Joan's Gardens Challenge

Hello Blogging Friends!

I'm almost ready for Saturday's craft show and decided to take a mental break.

When I say 'mental break' that only means away from the current project and onto another one! LOL!  But before I do I just had to share this photo with you.  Trick or Treat night here in our neighborhood was last Saturday night (which was cold but at least not raining like it is today).  Once we all turned our lights out on our porches, we go around visiting each other and seeing how much 'loot' the kids brought home.  My two little neighbor girls and a friend where tired but thrilled with the candy they collected ... I snapped this photo on my way out the door ...

Of course, by the time I got around to leaving they had already eaten half of what they had and shared several pieces with their parents/grandparents/and neighbors like me!  LOL!

Today starts a new challenge at Joan's Gardens and even though I have until next Thursday to create and participate, I was in need of a few 'more elegant' Christmas cards so Joan's challenge was perfect!

This week we are to:

Use gold and white

Use an embossing folder

Use pearls

You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens.  Also, mention that you are doing the card/project for Joan's Gardens Challenge. It would be nice if you would add this link to your post: www.atjoansgardens.com

So, what do you think?

 It is so difficult to get a good photo when you are using embossing and shiny papers.  So I decided to share 2 photos from opposite angles in hopes of sharing the true beauty of this card creation.

My image is from the Crafty Secrets Christmas Booklet and I have fussy cut around it as well as popped it up to showcase how the wings are 'outside' the oval.

The white panel has been embossed using a ProvoCraft (Cuttlebug) embossing folder I purchased at Joan's Gardens a few years back.  I could have simply popped the angel up in the open oval in the center of the embossed white panel, but I was looking for MORE so decided to use a gold Wilton paper doily.  The center of the doily is a circle and since my focus image is an oval, I decided to cut the center out of one of my Wilton white paper doilies and emboss it with the Swiss Dot embossing folder to help showcase the angel image.

The gold corner treatment are from a Starform Sticker sheet from Joan's Gardens as did the beautiful gold matte finish cardstock I used for my matting.  The beautiful holiday gold ribbon came from the Flower Factory here in Canton, OH and the pearls/rhinestones are Cloud9 purchased at JoAnn Fabrics.

A few additional challenges:

Flutter By Wednesday #259 - Winged Things

Inky Impressions - Traditional Christmas

Rhedd and Rosie Challenge #18 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamps - Anything Goes

Whimsy Stamps - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by and FYI ... if you are in the Akron, Ohio area on Saturday, the 200+ vendor craft show will be at Green H.S. on Boettler Rd. in Green, OH.  My table will be outside the cafeteria (good location, huh!) ... please stop by and say Hello!

So sorry for the long post but while I'm here I'd like to share one more thing with you.
Hubby is trying to make get me eat more veggies (and he was using up stuff in the frig at the same time) ... so here's what he made for last night's dinner ...

Quiche with broccoli, cauliflower, red onions, mushrooms, bacon, ricotta cheese, eggs, with a Parmesan cheese bottom crust.  NOW this is my idea of how we should eat veggies!  LOL!  It was really good!

UPDATE::  Hubby is working on the recipe for me to share with you!  He used bits & pieces of various recipes as well as added a few ideas of his own.
SO, once he gets it written up, I will be sharing it with you .. in a new post ... same photo but with all the yummy details!

Okay ... back to work ...

As always ...

PaperCrafter's Corner Challenge

Hello my friends!

Sorry I've not been posting as much as I usually do, but as you know this is 'craft show' time so even though I've been creating up a storm, I've not taken the time to photograph and share everything here on my blog ... you would go crazy if I posted that much!!  LOL!!

BUT today I have a creation I quickly put together for the Magazine Monday Week #28 Challenge over at PaperCrafter's Corner (LOVE THIS CHALLENGE) and here is this week's magazine cover we are drawing inspiration from.

The first thing to catch my eye is the 'domino' piece right in the center of the cover ... so THAT is where my creation began.  I took a piece of 4x6 black cardstock and started punching holes in it.  Then, using up a few of the OH SO MANY scraps laying on my worktable at the moment, I started cutting strips and shapes and came up with this design:

I don't know about you, but I am always in need of masculine birthday cards so that too was utmost on my mind when I was creating.  I am NOT a 'symmetrical' design style person so this is really out of my comfort zone but hopefully someone will be able to enjoy it!

A few additional challenges:
Die Cuttin Divas #139 - Anything Goes (must include a die cut)
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash - Stitching (faux or real)
 Twisted Tuesday Challenge - Free For All (twist: anything goes)

I hope you'll check out this fabulous, insightful site and then come join in the inspirational fun challenges.  

And, there are prizes!!

Hope to see you there!

NOW I really must get back to craft show projects if I'm ever going to be ready for Saturday's show!

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Recipe:

Papers:  Black, Green, Maroon, Yellow, Pumpkin, Brown card stock

Stamp/Ink:  Impression Obsession/Versafine Onyx

Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs 'B178' Flourish leaf strip, Cottage Cutz 'Deer w/wreath #283' (bow), Spellbinder 'Party Time' Shapabilities (cars), 1/8" hole punch, TH fine tip black marker

Technique:  Faux Stitching

Joan's Gardens Challenge

Hello my friends!

I have to make this quick since I'm expecting around 

200 Trick or Treaters in less than 30 minutes!  Eeeks!

So here we go!

The challenge requirements this week at Joan's Gardens are:

Use craft color and red

Use bird

Use layers

You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens.  Also, mention that you are doing the card/project for Joan's Gardens Challenge. It would be nice if you would add this link to your post: www.atjoansgardens.com

Here's what I came up with:

My base card is Kraft and the background paper is a scrap I had laying on the table and thought would work perfectly.  You notice that 'mesh' looking strip ... well it is a strip of Drywall Tape ... yes you heard me correctly.  The stuff the drywall guys use to seal the seams together before mudding over on drywall.  You can get a big roll of it at any of your local DIY stores.  I've actually cut my piece in half so I still have a length the same size to use on another project.  I learned this little trick at Joan's Gardens on my last visit a few weeks back.  I've used TH distress ink to color it.

I will be back to share this creation with a few additional challenges but for now I'd better get my candy ready for the tricksters!

Well, I'm FINALLY back to share this creation with additional challenges.  We ended up with less Trick or Treaters this year than usual ... only around 140 ... but there were some very creative costumes.  Okay here we go ...
Rogue Redhead Designs - Die Cut Divas
Sugar Creek Hollow #72 - Birds of a Feather
Crafty Hands Challenge #1 - Anything Goes
Jingle Belles - Not A Creature was Stirring

Thanks for stopping by ... as always ...

Recipe:
Papers:  Kraft cs, DCWV dp, White cs
Stamp/Ink:  Hero Arts/Versafine Onyx
Accessories:  Cottage Cutz 'Bella Springtime Bird', Tim Holtz distress markers, Marianne Design Creatables 'LR0191' Sign die, Stickles 'Red', 'Holly'

Items in Bold Red are available at Joan's Gardens.

Music in my Heart ...

Hello my friends ...

I'm back as promised with my second posting today . . .

for the Monday Magazine Cover Challenge #27

at Papercrafters Corner.

There are so many things I could have done with this 'memory refreshing' magazine cover, but I chose to use the colors as my inspiration.  Do you remember this publication?  Well, as much as I hate to admit it (telling my age here ... but I'm sure most of you already know I'm OLD ... lol).  I do remember it!  As a matter of fact, I believe I had THIS EXACT issue!  

Do you recognize the characters referenced on the top of this magazine cover?  

Beany and Cecil . . . 

That was one of my favorite cartoons ... okay, enough reminiscing ... back to my card creation for the challenge.   As I was saying, I chose to use the COLORS  ... Orange, Yellow, Green, Black & White for this weeks creation and here's what I came up with.

The flowers on this card were flowers I learned how to create while at Joan's Gardens a few weeks back. 

They are layers and layers of crepe paper, colored with TH Distress re-inker "Spiced Marmalade" and water...

I love how the color varies!!  Such a fun technique!

I have used a scrap of dark olive card stock to die cut my leaves using the Cheery Lynn Designs B178 Flourish Leaf Strip.  The yellow panel was punched using the Martha Stewart Trellis punch and the musical brads are by Recollections.  I chose to cut the 'brad legs' off and pop them up with some foam tape.

That's it for me today!

Still working on crafty show projects so I'd best get back to work!

Thanks so much for stopping and why not take a minute and check out this awesome site.  It is SO MUCH FUN to join in this challenge and to see all the different creations that come from the very same inspirational magazine cover.  You'll be hooked just like me!!  LOL!!

Here's the LINK!

As always . . .

A Christmas Cutie . . .

Good Morning Everyone!

As you know, I'm busy, busy working on projects for upcoming Craft Shows but decided to take a break from that and play a couple of challenges.  I will share one with you now and hopefully another one with you later in the day!  I know ... two posts in one day ... but it can't be helped ... time is limited these days!  Eeeks!

This mornings card is for the fun BESTIES challenges.  The main Besties Challenge is to 'Use a background stamp AND a Besties image'.  But, with time being limited I used a snowflake embossing folder for my background.  PLUS ... the challenge over at My Besties Aussie Challenge is to use 'White on White + One other color'.  Luckily, I think I have satisfied both challenges with this creation.

Is she cute or what!!!!!

This Sherri Baldy 'My Bestie' image is called BUNNY GIRLS and is actually paired with another image but I cropped the other 'bunny' image out of the picture and dressed her up for Christmas.  Hope that's okay with Sherri!

Since the Aussie Challenge is White-on-White+one other color, I didn't add any green to her dress .. stuck strictly with red/white.  I've also POPPED her up and added a touch of sparkle around the brim of her hat as well as the buckles on her shoes and her waist sash.

Here's an even closer look incase you couldn't see the sparkle.  

I just love fussy cutting these adorable images and creating a scene with them.  Whether it is a fairly simple creation as this one is ... or with lots and lots of layers and embellishments.  They are so darn cute they really POP off the page.

Want a peek at the inside?

 I want to send this is a very good friend for Christmas.  She doesn't typically follow my blog so I think I'm safe in sharing!  Yikes ... at least I hope so!  LOL!  Otherwise ... SPOOLER ALERT!!

Well, let me see if I can find a few other challenges to play along in then I really must get back to my craft show projects.  WHERE does the time go???

Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Christmas Thank You

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

My Besties Norge - Use a punch

Scribble & Scrap Blog Challenge #3 - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Hope you have a FABULOUS day!

You'll know where I'll be! LOL!

As always ...

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Christmas Red cs, Silver cs,
Stamps & Ink:  Stampendous, SU 'In My Thoughts', Versafine Onyx Ink
Accessories:  Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers, Red Stickles, Fiskars swivel craft knife, xPress It Foam Mounting Tape, Cheery Lynn Designs DL175 Lacey Pine Snowflake die, Cheery Lynn Designs B186 Merry Christmas die set, Cuttlebug Snowflake Embossing Folder, E6000 Spray Adhesive, Martha Stewart Snowman border punch,  Memory Box #98546 Precious Stars die, Spellbinder tag dies,

The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge

Happy HUMP DAY my friends!

It's time once again for a fun challenge over at The Sisterhood of Crafters!

Today's challenge is

FALL/HALLOWEEN

Yep ... it's that time of year again and just seems to be crazy busy for me this year!

For today's card I decided to use the image offered up over at the Paper Craft Planet - Sassy Studio Group's Progressive Challenge called Scarecrow Sassy for my focus.  Isn't she pretty all dressed up in her Fall attire?

My design today is pretty plain and simple and focuses around all those beautiful Fall leaves that are currently falling in my back yard and I need to get outside and mow over (AGAIN ... LOL!).  I'm not complaining mind you!  Well ... maybe a little ... but I wouldn't have it any other way ... I just LOVE the change of seasons and the additional work that comes along with those changes is just part of the package!

Who wouldn't love having a tree this beautiful in their front yard ...

This is the tree in my next door neighbors front yard.  

It has been amazing watching it turning color this year.  

Just gorgeous and quite the inspiration for today's Fall card! 

Here are a few additional challenges I'd like to enter into:

Artistic Inspiration - Anything Goes

Lady Anne's - Autumn/Fall

Use Your Stuff Color Challenge - Orange, Yellow, Green

4 Krafty Girlz - Anything Goes

Won't you please come join in our challenge fun at The Sisterhood of Crafters.  You have until November 3rd to get your entry in (reminder ... that's the day we turn our clocks back!) and we would LOVE to see what you create!  Whether FALL or HALLOWEEN ... I'm sure they will be inspiring to me!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today ... it means the world to me!

As always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  Reminisce Harvest dp, red - green - bright orange cardstock scraps
Accessories:  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Fiskars swivel craft knife, Cheery Lynn Designs B178 Flourish Leaf Strip die, Creative Memories letter stickers

SFC4213 - Squigglefly Challenge

It's MONDAY (again ... LOL!) and that means time for another challenge at Squigglefly.

Today's theme is:

"LEAVE" me be . . .

(use leaves or tree/leaves, fall/autumn theme OR

a card/project showing travel [leaving town])

Well, I obviously decided to go with the Fall theme ...

This fun digi image is called 'Halloween Circle' by Judith Hart.

There are leaves in my background paper (sorry it's from my scrap bin and didn't have the mfg name on it) ... plus I made leaves using Sizzix 'Branch w/Leaves' and 'Branch w/Leaves#2' dies for my cut out leaves.  They were also cut from a piece of scrap hunter green cardstock which I then sprayed with Perfect Pearls Mists 'heirloom gold'.  While still damp, I formed each leaf by holding it with my tweezers down through the center and pinching the sides of the leaf together into the center.  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers were used to color the image.

A few additional challenges:
Challenges 4 Everybody #31 - Anything Goes
Dream Valley Challenges #68 - Halloween
Eclectic Ellapu - Halloween
Glitter n Sparkle #55 - Halloween
Robyn's Fetish Challenge #182 - Fall

I hope you'll come join in our "LEAVE ME BE..." fun!

As always . . .

Gift Card Holders for Craft Show

Good Evening my Friends!

WOW!  Such a busy week ... trying to get things finalized before this weekend's craft show.  With new items to sell, I decided to set up my tables to make sure I could display everything properly.  In doing so, I realized I really needed to get more gift card holders made since they are typically one of my QUICK TO GO items.  

By using one 12x12 sheet from the Heartfelt Creations 'Frosty Blanket Collection', I was able to quickly produce a dozen gift card holders in a short period of time.

This is the sheet that I used  ... the image in the background is the reverse side of this page.  These ATC sized panels worked perfectly for my card fronts.

 Here are the dimensions for this cute, yet easy project.

 

And here a photo of the entire group.  

With these panels being a little too small to cover the entire card front, I used various papers from the Kaiser Craft 'Twig & Berry' 6 1/2" Paper Pad for the background designs.  I've also used 1/8" Scor Tape to adhere the edges of my gift card holding inside flap.

 Since my background paper was 6 1/2", I was able to get TWO cards out of each sheet with a narrow piece left over.  SO, of course we have to use up those scraps and I decided to put some of these scraps together to create ONE MORE card (seen below).

I will be putting this one on display at the show so people can see what the inside looks like.  Each one is enclosed in a plastic bag along with a 3 1/2" x 5" envelope.

My sentiment die is Cheery Lynn Designs and I've used a touch of red Stickles for a touch of holiday sparkle.

A few challenges:
4 Crafty Girls #4 - Anything Goes
C.R.A.F.T. October Challenge - Christmas
Crafty Little Fairies - Christmas in October
DL.ART October Linky Party - Anything Goes
My Heart Pieces Digital Stamps - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamps - Christmas/Holidays

Well, it's nearly bedtime here and it's been a long day!

Thanks so much for stopping by and as always . . .

Festive Fun at Joan's Gardens

Hi Everyone!

Sorry I've been a bit lax on posting ... still trying to get caught up after my crafting trip to Indiana.  It was so much fun visiting with my friends and I was so excited to play with some new techniques and projects!  Would you believe only today was I able to get back into my cave and play!

The weather has been so beautiful earlier in the week I just had to get outside and take care of a few things.  So NOW I'm ready to PLAY!!

The current challenge (which ends today - new challenge starts tomorrow) at Joan's Gardens is to:

Use A Ribbon

Use Corners

Stocking, gloves, snowflakes...anything to do with Christmas

You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens.  Also, mention that you are doing the card/project for Joan's Gardens Challenge. It would be nice if you would add this link to your post: www.atjoansgardens.com

I can't begin to tell you how much inspiration I find from doing Joan's challenges!  

Here's what I've created for you today.

My focus image comes from the Crafty Secrets Christmas Images & Journal Notes Booklet.  My base card is of red cardstock and the background panel comes from the Graphic45  Twelve Days of Christmas 6x6 Patterns & Solids paper pack which I purchased last weekend at Joan's Gardens.  A full list of products will be listed at the bottom of this post.

How I made the flower:

• I first inked an embossing folder with Delicata Golden Glitz ink and ran it through my embossing machine onto red cardstock ... then reinked and used white cardstock.  This gave my flower petals more texture and holiday sparkle.
• Next I die cut my flowers using the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die.  One set with the red cardstock and one set with the white.
• Used my PunchBunch Flower Making Kit to shaped the petals and then glued my panels together to create this 'candy cane' flower.  Gold Stickles was used in the center.

A few additional challenges:

Christmas Cards All Year Round (October) - Christmas

The Crafting Cafe - Anything Goes

Deep Ocean Challenge - Christmas is Around the Corner

Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Inspired by Christmas Carol (We Wish You A Merry Christmas)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

I have my first craft show of the season coming up on Saturday so I'd better get back to putting the finishing touches on my craft show projects.

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  Christmas red cs, Winter Green cs, Graphic45 design paper, Crafty Secrets Christmas image & journal note

Ink:  Delicata Golden Glitz pigment ink, Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress Ink

Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs B178 Flourish Leaf Strip die, Cheery Lynn Designs B165 Lacey Corners Deco E die, Tim Holtz Tattered Floral die, Michaels red grosgrain ribbon, JoAnn's holiday rik-rak, gold Stickles, PunchBunch Flower Making Kit, Ranger Ink Blending Tool & Sponge Pads, xPress It Foam Mounting Tape, Art Glitter Glue

Items identified in RED where purchased at Joan's Gardens.

Halloween Fun and Guest Designer

Happy Monday Everyone!

A few weeks back I was lucky enough to be a winner over at The Crazy Challenge and was asked to be a guest designer for today's challenge.  Thanks so much to Em for this honor.

Today's challenge is:

HALLOWEEN

I chose to create my card using the Halloween CD from Crafty Secrets ... available HERE.  What fun I had putting these different papers and images together to create this 'spooktacular' scene.  Coloring was done with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.

Please be sure to pop over and play along in this new, fun challenge.

A few other challenges:
Cattered Crop Challenge - Orange is the new Black
Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
Di's Digi Stamps - Halloween Colors
Inkspirational Challenge - Anything Goes
 Kitty Bee Designs - Halloween

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm back home in Ohio from my crafting fun in Indiana over the weekend. Getting together with these fabulous ladies is always ENLIGHTENING!  I learned several new tips, tricks and techniques which I'll be sharing with you soon!


As always ...

FAITH...

Morning All!

I'm trying to get things packed up and ready to get on the road headed to Indiana for a few fabulously fun crafting days with those five friends I mentioned in my last post but before I go, I wanted to share something I made quickly for the new challenge over at Paper Crafter's Corner and the Besties Challenge.

This week at PaperCrafter's Corner, there will be the chance to win THREE times since there are THREE different themes/inspiration pieces ... Magazine Cover, Music & Repurpose.

Here's what I came up with ...

I repurposed an old piece of fun foam from an old project.  Cut into a door hanging shape and covered it with pink cardstock, scraps of musical paper as well as Breast Cancer Awareness design paper left over from making tissue box covers.  The WORDS were cut from another scrap piece of BCA design paper.

My Besties images is called POLLY and she's dancing because she's encouraged someone to KEEP THE FAITH ... think PINK and God's angels will watch over her singing songs of joy!

I'll be back later with more details but now I must go!  

I need to leave in an hour and like I said ... nothing is packed yet ... including this laptop!  LOL!

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Sisterhood of Crafters

OMG ... I'm the hostess for today's new challenge over at The Sisterhood of Crafters and totally forgot to do my own personal blog post to share with you all ... SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY!!  Yikes!

Anyways ... today's challenge is ANYTHING GOES and we are sponsored by Fitztown.

Here is my creation using their image named:  FAE Collection - Fantasy 3 - Item #fae00003

Isn't she pretty and I've colored her with my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.

The butterflies are by Cheery Lynn Designs ... butterfly border punch by Martha Stewart ... doily is a Cheery Lynn Designs die as is the flourish.

I'm making this short and sweet today because not only did I totally forget to have it preposted, but I'm trying to get everything done that needs doing before heading out to Indiana tomorrow morning for 4 days of fun & crafting with my Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan buds!!

PLEASE pop over to The Sisterhood of Crafters and check out what the other Sisters, Step Sisters and a couple of fabulous Fitztown design team members have created for your inspiration!  They are AWESOME!!!

Okay ... gotta go ... times flying!

As always, thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you find inspiration in my work.