TWINE IT UP' ... using twine, cording, hemp, etc. in your creation.  Here are the two cards I came up with . . .
This first card was actually inspired by one of the other girls challenge cards.  I'm always looking for a design I can use for masculine cards and Theresa (SCS: theresaCC) had the design I was looking for.  You can see her card and a great tutorial on her blog Crafting The Web.


This second card for the same challenge was based on this adorable Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps 'Vintage Photo's' image/sentiment.  The designer paper is from the Prima 'Madaline' paper pack and the base & matting is an ivory linen cardstock.  I made the flowers using a PunchBunch punch from the same ivory paper, sponged the edges using TH 'broken china' distress ink and curled the petals using the tweezers from my PunchBunch flower making kit.  The 'twine' I used is actually  'waxed cording' from The Beadery Co.  This was the last piece of blue cording I had and it worked perfectly.


The last card I have to share with you today is for today's SKETCH challenge at SCS.  My vintage image is from a collage sheet called 'Women's Painting Vol. II' at the Nicecrane Designs Store.  Designer paper is from Graphic45 and I have used Spellbinder classic ovals to showcase the image.

BEFORE I GO ... 
I HAVE A RECIPE FOR YOU!

This is a simple to make ... great tasting dish!

Chicken Roll Ups
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Mozzarella Cheese (sticks or shredded)
Red Pepper Flakes
Zesty Italian Dressing
Italian Bread Crumbs
2 paper plates
2 sheets of waxed paper
meat pounder

Cut your chicken breast in half 'longwise' to make 2 'thinner' pieces from each breast.
Between waxed paper, pound your chicken breasts to make thinner.
Sprinkle chicken 'lightly' with pepper flakes, place cheese at one end and roll up.
Dredge first in Italian Dressing ... then in breadcrumbs
Place on foiled baking sheet - sprayed with Pam
Bake in 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes.






DINNER'S READY!!!

Speaking of dinner ... hubby's due home in 10 minutes and tonight's Hot Sausage Spaghetti isn't prepared yet!  YIKES ... better get off the computer and into the kitchen!
Have a great day/evening!
HUGS
Dar

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

PLAY DATE


Today my friend Terri Snode & I decided to have a 'play date' ... YEAH!
We are both on The Sisterhood of Crafter's DT so while she's catching up with DT work, I'm playing other fun challenges I located on Feline Playful.


The first challenge I decided to play is for the Cards For Men Challenge Blog.  Today's theme is "Boy's and their Toys".  My first card utilizes TWO images from Cornish Heritage Farms ... a 1955 GMC Truck and a 1957 Family Bel Air.   First I stamped the truck, masked it with Eclipse masking then stamped the 57 chevy.  Kind of looks like they are crashing into each other ... but that's okay!  LOL!  The second card uses an image from the Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps sheet called 'Vintage Photos'. 

Other qualifying challenges are:
Crafty Cardmakers Challenge - No Floral Embellishment (using car/truck card)
Smudgy Antics - Masking
Stampalot Challenge - Monochromatic

This adorable digi image from Shelly's Images was colored with chalks & Prismacolor markers for the White on White challenge at the Forever Friends Challenge Blog.  My WHITE panels were created using a Sizzix EF, Spellbinder Lattice Rectangles, Cheery Lynn Designs B117 Fanciful Flourish and B133 Lace Light Deco Border.  Little pearl centered satin bows from Joann's was used to embellish.

Other qualifying challenges:
Mark's Finest Papers #90 - Border Punches
Annabelle Stamps - Anything Goes
Crafty Catz - Something New (Cheery Lynn Designs Lacy Die)
Fairy Tale Challenge Blog - Something New (CLD dies)
Mami Doodles - White on White

So there you have it!  This has been not only a FUN day ... but a very productive one too!!
Terri -16 cards
Dar - 3 cards and computer work!  Jeeze!*@?  LOL!

Happy Day Everyone!
Hugs,
Darlene

Birthday Blog Candy

  .   .   . at Shelly's Images!


That's right, beginning today, you will have a chance to win some awesome Birthday Blog Candy as well as a few other prizes Shelly is offering. Check this out!!


So, be sure to pop over to SHELLY'S IMAGES today for all the details.
And, don't forget to come back on Thursday for another fabulously fun challenge!
Hugs,
Darlene