Do what you love . . .

I think that is wonderful advice!!

Good Afternoon Bloggers!

I'm running a bit behind today ... had to take care of a thank you card order that was commissioned the other evening.  So, now that it's taken care of, I can get back to a few challenge cards and other crafting fun!

I actually started putting this card together the other day (for a different purpose) and since this cut piece of design paper was in my way I figured I'd best just turn it into a card and be done with it!   So what do you think??

 This Webster's Pages design paper was cut to fit an A-6 card which meant I had an extra strip left over.  I started doing a Washi Tape corner banner in the upper right corner then decided I didn't like it so I took that EXTRA piece and simply adhered it over the top and added a strip of ribbon to hide the seam.  Came together quiet nicely I think!!  LOL

I wanted to use this adorable Cheery Lynn Birdhouse I had laying on the work table so instead of utilizing the one that was already printed on the design paper, I simply did a little fussy cutting around the flower petal and inserted the birdhouse over the existing one.  

What a great opportunity to use my new Poppy Stamps 'peaceful bird' too.

A few challenges:

A Creative Romance - Jenny's Bingo Game (Ribbon-Charm-Bow)

Challenges and Candies #28 - Spring Around the Corner

Craftitude Challenge #59 - Anything Goes

Jellypark Challenge - Things with Wings

Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything Goes

Wags n Whiskers - Photo Inspiration (colors)

 Well that's my share for today!

Now I'm going back to 'doing what I love' ... crafting!

(should be doing laundry ... uugh, it can wait!  lol!)

 Recipe:
Papers - White cs, Webster's Pages dp, Teal cs, Scrap of brown plaid (I believe it's from American Crafts)
Stamps - Paper Smooches 'Group Hugs' (prize from my Cuttin and Stampin win), Inkadinkado
Inks - Versafine Onyx, TH Tea Dye Distress Ink
Accessories - Cheery Lynn Designs 'B418 - Birdhouse with Lattice', Poppy Stamps 'Peaceful Bird #929', Darice 'Ohhh So Trendy' ribbon, Bow Easy, Darice turquoise 1/4" organza ribbon, the Paper Studio Spare Parts birdhouse charm, TH black fine tip marker for faux stitching

A Pocket Full of Posies . . .

Hello my friends!

I have such exciting news to share with you today!

 I was so thrilled when Patricia St. Martin asked me to be guest designer over at The Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenges that I nearly fell off my chair! 

Yep ... today I'm their guest designer and honored to do so!!

Anyways ... the TWIST for this week's challenge is:

A Pocket Card or a Pocket to Your Card

  

I decided to make a DOUBLE POCKET card and couldn't wait to color/create with this adorable image by Anne Fenton ... isn't she just the sweetest thing!  

I know I have directions for pocket cards around here somewhere (note to self ... must get all those instruction sheet in one binder) but since I couldn't locate them quickly I jumped over on Pinterest and found instructions for this double pocket card over on Judy Rozema's blog (Joy in a Jar).

Even though the cute little tags in the front pockets have room for a short note, I wanted to be able to stamp a message and write a little something too ... so attached my pocket card to an actual A2 card base made with SU Groovy Guava cardstock.  And, of course since I had this scrap piece & length of floral paper from the same 'Secret Garden' paper pack, I just had to put them to use on the inside.

A few additional challenges:
Everybody Art Challenge #267 - Ribbon and Lace
Party Time Tuesday #161 - Anything Goes
Love to Create - Anything Goes
Love to Scrap - Anything Goes
DL.Art Thankful Thursday #127 Challenge - Image of a girl or lady

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope you'll check out this fun challenge over at The Outlawz.  There's a different challenge theme for each day of the week!  Very cool!

Recipe:

Papers:  SU Groovy Guava, SU Old Olive, Graphic45 Secret Garden 12x12, Graphic45 Secret Garden 6x6 Patterns & Solids, Scraps of White and Yellow cardstock for butterflies

Accessories:  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Fiskars swivel craft knife, K&Co. seed packets, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Spellbinder classic oval, x-Press It foam mounting tape, Cheery Lynn Designs Anastasia B136 border die

Floral Frenzie

Hello Friends!

It's time once again for a new challenge over at Joan's Touch AND Cheery Lynn Designs. 

The new challenge at Cheery Lynn Designs is FLOWERS MADE WITH DIES. 

And, this week Joan at Joan's Touch is asking us to use:

• Three Flowers
• Vintage Colors
• Texture (tulle/mesh)
• Something carried at Joan's Gardens

WOW!  Talk about a pieced together creation ... LOL!

But, I love when that happens.

My base card w/background papers was already laying on my table from a previous project a few weeks ago that I changed my mind on and it worked PERFECTLY for what I was wanting to create today!

I created the gardenia (I know they're supposed to be white ... sorry Diane!) flowers the other day using the awesome Cheery Lynn Designs Gardenia Floral strip die and my handy dandy flower making kit in hopes of joining in on these two challenges! 

The leaves were die cut using the Heartfelt Creations Classic Leaf HCD736 die set onto olive green card stock.   Then I used my stylus to condition the petals and lastly spread a little Art Anthology Dimensional Crystal (Pickle is the color) onto each leaf.  LOVE the realistic look & feel to these leaves.

Joan required something for texture ... there was a strip of cheesecloth (from last Halloween's projects ... eeeegads I need to clear my table a little more often, lol) laying off to the side of my work area and I thought YES!  That will work!!  So, I just bunched up a couple of squares to make a 'poof' and glued it down before adhering my flowers. 

Did you notice my little ladybugs??

I created them using the Susan Tierney Cockburn 

'Susan's Garden Ladybug' kit - Viva Decor.

I think they made an 'appropriate' touch to my flowery card!

A few additional challenges:

Cuttlebug Mania - Let's Feel It 

Ladybug Crafts Ink Challenge - Flowers Galore

Paper Minutes - On the Fly

Crafting From the Heart - Anything Goes/Use Flowers

Eureka Stamps - Add a Butterfly

The Pink Elephant Challenge - Use the color Pink

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hopefully you found a little inspiration in my work that you can use on your designs.
Have a great day ... see you next time!

Recipe:
Papers:  Crafty Secrets digital design paper, Old Olive cs, White cs
Stamp/Ink:  Stampendous, Versafine Onyx
Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs Gardenia Flower die strip #B339, Cheery Lynn Designs Small Fanciful Flourish Left & Right #B117S & B291, Heartfelt Creations Classic Leaf die #HCD736, Art Anthology Dimensional Crystal 'Pickle', 'Susan's Garden Ladybug' kit - Viva Decor, K&Co 3d butterflies, Offray decorative ribbon, Cheesecloth,

Sisterhood - One for the Boys

WOW!  February's coming to an end!

YIPPEE ... that means Spring is getting closer!

Good Morning my friends!

Today's challenge over on The Sisterhood of Crafter's is 

ONE FOR THE BOYS!

Most of the 'men folk' in my family have been/are outdoors men (hubby excluded)!  So I have a tendency to create cards with hunting/fishing/racing in mind!  

I guess I could go with Sports also ... 

Hmmm ... have to give that topic some thought!

I loved the mix of colors in this photo I snagged from Pinterest so decided to create my own background using the various bottles of Dylusions I had on the shelf but never opened.  I just started spraying and wiping with my finger ... this was the end result.

I've added the faux stitching around the outside using my Tim Holtz black fine tip distress marker.  The sentiment is from StampScapes and the ribbon I've had forever and believe it came from a variety pack I purchased in the Hobby Lobby fabric department.

Here's a card using another image I found over on Pinterest.
Isn't he cute!  It looks like the number on his measuring tape just isn't where he wants it to be yet!  Hence the computer generated sentiment "Never Give Up".

My background paper comes from the My Mind's Eye 'Oliver' 6x6 paper pack.  The ruler is a stamp in the Graphic45 'An ABC Primer' stamp set.  I simply stamped it using Versafine Onyx ink onto yellow paper then cut it out/popped it up.

A couple additional challenges:
Creative Inspirations #254 - It's A Boy Thing
Digi Darla's Challenge - Make It Masculine
Melonheadz Friends - For the Boys

I hope you'll come join in on our challenge fun!
I'll be watching for your creation and promise to pop over to your blog and leave some love!

Keep smiling ... keep crafting ... and by all means ENJOY LIFE!!

Thinking of Springtime . . .

Hello my friends!

Wow it's nearly noon and I'm just getting around to posting my card to share with you today!  I must be slowing down in my 'old' age! LOL!

The new challenge at Classy Cards n Such is a beautiful color challenge called VINTAGE HUES ... 

here's their inspiration piece ...

Aren't these such pretty colors and I can't wait to see my peonies (like the one in the photo) come out in bloom since they are the same color as this one and always so beautiful!

Here's the card I have to share with you today!

I hope you find inspiration and please won't you come join in this challenge fun!

 When I received my Simply Cards and Papercraft magazine, it came with a Prima stamp set and beautiful Prima paper pack so that is the design paper I chose for my background.

I purchased this adorable Cheery Lynn Designs #B418 Birdhouse with Lattice die from Classy Cards n Such recently and thought it perfect for today's card.  All elements of this card will be listed below my name at the end of this post.

I actually diecut the birdhouse a few times, and here I've stacked one completed birdhouse over the base of another in a darker shade of blue to help give it even more dimension.

How do you like my picket fence?  Pretty fancy huh?  LOL!

I actually had this polka dot chipboard panel laying on my work table ... it was part of the packaging of 'something' this past week and when I saw it I thought I can probably use that on a project, so I tossed it 'on the pile' of This & That on the worktable.   
Waste not, Want not!!

Other challenges:

Crafty Cardmakers and More - Come Fly With Me (Birds/Birdcages)

The Paper Girls Challenge #50 - HOME (this is a home for the birdies)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Guess I'd best get upstairs and see if hubby's in need of lunch.

Then I'm headed to Hollo's Papercraft  in Brunswick, OH ... nearly out of white card stock ... time to stock up and see what other goodies catch my eye.

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Sky Blue cs, Teal cs, Medium Blue cs, Pink cs, Prima 'Fairy Belle Collection' dp, polka dot packaging scrap

Accessories:  Webster's Pages 'fabric fancies' (sentiment), Cheery Lynn Designs #B418 'Birdhouse with Lattice', Poppy Stamps #827 'Picket Fence', Spellbinder Shapeabilities #S5-152 'Fancy Lattice', Pop Dots, x-Press It dimensional foam tape, Martha Stewart bird punch

Take time to smell the flowers!

Good Afternoon Blogging Friends!

It's a busy day 'here in the cave', but I decided to take a break and share with you a card I made over the weekend for the Great Impressions Monthly Challenge.  Now their challenge theme for the month is FLORAL IMAGES and of course if you have a Great Impressions floral image, all the better because that will get you two entries towards the prize.

Now, I know I have actual floral image stamps by Great Impressions but do you think I could find one?  NO!!  But the image I used for the background is by Great Impressions and it is #G304.  The stamp I used for my focus is by Rubber Cottage and it is #RC-588FA 'Corner Flower'.  I've used my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers for the coloring and matted it with a piece of scrap lavender card stock I had on my craft table then popped it up.

If you're looking for a name on the border panel ... sorry can't help you!  

It's actually the NEGATIVE from a piece I cut for a different project using the Cheery Lynn Designs #B136 'Anastasia Border' die. It too was in my scrap pile and I thought would work perfectly!!

A few other challenges:

AMusing Challenge - Anything Goes

Scribble and Scrap #12 - Anything Goes

Sentiment Sunday - Make your own background paper

The Squirrel and the Fox - Something Spooled (ribbon)

Thanks so much to swinging by and taking a peek!

I hope you find even a pinch of inspiration when you come to visit!  

Take care ... back to work!

Recipe:

Papers:  SU Garden Green cs, White cs, SU Lavendar cs, SU Old Olive cs

Stamps:  Great Impressions 'G304', Rubber Cottage 'RC-588FA', The Stamp Pad Co. (sentiment)

Inks:  Memento 'Bamboo Leaves', Versafine Onyx,

Accessories:  Michael's green organza ribbon, Kaiser lavender pearls, pop dots

SFC0814 - RECIPE

Happy Monday Bloggers!

We're coming up on the end of another month 

which brings us even closer to Spring!  YEAH!!!

It's also time for another fun challenge at Squigglefly!

This time around, we have a RECIPE for you ...

Use a piece of printed paper ...

some twine or twill ...

and at least one brad or button.

How about these cute 'Framed Owl' and 'Owl Frame Sentiment 3' images by Fawn Palmer!

Too cute and a clever play on words!

I brought both images into a Word document then printed it onto colorable card stock.

After coloring with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, I simply tied some baker's twine around it and added in a pink heart (Cheery Lynn Designs 'Two of Hearts' die) that was laying on my work table, strung the twine through two of the openings and tied a bow.  A little dot of glue on the back of the heart helps to keep it in place.

The heart brads are OLD and I'm sorry but I can't remember who the mfg. is.  They were purchased long before I started posting to my blog and identifying what was used on my creations (told you they were old!!)  LOL!

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun at Squigglefly and if you need inspiration ... PLEASE, pop over and check out what the rest of the team has created!  AMAZING!!

Hope to see you there and thanks for stopping by my blog today!  Wishing you all a FABULOUS week ahead!

Plant A Little Love . . .

Happy Weekend Blogging Friends!

I hope the weather in your area is BEAUTIFUL!  

Still a little 'yucky' here in Ohio but hey ... it is only the end of February!

When I saw the challenge at the Bloggers Challenge blog was Fancy Folds,

I knew exactly what I wanted to do!

I received my copy of the Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine I was published in last month and the featured card on the front cover really caught my attention.  I knew immediately I wanted to give this card fold a try!  So THIS was today's inspiration!

My card isn't nearly as fancy as the one on the magazine but I think it's an eye catcher.

I was lucky enough to win the challenge over at Classy Cards n Such recently (thanks Beverly) and the prize was this beautiful pink/green tone design paper pack.  Since it too had just come in the mail, of course I had to dive right in and create with it.  

Here's what my card looks like open ...

After making my 6 1/4" x 9" base card, I scored it in half at 4 1/2" ... then scored the front cover in half again at 2 1/4".  Then, I simply ran the folded front panel through my vagabond using one of the Spellbinder Classic Circle dies.  I must admit I made a mistake purposely used the die that was 2 sizes up to cut the designer paper which left a wider 'white space' so that's when I decided to use various pink shades of little Darice flowers to adorn the front panel.

The center floral stamp is an oldie but a goodie from JustRite called 'Plant a Little Love'.  I've probably had this stamp set five or six years and maybe used it once (MY BAD!).  I used my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers for the coloring and since I used various shades of pink on the front ... I did the same when coloring the flower.  I believe this is a hydrangea flower and they do come in a variegated pink shade (I checked on google! LOL)

A few other challenges:

Always Something Creative - Special Card Forms

Feeling Crafty Challenge - Dies and/or Punches

Flat Friends Challenge - More and 1 Fold

Scor-Pal Challenge - More than one Score plus flowers

Sweet Stamps February Challenge - Fancy Folds

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Once again, I'd like to wish you a FABULOUS weekend!

Filled with fun and laughter!

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, First Edition paper pack 'Love Letters', Pink cs, SU Pomegranate cs

Accessories:  JustRite 'Plant A Little Love' stamp set, AMuse sentiment stamp, Versafine Onyx ink, Spellbinder Classic Circle dies, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Martha Stewart 'Branch' punch, Martha Stewart '3-in-1 Butterfly' punch, Darice flowers, Cheery Lynn Designs B190 'Sentiment Frame #2' dies, White Opal Liquid Pearls

Butterflies and Babies

Good Morning Friends!

I've been wanting to make an altered photo frame for a good friend who's expecting her first child and FINALLY finished it last evening. 

I've used Craft Secrets digital design papers for the base and the flowers.  However, I alter the color of two of the ones I chose so I could match the baby's room decor.  All product used will be listed at the end of my post.  Be sure to pop over to Crafty Vintage Girl shoppe and check out the fabulous baby items available as well as all the other themed goodies they have.

I swear sometimes my brain just DOES NOT WORK!!

I was so excited that the challenge over at the Shabby Tea Room this week is BABY SHOWER PARTY ... I thought, GREAT!  I can play the challenge and get this project completed for my friend all at the same time!  

Well DUH ... they do have this fabulous photo inspiration and the only thing my creation has in common with it is the fact that it's for a baby and it will be party of my shower gift!  

OH WELL I hope it still qualifies!

 Here are some closeups... (click on any of these images to enlarge).

All the flowers were homemade using the same Crafty Secrets digital design papers I used to cover the frame.

Crafty Secrets a sheet of adorable baby stickers called 'Little Girls' and since the new Mom is a cat lover I think she'll enjoy these sweet little kitty sticker images.  The pink rik-rak down the upper left side as well as the 'Little Girl' poem are also from this same sticker sheet.

The sweet image I've used in the center is from the Crafty Secrets Clear Art Stamps 'Baby Girl' medium stamp set.  I've used Spectrum Noir alcohol markers for the coloring.  This panel can be removed and a picture of their new little daughter can be in it's place.

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

 4 Crafty Chicks - Things with Wings 

Delightful Challenge - Add a Flourish

DL.ART Thankful Thursday - Vintage

MilkCoffee Challenge - Girly

The Crafter's Cafe - Vintage or Shabby Chic

Frilly and Funkie - Blooming Marvelous (homemade flowers)

Little Red Wagon - Anything But A Card/But with Paper

Crafty Your Passion - Girlie Girl
Altered Eclectics - Alter Something (wooden photo frame)

Well, there you have it!  

I hope you enjoyed my creation and found inspiration!

Take care and remember ... SPRING IS ON THE WAY!!

Recipe:

Papers:  Crafty Secrets digitals, white cs, McGill Flower Making Kit, Art Glitter Glue

Accessories:  Kaiser pearls, pop dots, Cheery Lynn Designs dies ... #B310 - Shasta Daisy, #B339 - Gardenia, #B178 Flourish leaf strip, #B117S Fanciful Flourish Sm, #B291 Fanciful Flourish Reverse, #B147 Olive Branches, #DL113 Exotic Butterfly Sm, #DL161 Small Lace Faerie Queen Butterfly,    Cottage Cutz #497 Christening Gown

Sunshine, Bare Feet & Sandy Beaches

OH!  I Wish!
Hello again friends ... 2nd post for today!

I won't be around tomorrow ... headed to my sister's beauty shoppe

for a hair cut and a pedicure!

And yes ... rain, snow or sun ... I AM wearing my flip flops! LOL!

So I thought I'd share with you this evening, my second entry for the DREAMING OF THE BEACH challenge over at Sugar Creek Hollow.

I just love these little kids!  

Do little girls still wear little sundresses on the beach or am I showing my age?? 

For this card I've used some items that have been hanging on my embellishment board for years!  Why?  I don't know ... guess I just have too much stuff! 

Wait!  What am I saying??  That can't possibly be the reason!

Here are a few additional challenges:

The Crafter's Cafe - Vintage or Shabby Chic

Diva's By Design - Rubber Stamps Only

Well it's time to make dinner so I'd better quit playing around and get upstairs!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a great evening and wish me luck tomorrow ... you never know

what color I end up with at my pedicure!  Maybe green for the upcoming St. Patty's Day! LOL!

Recipe:

Papers:  SU Bermuda Bay cs, American Crafts dp

Stamp/Ink:  Inkadinkado, Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Bermuda Bay, TH Tea Dye

Accessories:  Seam Binding (colored with SU ink), EK Success Sandcastle Sticker, K&Co 3d seashells, Cheery Lynn Designs B119 Tropical Leaves dies, Pop Dots, Paper Piercer, ZIG fine tip marker for faux stitching, TH distresser, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Craft-Dee Bowz bow maker

*Hot* Pink Fashionista

A very good morning to you, my friends . . .

Hubby and I just got back from breakfast and I'd like to share with you

 another card I made for the new challenges going on over at Joan's Touch.  

We are to use Pink & Black, a lady, a bow and product carried at Joan's Gardens.

All products used will be listed at the end of this post after my signature.

I LOVE vintage style and even though I would make ALL my cards in this style, that doesn't work well for the craft shows I do in the Fall.  For that, I need a variety, but am always so happy when I get to create something in this design style.

I colored my B-Line Designs stamped image using my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers and decided to add a little sparkle to her Fashionista style.  The stamp doesn't have a 'belt' in the design of her jacket but I added one using Quickie Glue and PK Glitz 'Glitter Glitz' Burgundy glitter.  I also sparkled up the collar and put a 'band' on her hat.

One of the items I purchased through Joan's Gardens are these awesome flourish dies.  They came as a part of a die set by Joy Crafts ... #6002/0258.  It's actually a 4 piece die set and even though I hadn't used this set up till today, I can see I'll be using it a lot more ... LOVE these flourishes and the 2 oval dies are just as beautiful!  

The hot pink Kaiser pearls also came from Joan's Gardens.

A few additional challenges are:

Love to Scrap! Challenge Blog - Anything Goes

Craft Your Passion - Girlie Girl

Love to Create - Make it sparkle with Bling

Sweet Stamps - Anything Goes 

Oh La La Creations - Fashionista

 Sparkle N Sprinkle February - Anything Goes with loose glitter

Before I go ... here's a peek at the inside of today's card ...

 

 Thanks so much for stopping by today!

It's warming up outside (40s-50s next couple of days) so it appears

some of the 'white stuff' will be disappearing.

Hope you are having a fabulous day and please stop back again real soon!

 Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Black cs, the Paper Studio Kirby Teesdale Studio dp,

Stamps/Ink:  B Line Designs #LF113F 'Gina' / Memento Black Tuxedo ink

Accessories: American Crafts 'bubblegum' lace ribbon, Joy Crafts ... #6002/0258 die set, Kaiser hot pink pearls, Creative Memories corner rounder, Quickie Glue, PK Glitz 'Glitter Glitz' Burgundy glitter, pop dots, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Craft-Dee Bowz bow maker