Masculine Birthday

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

I never seem to have enough birthday cards in my stash so today I'm working on more birthday cards ... specifically masculine cards today!  

When my mojo isn't quite up to par, I like to use a sketch as my jumping point ... today I've used the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge for an excellent starting point.

I knew I had a variety of masculine/woodsy type design papers in my stash which are from an old DCWV 12x12 paper pack so that was my next step ... choosing papers that were more masculine to go with my sketch.

I liked this basic sketch design but then improvised a bit using a few extra dies as accents.

The Creative Expressions Sue Wilson 'Trailing Ivy' #CED1423 worked beautifully with the ivy background paper.  And I couldn't wait to die cut this fabulous Amy Designs 'Wintertide' Owl #ADD10083.  He's been hanging around for a month or so and finally I found just the right opportunity to use him.  He's die cut from white card stock then I went over him with a light gray Spectrum Noir alcohol marker just to showcase the highlights of the die.  Isn't he handsome! 

I really like how this card came together and I hope you find inspiration in it too!  

Challenges to share in:

Card Mania Challenge #88 - Layer It

Country View January Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafts and Me January Challenge  - New Beginnings / New Stash (New Owl Die)

Happy Little Stamper January Challenge - Anything Goes with Dies

Let's Craft and Create Challenge #121 - Things with Wings

Dragonfly Journeys Challenge #83 - Birthday Bash

The Male Room Challenge #51 - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Please stop back tomorrow when I'll have a card post telling you all about the second half of the Anniversary Celebration at the Double D Challenge Blog.  Extra prizes will be given away just as we did in the first challenge of the new year.  You'll want to be sure to check it out and come join in the fun!!

Till tomorrow ...

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  DCWV 12 x 12 designer paper, white cs, dark gray cs, forest green cs

Dies:  Amy Designs 'Wintertide Owl', Tutti Designs 'Nesting Stitched Circles', Tutti Designs 'Happy', Tutti Designs 'Birthday', Sue Wilson 'Trailing Ivy'

Accessories:  Gold Pilot Marker (gold trim on background panel), Spectrum Noir Alcohol Marker (IG1), Forest Green Offray satin ribbon, dimensional tape

Oh to be 13 again . . .

Happy Weekend Everyone!

It's a busy time of the year for me in preparing for the several Fall craft shows I like to participate in.  And it's also time for one of my favorite neighborhood young ladies birthday!  You've seen Ms. Olivia & her sister, Ms. Emily, from time to time on my blog and this week Ms. Olivia is THIRTEEN! 

WOW!  She was only a year old when we moved into the neighborhood and Emily wasn't even born yet.  We've really enjoyed watching these lovely young ladies grow!  And, how honored are we to always be invited to their family birthday parties.  I always try to make a SPECIAL card that reflects WHO they are from year to year and here's what I've come up with for Ms. Olivia today.

I recently ordered a couple of the new Ken Oliver 'color burst' sets and thought I'd give them a try today!  LOVE how the backgrounds turned out ... such beautiful color and I think Ms. "O" (as we call her) will love it!  The 13 background panel was computer generated in Word10 and the Happy Birthday die I used is Creative Expressions 'Sue Wilson'.

Challenges to share in:

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge #100 - Celebrations 

Crafty Catz Challenge - Special Occasions

Creative Artiste Challenge #6 - Anything Goes

Creative Corner Challenge - Party Time

Unfortunately we won't be able to join the party this evening.

I'm hosting a surprise Retirement party for another friend ... but hopefully I'll get home in time to pop over for a piece of cake!  LOL

I'd better get movin' ... lots to do before heading out this afternoon!

Thanks for stopping by!

As Always . . .

Fall Birthdays!

Happy Friday my friends!

Today I have a fun Fall Birthday card to share with you using digital paper & image from the Craft Secrets Store!  This card could be used for either a male or female birthday.

The Crafty Secrets items used are:

Earthy Floral Paper

Digital Birds & Blossoms 4-page Download

This 4-page download is FABULOUS and I'm sure you will use it over & over!  And it's a great bargain too ... please be sure to check it out.

And, while you are visiting the store, don't miss out on this . . .

  You will find all of these amazing blowout packs on the front page of our online CraftyVintageGirl.com Store.  Don't miss out on these and they would also make amazing Christmas gifts for your crafty friends and family members!

A few challenges to share in today:

Crafty Girls Challenge - Anything Goes

DRS Designs Challenge - Leaf it to me!

Eclectric Paperie September Challenge - Fall

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie Challenge - Fall Color

Dazzling Diva Challenge #44 - Fall Color

Crafting for all Seasons - Autumn Colors
Creative Moments Challenge #52 - Anything Goes/use 3 layers
Little Red Wagon Challenge - Anything Fall
Stampavie and More Challenge #221 - Birthdays

I have a busy weekend ahead!  

A TWO-DAY Craft Show in Barberton, OHio!

That should keep me out of trouble!!  LOL!

Have a great weekend and thanks so much for stopping by today!

Till next time ...

Recipe:

Papers - Olive cs, Garden green cs, scraps of red, orange, persimmon & brown cs, Earthy Floral Paper

Dies - Cheery Lynn Designs 'Happy' #B226 and 'Birthday' #B231, Creative Expressions Susan Wilson 'Finishing Touches Classic Rose' #CED1407 (individual leaves), Creative Expressions Susan Wilson 'Finishing Touches Grand Vinery' #CED1419, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Sweet William' #B307, Gold Stickles

A Prima Doll for Emily!

Good Morning All!

Today I would like to share with you a birthday card I created (at the last minute of course) for our little neighbor girl Emily who turned 9 over the weekend.    She (and her sister) are SO ADORABLE and if you follow my blog, you'll know who I'm talking about because I showcase these cute kids probably as much as I do my own grandchildren!  LOL!

Here is sweet little Emily getting ready to blow out the candles on her 'very colorful' birthday cake!  Emily is very much a 'girlie girl' and, she loves the color PINK (can you tell? LOL).

Here's the card I created for Miss 'M' (as we call her).  Emily ALWAYS wears a flower in her hair ... hence the flower on the prima doll's headband!

My original plan was to just have the Prima Doll as a stand up but then realized she was smaller than the Tim Holtz easel stand I planned on using.  SO ... I created a 'card' (5 1/2" x 8 1/2") from chipboard and popped up the Prima doll on the front.  I wanted to create something special for Miss M that she could display in her bedroom if she wanted to.

I found an entire 8 1/2 x 11 pack (25 sheets) of 40 PT chipboard at Michael's for a very reasonable price and it was perfect for this project.  I stamped my #910143 Prima doll using Versafine Onyx ink first onto the chipboard then onto white cardstock and lastly Prima Sweet Fairy design paper.  (Remember I was just going to make the doll ... not a card.) As it turned out, I used the remaining part of the chipboard to create my card base.  I wasn't sure how difficult it was going to be to cut the doll from the chipboard ... but this weight of chipboard was very manageable!

After fussy cutting the dolls ... and the dresses, I decided on the more solid pink paper dress and used the other paper in the design of the card since they both came from the same paper pack.

Once done I thought ... oh no!  where am I going to put her birthday money?  (Like I said ... I was doing this 'last minute' ... actually started it 2 hours before the party was to begin!)  So I just made a little pocket on the back side of the card using the same design paper as the dolls dress and tucked the money in there.  Emily thought it was a clever surprise!

So here is Miss 'M' with her birthday card and sporting one of the many NEW hair flowers she received for her birthday.  I'd say my card 'fit the occasion' quite well!  

AND ... here is Miss 'M's big sister Miss Olivia!  Olivia played a big part in planning M's party (see her party planning notebook) ... from the decorations, the games, the prizes ... she did a lot of fun things!  GREAT JOB Miss 'O'!!

Here are a few other challenges I'd like to enter this card into:

ABC Challenge - P for Pretty in Pink

paulaholifieldcrafts ALBC - Something Sweet

Crafting Musketeers - Use a Stamped Image

The Cupboard Trilogy - Birthday

Fairy Tale Challenge - Happy Birthday
The Cutie Pie Challenge - Paper Piecing

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you're having a fabulous week!

As always . . .

Recipe for my card:

Paper:  Michaels 40 PT chipboard, Hot Off The Press Pink Polka Dot dp, Prima 'Sweet Fairy' 6x6 dp, black cs, white cs

Accessories:  Tim Holtz Easel die, Wild Orchid paper roses, Martha Stewart butterfly border punch, Cheery Lynn Designs DL113 Exotic Butterflies dies, peel off foam letters from Jo-Ann's, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Prima Julie Nutting mixed media doll stamp # 910143 (purchased at Joan's Gardens), xPress It Foam Mounting Tape, Mod Podge, sponge brushes,

I MUST CONFESS:  I added EYES to the doll image with a TH black distress marker because I didn't think Miss 'M' would understand why she didn't have a face! 

Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge

WOW!  I can't believe it's time once again for another challenge at 

The Sisterhood of Crafters!

Our theme today is:

BIRTHDAYS

(cards or gift giving projects)

With my annual craft show coming up the 1st weekend in November, I was happy to create not ONE but THREE birthday cards for our challenge.  Birthday cards, of course, are always the first cards to sell so I'd rather have extra than not enough.  With that being said, I created cards for a Man , Woman and Child.

First ... for the guys!  

 

 Recipe:

Stamps:  JustRite 'Anchors Away'

Paper:  Medium Blue cs, DCWV dps, Chocolate cs, White cs

Ink:  Versafine black, Tim Holtz 'Frayed Burplap' distress ink

Accessories:  brown jute, TH sponge applicator, brown Prismacolor marker, blue chalk, makeup applicator

JustRite Stamps has made this guy card a breeze to make!  If you haven't seen this stamp set you really should check it out ... it's fabulous for those masculine cards that can be so difficult to make and has some awesome sentiments included too!

(All items in my recipes highlighted in BOLD BLUE  

were purchased at Joan's Gardens)

Other qualifying challenges:

Creative Craft Challenge - Anything Goes

Try It On Tuesday - Lots of Layers

Kreative Stamp Friends - New Stamps (first time inking up this JustRite set)

Hooked on Craft Challenge - Cards for Men

 

For the ladies:

Recipe:

Stamps:  Endless Creations sentiment

Papers:  White cs, Graphic45 dp

Ink:  Versafine black, Momento 'cantaloupe'

Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs 'Build a Flower 2' die set, PunchBunch flower making kit, McGill black mat, Kaiser pearls (originally cream color - used a yellow Sharpie to get the color I needed), Marianne LR0235 die set, crystal Stickles

 I followed Selma Stevenson's directions on making this flower.  You can find this tutorial on her blog, HERE and be sure to check out the rest of Selma's blog for more helpful flower making tutorials.  Her flowers are AMAZINGLY lifelike!  I'm still practicing but happy with my progress!!

Other qualifying challenges:

Bearly Mine - Add a Sentiment

Party Time Tuesday - Anything Goes

Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes

Card Mania #4 - Handmade Flower

And ... for the kiddos:

Recipe:

Stamps:  Inkadinkado sentiment, Inkadinkado 'Beautiful Fairies' clear stamp set

Papers: Purple cs, Raspberry cs, White cs

Ink:  Versafine black

Accessories:  Prismacolor markers, Cheery Lynn Designs B165 Lace Corners Deco E, Pop Dots, Fiskars swivel craft knife

I must admit this was the quickest & easiest card to create and I love how it came together.  I have had this Inkadinkado stamp set for well over a year and never inked it up!  This is perfect for those sweet little girls in our lives!  I'll be inking this set up more often now!

Other qualifying challenges:

Clear It Out Challenge - Child Image and use old stash (the image itself is old)

Cupcake Craft Challenge - Fairytales (Tinkerbell from Peter Pan)

Whoopsi Daisy Challenge - Things with Wings

Well, that's it for me today!  Hope you've enjoyed today's creations and PLEASE come join  in our birthday fun at The Sisterhood of Crafters.  You will have until Oct. 7th to get your entry in for a chance to win a prize from our sponsor Dustin Pike!   Hope to see you there!

How'd I get this old? The Count Down is ON!

This post will remain on top 

until July 14th so everyone has a chance ... for today's post, 

please scroll down!

On July 15th, I will reach the milestone of SIXTY years of age!  Yikes, how'd that happen???  And to celebrate, I'd like you to come celebrate with me!  All you need to do is stop by and leave a comment on this post, that's it!! 

Feel free to share this offer with your friends!

I will be giving away a $25 gift certificate from Joan's Gardens to one lucky commenter as a thank you for celebrating my birthday!  

I will draw that winning name on July 15th and will make the announcement on July 16th.  Hope you come and join in!

A little playtime ...

... and wanted to share my creations with YOU!!!

The Crafty Secret Forum Challenge over on SCS this week is hosted by Marcy and she has asked us to use TEXTURE.  So here is what I have come up with.  
 
For my texture, I have run by background designer paper through the Cuttlebug using the Stylized Flower embossing folder, then sponged a little old olive ink over top to help show it off.  My images are from the Crafty Secrets Garden Girls set and after cutting/matting with my Classic Circles Nestabilities, I double matted it with a paper doily.  I added Hero Arts gems here and there on the doily for a little EXTRA texture.  

My satin ribbon ON satin ribbon was adorned with EK Success paper flowers & leaves for yet more texture.  So, what do you think???  Not bad since I wasn't really sure what the "actual challenge" was ... simply hoped I had guessed the clues correctly!! 

******
While sitting in the hospital waiting room yesterday, I decided to get caught up on some of my image coloring.  Melanie over at *Wink *Wink Ink just came out with this adorable "Little Bird" digi and I couldn't wait to get her colored and designed.  Please pop over to her STORE and see all the new, fun creations she has come up with!!

I have to say my "coloring conditions" were NOT the best but it did occupy my time and helped me get ahead "a little"!  LOL!!  Oh, by the way, this adorable set also comes with a variety of sentiments ... you really must check it out!!!  Unfortunately, I didn't print them out when I printed my image to color so I just used an Art Impressions stamp I had available at the time.

Here are the details of this card:
Stamps:  Art Impressions, Wink Wink Ink digi
Papers:  Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Grey Wisteria dp
Inks:  Rich Razzleberry
Accessories:  Prismacolor markers, Prisma Pencils, Gamsol, Darice Hemp, chalk, makeup applicator, Basic Grey Opaline pearls, SU Rich Razzleberry grosgrain ribbon, Martha Stewart Arch Lattice border punch, Nestabilities scallop rectangles dies, Mermaid Glitz Stickles, Fiskars postage stamp scissors

Thanks so much for stopping by today and letting me share my creations with you!!  The sun is shining today so I guess I should come up out of the crafting cave and get some housework done ... drat ... I'd rather be crafting!!  Later my friends!!

Saturday Spotlight - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Saturday Everyone!! 

 

It's time for another SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT CHALLENGE and this week, the Spotlight Divas would like to challenge you to create a nice birthday card...BUT WAIT!!! It's not THAT simple!! We would like for you to use YOUR birthstone color on your creation as well! Don't know what it is? We can help! Check out this link to find YOUR birthstone color: Click Here!!

Have fun and we can't wait to see what you come up with!  Remember to direct link your creation to Mr. Linky on the Challenge Blog and if you're uploading to other online galleries, please use keyword SSHP23.
 
For our Spotlight sponsor this week we have...

 (click HERE to go to store.)

**One lucky winner from our challenge in Mr. Linky this week drawn from random.org will receive FIVE FREE DIGITAL IMAGES of choice from the The Stamping Boutique store!**

 Since my birthday is in July ... my birthstone is RUBY!  This adorable little gal (Audry with Birthday Candle) from The Stamping Boutique was fun to color and create with.  Here is the recipe for my creation:

Stamps:  The Stamping Boutique image, AMuse, Inkadinkado

Papers:  Whisper White, Red Sparkle, DCWV Nana's Nursery Baby Boy

Inks:  Versafine Black

Accessories:  Blue chalk, Makeup applicator, Prismacolor markers, Kaiser half pearls, Creative Memories corner rounder

Still need more inspiration you say ... then all you need to do is pop on over to my Diva Sisters blogs ... they are listed for you below:

*Vicki Parsons (Creator/Coordinator)
*Chris Olsen (Coordinator)

Boni Boutelle-Jones

Crystal Irwin

Erin Bailey

 Jessica George

Jodi Ann-Lee

 Maria Matter

 

Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!!  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Please stop back on Monday when I'll have a Wink Wink Ink creation to share with you!!

Raise The Bar Challenge #10 - Fruits of Labour

Happy Friday Everyone!

As promised, here I am again with another Raise The Bar Challenge creation!!  This week it's all about the FRUITS of LABOUR ... so to speak!!   You are to use FRUIT on your creation ... whether it be in the image, designer paper, ribbon ... whatever ... it's up to you!!  Fun huh!!

Yesterday I shared with you a little "snippet" of my creation ... well here it is in it's entirety!!  I haven't used any of my House Mouse images in a very long time (don't really have THAT many) ... when I read this week's challenge, I knew exactly what direction I was headed in!!  What do you think??

 Such a fun and easy creation!  Please be sure to check out of fun creations by the other "Bar Tenders"!  Their blogs are listed/linked on my sidebar!  

Hope you're having a wonderful day!  I'm headed over to one of my favorite stamping stores in Zoar, Ohio (The Stamp Pad) today to purchase my tickets for the upcoming Adventures in Stamping held here in Akron, OH the last weekend in April!  (Guess I'd better start saving my pennies [dollars] too!!)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Please come back tomorrow for another Saturday Spotlight Challenge.  Here's a snippet for you!!  Hope you  have sunshine today ... we do here in NE Ohio and I'm going to "soak it up!"  Happy Stamping Everyone!!

This is fun ...

Only ONE card to share with you today!!  

 Throughout this week, I have been sending a card each day to my Aunt Jenny who will be 80 next Tuesday, March 23rd.  I couldn't help myself on this one ... I just LOVE this image and I think she'll get a charge out of it too!!  (Sure hope so, LOL)

(click on image for larger view)

 

Isn't this image the sweetest think!!!  My aunt is of Polish decent and being from the "old country" and a very hard working people ... this lady actually resembles a few family members!! No disrespect intended!!!  She comes from Art Creations Friday ... if you haven't seen the vintage images available over there ... you really need to check it out!!

Here are the details on today's card:

Stamps:  Verses Rubber Stamp
Papers:  Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Kraft cs, Adornit designer paper
Inks:  Versafine Sepia
Accessories:  Art Creations Friday image, Detail Clear embossing powder, Prima flowers, Martha Stewart branch punch, Wright lace, Darice brass brad, ZIG Photo Twin markers (used to color in black/white images to complete that vintage look)

Thanks for stopping by today!  Please stop back tomorrow for a creation designed for the Raise The Bar challenge!  Here's a snippet for you!!

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge - Birthdays

WOW ... Wednesday again already!!  

I know, I say that every Wednesday don't I??   

I'll try for something different next week, LOL!!  

Anyways ... it's time for another challenge over at Penny's!  Today she has asked us to think about BIRTHDAYS and I know exactly who this card is going to ... teehee ... hope she likes it!!

I just love how this card turned out!!  I saw the sketch over on StampTV but when I went back to find the originator ... of course I couldn't find it again!  I hate when I do that!!  So if this is your sketch idea ... please let me know so I can give you full credit!! 

I did alter it slightly by using a grouping of flowers up  around the ribbon center and since I didn't have the fancy large scallop edge punch, I used a Crystal Lite container and drew my circles & cut with scissors.  Hey, it worked!  LOL!!

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek!  Please pop over to my other design team friends blogs and see what they've come up with ... what a wonderful array of inspiration! 

* Alison - Hairy Harry's Craft
* Kim - Memories in Thyme
* Cheryl - CherCroppin's Stamp Pad
* Alanna - Alanna's Spot in the World 

 OH YEA ... before I forget {again} ... Penny has a great sale going on right now!  Here's the details:

Get 35% off your order of digital stamps. Just use coupon code 35digi at checkout!!!
Offer expires April 20th.
Visit http://www.creationsbypenny.com/store to make your purchase! 

Things that make me smile ....

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!!

Today a have a couple cards to share with you.  

Not for any design team ... just playing and having fun creations!  

First I have the first of many Birthday cards I will be making for my Aunt Jenny.  She's the sweetest lady and she will be 80 next week.  My cousin Beverly (Aunt Jenny's daughter) called me over the weekend to ask if I would send her a card for her birthday.  She (Aunt Jenny) doesn't want any fuss or party so her kids thought they'd try to have her showered with cards.  WELL ... of course I said yes and clued my cousin in on the idea I had.  Not only will I send her a card for her birthday, but I intend to make a new card and mail it each day (started yesterday) until her birthday!  She will probably think I have lost my mind but I know she likes my cards and will enjoy the special attention!   Here is the card I made & sent today.

This Paper Pizazz is actually left over from another 6 card/box set I made for my Mom.  I knew it would be perfect for my Aunt!!

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Another card I made today is a fun Easter "card on a card" creation using my new Nestabilities Easter Egg dies.  I used the largest one for my "focus" image, covered it with Paper Pizzazz dp then used a smaller die for my sentiment panel. A touch of purple Stickles around the outer edge really helps make it stand out!! (even though that's hard to see in the photo)  The other designer paper is from the DCWV Nana's Nursery Baby Boy paper pack.  I can't believe my camera actually showed the true color ... purple is difficult to photograph!  Do you have that problem??

The corners were created using the Martha Stewart loop corner punch and dabs of purple Stickles.  I used a scrap piece of Offray sheer yellow ribbon for the opening handle.

This cute little image if from Great Impressions and I've used Prismacolor Markers for my coloring.  I wasn't thinking when I cut my egg out of Tempting Turquoise what I was going to put on the inside ... so when I colored my little duckie YELLOW ... it actually came out kind of GREEN ... Oooops!!  I still think it is cute and am sure the recipient will like it too!!

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NOW ... for the one thing that really made me SMILE today!  The sun is shining today although it's still a little cool ... (50's) ... but warm enough to make my crocus pop out in bloom  along my sidewalk!  What a delight to see spring flowers again ... it just warms my heart when I see Spring beginning to show up everywhere I look.

It's still early but it is enough to warm my heart and lift my spirits!!  Winter was fun but very long this year ... everyone is more than ready for Spring and these little lovelies give us great hope!

I hope you have a WONDERFUL day!  Tomorrow is a BIG day for me!!  I'm headed "back home" to get my hair done at my sister's shop very early in the morning ... then over to help Mom with computer work.  Isn't it awesome that she's 80 and still willing to learn something new on the computer!!  I sure give her credit!!

Now besides all of this, tomorrow is the CHALLENGE DEBUT over on THE SISTERHOOD and I will be your hostess!  WOW ... I sure hope blogger is kind to me and comes live when requested, LOL!!    AND ... it's another PENNY's CHALLENGE day ... Shew ... sure going to be a busy day!!!  I hope you come and join in on the fun!  See you then!!  Thanks for stopping by today!