Furry Friends

Hello everyone!  It's time for a new challenge at The Sisterhood of Crafters.  

Today's challenge is all about ANIMAL ANTICS.

(open to your interpretation)

 I have chosen to create a couple of 'scenes' for you today.  This first card utilizes an older Stampin' Up set called "Nature Silhouettes".  I have created to background by first punching out a post it note masking circle for the moon then sponged TH 'Stormy Sky' distress ink for the sky and Momento 'Bamboo Leaves' for the background grass.  

Other items used on this card are:  Basic Grey 'Oxford' dp, organza black ribbon, SU photo corners, Joy Crafts #6003/0032 leaf die, Joy Crafts #6002/0137 grass die.

For this second creation, I have used the Gina K 'Wild About You' stamp set.  Again I created the background using masking and Tim Holtz distress inks.  The card base is of kraft paper and the giraffe dp was purchased at JoAnn's a lot while back.  Double faux stitching was done for added dimension.
Other Challenges:
DL.ART April Linky Party - Anything Goes

I hope you've enjoyed my cards today and you will come join in our challenge fun!  Hope to see you there!  Until then and as always . . .

Squigglefly Challenge

Hello friends!  Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

It's time once again for a new challenge at Squigglefly and today we have a RECIPE challenge for you.  

And, the recipe is:

some printed paper, at least 2 brads, and a tag of any kind (size or shape)

I chose this fabulous Cheryl Alger image called 'Backyard Vacation'.

My background paper is from JoAnn's, the swirly brads are from Hobby Lobby and the ribbons are from Michael's.  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers were used for the coloring on this adorable image and the tag was handmade.

I hope you'll come play along in our challenge and if you need more inspiration, be sure to checkout what my team mates have created this week ... AMAZING!!  You can find links to all their blogs by clicking on my Design Teams tab at the top of my blog under the header.

Other challenges:

Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create - Spring Fever
Lacy Sunshine Challenge - Anything Goes (hand colored image)
The Corrosive Challenge - Spring Fling
DL.ART April Linky Party - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope the sun is shining for you today!

As always . . .

MY APOLOGY

I just had to quickly post a note of apology to anyone who commented on my blog since the 1st of the year with any questions that I did not reply to!  I just realized I had over 500 comments that did NOT get published or sent to my email ...  THANK YOU ALL so much for your kind, encouraging words and if you did ask a question on a technique, particular card or whatever, PLEASE ask again and I will answer this time!  SO SORRY  ... I was not snubbing anyone ... blogger just decided not to let me know you all were here (boy is my face red!) ...  I was actually concerned that I was loosing friends and couldn't figure out what I had done!

 I just spent the last couple of hours reading all the wonderful comments from you all ... THANK  YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!   I am humbled by your kind words!

I should be OUTSIDE . . .

Happy Sunday All!  

YES, YES, I know I should be outside it is so beautiful (71 degrees) and the sun is shining ... BUT it is VERY windy and what I had hoped to get done today (power wash the deck) is best saved for a less windy day!  SO with that being said, I decided to play along in a couple of new (to me) challenges.

The CAS Sunday Challenge at The Outlawz site made me aware of the fact that it is National Frog Month!  Yep ... I didn't know such a thing existed ... did you?  LOL!  So we are to make a CAS card using a FROG!  I have a terrible time making CAS cards so thought this would be good practice!

I sure hope this is CAS enough ... I was so hard not to add more layers, flowers, ribbon, pearls ...yada, yada, yada!  I have had this cute All Nite Media froggy stamp since I began stamping and I think he is just the cutest thing!  In fact, I think it is the ONLY frog stamp I have in my collection of many stamps!

The sentiment does actually say Happy Birthday but when I inked it up I cleaned off the "A" and replaced it with a Creative Memories 'O' sticker letter.  The WALL is a piece of scrap green paper which I drew the lines on with one of my brown alcohol markers & a ruler to create the bricks ... very easy, peasy!

A few other challenges:

Scrappy Frogs Challenge - Think Spring

Dilly Beans - Spring

A Gem of a Challenge - Animals

One Stop Craft - Birthdays

The second challenge I wanted to play in was at the Digistamps4Joy group of Papercraft Planet.  They were offering two freebies on Freebie Friday at their Blog and after seeing some of the fabulous creations made with this image I just had to have it for myself.

Isn't this image fabulous?  My sister is SHOE CRAZY so this will be the perfect image for her birthday card this year!  I created the sentiment in PhotoShop and the polka dot paper is from Webster's Pages.  A few Stampendous Diamond Dots adorn the show squares and a purple ribbon knot in the corner is all this card needed to be a quick & easy creation! 

Other challenges:
DL.ART April Linky Party - Anything Goes 

Okay, okay ... there are still several hours of daylight left ... maybe I'll go outside and clean up a couple flower beds ... the wind won't be too much of an issue with that job!  LOL!

Thanks for stopping by ... have a FABULOUS week ahead and PLEASE come back soon!

As always . . .

Spring Time and Sparkle

Good Saturday Afternoon to you all!

Today I have two cards to share with you for two different challenges.  

First is a fun card for the Sassy Studio Designs Dare to be Sassy Thursday challenge #171.  I'm also entering this card into their May Guest Designer Post.  I love these images and have been wanting to try out for the guest designer and am FINALLY going to 'go for it'.  I hope they like my creation.  This week's challenge is to use something wet on your project (stickles, smooch, crystal effects, dew drops).  I have used pink cottoncandy & mauve Stickles.

Recipe:

Sassy Studio Designs Digi Image:  Katniss Girl of Fire Sassy

Papers:  White cs, bright pink cs, internet music score dp, Basic Grey 'sultry' 6x6 paper pack

Accessories:  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, xPress foam mounting tape, Cheery Lynn Designs DL112 Exotic Butterflies Small, Cheery Lynn Designs B165 Lace Corner Deco E, Prima flowers, Stickles, Memory Box #98401 Tiffany Frame and #98402 Cherise Label dies

Other Challenges:

The Outlawz Twisted Thursday - Singing and/or Music

2 Sisters Challenge - Anything Goes

Catch the Bug Challenge - Anything Goes

CMC Copic Challenge #65 - All About the Hair

Totally Gorjuss - Anything Goes with Sparkle

CCEE Stampers - Things with Wings

Delightful Challenge - All About Music

In the Pink Challenge - Lets Fly Away ... In Pink!

Stampavie and More - Pretty in Pink

Stamp n Doodle - Pretty in Pink
DL.ART April Linky Party - Anything Goes  

The second card today is for the "Springtime Fun" challenge at Impression Obsession.  I have never participated in their challenge and after seeing a creation my friend Diane (Nellie's Nest) created for the challenge, I thought I'd give it a try.  

I have used three Impression Obsession products for this CAS card.  

I've created the background with their F8714 Dandelion Stem rubber stamp and Momento 'bamboo leaves' ink.  The corner treatment is their rubber stamp F1047 Daisy Corner which I colored with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers and fussy cut with my Fiskars swivel craft knife.  The adorable birds is a die I purchased this week at Joan's Gardens and it is Impression Obsession DIE058-N, which I cut from heavy black cardstock.

Other Challenges:

Creative Moments - Things with Wings (entry 2)

Crafty Sentiments Designs - Green, Yellow and one other

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge - Anything Goes

Loves Rubber Stamps Challenge - Anything Goes

Papertake Challenge - Anything Goes

THANKS SO MUCH for stopping by today and I hope you are finding crafting time in your busy schedule this weekend!  I don't know what I would do if I didn't have time to craft ... 'therapy at its best!'

ENJOY the rest of your weekend!  SO NICE to see the SUNSHINE!!

As always . . .

April Showers . . .

Well I'm back with my card for the current challenge at Joan's Gardens.

Here are the requirements for this challenge:

• Use Yellow, Black and White
• Use a Frame
• Use something to do with Spring (parasol, umbrella, etc.)
• You must use something sold at Joan's Gardens on your card.

 (click on photo to enlarge)

On the last post I shared with you photos of all the new goodies I purchased at Joan's this week so of course I couldn't wait to incorporate a few of them onto this card.  

Here's what I used (I will highlight those purchased through Joan's Gardens):

Die-Versions 'Floral Parasol" die

Cheery Lynn Designs DL233 Italian Flourish Tiny Doily

Spellbinder S5-159 Gold Labels Four dies

PinkPaislee Butterfly Garden 6x6 pattern paper

Martha Stewart Branch punch

Kaiser pearls

Art Glitter Adhesive (dries clear)

Provocraft Cuttlebug embossing folder

x-Press It High Tack Foam Mounting Tape

White Gelly Roll pen for doodling

Yellow Vellum for flowers

Project tips:

• After die cutting the parasol from black cardstock, I traced around it onto my design paper and cut it out just inside the pencil lines to use as the patterned backing of the parasol.  Then glued the black die cut parasol over the patterned paper with Art Glitter glue.

• From the yellow vellum, I die cut two of the Cheery Lynn Tiny doilies, accordion folded them, pinched them closed at the bottom with some glue to form a flower base.  Once they were dry, I snipped off the excess base, fluffed out the 'petals' and glued them to my card.

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

DL.ART Thankful Thursday - SPRING

DL.ART April Linky Party - Anything Goes

DRS Designs - Paper Flowers

Fab 'n' Funky - April Showers

Jen's Digi Stamps - Spring

Paper Pretties - April Showers bring May Flowers

Ruby's Rainbow - Happy Birthday

Simon Says - Happy Birthday
Broken Box Stock - Think Spring

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

What a FABULOUS DAY!!

Hello my friends and HAPPY FRIDAY!!

I'm back from my trip to Indiana ... all rested up and ready to get busy catching up on my DT work.  BUT, before I do, I wanted to share some photos with you.  It was so wonderful to see some of my friends from Michigan, Indiana & Illinois!  (warning:  photo heavy post)

Take note of what my 'friend' Diane (Nellie's Nest) decided to do for this photo (in the pink behind me).  YEP ... she gave me the ole 'rabbit ears' or as she said 'she was just giving the PEACE sign' ... LOL!  WHAT A FUN GROUP and thank goodness Joan's husband, Jon took TWO photos ... LOL!

Diane was telling me about these fabulous doll stamps by Julie Nutting (can now be purchased through Joan's Gardens) and I couldn't wait to see them and create something ... that is when the idea of doing an Altered Canvas came into  mind for our get together.  Some of the other ladies had never done a canvas before so it was AWESOME FUN and each one really shows the creators character.  Luckily I took a photo of each canvas since I found inspiration from each one ... want to see??

Here is Diane Hover's.

She was going to add a few more things once she got home.  You can see her finished canvas on her blog Nellie's Nest.   Thanks so much for this fabulously fun get together idea!

I love the colors Judy Studer (Back Porch Crafts by Judy) used on her canvas.  It is gorgeous!   Though difficult to see in the photo, the chandelier was actually die cut & popped up and the black & white flower was created by die cutting the Memory Box Quinn Flourish three times and conditioning it ... it is beautiful!

 Gretchen Wilson (Gretchen's Closet) will also be finishing her creation at home.  She plans on adding several of the Judy Nutting dolls to this canvas along with other embellishments.  I can't wait to see the finished product!!

 Joan used papers from the Graphic45 'Ladies Diary' to make this beautiful gift for a family member.  Isn't it just STUNNING!!!  What a work of art and a true treasure for the recipient.

 

Bette Henson has a great start to this canvas.  She too will be completing it at home.  LOVE the bird on a branch element and those clouds ... BEAUTIFUL!  Can't wait to see this finished project too!

And, last but not least, here is my finished canvas.  LOVE how these colors came together and this doll in her paper pieced dress was so much fun to work with!  I wish you all could see these in real life ... they are each amazing & beautiful!  Photos just don't do them justice!!

Here are a couple of closeups to show you some detail.  You can click on any of the photos for an even larger view.

For the flower I used the Spellbinder Anemone Flower Topper dies with the same design paper that's on the canvas.  The flourishes were created with the Cheery Lynn Designs B117S Fanciful Flourish Small and they were also cut from some of the scraps of the dp used on the canvas.  Teal Stickles added a little sparkle to my creation (thanks Diane) and the accent painting was done with both a foam brush and bubble wrap.   The words on my canvas are White Rub-Ons ... so quick & easy!

Thanks to all the ladies for sharing their papers, embellishments, ideas & friendship on this MEMORABLE get together!  I am truly blessed to call these ladies my friends.

A few other challenges:
Cheery Lynn Designs - Back to Nature (butterflies)
 Cute Card Thursday - Something Borrowed (stamps/papers/rub-ons)
Forever Friends April Challenge - Paper Piecing
Little Miss Muffet - Anything Goes
Sarah Hurley Challenge - Projects with Character
Creative Moments - Things with Wings (butterflies)

NOW DON'T FORGET ... this did take place at Joan's Gardens so of course I had to SHOP!!!

I hadn't been out to Joan's since last fall so I've been saving up and waiting to have a HUGE SHOPPING SPREE ... and I did!  (ssshhh don't tell hubby ... LOL ... he already thinks I have more than enough stuff to play with!)  Want to see what I bought???

 Yep ... I 'bought the farm' on this trip!  LOL!  And CAN'T WAIT to start playing with all my new toys!  I tell you ... I was like a kid in a candy store!  I'm sure you understand completely!!!

NOW it's time to play work!  Joan has a new challenge posted that I want to join in on and as I said at the beginning of this long post ... I do have DT work to get caught up on!  So, enough jibber-jabber ... time to craft!  Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope you have a fabulous weekend ahead!

As always . . .

Shelly's Images Challenge

Hello blogging friends!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I'm out in Indiana crafting with a group of friends so I hope Blogger behaves and does what it's supposed to do in my absence!

It's time for another challenge at Shelly's Images and our theme today is to use SCALLOPS and we are featuring Shelly's fabulous image called 'Field of Dreams'.

As usual, I was so involved in creating my card design, coloring, etc. that I forgot to look at what the actual challenge THEME was ... DUH!  So let's just say that my flowers are scallop ... yea, that works!! 

This is actually the SAME image which I've brought into WORD to create a pair of horses in the field.  My daughter says that a horse is always happier with a 'partner' so that is where my head was when working with this beautiful image.  

Of course when you are talking horses, my first thought goes to 'anything western' for my design.  Hence the barn beam and handkerchief design papers as well as the twine.  The faux stitching reminds me of the stitching on a saddle.  

(Kind of scarey knowing what goes on inside my head when I'm crafting, huh!  LOL!)

Inside of card with Shelly's Dream Tomorrow Sentiment

I hope you've enjoyed my creation today and maybe even drew a bit of inspiration from it.  Why not come join in our challenge fun at Shelly's Images and PLEASE come check out what the other team members have created for your inspiration ... I'm telling you these gals are AWESOME!!

Hope to see you there!

Indiana Bound . . .

Hello blogging friends!

I'm packed and ready to head out to link up with some crafting friends for a day of CRAFTING FUN!  

But, before I go, I wanted to remind you of the April CRAFTY SECRETS LINKY PARTY going on over at the Heartwarming Vintage Blog.  Just link any creation made with a Crafty Secrets product for your chance to win a $50 Crafty Secrets Gift Certificate!  

I'd also like to share a couple cards I made using their new SEWING line of products.

Using:  Sewing Papers, Button Card, Paper Floral Tags

Other:  PunchBunch Cheery Blossom & Big Sky Punches, Martha Stewart Branch Punch, Real buttons, Inkadinkado gold thread, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers,

click to enlarge

Inside View

 Used:  Sewing Papers, Bobbin Cards, Stamps, Paper Floral Tags, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers

Technique:  Paper Piecing, Faux Stitching

All of the papers and ephemera that I used will be available shortly in the Crafty Vintage Girl Shop. You can see more sneak peeks though, HERE on the Heartwarming Vintage Blog!

Okay ... time to 'hit the highway' and yes, I promise to drive safely!  It's only five hours ... I'll be there just in time for dinner!  LOL!

As always . . .

No more crafting or blogging for me!

APRIL FOOLS!!!

Sorry,  I just had to do it!

Are you kidding?  I'd go crazy if I could not play with paper, ink, markers, embossing folders, etc., etc., and as for blogging ... my day would not be complete without visiting all my friends out in blogland!!

SO ... since I'm not going anywhere and it is the 1st Monday of a new month ... that means it is time for another CRAFTY SECRETS LINKY PARTY and DT CHALLENGE!

The challenge theme for the design team this month is SEWING!  And with all the NEW, FABULOUS digital 'sewing' images available (in the store SOON), this was amazing fun!  I will have several crafty, sewing related projects to share with you over the next few weeks but today I'd like to show you the 1st thing I wanted to create with this new digital sewing line.

It is an 11 x 14 Canvas Wall Hanging

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Crafty Secrets items used:  Sewing Papers, Sewing Lady Sign, Sewing Notions, Bobbin Card Set, Creative Quote Signs, Sewing Stamps, Sewing Ephemera, Paper Floral Tags,
Other:  real buttons, Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress Ink, x-press foam tape, Crystal Effects, Bubble Wrap, Mauve Acrylic Paint, Glimmer Mist

Here is a MINI TUTORIAL showing you some of the steps I took in making this wall hanging:

Step 1:  Pick & print the papers, notions & ephemera you think you'd like to use.

 Step 2:  After inking or painting the canvas edges (optional) 

Tear various paper designs and layout your pattern

Use Mod Podge to adhere your design papers to your canvas front.

Step 3:  I like to 'grunge up' the paper just a little with either distress inks, Glimmer Mist or even by adding a little acrylic paint to a piece of bubble wrap and lightly pouncing it onto the paper here & there.  Be Creative!

Step 4:   I chose this lovely image (which is part of one of the papers) to be my main focus image.  Since I wanted to pop her up and make her the focus, I wanted her to have a little more 'substance'.  Here is how I did that ...

1.  fussy cut the image from the paper

2.  trace around onto cardboard/chipboard (I used an empty cereal box)

3.  fussy cut the traced image INSIDE the trace line a little

Glue the two together with your favorite glue or mod podge.

Step 5:  Cut out, distress and gather all the pieces you would like to include on your canvas and lay them out in different ways until you have things where you'd like them.

THEN WHAT I DO ... is take a quick picture ... print it out onto regular printer paper to use it as my basic guide.  As you can see by this photo and my end result (top of page) things got moved around a bit before I was all done but that's the fun of doing a collage type project like this ... there is NO WRONG WAY!!

 

And with all the BEAUTIFUL papers, notions, tags, stamps, quotes, etc., etc. that Crafty Secrets has to offer in so many different themes ... the possibilities are ENDLESS for a project such as this!

Sorry for such a long post but I hope you've enjoyed the information and found inspiration.  Remember our LINKY PARTY is going on throughout this week and you could win some FABULOUS Crafty Secrets products just for playing along!  You can use ANY Crafty Secrets/Heartwarming Vintage products for your creation/entry.  Also, please be sure to check out my team mates blogs for more amazing SEWING creations/inspiration.  Just click on the links below ...

• Vicki Chrisman Team Leader
• Michele Kovack
• Darlene Pavlick
• Melissa Bove
• Rebekah Faries

I'd like to also acknowledge and welcome the newest member to the Crafty Secrets Design Team ...  SHEILA RUMNEY

Blessed and Distressed

You'll want to pop over to Sheila's blog ... SO MUCH TO SEE!

Okay it's time for me to go now.  I'm leaving tomorrow to spend a couple of days with crafting buddies in Indiana and I don't have anything packed yet!  Yikes!  I dread the 5 hour drive but am so excited to see/craft with my friends again .. it seems like AGES since we've been together!

Thanks SO MUCH for your kindness & comments!

As always . . .