Oh how I long . . .

. . . for the dog days of summer!

YESTERDAY . . .

TODAY . . .

{Big Sigh}   Oh well, it is February in Ohio, USA so I shouldn't complain!!

Instead I'll just keep making cards that remind me of warmer times yet to come.

Like the card I have to share with you today.

The fun challenge offered up at the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge Blog is a color challenge and I thought I'd play along once again.  I'm really enjoying the challenge themes they've been offering!!  Here are the colors we are to create with this week. 

I didn't have the EXACT colors but I came as close as I could.

This card was created totally with dies (and 1 punch)!

I love creating scenery card like this and I think they can be used for a

variety of occasions!  

Sometimes my dark green card stock shows up black in my photos so here's

a close up to show the ivy vine is really dark green ... as it should be.

I couldn't decide what color to make my butterflies

then I spotted a scrap of multicolored inked card stock left

over from an earlier project and thought that would work beautifully!

A few challenges to share in:

(must remember Watercooler Wednesday only allows 4 including theirs)

 

Crafting When We Can Challenge #137 - Flowers

Animal Friends February Challenge - No Designer Paper + animal

Happy Little Stamper - Anything Goes with Dies

Well that's it for me today!  Think I'll work on some DT projects!

Always nice to get ahead of the game!

Thanks for stopping by and as always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  Card stock:  Sky Blue, Hunter Green, Olive green, Guava, Peach, Lavender, White
Dies: Cheery Lynn Designs 'Chicken Wire Frame'  #FRM144, Tutti Designs 'Cherry Blossom Branch' #177, Sue Wilson 'Greek Island Collection Corner, Border, Tag' #CED5102, Precious Marieke 'Grass Border #PM10002, Memory Box 'Laborador' #879
Accessories:  Martha Stewart 3-in-1 butterfly punch, dimensional tape

Sisterhood of Crafters - RED

Hello Everyone!

There's a new challenge starting today at The Sisterhood of Crafters.

I'm thrilled to be your host today and with

this being the 'month of LOVE' I chose the color RED for today's theme.

I've also created a mood board to help inspire you.

I was inspired by the fabric patterns, the white puppy & red tulips.

Here's what I've created . . .

I'm not a huge animal lover (don't dislike them ... just don't want to be

bothered with the clean up at this stage of my life).  We always

had animals when I was growing up on a small farm and  always had

a dog when I was raising the family ... but now I want to be able

to pick up & go when hubby says let's go on vacation!

This little guy is just too cute!  His name is 'Buster the Dog' and he's by Elizabeth Craft.

He came from the Dies R Us Store but currently he is out of stock.  There are

other adorable animal dies that you'll want to check out!  These are the kind

of animals I can handle so you'll be seeing more of them in the near future!  LOL

The flowers are by Poppystamps ... 'Tulip Branch' and I've die cut them

twice ... once in green (for the stemming) and once in red for

the flowers.  The grass was created using the Lawn Fawn 'Stitched Hillside Border'

and the fence is an older  Poppystamps die called 'Picket Fence'  #827.

Challenges to share in:
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Cute
Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #109 - Shads of Red

Cuttlebug Mania Challenge - Roses are RED

Crafty Sentiment February Challenge - Anything Goes

Scrapyland Challenge #59 - Anything Goes

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun and be sure to pop over

for more inspiration from the design team ... what a talented group!

Thanks for stopping by and as always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  DCWV dp, white cs, green cs, brown cs, red cs, black cs

Dies:  Elizabeth Craft 'Buster the Dog', Poppystamps 'Tulip Branch', Poppystamps 'Picket Fence', Lawn Fawn 'Stitched Hillside Border', Tutti Designs 'Happy' and 'Birthday'

Just saying "Hello"

Happy Monday Everyone!

Did you see that Super Bowl last night?

Last half was pretty exciting!  Just goes to show ...

It's NOT over TILL it's over!!

(those who follow football will understand!  [wink wink])

Congrats once again to the New England Patriots!!

Anyways ... anyone who knows me knows I enjoy a good sketch challenge and

I look forward to seeing what the Mojo Monday sketch looks like each week.

But today I came upon a sketch challenge over on Great Impressions

that I thought I'd join in on.  You get extra credit if you use their

stamps and I knew I had a few in my stash ... so here goes!

I must admit, since I've gotten involved with die cuts, I 

don't use my stamps nearly as much as I once did!  So this challenge

gave me to opportunity to get inky & creative all at the same time!

I've used two Great Impressions stamps that are very old.  They are #G298

and #G304 (Sea Grasses).  I thought they would work good together for my focus

image and then decided they would be equally as good as my background

so created a background panel then cut it to accommodate the sketch.

I've used a fine tip black marker to do the faux stitching

which I think helped accent the sketch design also.

The butterflies are from the Martha Stewart 3-in-1 Butterfly Punch

and my sentiment is by Technique Tuesday.

 Thanks so much for stopping by!

As always . . .

A Butterfly Hello . . .

Happy Superbowl Sunday Everyone!

Just a few more hours and the BIG GAME will begin!

But in the meantime, I have created a

second card for the sketch challenge over on the

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge Blog. 

I totally forgot that they have a rule of sharing on only FOUR

challenges including theirs and my earlier entry had five ... oops.

So I will remember that rule this time around!  LOL 

As I stated before, I enjoy working with a sketch and this one

is a fun one to create with so here goes card #2 for this challenge!

I have a couple sheets of beautiful butterflies put out by K&Co

so today that was my choice of focus image.    This particular butterfly is a beauty!
It is two layers with color on both the chipboard bottom layer and
the top vellum layer ... so so pretty!

As on my original entry card, I have once again

used the Tutti Designs 'Nesting Stitched Oval' dies.

My background paper is Ken Oliver,

Satin ribbon is from my stash,

Sentiment is Avery Elle - Sentimentals

and the left corner butterflies are from the
Martha Stewart '3-in-1' Butterfly Punch.

I've also used Nuvo white crystal drops on the smaller
butterflies and the background panel for my focus butterfly.

Well I have lots to do before the game starts
so I'd best get busy! 

Thanks for stopping by and here's wishing
you a FABULOUS week ahead!!

As always . . .

Tutti Designs - Holy Crosses

Happy Sunday Friends!

Today I'm sharing a card of color and beauty using a die 

from the fabulous Tutti Designs Store.
WARNING:  Post is photo heavy ... but please stick with me to the end ... I think you'll be happy you did!  

I had forgotten I used this same basic technique of 'color' on last week's creation, so sorry about that!  But I have done something a little different this week so I hope you'll find inspiration in both techniques.

The same technique I am referring to is the use of Ken Oliver Color Burst to create the panel to use for die cutting this amazing Tutti Designs die ' Holy Crosses' #249.  

Easter really isn't that far away (April 16th) so I'm happy that Tutti Designs has released their new line of Easter dies so I can get ahead of the game this year!  You will find 22 gorgeous dies available in their January Release that are very fitting for this holiday. 

 I must confess!

I started this entire process using another of the January Release dies called 'Easter Lilies Window'.

When doing my color burst, I had the card panel so wet I grabbed another scrap of white card stock and laid it over the top to absorb some of the liquid color.

I used the first panel to die cut this beautiful panel.  Next I adhered it to a sheet of yellow vellum and began embossing with my stylus inside the different flower cuts.

It's been so many years since I've played around with this technique, I totally forgot this step should have been done from the BACK in order for the embossing to show through correctly.  Photo on the left is how it appears from the front ... photo on the right is how it appears on the back. (click images to enlarge)  Ooops.

SO, that is why I started again!! 

(I'm sure you will see this panel on another card sample some time in the future!)

 Below is the color panel I created using that 2nd 'absorbing' panel.  It was

pretty except the center was too light!  So I added a different color of Color Burst ... sprayed it again with water and VIOLA!  As you can see, it too was very wet (heavy trigger finger I guess) ... but, luckily it ran together beautifully.  

P.S.   That white streak you see on the left is actually a 'wet shine' in the photo ... not a white streak on the paper.

OKAY so let's start this process again!

Once my color panel was dry and after die cutting my Holy Crosses, I backed my die cut using lavender vellum.  I then flipped the panel over and using my stylus, carefully embossed certain panels to have them 'upraised' on the front side of my focus panel.

BACK of Panel

And here is a close up of the Front of the panel after embossing.

See how it it totally changes the appearance of the vellum.

FRONT of Panel

Thanks for sticking with me and I hope you've found inspiration in this posting!

Here's another quick look at the finished project.

Please be sure to pop over to the Tutti Designs Store and check out all of the fabulous dies in this latest release.  And, of course, you'll want to browse through the store to see what other dies you need to have on hand.

Challenges to share in:
A Bit More Time to Craft Challenge #37 - Anything Goes
A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge #2 - Anything Goes
Crafts and Me February Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafts Galore Encore February Challenge - Anything Goes

Need inspiration?

The team has something new to share on the Tutti Designs Blog EACH and EVERY DAY!   Pop in often and see for yourself ... what a talented group of designers!!

For your convenience, here are all the Tutti Designs quick links you will need:

Tutti Designs Store

Tutti Designs Pinterest

Tutti Designs Facebook

Tutti Designs Blog

 Thanks for stopping by and as always . . . Happy Cutting!

Dies R Us - Hang In There!

Hello Dear Friends!!

Today I'm  sharing a quick, fun creation of encouragement.

There are SO MANY amazing dies at the Dies R Us Store and lately I've fallen in love with all the 'critter' type dies.  I have so many friends that request cards made with animals so I rummaged through the store and added a number of different animal dies to my cart that you will no doubt be seeing in the weeks to come.

Today I'm using this adorable monkey named JINKS!

I've actually used three dies for today's inspiration piece . . .

Die-Namites 'Fancy Birdhouses'  DN-1168 (unfortunately Out of Stock at the present time)

Sue Wilson Frames & Tags 'Stitched Flags' CED4317 (So sorry ... also Out of Stock)

Elizabeth Craft #1107 'Jinks the Monkey'

Thank goodness!!!  The star of the show is available!!

The dies come and go quickly so if you see something you want ... you'll not want to hesitate!

After getting 'Jinks' put together  ... so easy & fun ... I knew I needed a branch for him to hang from.  After looking through my dies I didn't seem to have a distinct branch for him to swing from!  Then a light bulb went off !!!  Why not use the branch from the beautiful 'Fancy Birdhouses' die ... so that's what I did!

Original die cut panel

Snip the birdhouses off (will use on another project or two) and Viola!  I have my branch!

For my background panel I simply sponged some blue ink over my card front.  My sentiment was computer generated in Word10 the die cut using one of the Sue Wilson Stitched Flag dies.

 Remember, each an every day of the month there's a new inspiration sample shared on the blog by this fabulous design team.  Please be sure to pop in regularly.

Challenges to share in:
Crafting with Friends Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafty Catz Challenge #356 - Anything Goes/Twist - Male
 Jo's Scrap Shack Challenge - Anything Goes
Stampavie and More Challenge #279 - Animals
Animal Friends February Challenge - No Designer Paper

And, don't forget to come join in the fun at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog.  There's a new challenge theme offered on the 1st and 15th of each month and one lucky randomly drawn winner will receive a gift voucher prize to the Dies R Us Store.  For your convenience, all the important Dies R Us links are provided below. 

click below for:

STORE 
 CHALLENGE BLOG
  FACEBOOK
  INSPIRATION BLOG

FRIENDS OF DIES R US PINTEREST PAGE

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
As always . . .

Have a Hoot of a Day!

Hello All!

Hope you're having a fabulous week!

Today I decided to join in a few challenges out there in blogland

and here's what I've created:

It all started with the new challenge over on Watercooler Wednesday where 

this time around they are offering a sketch.

I find it so much easier to create when I have a sketch for my starting point.

And, I think this sketch is one that could be kept simple or you

could really elaborate and go crazy with it.

Oh and did I mention how honored I was to be their last challenge winner

at Watercooler Wednesday?  Thanks Gail for choosing my card!

YAY ... what fun!!

Anyways . . . I also spotted a couple of challenges that asked

you to use BIRDS.  This beautiful Inkadinkado owl stamp is as OLD AS THE HILLS

but still makes for an awesome focus image.  The stamp set is called 'Winter Birds'.

The background designer paper came from my scrap box, the little bird house is one that was cut from the Die-Namites 'Fancy Birdhouses'  DN-1168 so I could use just the branch on an upcoming (2/4) card creation and the sentiment is computer generated.  

Challenges to share in today:

Fab 'n' Funky Challenge - Birds

Little Red Wagon Challenge - How 'tweet' it is!  Birds

Word Art Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge - Lace and/or Ribbon

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

As always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Black cs, Scrap of dp ??
Stamps/Ink:  Inkadinkado 'Winter Birds', Versafine Onyx
Dies:  Die-Namites 'Fancy Birdhouses', Tutti Designs 'Nesting Stitched Ovals'
Accessories:  Black Nuvo crystal drops, Black double stitched grosgrain ribbon, computer generated sentiment

Double D - Lavender & Lace

Hello Dear Friends!

It's time once again for a new challenge over on the Double D Challenge Blog!

Team Diane is hosting today and they've come up with a fabulous

theme and mood board.

The theme is:  LAVENDER & LACE

I have had this Joy! crafts Noor! Designs image for several years and

have never inked it up!  I thought it would work perfectly

for today's creation ... what do you think?

I stayed with a simple design to showcase the image by

simply die cutting my panel with the Tutti Designs Stitched Nesting Rectangles

and sponged the edge while it was still in the die.

My antique lace and fabric flower are both Offray products.

My choice of designer paper came from an old DCWV Latte mat stack.

Coloring of the flowers was done with Prisma pencils

and her face was colored with a Spectrum Noir alcohol marker.

I hope you will come join in our challenge fun and remember,

Diane has a prize up for grabs for one lucky random winner!

SSshhh here's a peek at the prize!

  Precious Marieke Flower Border Die

Thanks for stopping by and as always . . .

Do Al(l) Creative Wintertime Challenge

Hello dear friends!

If you recall, I recently shared the exciting news of a new challenge blog which I'm thrilled to be a member of the team, called Do-Al(l) Creatives.    This will be a MONTHLY themed challenge with sponsorship prizes offered.  I do hope you'll come check it out and join in the fun!  

Today is the start of the second challenge at Do-Al(l) Creatives and the theme is:

Anything Goes in the WINTERTIME

 Our sponsor this month is SheepSki Designs 

 

PRIZE:  3 digital stamps from their store

For today's creation, I've chosen to design with an adorable image called 'Penguin Pals'

 

Aren't they just the cutest!!  LOL

With the holidays behind us, but winter still in full swing here in Ohio, USA, I thought this cute card would bring a smile to a friend who has a difficult time getting through these long, cold winter days.

I hope you'll come join in our WINTERTIME fun!

You could be the lucky winner!!

As always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Dark Green cs, DCWV Winter Mat Stack dp
Dies:  Precious Marieke 'Icicles' #PM10047, Tutti Designs 'Stitched Nesting Tags #213' and 'Stitched Nesting Banners #214', Memory Box 'Snowflake Corner' #98238

Accessories:  Blue Chalk, makeup applicator, Spectrum Noir alcohol marker TB1, Offray satin ribbon, Michaels silver thread