Babies are a Blessing . . .

MORNING!!

Yesterday I worked on a creation with a couple of challenges in mind and love how it came together!  We have a neighbor couple expecting their first child so I'll be saving this card for the baby shower in March.

 My THEME BASIS comes from the Monday Greeting Card Challenge at The Outlawz site.

"NEW ARRIVAL - BABY"

AND, my DESIGN THEME comes from the Papercrafter's Corner - Monday Magazine #37 Challenge using this image for inspiration.



I was inspired by the BOOK format and since I have a Heartfelt Creations Bible stamp that I've never used (probably 2 years old) ... it was time to blow the dust off of it and get it inky!!!
I stamped the image twice ... once on white paper and again on Graphic45 'An ABC Primer' design paper - One Two, Buckle My Shoe.  I cut the 'inside pages' from the design paper and layered it over the top of the black/white stamped image.

My childhood/baby images came from an older Crafty Secrets booklet called 'Joys of Life'.  Unfortunately, this booklet is out of print but they have a variety of other wonderful Baby/Children images, etc. that you could use in the same manner.  You can visit the Crafty Secrets Crafty Vintage Girl store to find what would work best for your project.

TWO for ONE!
The images of the baby on top of the gifts & the gifts under the ABC blocks was actually ONE image.  I simply fussy cut to separate it into two images
because it was too tall for my card.
By doing that, the lower portion of the boxes was not square at the top (white with blue dots box) because it was under the pink plaid box.
I simply put a dab of glue on either corner and tucked it up under the ABC blocks image.  Problem solved!  LOL!

I've also popped up the yellow ducky and the baby on presents image for a little added dimension.  Once I had it adhered into place I realized I should have added some ribbon, or fibers or 'something' to the left side for balance.
Hence the curvy row of  pink & blue flowers, LOL!

A few added challenges:
Creative Craft Challenge - New
(Bible Stamp & Spellbinder die set ... OLD but NEW to my use.)
Flourishes #255 - In with the New
Digi Darla's #98 - Alphabet Challenge
Addicted to Stamps - Flowers
Diva's By Design - Anything Goes
Fab 'n' Funky - All About the Words
Paper Pretties - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

I hope you've enjoyed my little creation and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.  I will answer as best I can and as quickly as I can.  You can always email me also ... my contact email is in the sidebar.


Stay Safe, Stay Happy and as always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Graphic45 dp, DCWV Nana's Nursery dp,
Stamps/Ink:  StampCraft 'Newborn Hands' #440D29, Fiskars Precious Baby Quotes, Versafine Onyx
Accessories:  Fiskars swivel craft knife. Darice flowers, Stampendous diamond dots, Spellbinder 'Play Time' #S4-261(never used before and over a year old), pop dots, Pentel Gold Metallic Brush

Music of the Soul . . .

Hello dear blogging friends!

Well, I nearly have all the Christmas decorations down & put away for another year with the exception of those that are outside!  It's just TOO DARN COLD!  Being in the single digits or teens is bad enough but SUB ZERO ... REALLY!!!  It's just going to have to look like Christmas on the front of our house until the temperatures get above freezing!

Does this COLD weather have you singing the blues? 

If you're snowed in ... maybe you could rent a comedy on Netflix 

and remember these words!

Hopefully it will help!

Today I'm playing along with the new challenge over at Papercrafter's Corner.  It's for the Monday Magazine Challenge and here's this week's inspiration magazine cover . . .

 

The first thing I saw when I looked at this cover was of course the block design ... next was that pretty purple flower.  SO, that was the basis for my creation.  I've really been quite happy with the cards I've created using this inspiration challenge.  Especially if my mojo is lacking ... this challenge has become my GO TO REMEDY!!

Why not come join in the fun ... I'd love to see how this cover inspires you!!

A few additional challenges:
Little Red Wagon #219 - All Purpose Card
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge - Anything Goes
 Word Art Wednesday #114 - Anything Goes
 Cards Galore Encore #1 - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  And I just LOVE when you leave me a comment!  And don't be shy ... if you see something that needs improving ... please speak up!  That's how I learn ... from all of you!!!

Take care everyone and as always ...

Recipe:

Paper:  White cs, Graphic45 'Secret Gardens' Patterns & Solids
Stamps:  Fiskars 'Laugh With Me Quotes', Rubber Stampede 'Music Notes'
Accessories:   Versafine Onyx ink, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Fanciful Flourish Small' B117S, JoAnn's flowers, Stampendous Diamond Dots

Papercrafter's Corner Challenge

HELLO Everyone!  

How's your 1st day of the New Year going?

We spent the morning enjoying a quiet breakfast and watching the snow fall (so pretty)!  Then luckily the snow quit so we were able to arrange to link up with friends for lunch and exchange Christmas gifts.  What fun!

But, in the time between breakfast & lunch, I decided to see what I could come up with for the new Magazine Monday Challenge at Papercrafter's Corner.

Here's the magazine cover we are using for inspiration this time around:

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the colors ... particularly the BLUE color.  Secondly was the BURGUNDY scallop edging.

With those couple of points in mind, here's what I came up with:

This beautiful blue background was created using Elizabeth Craft Shimmer Sheetz and Sizzix Swirls embossing folder.  Once embossed, I used my Tim Holtz sanding block to make the silver/white core POP through.  This is truly BEAUTIFUL in real life!!  I bought these shimmer sheets at Joan's Gardens back in the summer and had never taken the time to play with them ... guess what!  You'll be seeing more cards like this in the future!  LOL!  

Another product I purchase at Joan's Gardens last summer was the Cheery Lynn Designs 'Shasta Daisy' die which was used for my flowers.  Both flowers were created with the flower panels provided with just ONE run through the Vagabond.  By conditioning and curling them in different directions, it looks like two different flowers!  LOVE THAT!!

Believe it or not, this card came together VERY QUICKLY once I got the idea jelled in my mind!  I will list all the products used at the end of this post.

A few additional challenges:

ABC Challenge - C is for Colorful

 A Little Bit Crafty - Celebrate

Card and Scrap - Use Flowers

Cards Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Fairies Challenges - Flowers and Lace

Flat Friends Challenge - Anything Goes

Heck of a Challenge - NEW (new die/shimmer paper)

The Crafting Cafe - Anything Goes

The Papercrafter's Corner challenges are SO MUCH fun to play and have really helped me THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX and become a little more 'adventurous'!   This site is not just simply a challenge site either ... Steph offers a wide range of helpful hints, giveaways, organizing tips ... well pop over and see for yourself!!

 Then,  join in the fun ... I'd love to be inspired by what YOU see in this magazine cover!!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and if you've left me a comment DOUBLE THANK YOU!!  I LOVE hearing what you think of my creations (good AND bad!) LOL!

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for some AMAZING NEWS from Shelly's Images and a new challenge!  You don't want to miss this one!!!!

Until then and as always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  Burgundy cs, white cs, pink cs,
Accessories:  Elizabeth Craft 'Blue Iridescent' Shimmer Sheetz, Sizzix 'swirls' embossing folder, Fiskars decorative scissors, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Shasta Daisy' die - B310, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Fanciful Flourish Sm' - B117S, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Anastasia Lace Border - B136, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Happy' B-226, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Birthday' B-231, Tim Holtz sanding block, Kaiser pearls

Down to the wire . . .

OMG this is going to have to be quick!

I've been so busy this week that I totally forgot about the new challenge over at PaperCrafter's Corner and it ends at midnight TONIGHT!!!  The challenge is for their Papercrafting Inspiration Magazine Monday Challenge and here's the magazine cover inspiration we had to work with this week ...

Week Thirty’s Papercrafting Inspiration:

Papercrafting Inspiration: Magazine Mondays – Week Thirty-Inspiration Piece

- See more at: http://papercrafterscorner.com/blog/papercrafting-inspiration-magazine-mondays-week-thirty/#foobox-0/0/MM-Week-Thirty-Inspiration-Piece.jpg

Papercrafting Inspiration: Magazine Mondays – Week Thirty-Inspiration Piece - See more at: http://papercrafterscorner.com/blog/papercrafting-inspiration-magazine-mondays-week-thirty/#/

Papercrafting Inspiration: Magazine Mondays -
Week Thirty Inspiration Piece - See more at: http://papercrafterscorner.com/blog/papercrafting-inspiration-magazine-mondays-week-thirty/#/

Papercrafting Inspiration: Magazine Mondays -
Week Thirty Inspiration Piece - See more at: http://papercrafterscorner.com/blog/papercrafting-inspiration-magazine-mondays-week-thirty/#/

With not much time left to really be 'creative' and still get entered before the deadline ... 

here's what I came up with ...

The first thing I saw in the magazine inspiration piece was all the WORDS and so that was my starting point.  Next were the images on the right side that looked like ships at sea (probably battleships) so that was my next point of reference.  And lastly, if you have a loved one at battle, you are going to be writing him/her love letters to let them know you are thinking of them ... hence to post card reference.

Well that's about it for tonight.

I've been working on craft show items all day and I'm ready to call it a night!

Hope you've had a productive and fun day!

Snowing a bit around Ohio today ... once to be an inch or so ... but it SURE IS COLD!  

Smart phone says Actual Temp: 22 degrees ... Feels Like 8 degrees!

Brrrrr!

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Papers:  Ivory cs, OLD DCWV design paper

Stamp: SU The Open Sea

Ink:  Versafine Sepia

Accessories:  EKSuccess Tag Punch, Spellbinder Classic Oval dies, TH black distress marker, Rafia

Technique:  Distressing, Faux stitching

WOW! What a challenge!!!

Hello my friends ... can you believe it's FRIDAY again already?

Where is the time going?

Anyways ... before I run out of time, 

I wanted to play along in the new PaperCrafter's Corner Magazine Monday Challenge.

Check out the magazine cover inspiration for this week ...

WOW!  What grabbed your eye first?

THAT is typically how I play this fun challenge (won't you come join us???).

The first thing to catch my eye is the cover in the bottom right corner ...

The colors ... the butterfly ...

So, with that in mind, I reached for my ALCOHOL INKS and got busy!

I wish you could see this IRL ... it is SO PRETTY!

The alcohol inks have been applied to GLOSSY paper so they have such a beautiful shine to them.

For the butterflies I 'patted' the inks onto the paper and for my background (using the same applicator filled with the various inks) I 'swirled' across the paper.

It has been so long since I've played with my alcohol inks ... this was the PERFECT opportunity to blow the dust off and play!

I do hope you'll come join in this challenge.  

It is a TRUE INSPIRATION to see all the different and amazing creations this fun group comes up with using the exact same magazine cover.  AND for me, it's a plus because it truly makes me THINK about doing something different and as unique (hopefully) as the magazine covers themselves.

Have a great day ... and a fabulous weekend ahead!

As always ...

Thanks so much for stopping by and ...

Papers:  white cs, glossy white cs, black cs
Accessories:  Tim Holtz Adirondack alcohol inks (Stream, Wild Plum, Butterscotch), Tim Holtz applicator with felt pads, Spellbinder Nestabilities 'Fleur De Lis Squares', Cheery Lynn Designs (DL161) Small Lace Faerie Queen w/Angel Wing die, purple gem, scallop decorative scissors

PaperCrafter's Corner Challenge

Hello my friends!

Sorry I've not been posting as much as I usually do, but as you know this is 'craft show' time so even though I've been creating up a storm, I've not taken the time to photograph and share everything here on my blog ... you would go crazy if I posted that much!!  LOL!!

BUT today I have a creation I quickly put together for the Magazine Monday Week #28 Challenge over at PaperCrafter's Corner (LOVE THIS CHALLENGE) and here is this week's magazine cover we are drawing inspiration from.

The first thing to catch my eye is the 'domino' piece right in the center of the cover ... so THAT is where my creation began.  I took a piece of 4x6 black cardstock and started punching holes in it.  Then, using up a few of the OH SO MANY scraps laying on my worktable at the moment, I started cutting strips and shapes and came up with this design:

I don't know about you, but I am always in need of masculine birthday cards so that too was utmost on my mind when I was creating.  I am NOT a 'symmetrical' design style person so this is really out of my comfort zone but hopefully someone will be able to enjoy it!

A few additional challenges:
Die Cuttin Divas #139 - Anything Goes (must include a die cut)
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash - Stitching (faux or real)
 Twisted Tuesday Challenge - Free For All (twist: anything goes)

I hope you'll check out this fabulous, insightful site and then come join in the inspirational fun challenges.  

And, there are prizes!!

Hope to see you there!

NOW I really must get back to craft show projects if I'm ever going to be ready for Saturday's show!

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

Recipe:

Papers:  Black, Green, Maroon, Yellow, Pumpkin, Brown card stock

Stamp/Ink:  Impression Obsession/Versafine Onyx

Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs 'B178' Flourish leaf strip, Cottage Cutz 'Deer w/wreath #283' (bow), Spellbinder 'Party Time' Shapabilities (cars), 1/8" hole punch, TH fine tip black marker

Technique:  Faux Stitching

Music in my Heart ...

Hello my friends ...

I'm back as promised with my second posting today . . .

for the Monday Magazine Cover Challenge #27

at Papercrafters Corner.

There are so many things I could have done with this 'memory refreshing' magazine cover, but I chose to use the colors as my inspiration.  Do you remember this publication?  Well, as much as I hate to admit it (telling my age here ... but I'm sure most of you already know I'm OLD ... lol).  I do remember it!  As a matter of fact, I believe I had THIS EXACT issue!  

Do you recognize the characters referenced on the top of this magazine cover?  

Beany and Cecil . . . 

That was one of my favorite cartoons ... okay, enough reminiscing ... back to my card creation for the challenge.   As I was saying, I chose to use the COLORS  ... Orange, Yellow, Green, Black & White for this weeks creation and here's what I came up with.

The flowers on this card were flowers I learned how to create while at Joan's Gardens a few weeks back. 

They are layers and layers of crepe paper, colored with TH Distress re-inker "Spiced Marmalade" and water...

I love how the color varies!!  Such a fun technique!

I have used a scrap of dark olive card stock to die cut my leaves using the Cheery Lynn Designs B178 Flourish Leaf Strip.  The yellow panel was punched using the Martha Stewart Trellis punch and the musical brads are by Recollections.  I chose to cut the 'brad legs' off and pop them up with some foam tape.

That's it for me today!

Still working on crafty show projects so I'd best get back to work!

Thanks so much for stopping and why not take a minute and check out this awesome site.  It is SO MUCH FUN to join in this challenge and to see all the different creations that come from the very same inspirational magazine cover.  You'll be hooked just like me!!  LOL!!

Here's the LINK!

As always . . .

FAITH...

Morning All!

I'm trying to get things packed up and ready to get on the road headed to Indiana for a few fabulously fun crafting days with those five friends I mentioned in my last post but before I go, I wanted to share something I made quickly for the new challenge over at Paper Crafter's Corner and the Besties Challenge.

This week at PaperCrafter's Corner, there will be the chance to win THREE times since there are THREE different themes/inspiration pieces ... Magazine Cover, Music & Repurpose.

Here's what I came up with ...

I repurposed an old piece of fun foam from an old project.  Cut into a door hanging shape and covered it with pink cardstock, scraps of musical paper as well as Breast Cancer Awareness design paper left over from making tissue box covers.  The WORDS were cut from another scrap piece of BCA design paper.

My Besties images is called POLLY and she's dancing because she's encouraged someone to KEEP THE FAITH ... think PINK and God's angels will watch over her singing songs of joy!

I'll be back later with more details but now I must go!  

I need to leave in an hour and like I said ... nothing is packed yet ... including this laptop!  LOL!

Thanks for stopping by and as always ...

INSPIRATION challenge at Paper Crafting Corner

Hello my friends ...

I'm off to Pennsylvania early in the morning to have breakfast with some of my 1st cousins.  As you know, I come from a very large family and over the past year or so, it was decided we'd try and get together for breakfast the 1st Friday of each month for anyone who was available.  Luckily this month I'm available and look forward to seeing many of them again!

Since I knew I'd be getting on the highway early (1-1/2 hour drive) I wanted to share with you the card I made for the new Papercrafting Inspiration: Magazing Monday Challenge Week 25

Here is our inspirational Magazine Cover for this week:

Even though there are several different ideas that immediately came into my head, my eye was of course drawn to the suitcase.  And with a suitcase comes travel ...

So here's what came together for me.

Aren't these images awesome!  They come from a sheet of vintage images called 'Life's Journey' by Magenta (www.magentastyle.com).   Other than the vintage style (which I love), the thing that drew me to these images was the suitcases with the name Darlington on them.  My home town (and where I'm headed in the morning) is Darlington, PA.

I rummaged through some of my vintage style design papers and came up with this worldly patterned paper and the post card was actually cut from another vintage 12x12 paper.  I've distressed the edges with Tim Holtz TeaDye ink and even curled a couple corners to give it a more aged appeal.

The verse on the forefront image says:  "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing!"

I hope you've enjoyed my card today and please come join in the inspirational fun at Paper Crafter's Corner.  It's amazing to see what different people see in the same image! And I might add, this challenge has certainly helped me to 'think outside the box'!

Thanks so much for stopping by and as always ...

Who's the Leader of the Club who's made for you & me . . .

Today I have another fun challenge to share with you and I hope you'll come join in the fun!  I've only been playing this challenge for a few weeks and I'm LOVIN' the inspiration I have found on this site!  Please ... be sure to pop over and check it out!

(OH!  And did I mention I won last week?  LOL!  happy..happy!)

This is the inspirational Magazine cover from this weeks challenge at

PaperCrafter's Corner Monday Magazine Challenge Week 24.

 

 OMG is this too cute or what!

Of course, being at the age I am, my first thought was to all those Mickey Mouse Club episodes my sisters and I used to watch.  I used to think I was pretty special way back then since one of the original Mouseketeers was DARLENE!! 

Anyways here's what I came up with for the challenge.  I'm in need of more tissue box covers for my upcoming craft shows so this fits that need as well as this fun challenge.

The 'mouseketeer' image on the front is called 'DISNEY FAN' from Sassy Studio Designs.  I've used Spectrum Noir alcohol markers for my coloring ... did some fussy cutting with my trusty Fiskars swivel craft knife and then added xPress It foam mounting tape to the upper portion so the lid would fit down over the box without covering the image.  Other than that, I've kept it pretty simple ... but really cute I think.

The Red Dots design paper is from Michaels - by Recollections.

The Mickey Mouse - Disney design paper is from JoAnn's  - by Sandy Lion.

I'll be back a little later to share this cute tissue box cover with a few other challenges.  But right now time is ticking and I really need to get outside and mow the lawn!  
 WELL, the lawn is mowed, birds are fed, almost time to make dinner but let's check out a few other challenges first:
Anything Goes Challenge - Out with the Girls (just like winning the Super Bowl - Let's Go To Disney!)
Bearly Mine - Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything But a Card
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #239 - Build it with Dots
Party Time Tuesday #139 - Anything Goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Try It On Tuesday - Going Dotty
All Crafts Challenge - Anything Goes/Anything But A Card
Digi Make Over Challenge - Anything Goes
DL.ART: September Linky Party - Anything Goes
 

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today ... your kindness is certainly appreciated!!

I will leave you today with the Mickey Mouse Club Alma Mater.

I don't know about you, but I sang along with this song more times than I can count!

As always . . .

Twenty Five Years

Happy Hump Day All!

Today I have a fun challenge to share with you and I hope you'll come join in the fun!  This is only my second week playing this challenge and I'm LOVIN' the inspiration I have found on this site!

This is the inspirational Magazine cover from this weeks challenge at

PaperCrafter's Corner Monday Magazine Challenge Week 23.

My first thought was WOW!!!

  
The colors are gorgeous but for my creation, I went with what caught my eye first ... the 25 in the center.  Here's what I came up with ... what do you think?

The outside framing is Silver Metalic cardstock which is really hard to capture in a photo because of the reflection but I think you get the idea.  I also wanted to incorporate some of the beautiful colors so I die cut this Memory Box #98279 Twirled Heart Border ... popped out the hearts and colored them (ink to paper technique) with various colors of Brilliance ink then after adhering the border outline, glued each heart into place.

I made the background paper by first swirling Silver Gelatos onto white cardstock then stamping & over stamping this Repeat Impressions 25th stamp with Versafine Onyx ink.  The focus sentiment is from an older Inkadinkado stamp set I have in my 'Weddings/Anniversaries/Love' stamp drawer.

Well, that's probably it for me today!  

The weather here in Ohio is PERFECT for working on those outdoor projects so I think that I'm going to get out of the 'cave' today and breath in some fresh air!  Hubby and I stopped and bought some beautiful Fall Mums to decorate the front porch after breakfast this morning and I think I hear them calling my name!  LOL!!

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by today!

What every you are doing ... make it fun!

As Always . . .