FALL

FALL ... beautiful FALL!

Hello Friends!

I warned you last week that I'd be sharing more Fall cards using some of the beautiful images from the Crafty Secrets SUNFLOWER collection and today I have one of those creations for you.

This beautiful digi set comes in two shades ...

black/white as well as brown/white.

Be sure to check out THIS post to see how you can change your PNG files to a different color palette.

Once again I have used my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers for coloring.
A sprinkling of Fall leaves and I'm happy with the outcome of this creation.
I have left it blank inside so it could be used for a variety of occasions!
Maybe a birthday card ...
or just a note to a friend that makes you smile! 

Challenges to share in:
Cards in Envy Challenge - The Colors of Fall
Dream Valley Challenge - Autumn Colors
Love to Scrap Challenge - Anything Goes
Make It Monday Challenge - Nature
Our Craft Corner Challenge #1 - Autumn Color

Please be sure to pop over to the Crafty Secrets Store to see what wonderful product is available.  I have no doubt you will love it as much as I do!
Then why not come join in our challenge fun at the Crafty Secrets Blog on the first Monday of each month.  NO theme ... only requirement to win is to use ANY Crafty Secrets product on your creation.  If by chance you are NEW to Crafty Secrets, there are several freebies offered for you to play with and join in the fun!

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a great day . . . As Always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Teal cs, Old Olive cs, Rust cs, Wine cs, Red cs, Yellow cs, Brown cs

Accessories:  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, White Gelly Roll Pen, Pop Dots, X-Cut die 'leaves', Memento 'bamboo leaves' ink, sponge dauber, Die Versions 'elegant font' letters die, ProvoCraft 'honeycomb' embossing folder

The colors of Fall . . .

Happy Sunday Everyone!

I should be working on tissue box covers for the upcoming craft shows next week but instead I just had to make this card.  Earlier in the day I was creating backgrounds to use on a design team card but then realized it didn't have enough of the theme color showing ... SO I created another background panel for my DT card and here's a quickie card I just made to share with you.

Yep, I broke down and purchased some of the new Ken Oliver 'Color Burst'.

WOW!  I just LOVE them ... such beautiful, vibrant color and SO EASY!!!

Challenges to share in:

Di's Digi Design Challenge - Fabulous Fall Colors

The Pencil Case Crafting Challenge - B for BRIGHT

Quick Quotes Friday Challenge - Anything Goes

This card is packaged and in the sale box!

I bet I hear some Oooo's and Aawww's when folks spot this one!  LOL

okay ... back to work!

Playtime is over!  LOL

As always . . .

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 . . .

A Winter Scene . . .

Welcome Back!

Today I have a quick & easy winter scene created for the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog!  I'm always amazed at how quickly I put together a card with the use of these fabulous die cuts purchased at the Dies R Us Store.

The possibilities are ENDLESS when using die cuts!!

Step 1:
Using a white card stock panel, sponge your favorite shade of blue ink (I've used Tim Holtz 'broken china & faded jeans' distressed ink).  ** I have circle punched a piece of masking medium (post it note will work too) and put it on my white card stock before sponging to create a moon.

Step 2:
Tear a couple scraps of white card stock and adhere one in front of the other, leaving the upper portion unattached so you can insert your trees.

Step 3:
Die cut 2 sets of the Memory Box 'Evergreen Trio' #99240 die set in your choice of green card stock shade ... I've used SU Old Olive.  Position one set in between your snowy panels and the second set in the background.

Step 4:
Die cut your favorite woodland critter and position in the foreground.  I have used the Marianne LR0377 Mama Moose and Baby (sorry Marianne dies are not routinely carried at our store.)  But there are several beautiful DEER dies available that would work perfectly in this scene!   Just type DEER in the 'search' tab of our store to see what's available.

Step 5:
Lastly add some 'snow'.  I've used Liquid Pearls for my snow effect.

 I hope you've found inspiration in today's card creation and remember you can stop by the inspiration blog any week day (Mon-Fri) for a new inspiration sample from one of the design team members!

Challenges to share in:
As You Like It Challenge - Favorite Die & Why (This tree die can be used to give dimension to any scenery card ... perfect for those difficult 'guy' cards!)
Crafty Girls Creations Challenge - Always Anything Goes 
Southern Girls Challenge - Layer it Up

There's a new challenge up at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog!

The theme is a 'Photo Inspiration' using HOT COLORS ... be sure to come check it out and then join in the fun!  YOU could be the next winner of a $10 gift voucher to the Dies R Us Store!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

As always . . .

Cardabilities Reveal #131

Hello Dear Friends!

It is time once again for the new Sketch Reveal 

at the Cardabilities Sketch Challenge Blog.

Here's my card and today's sketch ... I hope you'll come join us!

You will have until September 28th to join in our challenge and please be sure to review our rules.

One rule I'd like to mention is:  your entry can be shared with only 3 additional challenges in order for you to qualify for our prize. 

Our wonderful sponsor today is

 Heartfelt Creations

Website: https://www.heartfeltcreations.us/
Blog: https://www.heartfeltcreations.us/blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartfeltCreations

I happen to LOVE the products that Heartfelt Creations handles and have enjoyed creating with some of them for today's card creation.  Full listing will be shared at the end of this post.

Challenges to share in:

Crafting from the Heart Challenge #77 - Anything Goes

Craft Your Passion - Always Anything Goes
Not Just Cards Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

I hope you'll come join in the challenge fun at Cardabilties!

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Hunter Green cs, Heartfelt Creations design paper

Stamps: Heartfelt Creations 'Classic Leaf ' stamp set #HCPC3546, Heartfelt Creations 'Birds & Blooms' stamp set #HCPC3644

Dies:  Spellbinder Shapeablities 'Medallion Seven' #S2-024, Impression Obsession 'Border Duo 1' #DIE017, Heartfelt Creations 'Classic Leaf' die set #HCD736, Heartfelt Creations 'Birds & Blooms' die set #HCD1-756

Accessories:  Heartfelt Creations thick pop dots, Martha Stewart 'branch' punch, Heartfelt Creations Flower Making Kit, Wilton paper doily, Memento 'Bamboo Leaves' ink, Tim Holtz 'Scattered Straw' distress ink, Tim Holtz 'Broken China' distress ink, Tim Holtz distresser

Dies R Us Inspiration - Home 4 Christmas

Welcome back friends!

Today I'm sharing a holiday card created for the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog!  Christmas is really not THAT far away and I typically send out around 60 cards so there is no time like the present to get them started!  

You'll want to be sure to pop over to our Dies R Us Store for all your holiday dies.  There are SO MANY wonderful dies available through 40+ companies and I have no doubt you will find exactly what YOU need to create your holiday cards.

 

Here's a list of the dies I've used on today's creation:

CharmingXmas - Precious Marieke 'Village Ornament' #PM10037 (sorry ... sold out at the time of this posting)
Sue Wilson 'Italian Collection Decorate Frames'  #CED1503
Sue Wilson 'Finishing Touches Classic Rose' #CED1407 (leaves)
 Impression Obsession 'Alphabet Plain Upper Case' #DIE158
Memory Box 'Classic Numbers' #98362
Poppystamps 'Classic Ribbons' #1005

Holiday cards are always so pretty with a touch of sparkle
so I've added diamond Stickles to the roof of each building as well as the flower centers.

Remember you can stop by this inspiration blog every weekday Monday through Friday for new card samples using dies carried at the Dies R Us store.

We also have a challenge blog with a new challenge theme posted on the 1st and 15th of each month.  Won't you come join in our fun?  Who knows, YOU might be our next lucky winner of a gift voucher to the Dies R Us Store!  

Wouldn't that be awesome ... just in time for holiday shopping! 

Challenges to share in:

Make My Monday Challenge - Black/White + hint of another color
 Where the Heart Is Challenge - Add some Text
Christmas Card Challenge #41 - Anything Goes Christmas

Thanks for stopping by today!

I hope you're having a fabulous week!

As always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Black cs, the Paper Studio 'Harper's Boutique' dp 
Accessories:  Darice flowers, Stickles, Memento 'Bamboo Leaves' ink, sponge dauber, white gelly roll pen (faux stitching), Tim Holtz black fine tip marker (faux stitching)

Fun Crafting Weekend!

Good Monday Evening!

As most of you know, I left last Thursday morning headed to South Bend, Indiana to link up with crafting friends for a weekend of sharing projects, techniques, food & laughter!  And let me tell you we did a lot of ALL of those things!

I love getting together with these ladies!!!  

Unfortunately this time around we were missing two of our friends!  Diane Hover had plans with friends up in the U.P. and poor Gretchen Wilson was busy, busy working on doing some bathroom remodeling ... I'm sure she'd have rather been crafting!  LOL!

Thought you might like to see a few things we were working on!

I didn't have a 'finished project' to share this time but did want to show the ladies a few techniques.

The BOKEH technique (this panel will be turned into a card at some point)

The WHITE WASH technique.  Trying different papers & ink colors.

And the STAMP OVER STENCIL technique.  

This panel will also be turned into a card before long!

Joan Fricker shared a really awesome technique where you used PAPER NAPKINS,  STICKY POWDER and WOW Embossing GLITTER.  Isn't this a beautiful panel?  Check out Joan's finished card on her blog post HERE.  

You can click any of the images to enlarge.

And here's a FINISHED CARD that Joan showed us how to make.  You can see her original card on her blog post (shared link above).  I 'tweaked' mine a little from her original.  

How about this adorable card 'tote' that Bette Henson shared.  

I'll be making a few of these for upcoming craft fairs I'm sure!

Bette also shared this fabulous gift card holding card which we made template samples from and will create when we have more time in our own crafting areas.  What a beautiful card!  YEP ... another one I need to get made before my shows ... YIKES that's only a couple of weeks away!

Last but not least is Judy Studer ... Judy ALWAYS has some amazing projects to share!

She is the QUEEN of FOLDS and DIRECTIONS!

This is Judy's card (GORGEOUS) and we have made a template sample to create this card on our own.

Another cute 'box pouch'!

I don't know how she figures all this stuff out!  LOL

ALWAYS unique and FABULOUS!

Being with this group of ladies is always inspiring and helps to really get my mojo fired up!

I'm happy to say that in just a few weeks I'll be making the 5 hour drive again and headed to Michigan to spend some fun, crafting time with Diane Hover (one of the missing cogs in our crafting wheel ...  from this weekends gathering).  

Sorry for the long post but just had to share these fabulous ideas with you

in hopes of jump starting your creativity today!

Hubby's hollering for dinner so I'd best get movin'!  LOL

As always . . .

Sunflower Time of Year!

Happy Mid September Everyone!

Such a beautiful time of the year ... Fall!

With Mother Nature's amazing work on the trees and the rich earth tones of the sunflowers & mums ... I love living in this part of the country!  I don't know what I would do if I didn't have the changing of seasons to look forward to!  Each new season holds special memories in my mind and heart!

Today I have a Fall card to share that I've created for the Crafty Secrets DT.  

This beautiful SUNFLOWER collection of images was so much fun to color and create with!!   

You will be seeing more from this set in weeks to come! 

 I have used Spectrum Noir alcohol markers to color today's image.  

Then when complete, I sponged around the outside edge with Tim Holtz distress ink and a large sponge dauber.  A little corner paper piercing is all that was needed to complete the image.   

With an image as beautiful as this ... nothing more is needed!

Peek at the inside!

 Please be sure to pop over to our Crafty Secrets Blog!

We have a linky party/challenge going on and you won't want to miss it!!

There's no theme to follow (only for the DT) ...

Only requirement is you use a Crafty Secrets product on your creation.

Don't have any you say . . . well, there are freebies available you can grab to be able to join in the fun!  

Challenges to share in:

AAA Cards Challenge #48 - Autumn Colors
Di's Digi Designs Challenge - Fabulous Fall Colors

My Sheri Crafts Challenge - Thinking of Fall
Crafty Catz Challenge - Autumn Colors

So many beautiful images, paper & more available at the

Crafty Secrets Store!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a FABULOUS week ahead!

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Rust cs

Accessories:  Spectrum Noir markers, SU paper piercing mat, TH 'broken china' distress ink, large sponge dauber, X-Cut Dies 'Leaves'

DRU Inspiration - You're A Star!

Hello Friends!

Today I'm sharing another easy peasy creation using dies from our Dies R Us Store over on the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog.  The team has something NEW to share each day of the week Monday through Friday.  

Be sure to come check us out!!

 It appears team mate Leslie and I are both in love with this

 Impression Obsession Rectangle 6-in-1 Frames die set! 

 I shared a couple of cards using this set with you last Friday, Leslie showcased a card using it on Monday and here I am again today with yet another card using this VERY versatile die set.

The other die set used on the creation of this card is Poppystamps 'Stacked Stars' #POPPY-1306 which unfortunately is Out of Stock at the present time but there are SO MANY other die cuts you could use in it's place.  For instance, how about changing the colors to red, white & green and use the Poppystamps 'Stacked Stockings' #POPPY-1328!   That would make a quick, easy and awesome holiday card!

For the inside of my card I simply created a computer generated sentiment  using Word 10 

and a cute little clipart star to tie in with my 'star' theme.

A touch of yellow Stickles was added to the 'open' stars.

Of course you know what happens when you put yellow Stickles onto blue cardstock ... right??  

Yep ... they become GREEN stars instead of yellow!

Ooops!!  LOL

Dies are coming and going QUICKLY at the store so be sure to get your order placed while supplies last!  And, you can stay on top of any Sales ... New Companies ... Special limited time discounts being offered by receiving our newsletter.  When you click into the store site, the option to sign up for the newsletter will pop up ... be sure to take a minute and fill out the quick form so you don't miss out!!!  

With holidays right around the corner, we need to take advantage of those sales where ever we can!  

Don't forget to come join in our challenge fun!

A new challenge theme is posted on the 1st & 15th of each month and 

one lucky winner will receive a gift voucher to the Dies R Us Store!  

That could be YOU!!

 Hope to see you there!

As always . . .