Wednesday, August 31, 2016

A few more comforting words . . .

WOW the last day of August ...
where does the time go?

Yesterday I shared some sympathy cards I was working on
and after a recommendation from my good friend Diane Hover (Nellie's Nest)
I have created a few more which were inspired by a card she created 
and shared on her blog seen HERE.

As you can see, each card is the same design with the exception of the designer paper used in the background.  Several years ago a SU friend of mine was offering stacks of 6x6 SU papers she had compiled from various 12x12 packs and I just happen to run across them in my stash and thought they would be perfect!  And they were!


Here's a closer view of one of the cards along with a view of the inside.Yes they too are all the same but of course have the coordinating butterflies on the inside. 



The die used to create these cards is the Memory Box 'Reverse Butterfly Collage' and the additional butterflies were punched using the Martha Stewart '3-in-1 butterfly punch'.   The sentiment on the front is an old Impression Obsession 'Sympathy Sentiments' #CL114 and the inside sentiment is a stamp from 'My Sentiments Exactly' #H166.

These cards are quick, easy and turned out beautifully!

 Challenges to share in today are:

Deep Ocean Challenge - Things with Wings
Die Cuttin Divas Challenge - Anything Goes
Everybody Art Challenge - Butterflies
Inky Chicks Challenge - Lots of Butterflies 
Word Art Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

 Thanks so much for stopping by today and I wish you a fabulous day ahead!
As always . . .


Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Soothing words to comfort . . .

Happy Tuesday Friends . . .

With coming from such a LARGE family (mother had 8 sisters and 3 brothers) it's been glorious to enjoy all those past family reunions with games to play, family to catch up with and always PLENTY of food to eat.  But, unfortunately with time passing by, I am loosing more and more family members.  
My mom (next to the youngest) & one aunt (youngest) are all that remain of the original 12 kids.  Now I'm starting to loose 1st cousins (originally 47 of us) since many of them are in their upper 70s / low 80s. It's awesome having such a large family but SO SAD when you begin loosing them. 


Like myself, many people are in need of sympathy cards, so that what I was concentrating on yesterday while working in my crafting cave.  I try to keep them relatively simple and try to create not just strictly for a man or a woman, but create something that could be also used for either gender.


For these three cards, I went right to my old faithful Stampin' Up 2 sided 6x6 paper packs.  They are A6 in size and the portion of paper I cut off to create my background panel, was simply flipped over and used as the decorative coordinating panel.  
I've had this Around The Block 'Frame Tape' in my stash for YEARS and finally used some of it to decorate the flipped panel on the pink card and across the top on the blue card.  (I actually went that route to hide the Stampin' Up insignia on the top of the background panel that I didn't see initially.)


The cross I've used on today's cards I believe to be Spellbinder (not positive).  I've had it for a very long time and have never used it until today (my bad!!).  I die cut it twice ... once in white and once in black then offset them to mimic a shadow.  

For the sentiment I've used a stamp by the Stamp Pad Co. (OLD) and due cut the banner using the Sue Wilson 'Pierced Flags' die set (#CED4304).



 

 Here's a peek at the inside.  I did the same on all 3 cards.
 

Well I'd better get busy!
More to do and time is a wastin' ...

A few challenges to share in:
Darnell's NBUS Challenge #7 - Never Before Used Stuff  (cross & frame tape)
 Die Cutting Diva's Challenge - Anything Goes using Die Cuts
Incy Wincy Designs Challenge - Get Well / Sympathy

Hope you're having a lovely week.
Till next time and as always . . .


Monday, August 29, 2016

Never Enough Birthday Cards . . .

Happy Monday All!
WOW what a crazy week I had last week between getting together with High School friends for an Alumni Reunion and my 1st Cousins/Full Family Reunion ... I made a lot of trips to Pennsylvania and did a LOT of talking 
(not a difficult task for me mind you!  lol)

Anyways, now I really need to get down to business with my card making because we all know how time can get away from us and I have the Fall Country Club Show on Sept. 21st.   My supply of Birthday cards has dwindled so I'm concentrating on those at the moment.  We never seem to have enough Birthday cards ... why is that??  LOL






















Here's a few I made quickly the other day using a beautiful new paper pack I purchased through JoAnn.com by Dovecrafty called 'Bohemian' (thanks Diane Hover) ... it is gorgeous so of course I had to buy both the 6x6 and the 12x12 paper packs.  I think I'll be making a few tissue box covers from the 12x12 size for the show also.

Last week I shared a card  that I created for the Sisterhood of Crafters (seen here) ...


 ... as soon as one of my high school friends saw it she wanted to purchase it.  That gave me the idea that maybe it would be wise to do up a few more in this design and have them available for the show.  So I made 2 in pink and 1 in blue ... will probably make up a few more in the black & white also ...


 Using the Tattered Lace 'Roxie' fairy die, Martha Stewart '3 in 1' butterfly punch and Wild Rose Studio 'Birthday' #WRS020.

The ribbons I have used are from various packs purchased through the Really Reasonable Ribbons club.












Today I have time to play in my crafting cave so I think I will concentrate on sympathy cards.  Unfortunately, that is yet another category I can't seem to keep enough available on hand.

A few challenges to share in:
613 Avenue Creates Challenge - Anything Goes 
Amusing Challenges - Anything Goes

I hope you have a fabulous week ahead.
As always . . .

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Get out those mittens & hats . . .

 . . . well, NOT quite yet!  LOL!

Happy Sunday Everyone!
Yes, it's still summertime here in the U.S.A. but you know
how quickly time goes by and it will be time for those mittens, hats
and scarves before you know it.  ALSO ... those holiday cards!

Today I have a fun card to share that was quick, easy and
perfect for holiday mass production.


The die I've used today is the Tutti Designs 'Santa in Mitten' TUTTI-134.


As you see, I created a PAIR of mittens for todays
card but you could certainly create with just one mitten and
it would be fabulous    Just like team mate Nancy shared HERE.

 SO MANY WAYS you can use this die cut!  Here's what I decided to do . . .


Yep, the old fashioned way ... just like back in grade school art class . . . trace & cut!  LOL!
I did the first one then thought why not flip it over
and make a mitten for the other hand!  

Please be sure to pop over to the Tutti Designs Store and check out all these fabulous dies.  They are a new company, only on their 2nd/3rd release and WOW are they fabulous!  If you haven't already made a purchase ... what are you waiting for???

Need inspiration?  The team has something new to share over on the Tutti Designs Blog EACH and EVERY DAY!  Pop on over and see for yourself ... what a talented group of designers!!

I'll be back again next Sunday with a new Tutti Designs project.
In the meantime, here are all the Tutti Designs quick links you will need:


Challenges to share in:
Brown Sugar Challenge - Black/White & Splash of Color
Creative Artiste Challenge #47 - Anything Goes
Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #153 - Use your dies and machines
 Simply Papercraft Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and as always . . .



Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Red cs, American Crafts 'Hot Cocoa' designer paper
Accessories:  Doodlebug holiday Bakers Twine, Fiskars swivel craft knife, JoAnn's holiday ribbon



Friday, August 26, 2016

Fussy and Fancy - Let's Fly Away

YAY!  It's Friday!
Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog!
It's always so good to have you visit!

Today I have a card creation for my DT spot at the Fussy and Fancy Blog.  
The talented Eileen is our hostess today and her theme of choice is:

Let's Fly Away (Thing's with Wings/Holiday Destinations )
 
AND, we are proudly  
sponsored by Fresh Brewed Designs


 Even though hubby & I 'flew away' to the beautiful west coast & Alaska this summer, I think I need to start 'bugging' him about maybe 'flying away' to the warm beaches come the first of the year when the snow if flying here in Ohio and the temperatures are bitter cold.  Hence the direction my mind took for today's card.

I created the background panel by simply sponging Tim Holtz 'broken china' on the top of a white card stock panel and Tim Holtz 'tea dye' on the bottom.  My images come from a Crafty Secrets (sorry out of business) Creative Scraps sheet and my sea birds are Impression Obsession #DIE078.  

There's a STORY behind the feathers charm . . .
Each month we make donations to various organizations and don't ask me why, but in return we receive all sorts of things in the mail.  From note pads, to calculators, ... nickels & dimes to necklaces & dream catchers.  This feather charm was on one of those mentioned necklaces.  I knew I'd never wear it so I decided to use the feathers on today's card.  I wish they'd just accept and put the money to good use and stop sending 'stuff' back to us in return ... kind of defeats the purpose of our donation!!!  LOL   A simple thank you is more than enough.  

Anyways ...


I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun!
And of course for more inspiration, be sure to pop over to the blog
to see all the amazing inspiration the design team has to share!

Challenges to share in:
Simply Create Too Challenge - Use Feathers
Craft Rocket Challenge - Things with Wings
Scrapy Land Challenge #48 - Use an image + SL die
Craft-Dee Bowz August Challenge - ATG w/handmade bow

 Hope to see you there!
Until next time and as always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Teal Blue cs
Images:  Crafty Secrets
Ink:  Tim Holtz 'broken china' and 'tea dye' distress inks
Accessories:  Craft-Dee Bowz bow maker, Ribbon (Michaels), feathers charm, 3M dimensional tape, Fine Tip black marker for Faux Stitching,  large sponge daubers

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Sisterhood of Crafters - Ribbons

Happy Wednesday Everyone!
It's time for a new challenge over at The Sisterhood of Crafters!
Anna is our hostess today and she's chosen the theme:  RIBBONS


I won a Queen & Co. 3 ribbon strand prize a few years back (sorry, can't remember from where) and when I saw it hanging on my pegboard I thought that would be a good place to start today's RIBBON creation!  I also just received this adorable Tattered Lace 'Roxy' fairy die from Dies R Us and couldn't wait to see it cut!  

It's beautiful ... here's a close-up:

 The fun little butterflies were punched from black card stock and  an
old '3-in-1' butterfly punch by Martha Stewart.  

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun!

Challenges to share in:
Creative Moments Challenge #100 - Anything Goes
Fab 'n' Funky Challenge #316 - Anything Goes
 Inspiration Destination Challenge #100 - Anything Goes
The Crafty Addicts Challenge #22 - Anything Goes / Use Die Cuts
Inky Chicks Challenge #71 - Lots of Butterflies

Thanks for stopping by and as always . . .
Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Black cs
Dies:  Tattered Lace 'Roxy'
Accessories:  Three different Queen & Co ribbons, 3M dimensional tape, Martha Stewart 3-in-1 butterfly punch, Serendipity stamps, Versafine Onyx, Craft-Dee Bowz bow maker



Sunday, August 21, 2016

Tutti Designs - Let It Snow

Happy Sunday Everyone!
With all the heat we've been having the past
couple of months, I thought maybe a 'snowy' creation 
would help 'cool things off' ... LOL!

 

Today I have a creation to share using the fabulous new dies available at the Tutti Designs Store and showcased on their Tutti Designs Blog.  The talented team shares a new sample using this new line of dies each and every day of the week ... be sure to pop over and take a peek!

The die I'm using today is the Tutti Designs 'Snowglobe Scene' - Tutti-145

Here's a few tips on how my card was created . . .

Step 1:  This photo shows you the negative and positive pieces once die cut.
I wanted to 'reassemble' the scene, so I did a little coloring
on the trees, house & sky with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.


Step 2:  In order to 'reassemble', I used (recycled) packing material
from a die set and my piercing tool, to scribe around
my die in order to have the perfect shape.  I actually cut TWO.


Step 3:  I glued one acetate panel to the back of my die cut
in order to have a surface to 'reattach' the negative pieces ...
then  after adding a little Martha Stewart snow,
glued the front acetate panel,creating a true snow globe.


Step 4:  I recut the bottom portion of my die
from gold metallic card stock to create the base.
And once again reinserted the negative pieces.

A little time and patience ... but what a fun, fabulous 
end result that hopefully will make someone
say "WOW"!


Make sure and check out all the great places to see this new line of dies. 


Challenges to share in:
Crafty Friends Challenge #38 - Anything Goes
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge #295 - Cute or Anything Christmas
Creative Corner Challenge - 3 Layer Card 
A Bit More Time to Craft Challenge #26 - Always Anything Goes 
ABC Challenge - N is for Noel (Christmas creation)
Crafts and Me August Challenge - Anything Goes
The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up Challenge #20 - ATG Christmas

Thanks for stopping by today and here's wishing you a FABULOUS week ahead!

As always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Gold Metallic cs, Brown cs, acetate packing material
Dies:  Tutti Designs 'Snowglobe Scene - TUTTI-145, Sue Wilson Festive Collection 'Peeking Snowflake' CED3022 (set of four)
Accessories:  Provo Craft 'Snowflakes' embossing folder, Tim Holtz distress inks, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, dimensional tape, large sponge daubers

Saturday, August 20, 2016

A Winter's Day . . .

Happy Saturday Everyone!

Today I have a new inspiration card for the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog.  
With all the HOT weather we've been having, I'm 'cooling it off' a bit with a snowy scene!
I hope you like it!


The dies I have used on today's creation are:

CONFESSION TIME
This is NOT what I originally had in mind for my design today!  But, when I die cut the MB Snowflake Oval Frame, TWO pieces of my 5x8 white card stock  were stuck together so I ended up cutting out TWO frames and a few of the intricate snowflakes torn off the one frame before I realized what was going on ... DUH!

With that being said, I knew I would be wasting the panel with a few little missing snowflakes and decided to layer one panel on top of the other for added dimension and less waste!  (I'm getting so fickle in my old age, lol.)   The birds were die cut twice ... once in white and once in red card stock.  The branch on the white panel was colored using my Spectrum Noir alcohol marker (TN7) and the red birds were fussy cut & glued onto the white panel.


I cut off the bottom portion of the die cut and just used the snowflake portion.
A few small pieces of 3M dimensional tape and we're ready to go.


Once my focus panel was created, the 'scene' just started coming together.  
Once completed, touches of Diamond Stickles was added for sparkle.


Please don't forget to come join in the fun at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog.  There's a new challenge theme offered on the 1st and 15th of each month and one lucky randomly drawn winner will receive a gift voucher prize to the Dies R Us Store.  For your convenience, all the important Dies R Us links are provided below. 
click below for:
and we are now on Pinterest . . .
You want to be sure to stop back each and every day for amazing inspiration from my team mates!!

Challenges to share in:
Craft Rocket Challenge - Things with Wings
Crimbo Crackers Challenge - Blue Christmas
Mod Squad Challenge - The Die's The Thing

I will be back tomorrow with a new Tutti Designs creation but for now I need to get moving!  My high school class reunion is this evening over in Pennsylvania and I haven't a clue what to wear.   I hope to see you again tomorrow!  
Till then and as always . . .




Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Red cs, Hunter Green cs, DCWV 'The Winter Matstack' dp, Bo Bunny 'Altitude' 6x6 dp
Dies:  Listed above
Accessories:  3M dimensional tape (Lowes), Diamond Stickles