On a Calm Winter's Night . . .

Hi Everyone!

Today I have a card which was created primarily for the 'Stencil' challenge for Memory Box.  With the end of the month comes the end of this challenge so I figured I'd better get hoppin'!  

I truly didn't realize just how many different Memory Box Stencils I had in my stash until I started on this card but of course you know how it is . . . never the one you really want to use!  LOL

I wanted to create a 'wintry' sky and since I didn't have a stencil that really was made for that purpose,  I used the Modern Pop Dots stencil and the Bubbles stencil along with a few different Tim Holtz blue distress inks to create the sky.  

Next I wanted to create the landscape.  To do that, I used the Memory Box 'Fresh Pine Landscape' die. 

Of course, you can't have a wintry, forest scene with a couple deer!  So, I chose the Memory Box Woodland Deer (older die) and Dee's Distinctively 'Deer 2' for today's scenery card.  For added dimension, I die cut two Memory Box Snowflake Corners.  I just LOVE this die!

Here's a closer look at my stenciled background ...

I have so much fun creating cards using primarily die cuts.  And never gave it a thought to use my stencils for the background ... even if they weren't designed for exactly what you're in need of!  Guess you could consider that 'thinking outside the box' LOL.   I also added specks of snow using a while gelly roll pen and highlights to the levels of snow using Stickles.

Challenges I'd like to share in today are:
ABC Christmas Challenge - T is for Two (two deer)
Addicted to Stamps & More Holiday Challenge - Holiday (Christmas)
Christmas at Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog - Christmas Die Cuts
Fab'n'Funky Challenge - Christmas
A Snowflakes Promise Challenge #29 - ATG optional/seasons
Create & Makes Challenge #4 - ATG w/dies
Craft-Dee Bowz September Challenge - ATG w/handmade bow
Crafty Ribbon Challenge #169 - Lace or Ribbon


Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by!
Hope you have a fabulous day and as always . . .

Sisterhood of Crafters - Fall Harvest

Hello All!

It's time for a new challenge over at 

The Sisterhood of Crafters!

Diane is our hostess today and she has chosen the theme:

FALL HARVEST

(anything to do with a fall harvest, tractors, apples, corn, pumpkins, 

scarecrows, gourds, Indian corn, acorns, grapes, sunflowers... etc)

 I decided to go with this wonderful tractor/corn image that is actually a

sticker that I found in my scrap booking stash.

Growing up on a small farm, there was always a tractor in the barn and

this one kind of reminds me of the one my Dad had.

Although we didn't have fields and fields of corn, we did have several gardens in which  we grew corn as well as many other vegetables.  And, on the back acreage Dad planted a field of potatoes so when harvest time came, Dad would drive his tractor down through the rows and turn the soil over so my sister's and I could follow behind and pick up the potatoes and put them into boxes for winter storage.  It was a lot of work at the time but fond memories now!!

 

Inside View

I hope you'll come join in our 'Fall Harvest' challenge fun.

For inspiration, be sure to pop over to our challenge blog and check out

the amazing creations my 'sistahs' have created!

Challenges to share in:
Cards in Envy Challenge - Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall
 Crafty Boots Challenge - Autumn is in the Air
Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #173 - Autumn 
Critters and Creatures Challenge #7 - Anything Goes with critters/creatures (Cat)
The Crazy Challenge #232 - Autumn is Coming

 Hope to see you there!  

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Brown cs, Black cs, Rust cs, DCWV dp

Accessories:  Poppy Stamps 'Picket Fence', Impression Obsession 'cats', Lawn Fawn 'Large & Small Cross Stitched Rectangle stackables'

Snowflake Sparkle

Happy Sunday Everyone!

It's my turn today to share a new, inspirational creation using dies from the  

Tutti Designs Store.  

Have you checked out this new die company yet?  If not, you truly owe it to yourself to pop over to see the fabulous die designs available.  They just came out with their 3rd release and keep watching because there is MORE TO COME!

Today I'm creating with the beautiful 'Snowflake Corner' - TUTTI-118

I love vintage design so I've used an image from the Crafty Secrets Christmas booklet (no longer in business but still available online) for the image portion of my card  ... along with BoBunny background designer paper.

A touch of sparkle was added around the entire background panel as well

as on this beautiful snowflake corner embellishment.

By die cutting a portion of the die from a scrap of white card stock and doing a

little 'snipping' ... I was able to create a coordinating snowflake

panel to adorn the lower portion of my card.

And, of course more sparkle was added to this embellishment also.

Please be sure to pop over to the Tutti Designs Store and check out all of these fabulous dies. 

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!!

Challenges to share in:
Crafts Galore Encore September Challenge - Anything Goes
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas September Challenge - Anything Goes w/Christmas
Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper September Challenge - Anything Goes w/patterned paper
Happy Little Stamper Challenge - Anything Goes w/Dies
Paper Creator's September Challenge #51 - Christmas
My Sheri Crafts Challenge #191 - Christmas

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:

Tutti Designs Store

Tutti Designs Pinterest

Tutti Designs Facebook

Tutti Designs Blog

 Thanks for stopping by and as always . . .

Fussy and Fancy Time

Hello Everyone!

It's time once again for a new challenge over at the 

Fussy and Fancy Challenge Blog!

 

This new challenge is hosted by Gina and the theme she has chosen is

 MY FAVORITE THINGS

(create using your favorite things)

Our sponsor is Wild Orchid Crafts

Since I enjoy vintage design with layers, flowers, ribbons/lace, sparkle, etc.,
here's what I created for your inspiration today!
Oh yea ... I have a family wedding to attend this month so the timing was perfect!  LOL

The bride has chosen soft pinks/greens and a floral motif 
as your design of choice so I thought I'd stick within those parameters 
for their special wedding card.

For my background I have used the Spellbinder Card Creator 5x7 Enchanted Labels 28
die set.  The larger die was cut using ivory linen card stock then backed
with soft pink card stock.  I felt it was too plain so I rummaged around
in my stash and found a little flower and small leaf stamps
to add a little 'character' to the background.

On the soft pink panel I have simply tied thin pink satin ribbon at the corners 
using 'love knots' then added a touch of liquid pearls here and there. 
Since every wedding card must have sparkle so I added touches of 
Diamond Stickles to the flowers, the corners and on the dress!

The Cheery Lynn Designs 'I DO' bride & groom
were die cut twice ... once in white and once in black card stock
then offset to create the 'shadow' affect.

Challenges to share in:
Brown Sugar Challenge #217 - Anything Goes
Crafting with Friends Challenge #28 - Anything Goes
 Crafty Catz Challenge #339 - Anything Goes / option ribbon & pearls
Art Impressions Challenge #193 - Cards to DIE for

Please be sure to pop over to the challenge blog and take a peek 
at what the DT has created to inspire you! 
 A very talented group of ladies!!  
And then come join in the fun!   
GOOD LUCK!!

Thanks for stopping by today and as always . . .

 Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Black cs, Ivory cs, Pink cs
Stamps/Ink:  Stampin' Up/ Tim Holtz 'Picked Raspberry', Colorbox 'Rose Coral', Memento 'Bamboo Leaves'
Dies:  Cheery Lynn Designs 'I DO' #B516, Spellbinder 'Card Creator - 5x7 Enchanted Labels 28' #S6-003
Accessories:  Wild Orchid Roses, Liquid Pearls, Diamond Stickles, Dimensional tape, Pink Satin Ribbon

Double D Challenge - Trees

Hello Friends . . .

It's time once again for me to be your hostess at the

Double D Challenge Blog.

Today our challenge to you is to create using

*** TREES ***

on your card/project.

 Here's the tile board I've created to hopefully

help get your mojo started ...

Trees can be so beautiful in so many ways!

Even though I love seeing all the leaves filling the branches at the

start of spring and the gorgeous colors of the leaves in the fall,

I think there's nothing more beautiful than seeing

the trees after a fresh fallen snow ... so that was the inspiration

for my card today.  

 I just love making this sort of scenery card utilizing
sponging for the background and dies for the foreground!
It's really so easy ... but yet so eye appealing (at least I think it is).

 I've die cut the Memory Box Simply Evergreen Frame #99243 from white card stock then cut another white panel the same size.  By laying the frame on top of the panel I could see where I wanted my 'sky sponging' to end so marked with a small pencil line.
I punched a circle from masking medium to use as my moon then started sponging.  First a light coat of Tim Holtz 'broken china'  then 'stormy sky' distress inks then Versafine Onyx around the outter edge.  Peeled off my 'moon mask' and viola!  the sky is complete!

Well not quite!
I decided I needed Santa in the scene flying over the tree tops on a snowy night!
So I pulled out this VERY OLD AMuse Santa stamp and used a white gelly roll pen to create the falling snow.
 A touch of icy branches was required to give that 'brrrr cold winter's night' feeling so added Crystal Stickles to the ends of the branches of my trees for that affect.  (see closeup below)
The snow covered ground was created by simply tearing scrap pieces of white card stock and layering so I could tuck the Impression Obsession Fir Trees (#DIE084) down behind.  Of course a little touch of Crystal Stickles was added to the snow mounds also.

 My sentiment panel was created using the Sue Wilson 'Pierced Flags' (#CED4304) and the Poppystamps 'Fancy Believe' (#1280) word dies.  A few iridescent sequins and this card is ready for holiday mailing.

I do hope you'll come check out our Double D Challenge blog and join in our fun.

Challenges to share in:
That's Crafty Challenge - Christmas in September
 Christmas at Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Christmas Die Cuts
 Crafting by Designs Get Ready for Christmas September Challenge - Winter Fun
A Snowflakes Promise Challenge #29 - ATG Seasons
Cards and More Challenge #167 - No Designer Paper (must stamp - Santa is stamped)
Ike's World Challenge - Things that Fly (Santa's sleigh)

AND THERE'S A PRIZE offered with each challenge!  The team selects their Top 3 Favorites as well as the Challenge WINNER but the PRIZE WINNER is selected by Random. org.  So everyone has a fair chance of winning the prize.

  Come join in ... that winner could be YOU!!

Till next time and as always . . .

 Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Black cs
Dies:  Sue Wilson 'Pierced Flags' #CED4304, Memory Box 'Fancy Believe' #1280, Impression Obsession 'Fir Trees' #DIE084, Memory Box 'Simple Evergreen Frame' #99243
Stamp/Ink:   AMuse Santa Stamp, Versafine Onyx ink, Tim Holtz 'Broken China', Tim Holtz 'Stormy Sky'
Accessories:  Large sponge daubers, sequins, Stickles, Masking Medium, White Gelly Roll Pen

Hummingbird Scene

Happy Sunday Everyone!

It's my turn today to share a new, inspirational creation using dies from the  

Tutti Designs Store.  

Have you checked out this new die company yet?  If not, you truly owe it to yourself to pop over to see the fabulous die designs available.  They just came out with their 3rd release and keep watching because there is MORE TO COME!

 Today I'm creating with the beautiful 'Hummingbird Scene' - TUTTI-157

The background for my card was created by brayering dye ink over an Anna Griffin embossing folder then running it through my embossing machine using white card stock.  Easy and very effective!

Here's how it all began!  I thought I'd give water coloring my dies this time around and I LOVE how easy and beautiful they  came out!  I used the same angle brush, my water colors and a spray bottle of water.  I kept a wet baby wipe next to me to clean the brush in between colors. A spray of water into the color of my choice and away we went . . .

First the little pink flowers ...Next my hummingbird ... what fun it was to color him!  Starting with the ruby throat then a mix of blues and greens.

I could have stopped right there but decided to do the outside circle in the lime green to keep it subtle and still showcase the colors on this beautiful hummingbird die.

I must admit, when using various colors on one intricate die like this hummingbird, using the water colors was the best approach ... I will be using this technique again soon so beware!  LOL

I also wanted to achieve a little more dimension so I die cut my hummingbird two more times.  Once using white and again using black card stock then glued them together with just the slightest 'off set' with each panel.

A little ribbon and a few sequins were all that was needed to complete today's creation!

Please be sure to pop over to the Tutti Designs Store and check out all of these fabulous dies.  

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 each Sunday with a new Tutti Designs project.

In the meantime, here are all the Tutti Designs quick links you will need:

Tutti Designs Store

Tutti Designs Pinterest

Tutti Designs Facebook

Tutti Designs Blog

 Thanks for stopping by!

 

Congratulations!

Hello Everyone!

Today I have a card to share that was created for a beautiful young lady who lives across the street and  just got engaged.  What an exciting time for her & her family.  I know the wedding is going to be super amazing so I'll have to be thinking about an awesome wedding card but that's a year away so I have some time!  LOL

 

 The dies I have used today are:

Sue Wilson Spanish Collection Background - CED1201

and

Avery Elle Sentimentals - AE-D1601 

  

 I have covered the beautiful center on this frame this time around, so that the lovely script sentiment would stand out against the solid panel.

A little faux stitching with a white Gelly Roll pen and matching satin ribbon tied into a love knot was all that was necessary to complete this encouraging engagement card.

Although it doesn't show up well in the above photo, the embossing on this Sue Wilson die is beautiful and this die cut panel could easily stand alone on a card with maybe just a little flower in the center diamond panel.

Please remember, each an every day of the month there's a new inspiration sample shared on the blog by this fabulous design team.  Please be sure to pop over and check it out!

And, 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:

STORE
CHALLENGE BLOG
FACEBOOK
INSPIRATION BLOG

FRIENDS OF DIES R US PINTEREST PAGE


Thanks so much for stopping by today!  

I hope you have found inspiration in today's creation!

Challenges to share in:
My Time to Craft Challenge - Stitching (faux or real)
A Vintage Journey September Challenge - Create within a Frame
Creative Corner Challenge - No Pattern Paper Allowed

Until next time and as always . . .

 

Oh to be 14 again . . .

Hello Everyone!

Hubby and I are currently hanging out in a hotel room at the Hyatt in Pittsburgh PA waiting until it's time to get ready for the family dinner this evening which is in honor of our nephew Kevin and his beautiful bride Jennifer.  Their wedding is tomorrow and I am so happy for this lovely couple and excited to be a part of it.

But before all this fun begins, I wanted to share with you a project Mark & I got involved in prior to leaving for the weekend. 

Upon our arrival back home we have a 14th birthday party to attend and only this week were informed of something this beautiful 14 year old girl would like to have for her birthday that her mom was struggling to come up with.  So, after she described what it was her daughter wanted, I quickly got hubby involved and he said 'tell her we've got it covered' lol!  I might be crafty with paper but my husband is very crafty with everything else!  LOL

Any guesses?  LOL

I know, it just looked like a frame ... right?

Well, basically it is.  She wanted something that she could place on the wall UNDER her loft bed and above her desk (which of course is also under her loft bed) that she could hang photos, notes, etc on.

Here is what Mark came up with . . .

Since space is limited, the frame had to be long and narrow and at this point has two wires for hangings.  We can always add another wire if she wants one.  I simply (and quickly) printed out 4x6 letters to add to the top wire (in lieu of a card) and of course a little CA$H to add to the bottom wire.

I knew she would see this if I posted it to my FB page but I don't think she follows my blog LOL  Certainly don't want to ruin the surprise!   

okay ... time to get ready to PARTY!!!  

Have a fabulous weekend ... I know I will!

Sisterhood - The colors of Halloween!

Hello All!

Time for a new challenge over at The Sisterhood of Crafters blog.

Today's challenge is being hosted my MWAH and the theme I have chosen is:

The Colors of Halloween

 

Now, even though we are using the colors of Halloween, it doesn't have to be a Halloween card/project ... BUT, you must use at least TWO of the colors shown above.  Here's what I came up with ...

 To pull together the colors I wanted to use, I went right to my watercolor paper

and Ken Oliver Color Bursts.  They always make for such a striking background!!

And I am certainly pleased with today's panel!

I just received the Lawn Fawn 'Large and Small Cross Stitched Rectangle Stackables'

and so got busy creating the frame I wanted to use for this bold

and beautiful background panel.  Since it's really hard to see the detail of these

dies on the photo above, I've cropped a portion of the photo so

you can see that wonderful cross stitched detail.

How fortunate for me that I just happened to have the correct

color sequins in my stash.  Perfect accent along with the fun I/O Balloon

which I have flying in the corner with a Baker's twine string.

I've coordinated the inside sentiment by using two panels cut
with the same cross stitched rectangle dies and balloon.

 

That pretty much does it for me today!

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

to seeing what YOU create using the Colors of Halloween!!

Challenges to share in:
Cuttlebug Mania September Challenge - ATG with die cuts
Ooh La La Creations Challenge - Anything Goes
UnstampaBelles September Challenge - Changing Seasons + Masculine

Till next time and as always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  Watercolor paper, Black cs, Orange cs
Dies:  Lawn Fawn 'Large Cross Stitched Rectangle Stackables' #LF1178 & ' Small Cross Stitched Rectangle Stackables' #LF1179, Impression Obsession 'Balloons' #DIE359, Sue Wilson 'Happy Birthday' #CED5406
Accessories:  Ken Oliver Color Burst  (Violet, Terre Verte, Orange), sequins, Bakers Twine (purple & white)

Birds in a Tree . . .

Happy Sunday Everyone!

It's my turn today to share a new, inspirational creation using dies from the  

Tutti Designs Store.  

Have you checked out this new die company yet?  If not, you truly owe it to yourself to pop over to see the fabulous die designs available.  They just came out with their 3rd release and keep watching because there is MORE TO COME!

For today's creation I chose to use the 'Scrolly Bird Tree' TUTTI-161 die.

My mind was going in so many different directions on how I wanted to showcase this die but I settled on something relatively simple and it all began once I die cut the die and started coloring it.

As you can see, I decided to color my die cut before actually breaking it away from the card stock panel.

I've never colored a die cut this way before but really like how it came out ... actually pretty easy and fun.

Then, once I had my die image colored I decided to use the same colors to create a background frame to showcase this lovely Scrolly Bird Tree.  By simply scribbling color onto a card stock panel using the same 3 colors I used to color the Scrolly Bird Tree die cut.  Using a rectangle die, I created the frame I was wanting to showcase my lovely tree.

 

Leaving me with a coordinating panel that could be used on the inside of my card for the sentiment as seen here.  

TIP:

By choosing 'scrolly' styled sentiments, I was able to coordinate the beautiful scrolly design of the tree on my card front with the wording on the inside panel.  Sometimes those little details will make the biggest difference in your creations.

ANOTHER FUN TIP:

Don't be afraid to use 'pieces' of your die cuts to use as accents on your creations as I have done here.

 

By simply die cutting a portion of the die onto a scrap piece of white card stock and coloring the 'scrolly' portions with the same marker, I was able to create the 'leafy accent pieces' I needed for my corner floral embellishment.

In hind sight, I could have colored one of the birds and popped it up on the branch for added dimension  ... I'll have to keep that in mind for next time!  LOL

Please be sure to pop over to the Tutti Designs Store and check out all of these fabulous dies. 

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:

Tutti Designs Store

Tutti Designs Pinterest

Tutti Designs Facebook

Tutti Designs Blog

 Thanks for stopping by and as always . . .