Monday, February 29, 2016

A smile is universal . . .

Happy LEAP YEAR Everyone!

If you follow my blog you'll see I've been having a lot of fun creating 'JUST FOR FUN' and today I have yet another card that I made because I saw two challenges that I thought would go well together.

They are ...
Allsorts Challenge - Sentiment in Focus
and
MFP Stamp Color Challenge #9 - BROWN

Now, I must admit, when I'm thinking of making a card, the color brown
does NOT pop into my head ... that's probably why that particular challenge caught my attention.
Also, I have some fabulous sentiment stamps that I need to use and just make
simple cards like this!  It may be simple ... but says A LOT!!


I saw this scrap of wood fencing design paper in my scrap stack and thought
it would be a good fit!   Even though I could have just stopped right there,
I thought a horse to go with the fencing background would be a nice touch.

I think my horse loving, positive thinking, country girl daughter would like this card ... just might have to pop it in the mail to her.  Unsigned of course so she can repurpose it to someone who might need 'a lift'.

Other challenge to share in:

Amusing Challenge - Anything Goes (use scraps)
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes
Stamping Sensations February Challenge - Anything Goes with a Die
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
Moving Along with the Times Challenge - Words Only

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
I hope you have a wonderful week ahead!!
As always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Black cs, Brown cs, Recollections dp (all scrap pieces)
Stamp/Ink:  Fiskars 'Laugh with Me Quotes' / Versafine Sepia
Dies:  Memory Box 'Galloping Horse' #996,  Memory Box 'Cross Stitched Frame Borders' (7 die set) #99124
Accessories:  Pop Dots

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Just Playing Around . . .

Hello friends and Happy Sunday!

Yesterday when I should have been catching up on some DT work,
I spent most of the day JUST PLAYING AROUND!
I think we all need to do that from time to time just to keep it interesting!! LOL

 And besides ... it's one of my good friends fault (you know who you are, lol)
for introducing me to and inspiring me to do stenciling with more than just 
ink and a sponge dauber.  I'm talking about texture paste and reinker.

Here's the outcome of my playtime . . .


 Yep ... pretty cool ... I'll be doing this technique more often I'm sure!

As you can see, I'm STILL working on using up some of those Heartfelt Creations die cut flowers from last years convention demo.   It's actually pretty nice to have so many sitting around already cut just waiting for me to choose the color I want to use and shaping them.  

Obviously, my color today is purple (my favorite).  Actually it's Tim Holtz 'wilted violet' distress ink.  I've used the reinker to color my paste (although my camera insists on making it look blue) and a sponge/ink to color around the outside edge of my background panel.  Of course I've sponged my flowers with the same ink color as well as my tag sentiment.

Challenges to share in today are:
Morgan's ArtWorld Challenge #4 - For the Ladies 
Craft-Dee Bowz February Challenge - ATG w/handmade bow
Country View February Challenge - Make Your Own Background

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
I hope YOU are doing something FUN today!

As always . . .


Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Deep Purple cs
Stamps/Ink:  Heartfelt Creations Classic Sunflower The Stamp Pad/ Tim Holtz 'wilted violet', Memento 'dandelion'
Dies:  Sue Wilson 'Laurel Leaves' #CED1437 Heartfelt Creations Classic Sunflower Die Memory Box 'Garland Greenery' #99229, Poppystamps 'Stitched Main Street Tags' #1268
Accessories:  Really Reasonable Ribbon satin ribbon, twine, Tim Holtz bubble stencil, Ranger Texture Paste, Tim Holtz 'wilted violet' reinker, Kaiser pearls, Heartfelt Creations flower shaping kit, Craft-Dee Bowz bow making tool

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Happy Birthday Wishes

Happy Saturday Everyone!

The other evening I noticed the challenge over on the Impression Obsession Blog
is Happy Birthday to You and I thought it would be fun to play along
and started looking into what I/O dies I had available that would work.

Here's what I came up with ...


I'm so pleased with the outcome of this quick/easy creation I just might have
to make a few more in various colors for my upcoming craft shows.

The Impression Obsession dies I have used are:

Boy with Flowers - DIE248
Greeting Set - DIE174
Puppies - DIE142

I created the background by first sponging 2 different shades of Tim Holtz
distress ink in an angular motion then spritzing  with
some very old 'pink lemonade' Memories Mists (surprised it still worked).
A few sequins and a little hand doodling ... VIOLA!

Challenges to share in:
Crafty Girls Creations Challenge - Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments Challenge - Cute + Sentiment
In the Pink Challenge - So Cute (and pink of course)

Thanks for stopping by today!
Enjoy your weekend!
As always . . .

Friday, February 26, 2016

Drifting Butterflies

Happy Friday Everyone!
Today I have a card I've created for the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog
and a fun little tutorial for you too.
Can you believe it's the end of February already?
It won't be long now before we see butterflies again ... well a couple of months maybe.  But you can always make them come to life on your cards with all the amazing dies available at our Dies R Us Store!  Just go to the search block and type in BUTTERFLIES and you will see ALL the gorgeous dies available to purchase.


The beautiful die cut I have used today is Memory Box 'Drifting Butterfly Frame' #99343.



I have a lot of scrapbook paper that I know I will never use (don't do much scrapbooking since the grandkids have grown up) so, today I've taken THIS piece of design paper and revamped it into a few background panels that I knew I would get more use of.  


Here's how it was done and this works for any of those scraps you have laying around too . . .

Step 1:  Cut your paper into 1" strips

Step 2:  Using a scrap of white (or any color card stock), run lines of adhesive close together if you are going to be die cutting your panel vs using your panel as a full sheet background.

Step 3:  Start laying your strips at a diagonal (you can also go side to side vertically or horizontally) beginning in the middle and working from side to side.  You can cut the excess length off the first strip and use it as the start of your second strip then line up another strip to finish out the line.  They are all the same width so this works just fine.

Step 4:  Keep laying out your strips until your have your entire white card stock panel covered.

Step 5:  Flip your panel over and cut off all the excess.  Be sure to keep some of the longer piece (if you want) for your next panel.  You can get several from a 12x12 sheet like I have used here today.

Step 6:  Your NEW background panel is ready to use.  
Either just as it is or as I have done today ... create a die cut frame from.

So there you have it ... why not give it a try!
And, don't forget to check out the Dies R Us Challenge Blog?  There's a new challenge theme posted on the 1st and 15th of each month and one lucky random winner will win some Dies R Us Store $$$.  That winner could be YOU ... but you have to play to win!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Have a great day and as always . . .

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Take Time To Smell The Flowers ...

SUCH GOOD ADVICE!

Hello Everyone!  Hope you are doing well!
We are getting some snow here in NE Ohio, USA but that's okay,
there are others dealing with a lot more than a couple of inches of snow 
so I'm thankful for the day that's been dealt to me!

While talking with my friend Diane (Nellie's Nest) this morning, we were trying to
decide on a couple fun challenges to play in today.  We both were
caught up (pretty well) on our DT commitments and just wanted to
create something for FUN ... which is what this crafting world is all about to me!

Anyways, she started tossing out a few different challenges and I decided it would
be fun to create one card that would fit not just one but several of those challenges.
Here's what I came up with . . .


Diane shared a couple different sketch challenges and I chose the 
Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge as my starting point.

Next I needed a theme ... how about this fun Polka Dot Challenge at City Crafters Blog.
And, what about color scheme? 


How about this fabulous photo inspiration at Time Out Challenge Blog
where I chose the colors black & white.

OMG ... by using these three components, my card came together in no time flat!!
(I really need to do this more often!  Fast, Easy and SO MUCH FUN!)
Since I wanted to keep my card strictly black/white, I couldn't color these pretty flowers
so instead I simply added some Diamond Stickles to the centers
for a little extra touch of texture.
(see close up)


Here's a couple more challenges to share in today:

Dragonfly Journeys Challenge - Ebony and Ivory
CCEE Stampers Challenge - Floral Design Day
Southern Girls Challenge - Add a Little Sparkle
Penny Black Challenge - Anything Goes with a Stamp and Die(s)
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes (Memory Box)

Thanks so much for stopping by!
If you are in the snowy part of the country ... please stay safe & warm.
Those who were affected by damaging winds & tornadoes, 
please know you are in my thoughts & prayers!

As always , , ,
Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Black cs, the Paper Studio 'Harper's Boutique' dp
Stamps/Ink:  Penny Black 'Flower Gallery', The Stamp Pad / Versafine Onyx
Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs 'Lace Corner Deco E' #B165, Marvy fine tip black pen for faux stitching, Diamond Stickles, Spellbinder scallop square dies, Memory Box 'Pinpoint Square Layers' die set



Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Sisterhood - Think Spring!!

Hello Friends!
It's time once again for a new challenge over at
and I'm pleased to say I am your hostess today!

If you're anything like me, during these cold winter months, you
thoughts go to the warmer, greener times like Spring/Summer.
So our theme for today's challenge is

THINK SPRING!
(what does that mean to you?)
(birds, butterflies, kites, mud puddles, umbrellas ...)

Well, here's what I came up with ...


This lovely bird images comes from the Crafty Secrets Birds & Botanicals
Booklet and Journal Notes.  I simply cut the journaling
part from the bottom and used it as a background mat. 

Once again I am using up some of the scrap tidbits that have been cut and
laying around in hopes of using them vs doing a complete swipe
into the trash can.  LOL! 

Challenges to share in:
Cardz 4 Guyz Challenge - Birds of a Feather
Digi Choosday Crafting Challenge - Green and/or Nature
Through the Craftroom Door Challenge - Anything Goes
 Craftin' Desert Diva's Linky Party .- Nature's wonders

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
I hope you're having a wonderful week and that the weather
is cooperating in your 'neck of the woods'.

I hope you'll come join in our challenge and I look forward to being
inspired by what you create!  
As always . . .




Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Black cs, FabScraps 'High Tea' dp
Image:  Crafty Secrets 'Birds & Botanicals' Booklet & Journal Notes
Stamps/Inks:  Stampscapes 'Reeds' #068'D, Memento 'Bamboo Leaves' ink
Dies:  Impression Obsession 'Birdhouse Set' #DIE156, Impression Obsession 'Birds' #DIE154A, Technique Tuesday 'Hello' #DIY0383
Accessories:  Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers (for birdhouses) EB5 & GB7

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

It's A Boy (wait) and a Girl!!

Happy Tuesday Everyone!
Time for a new inspiration sample for the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog.
I just received a new order of dies from the Dies R Us Store and couldn't wait
to play with a couple of cuties!!  

How cute is this card for a 'little tyke' ...
I've used some VERY OLD Stampin' Up 'Print Pack' designer paper for my background 
and then the fun of die cutting began.


The dies I've playing with today are:

And for the inside . . .
 I've used another scrap of Stampin' Up 'Print Pack' design paper
and the dies I've used are:

This was so much fun to create.  I die cut Dino from white card stock
then colored him using my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers (DG4, TB1, TB2).

And, we can't forget about those adorable baby girls ...


I've used the same basic design, using the same paper pack but have added a pretty ribbon panel and switched up the die cuts a bit to give it a little more 'feminine' touch.  Here's a list of the dies I've used:
Memory Box 'Baby Carriage'
Frantic Stamper 'Baby Elephant'
 Cheery Lynn Designs 'Horizon Fishtail Banner' #DL278
Cheery Lynn Designs 'It's a Boy/Girl' #B250

Inside:
Don't forget to come join in the fun at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog.
Our current challenge runs through Feb. 28th and the theme is:  Use the color RED
A fun new challenge is offered on the 1st and 15th of each month with a PRIZE VOUCHER 
offered to one lucky winner each challenge.  It could be YOU!

Till next time ... thanks for stopping by!
As Always . . .

Monday, February 22, 2016

Take Time to Smell the Flowers!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Even though I should be doing 'other things' ...
I just couldn't help myself when it came to playing today's challenge at
Here's a peek at this week's sketch ...

I must admit I love doing various sketch challenges!
I find them a great starting point for my cards as well as a bit of a challenge from time to time!

Here's what I created using today's sketch ...


Not only was this a fun card to create, but I was able to use up scraps of designer paper and make flowers from that huge pile of Heartfelt Creations die cut flowers (I mentioned a few posts back), that I've had for nearly a year now.

 The design paper is from a very old Colorbok 12x12 paper pack.  I was going to use just the striped panel for the front but then decided to put it on the inside and go ahead and use the floral portion of the sheet for my front panel.  Even though it's two different flowers, I still like the concept of the flowers in the background AND foreground.

I have used 4 different shades of Tim Holtz distress ink to color my flower panels prior to shaping them and putting them together.  
Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade & Fired Brick


In this close up photo, you can see I started my row of flowers with a lacy lattice panel as the anchor.  That panel was die cut from the Sue Wilson 'Scandinavian Collection'  #CED4202 from the Dies R Us Store.  I've also used the Martha Steward 'Frond' punch for the leaves. 

There are SO MANY talented crafters out in blogland that make the most gorgeous flowers, that I'm constantly striving to someday be as good as they are.  Practice makes perfect they say ... guess I'll just keep practicing!  I must admit, I am very happy with today's flowers ... I think it's the color that really catches the eye.



Challenge to share in today:
 The Crazy Challenge - Card for a Friend

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
I hope you'll come back again tomorrow with I have a new inspirational creation 
to share with you for the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog team.
Till then ...
Enjoy your day and as always . . .



Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Colorbok dp
Stamps:  The Stamp Pad (sentiment), Heartfelt Creations 'Botanical Rose' #HCPC3651
Inks:  Versafine Onyx, Tim Holtz distress inks -  Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade & Fired Brick
Dies:  BoBunny 'Flutter Dies' #12839812, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Horizon Fishtail Banners' #DL278, Heartfelt Creations 'Botanical Wings' #HCD1-758, Sue Wilson 'Scandinavian Collection'  #CED4202
Accessories:  Kaiser half pearls, Heartfelt Deluxe Flower Shaping Kit, Martha Stewart 'Frond' punch, large sponge daubers

Sunday, February 21, 2016

A Scenic Birthday

Hello Everyone and Happy Sunday!

I had a little time last evening to 'play' and while I was jumping
around on Pinterest, I spotted a card my friend Diane (Nellie's Nest) had pinned 
that was created by Birgit and thought I'd like to give it a try.  

Here's Birgit's card ....

Spellbinders D-Lites Die

And here's mine ...


 I just love drawing inspiration from other designers!
Sometimes when I see someone's card I think ... "WOW!  Why didn't I think of that?"
Do you ever do that?  LOL

Anyways, I'm in need of more masculine birthday & get well cards for
my upcoming shows so I think I'll make a few more using this basic design idea
but with different colors and die cuts.  Thanks Diane & Birgit for your inspiration!

 Challenges:
613 Avenue Create Challenge - Anything Goes
Addicted to Stamps Challenge - Die Cuts (+stamps)
Allsorts Challenge - Birthday Wishes

UPDATE ... COULDN'T STOP MYSELF, LOL!!
HERE'S A FEW  MORE ...

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Enjoy the remainder of your weekend!
As always . . .


Recipe:
Papers: White cs
Stamps/Ink:  Magenta, Stampscapes,/Versafine Onyx
Accessories:  Spellbinder 'Cattails' #S2-002, Tim Holtz distress inks, large sponge daubers



Saturday, February 20, 2016

SMILE

Happy Saturday Friends!
WOW it's going to be in the 60s today here in Ohio and that's going to feel SO GOOD!
Of course, I don't want to get too excited since it's going back into the 30s next week!  LOL
Oh well ... it is February and spring is right around the corner!

Today I spotted a couple of challenge I thought I'd like to participate in so I created this fun fold creation to satisfy






I have to thank my friend Vickie Y (On the Fringe) for sparking my interest on the card fold design.  Be sure to pop over to see Vickie's work ... she makes 'every style' look fabulous!!

I wasn't sure what direction I was going with today's card until I started looking through the Paper Studio 'Harper's Boutique' black & white paper pack.  Since these papers are coordinate, it gave me extra options for my various panels.  LOVE that!


It was also a lot of fun to use some items that have been sitting in my stash
and in over due need of some love (i.e.  my stamps!)
I've become so addicted to die cuts but my poor stamps have been neglected
so today I'm 'sharing the love' ... lol!

Challenges to share in:
Brown Sugar Challenge - Anything Goes
Craft for the Craic February Challenge - Something to make you SMILE
Moving Along with the Times Challenge - Words Only ... No Image
Penny Black February Challenge - Anything goes with a stamp & dies

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by!
I wish you a FABULOUS weekend ahead!
As always . . .


Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Black cs, the Paper Studio dp
Stamps/Ink:  Fiskars 'Laugh With Me Quotes', Penny Black 'butterfly edge'/ Versafine Onyx
Accessories:  Memory Box 'Fairyland Butterflies' #99078

Friday, February 19, 2016

Do Something To Make Your Heart Sing!

Hello and welcome back!
I'm always thrilled to read your comments and
thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time!

Today I have a card to share that I created as inspiration in using die cuts

At the end of last year I was over joyed to have been the Grand Prize Winner
at Sprinkle and Sparkle!  So today's card utilizes one of the adorable
stamp sets I won.  Mind you, I'm not a big animal lover,
but I do know a cute image when I see it!  LOL


This was a quick & easy design so thought I'd share
some of the details with you.

Step 1:  Created my 'background' by sponging Tim Holtz 'broken china' distress
ink 2/3 down my white card stock panel then Memento
'bamboo leaves' sponged along the lower 1/3.



Step 2:  Stamped my images using versafine onyx
ink onto my sponged panel.

Step 3:  Colored my images using Spectrum Noir
alcohol makers and die cut using the


Step 4:  Using a 2nd (larger) white card stock panel,
I sponged the same ink colors as my focus image panel.


Step 5: Mat the focus image onto black card stock
then pop up with dimensional tape to the 2nd background panel.


I couldn't help but add a few extra felines by using the Cheery Lynn Designs
'Laurel Leaves' to round out my design.

I think this 'Every single day do something that makes your heart sing' 
is a wonderful sentiment and words to live by!  I hope you do something today
that makes your heart sing!  I just did!!

Please be sure to pop on over and play along in the current 
challenge at our Dies R Us Challenge Blog.
The theme is:  USE THE COLOR RED
Just wait until you see what the DT has created to inspire you ... fantastic!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
As always . . .