Joan's Gardens Challenge and MY GIRLS ...

Hello Everyone!

Hope you're having a fabulous day!  

This morning was taken up with getting all my green tomatoes & onions sliced and put in pots with salt so they can sit over night in preparation for making this years Piccalilli.  I'm down to only a few pints so we definitely needed to get more canned this year!

I do have a card to share with you for the current challenge going on over at Joan's Gardens, but first I just had to share a photo my daughter & granddaughter posted on FB this morning.  

I just love this photo!!

My girls are sharing a 'Girl's Day Out' and hopping around to all the fabulous Farmer's Markets in their area.  As you can see, (all dressed in PINK), they are great supporters of Breast Cancer Awareness and even Morgan's little Jack Russell Terrier (Lylla) is getting in on the act!   I hope they have a fun day and find lots of goodies!!

Thanks for letting me show off MY GIRLS (beaming with pride)! 

Now onto the challenge card!

At Joan's Gardens this week, the requirements are:

Purple and Green

Torn Edges

Layers

You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens. 

 

I created this card quite quickly (so BUSY these days!) ... so the first thing I did was go through my design papers (including scraps) that were purple and green to use for my background.   I've had this fabulous Sassy Studio Designs image colored up and just waiting to be used and today's the day!  I've used my spectrum noir alcohol marker for my coloring.

I've torn the edges on the 2 layer panels behind my 'witch'.  So glad Joan came up with this idea ... I NEVER think to tear my papers and it's such an easy technique to give your card a different textured look!  The items I've used that were purchased from Joan are the Green Kaiser Pearls and the Cheery Lynn Designs B149 'Cuties 1' die.  This die is actually to be used to roll & make a flower but I decided to just use it as a border element.

Well I seem to be having printer difficulties PLUS I've somehow hit some wrong keys on my keyboard which has reduced the size of my text in Blogger to teenie tiny and it's quite difficult to type up a post when you can hardly see the words your typing!  I have NO CLUE what keys I hit but if anyone know how I can get it back to normal, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!  (before I go blind! LOL!)

A few other challenges:

The Sweet Pea Stampers - Purple Power

 Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything Goes

Sarah Hurley Challenge - Halloween

Crafting By Designs with Sassy Studio Designs - Anything Goes

 Paper Pretties Color Challenge - Purple, Green & Orange

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your weekend!

As always . . .

Blue Christmas . . .

. . . without you!!

Do you remember that song? 

Today I have a blue Christmas card to share with you which was made for the challenge at Joan's Gardens.  This week Joan & Selma have asked us to create with these things in mind:

Use something oval

Use an embossing folder

Make a blue and white card

Add a ribbon (maybe a bow??)

I recently purchased this image from Joan and thought it would be perfect stamped in blue.  What do you think?  The ribbon really is the same color as my background paper but for some reason my camera doesn't like photographing blues & purples in their correct color hue!  I'm sure it's just a setting and maybe AFTER the holidays I'll have time to check into it.

Recipe for this creation:

Papers: SU Brocade Blue cs, white cs

Stamp:  Stampendous 'Cling Snowy Postcard'

Ink:  Tim Holtz Stormy Sky distress ink

Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs B117S Fanciful Flourish Sm., Cheery Lynn Designs B147 Holly Flourish, Cuttlebug border embossing folder, White Jelly Roll Pen for faux stitching, Offray Antique Blue Satin Ribbon, Icicle Stickles, Waterfall Stickles, Kaiser white pearls

This creation also fits the Cheery Lynn Designs challenge this week which is HAPPY HOLIDAYS.  

And a few other challenges are:

Brown Sugar Challenge - You Have Me In Stitches

Craftymess Challenge - Vintage Christmas

Delicious Doodles - Anything Christmas with Blue

Pause, Dream, Enjoy - Blue & White

Raise the Bar - Blues & Whites

The Stamp Man - In the bleak mid winter

Stampin' for the Weekend - Let It Snow

My decorating is all finished and since I received our first Christmas cards of the season, I guess I'd better get started on addressing ours and get them in the mailbox!  I hope you are enjoying your holiday preparations as much as we are! 

Until next time and as always . . .

Joan's Gardens Challenge

Hello my friends and thanks for stopping by my blog today!  

The card I have to share with you today is of a card style that I have been wanting to try and hadn't taken the time to do so because it's a bit out of my comfort zone.  Well this week's challenge at Joan's Gardens MADE me step outside my comfort zone and 'give it a whirl' and I'm so happy with the outcome.  I hope you like it too!

The challenge at Joan's Gardens this week is 'simply' to create a STAIR STEP CARD.

Now mind you I had NO CLUE where to begin so thankfully Selma has once again given me guidance.  If you'd like to play along and need help with measurements, pop on over to Selma's blog and then share it at Joan's Gardens.

Here's a list of items I used to make this creation:

Paper:  White cs, Black cs, FabScraps 'High Tea' design paper

Images:  TJ Designs 'Vintage Trading Card Collage Pack' (www.tweetyjill.com)

Accessories:  Sticker Sentiment from my scrapbooking stash, Spellbinder classic & scallop oval dies, White Orchid flowers, Cheery Lynn Designs B165 Lace Corner Deco E die, Marianne LR0156 Leaf Die, Tim Holtz distress ink, scrap of lace from Goodwill.

Other qualifying challenges:

Crafts and Me Challenge - In the Pink

Inky Impressions - Pink and Brown

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - Pink and Brown

Whimsy Stamps - Anything Goes

My Time to Craft - More than one fold

Party Time Tuesday - More than one fold

Wild Orchid - Layer It Up

Thanks again for stopping by today and I hope you are having a FABULOUSLY FUN day!

Joan's Gardens Challenge #13

HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY EVERYONE!

Can you believe it's nearly EASTER already??

Today I'm so excited to be playing another challenge at Joan's Gardens.  I tell you ... she & Selma keep coming up with the most FABULOUS challenge ideas!!

Here's what's happening this week:

• Make a Tri-Shutter Card
• Used more than one design paper
• Use something dimensional
• Use ribbon or lace

Well, I haven't made one of these fancy fold cards is AGES and was thrilled to be able to participate today!  All products used on this creation will be listed below.

I am SO THRILLED at how this came together!!

You can find all the instructions on Selma's Blog and check out her sample card ... FABULOUS!

Recipe:

Papers - Pink 12x12  cardstock, Scraps of white, pink & olive green cs, Colorbok 'Sorbet' 8x8 designer paper, FabScraps 'High Tea' 8x8 designer paper

Stamp - Impression Obsession

Accessories - PunchBunch 'Begonia Petals' punch, Marianne LR0156 leaf die, Cheery Lynn Designs B118 Pair of Ferns die, Martha Stewart Butterfly punch, Kaiser pink pearls, Satin ribbon, Bow Easy, Mauve Stickles, Green Stickles, Spellbinder classic & scallop circle dies, McGill Flower Making Kit, McGill black mat, Colorbox 'Berrylicious' ink,

Items highlighted in PINK were purchased at Joan's Gardens.

I hope you'll give Joan's challenge a try ... it's GREAT FUN and YOU could be the winner of a fabulous prize that she gives away each week!  Please be sure to CHECK IT OUT!

Other Challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks - Flowers

Digi Doodle Shop - Use something NEW  (FabScrap dp) & (Marianne leaf die)

Dutch Dare Card Challenge - Fancy Folds

PaperPlay Challenge - Shaped Cards

Sassy Studio Designs - At least 2 patterned papers & embellishments

Cooking It Up With Katie - Fun, Folds & Flowers

Crafts and Me Challenge - Butterflies & Bows

Divas by Design - Anything Goes (2nd entry)

Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Now I guess I'd better get something DONE around the house or outdoors!

I could just PLAY all day!  LOL!!

Hugs

Darlene

Joan's Gardens Challenge #12

Holy Moly ... another week is nearly gone 

AND the 1st quarter of 2012 is nearly over too!  

YIKES ... Time is certainly 'MARCHING ON'!

I missed last week's Joan's Gardens challenge due to actually BEING at Joan's Gardens preparing for the fun workshop weekend but I'm back again for today's AWESOME challenge.  This week, we are making a Post It Note Cover and here are the additional requirements:

•  Cover a Post A note
• Use some kind of  Die Cut for a background
• Purple is this week's color
• Use a butterfly or something from nature

Since I just learned over the weekend at Joan's how to make ROSES using the PunchBunch Begonia punch, that is what I chose to use on the top of my Post-It Note cover today.  I've also used a few other 'goodies' I purchased at Joan's Gardens.  

(See List Below)

I have used three colors on my cover & flower ... deep purple, orchid and pink.  On the 'pink' backing panel, I have inked the edges with TH 'Dusty Concord' distress ink and run it through the Cuttlebug using the 'Textile' embossing folder.  Diamond Dust was used on the flower petals and Deco Art Glamour Dust was used on the butterfly.

Here is the list I promised you:

Papers:  Deep Purple, Orchid, White and Pink cardstock

Accessories:  PunchBunch Begonia punch, Marianne LR0156 leaf die, Cheery Lynn Designs DL112 Exotic Butterfly small die, Cheery Lynn Designs B151 Cuties 3 Border/Flower die, Martha Stewart Branch punch, Deco Art Glamour Dust, Twinklets Diamond Dust, McGill Flower Making Kit, McGill Flower Making mat, Tim Holtz Dusty Concord distress ink, Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder

Items in RED were purchased through Joan's Gardens.

If you've never been to Joan's site ... NOW'S THE TIME!  She's got some fabulous sales going on and a lot of new products in stock too!  Pop on over ... check it out ... and play the challenge!  You'll have so much fun!  THANKS so much to Joan & Selma for always CHALLENGING us week to week!

Fabulous ideas and inspiration!

Other Qualifying Challenges:

Rainbow Lady's Challenge - Butterflies

Samuel Taylors Crafts - Butterflies

Creative Belli Blog - Use three shapes (butterfly, flower petals, leaves)

The prize this month at Samuel Taylors Crafts is:

* A Marianne Design Butterfly Die.

* Anita's Flitter Fairy Wing Butterflies

* Kaisercraft Wire Flutterby and,

* Some summery orange/yellow buttons.

  

Happy Day Everyone!!
Time for me to quit PLAYING and get some WORK done!  

Hugs

Darlene

Two more FUN challenges today ...

Since the start of the new year, I've been trying to play along with at least one of the challenges over on Splitcoast Stampers.  This week I've only found time to join in the sketch challenge.  I have used one of my new images from Nicecrane Designs from the 'Vintage Magazine Cover' collection which are available in his store NOW!

Recipe:
Papers:  White cardstock, Colorbok 'Rosewood' patterned pack (Walmart)
Accessories:  Distrezz-it-All, 7 Gypsies tag, Fiskars swivel craft knife, pop dots, gold Stickles, TH burlap distress ink, gold satin ribbon

Another fun challenge I try not to miss out on, is the one over at Joan's Gardens!  With this winter being SO MILD, Joan & Selma have challenged us to make a card using the following theme:

• Create a Spring Card
• Color theme should be blue and white
• Use some type of lattice
• Perhaps-- add a bird

Well, as you can see, I certainly took the SPRING thing to heart.  I created my 'sky' using light blue cardstock which I've stamped using white pigment ink and an Ala Art 'sky' rubber stamp.  Then made the 'tree branch' using both Momento 'Bamboo Leaves' green ink and Versafine black ink to stamp my Stampscapes 'Leafy Branch' stamp twice.  The birds/cage are Tim Holtz and the lattice fence & grass are Martha Stewart punches.  (The grass is actually the icicle punch ... turned up side down.)  Punches & dies were purchased at Joan's Gardens.  If you haven't been to her online store ... you are MISSING OUT!  Pop on over to see what she has in the store that you CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT!!

Well, it's nearly dinner hour here so I'd best get out of my crafting 'cave' and into the kitchen!  Hope you are all having a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!! 

Please stop back tomorrow when I'll have more NEW CREATIONS using the latest images available at NICECRANE DESIGNS.  If you love vintage like I do, you'll want to see these latest images being added to his online store!!

Till tomorrow!
Hugs,
Darlene

Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge

WOW!  I can't believe I just stumbled upon the challenge at 

Cheery Lynn Designs.

I got hooked on Cheery Lynn Designs dies after using them in a workshop at my friend Joan Fricker's (Joan's Gardens) a year or so ago.  These dies are awesome!  If you're not familiar with them, you really must give them a try ... then you'll be hooked just like me!  LOL!!

Anyways, back to the challenge.  This week it is "SNOWFLAKES".

I LOVED making this card because it gave me the opportunity to not only use my Cheery Lynn Designs DL175 Laced Pine Snowflake die ... but also my DL143 Ornamental Wreath & Bow and B136 Anastasia Border dies.

How much fun is it to use NEW CRAFTING GOODIES!   My focus image also came from Joan's Gardens last fall and this was the first time I inked it up!  I love vintage and this Old World Santa by LaBlanche seemed perfect for today's creation. 

My image was stamped using Versafine Black ink onto white cardstock.  I used a little loose chalk and makeup applicators to give him 'rosey' cheeks and also for the blue shadowing around the edge.  My snowflakes were cut from DCWV blue sparkle paper and white cardstock.  A scrap of green designer paper was used to cut out the wreath and red cs for the bow.  Diamond Stickles was used to accent the edges of the white snowflake (hard to see in photo) as well as the bow.

Thanks for letting me share some of my new crafting goodies with you as well as this fun challenge.  Wishing you a fabulous week with tons of time to PLAY!  

Other qualifying challenges are:

Crafty Cardmaking Challenge - NO floral embellishments

Creative Stamp Friends - Winter

Hooked on Craft Challenge - Try something NEW (new dies & stamp)

House of Gilli - Winter

Lexi's Creations Challenge - Anything Goes

Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Stamp and Create - Anything Goes

Truly Madly Crafty Challenges - Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps Challenge - Use the color Blue

Hugs,

Darlene

A New Challenge at Joan's Gardens

With all of the hustle & bustle of getting ready for last Saturday's Craft Show, I didn't want to forget to participate in the new challenge at Joan's Gardens.   Joan's designer, Selma Stevenson has created & shared the instructions for a mini pizza box and although the pizza box idea has been around for a long time, I have NEVER made one and now's my chance!  All the details for this week's challenge can be seen HERE. 

(click image to enlarge)

So what do you think?  I'm so tickled with the outcome, I plan on making several more!  With the craftshow still utmost in my mind ... I think these would be a fabulous idea for next year's show.  What a 'special' box to house that new ornament gift or a pair of earrings for that special girlfriend ... there are endless ideas for this little gem of a box!! 

Recipe:
Paper:  Graphic45 "Christmas Emporium", green cs, blue bayou cs, white cs, glossy white cs
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories:  Gold embossing powder, Martha Stewart branch punch, narrow gold satin ribbon from Michaels, Graphic45 Christmas Emporium chipboard tag, Heartfelt Creations HCPC3415 - Petite Poinsettia PreCut Set, Cheery-Lynn Designs DL175 Laced Pine Snowflake die, Cheery-Lynn Designs B117 Fanciful Flourish die, Gold mini brad, Gold Stickles, Martha Stewart Gold Micro Beads

The items used that are in BOLD print were purchased at Joan's Gardens.  Be sure to pop over and check out all the awesome supplies she has available in her shop!

Other qualifying challenges are:
Heart Song Inspirations #23 - Anything Goes
Make It Monday #62 - Anything Goes
Make My Monday #23 - Christmas (Vintage / Traditional)
There She Goes Clear Stamps - Holiday Projects
The Corrosive Challenge #136 - Flourish
Dream Valley Challenge - Anything Goes
I Did It Creations - Winter/Christmas

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a wonderful week!  I have TONS to do so I guess I'd better get started!

*** EDITED TO ADD PHOTOS ***

Here are a couple photos to show the 

INSIDE of the pizza box and a closer look 

at the decorated BELLY-BAND.

Hugs,
Darlene

Fabulous Challenge at . . .

JOAN'S GARDENS!    This week's challenge is a TWO-PART challenge.  First Joan lets us know what the requirements are for the challenge card and the last item on the list is to 'make a matching box' ... which you need to go to Selma's blog for instruction!  FABULOUS ideas ... both the card & box!

(click image to enlarge)

First I'd like to share my CARD with you.  Purple is my favorite color, so I was thrilled to be able to use it today and as a matter of fact, the person I have in mind for this creation also likes purple!  And, since she doesn't follow my blog (too busy with 15 grandkids to be internetting, LOL) I don't have to worry about her NOT being surprised come January!!!

In this close-up, you can see that I have added a little purple chalk to the upraised portions on this beautiful Marianne (DS0908) embossing folder.  The chalk I used is Pebbles Inc. Jewel Tone Pearlescents.

Items used on the card & box are:
Papers:  White cs, Deep Purple cs, K&Co. (Floral Bouquet) designer paper
Stamps:  Penny Black (card sentiment), Inkadinkado (box sentiment)
Inks:  Versamark
Accessories:   Spellbinder Classic Circle Dies,  Martha Stewart Butterfly Punches, Cheery Lynn Designs (DL103) Italian Flourish Doily Die, Kaiser Lavendar Pearls, Deco Art Glamour Dust, Quickie Glue, Ranger purple embossing powder, Michael's ribbon

 (click on image to enlarge)

Here is my card & box set!  Didn't they turn out beautifully!  I am SO PLEASED and I know my friend will be thrilled too!  (items in bold print were purchased at Joan's Gardens)  If you've never visited Joan's Gardens ... now's the time!  She (along with designer, Selma) not only has a fabulous challenge every Thursday ... but Joan has a wonderful selection of crafting products and she only charges what it costs her for shipping!

Other Challenges:
Card Makin Mama - Punches (butterflies)
Inspire Me Friday - Anything Goes
Lily Pad - Bling
Raise The Bar - Things with Wings (butterflies)
Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes
Little Miss Muffet Challenge - Things with Wings (butterflies)
Pixie Dust Studio Pixie Challenge - Circles (on lid of box)
Rainbow Lady's Challenge - White Space
Southern Girls - Anything Goes
Digistamps4Joy - Anything Goes
 Flutter By Wednesday - Use a butterfly
The Paper Shelter - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Dies and/or Punches


Well, it's the last weekend before hubby goes back to work after being off for 3 weeks on vacation.  WOW ... that time went by SO FAST!!  We didn't do any fancy trips but we did get a lot of projects done around the house (inside & out) and enjoyed our time together.  Being able to sit out on the deck and enjoy coffee in the early morning ... out to eat at some new restaurants in the evening ... and just spending time together discussing our plans for his upcoming retirement in April was wonderful!!

Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs,
Darlene

A Day to Share . . .

 HAPPY OVER THE HUMP DAY EVERYONE!  

WOW!  Where's the time going??  

October is right around the corner!

This week went by so quickly, I nearly MISSED the challenge 

at Joan's Gardens!  Yikes!!

Here is what you need to do for Joan's Gardens Weekly Challenge #2

■  Create a Christmas Card
■  Create an embossed background using Selma's Technique
■  Used Striped designer paper
■  Gold emboss your sentiment
 
With that in mind, here's what I came up with . . .

Recipe for this card is as follows:
   Stamp:   SU 'Home For Christmas' sentiment stamp
   Paper:  White cs (6 x 5-1/2), BoBunny 'Father Christmas Collection' dp purchased at Joan's Gardens, Gold Metallic cs
   Ink:  Versamark
   Accessories:  Gold Sparkle embossing powder,  Recollections Mulberry Paper Holly Leaves (Michaels), Cuttlebug snowflake EF, Gold Pilot marker (edging), gold Stickles, pop dots, Spellbinder classic circle dies

I don't typically do a lot of heat embossing because it never seems to come out as nice as I would like it to ... but I'm very happy with today's outcome.  Hope you like it too!   Remember to pop over to Joan's Gardens each THURSDAY for a brand new challenge and prizes.

  * * * * * * * * * *

I hadn't taken the time over the past couple of weeks (hubby's on vacation & under foot, LOL) to share with you the creations I've made for the Crafty Secrets Forum of Splitcoast Stamper. 

CSSC188 was hosted by LoriLynn and she asked us to use BUTTONS along with our Crafty Secrets products.  Here is the card I made using an image from the CS 'Down On The Farm' stamp set . . .

 

Then for CSSC189, yours truly was the hostess and I asked everyone to use up their SCRAPS along with Crafty Secrets products for their creations.  Here's mine using CS 'Bird Lovers' stamp set . . .

This week's CSSC190 is hosted by Joanne and she has us 'Over The Rainbow' ... using the theme literally or just the colors of the rainbow along with your CS products.  I decided to use the Wizard of Oz theme for my creation.  I grabbed this free image from the internet to make my background paper ... then used the adorable little witch from CS 'Halloween Fun' stamp set . . .

Thanks for stopping by today and for any comment you might leave!  I ALWAYS enjoy hearing what you have to say or any suggestions you may have!  Enjoy the rest of your week and do something FUN!!!  Life is short ... enjoy every moment you can with the ones you love doing what you love to do!

Hugs,

Darlene

Crafty Secrets & Nicecrane Designs

Happy Saturday Everyone!

Today I'd like to share with you a few cards I've made over the past week.  First of all, the Crafty Secrets Forum Challenge over on SCS (splitcoast stampers) is a "Paper Parade" and hosted by Marcy. 

Crafty Secrets has some wonderful paper packs and I decided to use a sheet from the 'Earthy' pack.  It's 2 sided so I created panels from each side for my background.

The sentiment is from their 'Garden Girls' stamp set and I have used Prismacolor markers for the coloring on the flowers/leaves ... and TH Tea Dye Distress Ink for the sponging.  Michael's grosgrain ribbon and a Martha Stewart butterfly punched butterfly were all the embellishments I felt were needed.

*  * * * * * *  *

Next are 3 cards created using some of the newer images available at Nicecrane Designs.  Ignacio has been really busy ... so you'll want to pop over and see all the new images/papers he's offering in the store.  (Scroll down a little and in the left sidebar, click on NEW PRODUCTS)  These creations were made using his 'Incredible Josephine' images ... SO ADORABLE
. 

 This first card utilizes one of the 'digital images' from the Josephine Birthday Pack and I have used Prismacolor Markers for my coloring.  This luscious background paper is from the Prima - Madeline paper pack (love it!). The flower was made using TH grunge paper and his floral die.  The leaf is of old olive cs and a Cheery Lynn Designs (B119) leaf die (purchased through Joan's Gardens).

Paper: Old Olive, White and Blue Bayou cardstock

Inks:  Blue Bayou, Old Olive

Accessories:  Spellbinder Stylish Flowers EF, Prima flowers, Silk flowers w/pearls (JoAnns), Cheery Lynn Designs (B118) Pair of Ferns die, Offray satin ribbon

 These next two cards utilize images from the Incredible Josephine Collage Sheet.  There are two different collage sheets available and EIGHT different images on each sheet (quite a bargain if you ask me!). 

 Paper:  White, Pink, Black cardstock, DCWV designer paper

Accessories:  Organza ribbon, Stampendous diamond dots, MS butterfly

Please be sure to pop on over to see what's new at Nicecrane Designs.  Be sure to check out his latest designer papers too ... they are AWESOME!

Other Challenges:

Digistamps4Joy - Children's Day Around the World

Splendiferous Creations - Embossing

Cardmadfairy's Digi Days - Oh So Girly

Joyful Stamper, Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes

Mami Doodles - Flowers

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping by!  
Hugs,
Darlene

Card Creation and Workshop Fun

Happy 'Over the Hump' Day Everyone!

Today I have a card to share with you which uses the new flowers I learned to make at the workshop I attended last week at Joan's Gardens in North Liberty, Indiana.

 

(click on image to enlarge)

My card is for the very first challenge offered over on CDAC for the new SSBS Designs Group.  The beautiful silhouette image was offered to be used on our creations and you can find more over on their website found HERE.   I've used prismacolor markers to color in the image and SU Lovely Lilac to color the petals for my flowers.  The designer paper used on the background was purchased at Joan's Gardens and is from Prima (Sweet Fairy 6x6).

Here are the four punches I used to make the flowers.  They are all by PunchBunch and I purchased them at Joan's Gardens. (l.-r. Lily Mega Punch,  Sun Punch, Crystal Snowflake Medium, Big Sky punch)

 (click image to enlarge)

Here's a photo Joan's husband Jon took of the group before we all went our separate ways after a fun- filled informative day.

I always learn so much and have such fun when I attend the workshops at Joan's Gardens.  I will share photos of our projects in another posting ... later today I hope! 

I hope you'll take a moment and check out the fun challenge going on over at SSBS and also pop over to Joan's Gardens for some fabulous ideas & products!

Have a wonderful day!  I'm still playing 'catch up' after being away from my 'crafting cave' most of last week.  So if you're looking for me, just peek under the pile of designer paper, ink pads & embellishments!  LOL!     Happy Crafting Everyone and thanks for stopping by!
Darlene

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge

Today at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge we are  using RED, WHITE & BLUE.  

We are also thrilled to be creating with images from this week's sponsor ROBYN'S FETISH. 

 

(click image to enlarge)

Here is my creation using one of these fun digis from Robyn.  Please be sure to pop on over to the blog and check out more inspirational creations from my DT mates!  And, I'm looking forward to seeing your R-W-B creation!  

I'm out of town for a few days attending a workshop at Joan's Gardens and I'm hoping Blogger is nice to me and posts when it's supposed to ... LOL!!  I'll be sure to take pictures to share with you upon my return ... Joan always offers awesome projects at her workshops and I'm also looking forward to seeing the ladies again!  
Catch you later!
Hugs,
Darlene
 

Joan's Gardens #19 - Summer Finale

This week at Joan's Gardens, Joan is combining her two challenges and asking us to make a Card with Matching Tag.  What a clever idea to finish out her challenges until Fall.

 (click on image to enlarge)

 Hubby & I worked outside all morning (rains have held off so far) and got the decking pad releveled and some trimming done on some of the greenery around the deck.  So now that it's mid afternoon and the sun is too hot for me ... I decided to come down to my 'crafting cave' and play around a bit.

(click on image to enlarge)

I wasn't really sure where to begin on this project but I figured BIRTHDAY is always a safe bet for tags or cards.  Then I started looking through my 'new' stack of K& Company designer paper pads and this sheet with the aqua butterfly just popped out at me.

The fact that I had a scrap piece of aqua cardstock and a roll of aqua satin ribbon sitting close by ... clinched the deal for me!  

The Martha Stewart Lacy Butterfly punch worked perfectly for both pieces ... I just added a little glue & Deco Art Glamour Dust for that added 'sparkle'.

On the card I had extra room so I thought a butterfly centered Prima flower with aqua pronds (MS punch) would work ... and it did ... perfectly.  I really like how that looks (have to keep that idea in mind for the future).

If you've never been to Joan's Gardens ... by all means, you must stop over and see all the wonderful products she carries in her store as well as inspirational creations.  Joan has another workshop coming up the end of June and I'm thrilled to say I will be attending once again.  I ALWAYS learn such wonderful tricks and techniques at her workshops that the 5 hour drive is MORE than worth it!!  Besides we've become friends and I just LOVE spending time with her & her wonderful hubby Jon!

Other challenges I'd like to share these creations with are:
The Emerald Faerie Garden - Anything Goes
I Did It Creations - Anything Goes
Allsorts - Birthday
Ellephanatstic - Birthday Party
 Less Is More - Butterflies
 Little Claire's Designs - Sparkle
Shannon's Sentiments - Birthdays
Stamp Something - Beachy Colors
Shelly's Images - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope you've had as great a weekend as I have!  Didn't do anything SPECIAL ... just enjoyed the sunshine ... grilled out with the neighbors and thanked God for all his blessings!!!


Hugs to you all!
Darlene

Don't forget to check out my SPRINGTIME BLOG CANDY  going on through Memorial Day! Time is running out to enter . . .

Something for the LADIES . . .

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I have two creations to share with you this afternoon and they are both based around 'the Ladies!'

(Click On Image to Enlarge)

First is this lovely card I made for the challenge at Joan's Gardens.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute ... a new (and last for the summer) card challenge will be up tomorrow morning!  LOL    But that's okay ... I was inspired by the recipe and just had to create something.  

The recipe was:

• Monochromatic
• Embossed background
• Flourish
• Flower(s)
• Butterflies

 * * * * *

Secondly is a card created for the Crafty Secrets Forum Challenge over on Splitcoast Stampers.  We were to FOCUS on our FOCUS IMAGE . . . of course while using Crafty Secrets / Heartwarming Vintage products for our projects/cards.  Here's what I came up with . . .

(click image to enlarge)

 

I have used an image from the 'Homemade' booklet for my FOCUS IMAGE.   The all white background helped showcase this adorable image perfectly.  


I'm short on time today ... but if you would like any of the details on creating these two images ... PLEASE ... just give a shout and I'll give you all the info you need.


Thanks and have a great day!
Dar