Monday, July 30, 2018

Sum More Fun . . .

Happy Monday All!

While 'chatting' with BFF Diane (Nellie's Nest) yesterday, we decided to each pick a challenge for a day of this week that we had open on our blogs and each join in ... just to see how different (or same) our creations would be using the same challenge theme.

Today we are playing along in the SumMore Fun Challenge Blog
Blog Badge

and here's a peek at their mood board for the current challenge  ...


HERE is what I came up with using the (top center) image from
the mood board as my inspiration ...


The product used on this creation is:

Inkadinkado Stamp (front)
Impression Obsession Stamp (inside)
Versafine Onyx Ink
Finger dauber

INSIDE
As you can see,  I used the remaining panel from my front oval cut for the inside of my card.

For the butterfly:
I created two different watercolor panels using Tim Holtz Oxide Distress Inks in various shades of blue.  One I used for my oval panel as a background for my butterfly panels and the second one for the butterfly itself.  I actually die cut the butterfly 3 times (twice from white card stock & once from the blue watercolor panel)  After gluing them together, I then laid my die onto the watercolor panel,  traced around it & fussy cut it out to create my solid background panel.  This helped to create extra movement & dimension on my butterfly.


The flowers were also cut twice.  Once from a scrap of white card stock that I colored with my yellow Spectrum Noir alcohol marker and that a second 'outline' cut for the backing.  They were both shaped using a stylus & foam mat.

Challenges to share in:
Dare2BArtzy July Challenge - Birthday
Dragonfly Dreams July Challenge - Summer
Crafty Catz Challenge #427 - ATG twist - use something yellow

This was fun and we are going to do it again on Thursday of this week using a different challenge so be sure to pop back then to see what we've come up with!  I love having crafting friends to create &  be challenged by!  I am always learning from them!!    OH!  Don't forget to stop over and see what Diane created and of course share a little love with her!

Until next time . . .
Thanks so much for stopping by...
As always . . .


Saturday, July 28, 2018

One for the Boys!

Hello my friends!
Hope you're having a FABULOUS weekend!
Over on the new challenge blog called Back to Basics and Beyond 
 their theme this time around is to use your Embossing Folders!
 I can't tell you the last time I pulled from my box of embossing folders, so I just HAD to play along!  Plus, I'm thrilled to say my card for their last challenge (create a Step Card) was chosen among the Top 3  ... that card can be seen here!  
What do you think??


I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out ... but,
do you know how hard it is to photograph shiny foil paper?
It was actually easier to create the card then to photograph it!! 
I kept photo bombing my own photos!  LOL

Anyways, I chose to go with a masculine card today and that was made quick and easy by using the Cuttlebug Steel Plate embossing folder.  Then I had fun playing with the Impression Obsession Classic Truck.
Impression Obsession - Dies - Classic Truck

Keeping it relatively simple, all I needed next was the sentiment and I decided to go with the Poppystamps Musical Happy Birthday which I die cut twice ... once in red and one in black.   Then I put them together just slightly offset to create a shadow effect.
 Poppystamps - Dies - Musical Happy Birthday
The truck has been popped up with dimension tape for a little extra dimension.
Here's a photo from the opposite angle ...
I hope you've enjoyed today's share and just maybe I've inspired you to come join in this fun new challenge!  Have a great weekend and hope to see you over on the BBB Challenge Blog.

Challenges to share in:
Crafting From The Heart Challenge #216 - ATG
The Creative Crafters Challenge #6 - ATG
Not Just Cards July Challenge - ATG
As always . . .

Friday, July 27, 2018

Dies R Us Inspiration - Life is Better at the Beach

Hello All!
Today I'm filling in for DT member Felicita over on the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog!
Wow!  Here we are at the end of July already ... where is summer going?
Never fear, there is still time to hit the beaches and soak up those rays!  LOL
And, that is what my card is all about today!

 Oh yes!  
I'm not a big sun worshiper but I do love listening to the waves crashing against the shore and getting my feet wet as I walk along the surf!

I'm so happy with this card ... here's a peek at it's creation.

First I pulled all my pieces together ... creating my 'water' background first using watercolor paper and Tim Holtz Distress Oxide ink  ... Salty Ocean.


I then die cut the Memory Box 'Oceana Corner' from white card stock and proceeded to color in the fish/shells for a touch of color.
 

And, of course there are two things you need when heading for the beach ... swim wear & flip flops!  I just love the new Cheery Lynn Designs Flip Flops & Board Shorts die set ... are those flip flops cute or what!!!!  LOL
 Cheery Lynn Designs - Flip Flops & Board Shorts
I spotted this scrap piece of designer paper and thought it would be perfect for the shorts.  
What do you think?  
 
 There is a bow for the shorts that cuts out on the die, but I thought I would add a little more dimension and texture by using a piece of baker's twine and tie my own bow.  I also popped the shorts up using Thermoweb 3d Foam Squares.


 All that was missing was my sentiment and this Impression Obsession sentiment die was PERFECT!!
 I hope you've enjoyed what I've shared today!

Challenges to share in:
Crafteezee Challenge - Summer
Art Impressions Challenge #237 - Summer Vibes
Star Stampz Challenge - Summer is Here
Cards in Envy Challenge - On the Beach
Dream Valley Challenge #182 - All Things Bright & Beautiful

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:

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

Thursday, July 26, 2018

I is for Ice Cream ... yum!

Hello Friends!
I must confess, I am an Ice Cream Junkie!
I could eat the stuff everyday but my waistline says NO!
So I'll have to get my fix another way!  How about the new challenge over


I've had this vintage image for quite some time and this was the perfect chance to share it!   I couldn't believe I didn't have any ice cream dies (on my Dies R Us wishlist now!  LOL) so went to Pinterest and found this FREE printable ice cream cone.  I colored it with my prisma pencils then fussy cut it so I could pop it up in the corner.
My sentiment was created using the Memory Box Classic Upper Case Alphabet dies.

Memory Box - Dies - Classic Upper Alphabet

My background paper is from the Echo Park 'Happy Birthday' 6x6 pad.

Echo Park - Paper Pad - 6

I used a sheet of neutral card stock from an old DCWV mat stack paper pack for the matting of my image as well as the sentiment die cut letters.  A little faux stitching with a red ZIG marker and VIOLA!  


This is a fun challenge to play along in ... I hope you'll check it out!

Challenges to share in:
Cards 4 Galz Challenge #76 - Food and/or Drink
Star Stampz Challenge - Summer is Here

As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Sisterhood of Crafters - Summer Vacation

Hello dear friends!
Wow!  Time is sure flying by!
It's already time for a new challenge over

The theme today is a fun one ...

Summer Vacation!


Hubby & I went on an awesome vacation this year which took nearly the entire month of May!  Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, Bora Bora & Tahiti  It was AMAZING!!!    Everyone who knows me is aware that I do NOT like to wear shoes!  I am definitely a FLIP FLOP kinda gal!!   My motto is 'No Snow, No Shoes'!!!

A couple summers ago while visiting my BFF Diane (Nellie's Nest), we were shopping in Shipshewana, IN and found this fun 6x6 paper pack by PhotoPlay called  'Summer Daydreams'.  The shorts & flip flops are by Cheery Lynn Designs and the sentiment is by Impression Obsession.


Aren't those flip flops cool?
Not sure how they are going to look after being flattened in an envelope
but hopefully the recipient will understand and 'spring them back up'. 

I've used the same paper for my flip flops & shorts.  However, to make the shorts stand out better against this beautiful but busy background, I decided I needed to do some matting!  So, after using bakers twine to create my swim trunks tightening strings, I adhered the shorts to lime green card stock and fussy cut around the shape.  That wasn't quiet enough so I adhered them to a scrap of black card stock and once again fussy cut around to create depth & dimension.


I also die cut my sentiment twice and off set the letters to create a 'shadow effect'.

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun at The Sisterhood of Crafters!
My 'sistahs' have created some fabulous creations to help inspire you ... 
be sure to pop over and check them out!

Challenges to share in:
Ellibelle's Creative  Moments Wednesday Challenge - Summer
Crafteezee Shop Summer Challenge
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Dream Factory Challenge #58 - The Beach

As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!


Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Morning ...

Hello Everyone and Happy Tuesday!

I was just outside watering my flowers and thought I'd snap a
couple photos to share with you.

On the side of the garage, it's a Morning Glory TAKE OVER!  LOL
Believe it or not, there is (was) a rose bush on that corner.
After returning from our month long trip in May, I noticed that the rose
bush hadn't survived the winter but at that point, the Morning Glories
had already started taking over the space so I just left it alone.
Come fall ... I will take it all out of there and start anew.


To give them another place (other than the down spouts)
to climb on, I put up this structure that did have
wind chimes hanging from it and was a gift from friends,
but the windchimes are laying on the shelf needing restrung (another
task I hadn't gotten around to yet ... my bad) so put it in place for the
morning glories ... appears they appreciated my efforts.


AND ... LOOKS WHO'S BACK HOME!!


After that horrible 'shattered sunroof' incident on the interstate,


she's all fixed and back home!  YAY!!

Well that's it for me today ... sorry, no crafting to share today,
just the reality part of my happy life!  LOL

As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!


Monday, July 23, 2018

Fun with a Crafting Friend

Hello All and Happy Monday!

Today I'm sharing a card that I created using a colorful panel created during a visit to new crafting friend Doni High (Lime Green Giggles) home last week.  It's been years since I played with the emboss resist technique and Doni put a new twist on it  by using metal dies in conjunction with the coloring.   What a fun day we had!


We stamped a large background stamp using versamark onto watercolor paper then embossed using white embossing powder.  Then we started the coloring process using distress inks onto a craft mat, spritzed with water.  By using a paint brush, you brush the ink inside the metal die opening to create your pattern.  I used various colors and different sized dies.   Isn't that cool???




Here's a peek at Doni concentrating on the panel she was creating.  She used a square die which worked really well too.  I was amazed how different (yet same) each of our panels looked when completed.   Here's also a peek at one side of Doni's crafting space ... now you can see where her blog name came from!  LOL

Did you spot Doni photo bombing my photo of her craft space?  LOL ... she's so much fun!

I created a second panel which you will see in card form down the road, and on that panel I simply did an ombre coloring style (in purple of course).   It's amazing how fast time goes when you're having fun with a friend!  Before I knew it, dinnertime was upon me and I had to get back home.  BUT ... we live close enough to each other that I'm sure we will enjoy many more fun crafting days together!






Challenges to share in:
613 Avenue Create Challenge #211 - ATG / Twist - create your own background paper
Inkspirational Challenges #165 - Word Prompt - Birthday
Seize the Birthday Challenge - Stripes or Anything Goes Birthday

Well that's it for me today!  
I have four large projects in the workings and here I am
playing with something else!  LOL ... oh well , I'm having fun
and that's what this is all about!!!

As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!

Ooops!  I was having so much fun sharing our fun day I forgot to share the other elements of this card.  I've used the Poppystamps 'Jumbled Happy Birthday' die set as my sentiment.  Cut once in white and once from a scrap of white that I inked up using Tim Holtz Salty Ocean distress ink then off set them to create a shadow effect.  I didn't like the sentiment directly on my colorful panel so I adhered them to a sheet of vellum , cut it out in a rectangle and adhered in the corners with glue dots.  Viola!

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Christmas in July

Hello Everyone!
Happy Mid July ... wow!  already??

I've been seeing a lot of Christmas in July challenges out there in blogland
so decided to play along in a few.  PLUS, I just received my order from
Dies R Us yesterday and had a few wonderful Sue Wilson dies in it
that I just couldn't wait to die cut & create with.

What do you think??


Like so many of my cards of late, this is designed with all dies ... no stamping.
(that's what happens when you have as many dies as I have ... LOL)

I've combined some old & new arrivals to create today's card and I'm very happy with the outcome.  Here's a few steps taken in his creation . . .

After die cutting my new Sue Wilson Lattice Poinsettia Background from red card stock, I die cut the edges using the largest in the Tutti Designs Cross Stitched Rectangle die set.   Then die cut a white panel using the same Tutti die for the backing of my lattice panel.  Next I die cut another red lattice panel and proceeded to snip out the poinsettias so I could pop them up with dimensional tape over the original panel.




After adhering the fussy cut poinsettia's to the main panel, 
I added centers to my flowers using Nuvo Dandelion Yellow Crystal Drops

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Gloss Dandlion Yellow


I rummaged through my 6x6 paper packs to find the background
paper that would work best to showcase this beautiful panel and decided
upon a Carta Bella paper pack called 'A Very Merry Christmas'.

My sentiment panel is from Dovecraft called  'Merry Christmas' and I
also felt I needed something to balance the lower corner so went with the

Here's another peek at the finished card.  I hope you draw inspiration from
today creation ... I certainly draw inspiration from all of you!!

Oh yea, I ran the sentiment tag back through using a couple scraps of
yellow card stock for the stars and glued them in to help pull it all together color wise.

Challenges to share in:
Crafter's Castle Challenge #7 - ATG (option/ Christmas in July)
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge #395 - ATG Christmas (option/use red)
Di's Digi Challenge - Christmas in July
Aud Sentiments Challenge #208 - Christmas in July + Sentiment
Mod Squad Challenge - Christmas in July
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Dies and/or Punches

As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!


Ooops!  Forgot to mention, the white panel in between the poinsettia panel 
and the designer paper panel is also a Sue Wilson die called 'Poinsettia Mini Background' 
Sue Wilson Designs - Festive Collection - Poinsettia Mini Background 
 HAPPY DAY ALL!!