Let's Go to the Beach . . .

Hello Everyone!

I am SO EXCITED to share with you that I am the Guest Designer this week on

the Pause Dream Enjoy blog!  YAY!  Thanks to Janis for having me ... what fun!

The theme for today's challenge is:

BEACH / OCEAN

I must admit I don't go to the beach very often (red heads sunburn easily, lol) but the few times I've been to the beach it was fabulous!  Walking along the shore line, watching the sea gulls and listening to the waves crash against the beach ... how relaxing.  But as I watch the beauty of the ocean waves I often imagine all the amazing creatures beneath those beautiful waves ... do you believe in mermaids?  I did when I was a little girl and in fact, I have a niece who is in her 20s who honestly believes she was a mermaid in another life.  And, the way she surfs, swims and spends time in the ocean ... I think she might be right!!

I just received this fun Little B 'Mermaid' die set and couldn't wait to create this scene.  But first, I needed an 'ocean' background which I created using a 4x6  sheet of watercolor paper and three Tim Holtz distress oxide inks ... Broken China, Faded Jeans and Pistachio.  I just kept swiping, spraying & drying until I got the affect I was looking for.

My first intention was to make this a shaker card ... but I was so busy putting my scene together JUST RIGHT that when I was finished,  I realized I had forgotten the crystals that I wanted to add!  Oh well!   Guess you'll just have to use your imagination!  LOL!  Where is my mind???   I was so careful to cut all my panels the same so they would fit perfectly together ... used the foam tape for the dimension needed, and I even hand cut a clear packaging panel from one of my recent Sue Wilson die sets to use for the 'glass' front' (repurposing is a good thing) ... all that work and forgot the crystals ... duh!! 

Challenges to share in:
Creative Moments Challenge #124 -  ATG option/funny
 CropStop August Challenge - ATG using product carried at their store
Scrapyland Challenge #71 - Anything with a Die
Die Cuttin Diva's Challenge #329 - Bye Bye Summer
Happy Little Stamper August Challenge - ATG with Dies


I hope you've been inspired by my creation today and I hope you'll come join in the Beach/Ocean challenge at the Pause Dream Enjoy blog!  I can't wait to see what you create!

Thanks for stopping by and as always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  white cs, white watercolor paper, green cs, brown cs, medium blue cs, Water print dp
Dies:  Sue Wilson 'Stitched Flags' CED4317, Frantic Stamper 'Shoreline Reeds' FRA9879, Little B 'Mermaid' #102413, Lawn Fawn 'Large Cross Stitched Rectangles' #LF1178, 'Small Cross Stitched Rectangles' #LF1179
Stamps:  Inkadinkado
Inks:  Versafine Onyx, Tim Holtz Distress Oxides 'Broken China', 'Faded Jeans', 'Pistachio'
Accessories:  Clear packaging from die set, 3M dimensional foam tape, Tim Holtz water spray bottle,

Birthday Blessings

Happy Tuesday Friends!

It's time once again to share a creation I've designed for the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog.

Today's card is pretty simple but I think not just cute ... but totally mailable!!

 

Dies R Us products used on today's card are as follows:

Darice Embossing Folder 'Stacked Balloons'

Elizabeth Craft Designs 'Blessings Prayers'

Tutti Designs - Word Set  'Birthday'

I bet you didn't realize that Dies R Us handles some Embossing Folders & Stamps in their store too!  How cool is that!!  And the best way I have found to locate what they might have available is to use their SEARCH function.  Just type in a word ... click on the Search magnifying glass ... and see everything available in that topic.

Even though this card is relatively simple in design ...
I did a couple little things that I think you might find interesting!

First of all, I'm sure you noticed I used words from two different die sets ... why not!!!
Secondly, I wanted to shadow those words but didn't want to use black because I was afraid it would be to  SHARP and drown out my embossed balloons.  So, I got the bright idea to use the scraps that were left from my balloon background panel but of course I had to modify their color so they would stand out from the background ... hence I sponged them with a different shade of blue and used Tim Holtz oxide ink since it was the most handy. 

Thirdly, while working with shadowing my words I realized that my sponge dauber was close to the same size as the balloons on my embossed panel so figured why not give them a touch of accent color too ... AWESOME!!  Every once in awhile I come up with a good idea!  LOL

 I hope you've enjoyed what I've shared today!  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


Challenges to share in:
Simon Says Monday Challenge - Happy Birthday
Die Cut Diva's August Challenge - ATG
 Love to Craft  August Challenge - ATG
2 Sisters on the Blog Challenge - ATG 
Come and Get It Challenge - Use Die Cuts

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

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Medium Blue cs
Dies:  See above
Accessories:  Nuvo White Crystal Drops, Sponge dauber, Tim Holtz distress oxide ink, narrow white satin ribbon

Peace on Earth

Happy Sunday All!

It's Christmas in July August at the Tutti Designs Store and their July Release is jam packed full of awesome holiday dies!  You'll want to be sure to pop over and make your purchase early before they run out!  Today my card showcases lots of sparkle & shine using one of the beautiful dies from this current release.

 The main focus die I have used today is the 'Peace on Earth' #363.

If you are working on holiday cards (as I am!) now is the time of year to pull out those beautiful foil & glitter papers.  These holiday Tutti dies are so intricate and beautiful, fancy paper is about all you need to create a gorgeous holiday card that will also be easy to mail!

Here's how I created today's card:

After choosing the Tutti Designs die I wanted to showcase,  I then chose the foil paper I wanted to use for my background panel and decided on a holiday embossing folder to give it some texture.

As you can see, I've chosen a red foil paper from a DCWV foiled 6x6 paper pack and a Cuttlebug holy pattern embossing folder for today's background.

For my die cut main focus, I first die cut it TWICE from white card stock and glued them together for added dimension and stability.  Next came the beautiful sparkle by die cutting again from a sheet of glitter paper from a 'the Paper Studio' paper pack.   Since the glitter paper is a bit thicker, I was able to keep the pieces inside the body of the bird and carefully pop out the rest.  Then used white glue to adhere to my white die cut panels.

 

I wanted this beautiful Peace on Earth die cut to really POP so I die cut a white panel using the largest Tutti Designs 'Nesting Stitched Rectangle die' to place behind the glittery die cut and onto the red embossed panel. 

For the finishing touch I used the 'next to smallest' Tutti Designs 'Nesting Stitched Squares' die to create photo corners.

Easy, peasy and added just the finishing touch I was looking for!

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.

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!!

Challenges to share in:
Crafty Friends Challenge #63 - Christmas in July
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge #345 - ATG Christmas
Jingle Belles Challenge - Peace on Earth
Christmas at Sweet Stampin' July Challenge - ATG Christmas
Little Red Wagon Challenge #405 - Favorite Products (DIES)
Scrapyland Challenge  #71 - ATG w/store product (Tutti Designs)
Come and Get It Challenge - Die Cuts

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!

  As always . . .

Swimmin' with the fishes . . .

Happy Saturday Everyone!

Although I have a lot of catching up to do, I wanted to take a minute and create something 'off the beaten path' to share with you today.  Of course, there are so many ways to do a 'watercolor' style background and I have truly been enjoying my Tim Holtz distress oxide inks.  But today I'm using actually watercolor paints, water, a paint brush, watercolor paper and SALT!  That's right, I'm using SALT on your water colored panels which makes a very unique design as seen in my creation here: 

I've done this technique before but it has been YEARS!  So when friend Diane (Nellie's Nest) alerted me to the new challenge over on the CAS Watercolour Blog, we both decided to 'give it a whirl'.  If you're not familiar with this technique, they are offering several YouTube videos that will help get you started.

I just purchased this fun Penny Black 'Fancy Fish' die set from the Dies R Us Store and so I went with 'under water' colors. 

I probably should have stuck with more blues & greens vs purples but I'm sure there are also hues of purple in the deep ocean waters as well.  LOL  I've actually die cut this angel fish THREE times then glued them together to give more dimension.  The outside frame was created using the Tutti Designs 'Nesting Stitched Rectangles' die set (2 largest dies) and the entire panel has been popped up with strips of dimensional tape.

Bubbles were created using Nuvo White Crystal drops.

This was a fun challenge and here are a few more I'd like to share in today:

A Vintage Journey Challenge - Watercolor
Seize the Birthday Challenge - Tie one On OR ATG Birthday

Craftaholics R Us Challenge #30 - Die Cuts

Crafty Gals Challenge #134 - Celebrate

Okay ... play time is over!  It's a beautiful 70s day outdoors so I need to get out there and do some yard work.  I hope you'll stop back tomorrow when  I will have a holiday creation for Tutti Designs to share with you!  Till then . . .

And, as always . . .

It's Fussy and Fancy Time!

Hello Everyone!

It's time once again for a new challenge over at the 

Fussy and Fancy Challenge Blog!

 
Today's theme chosen by our very talented Gina is:

 

 FAVORITE COLORS

 

LOL ... well anyone who knows me can tell you what my favorite color is!

Since I was a little girl, my favorite color has been any shade is PURPLE!

You will find it all around my house!  I even painted my kitchen purple one time!  

But after a couple of years, repainted to a more neutral color ... upon hubby's request!  lol

 

 

I had so much fun creating today's card and was even able to use up some bits&bobs that were laying around on my work tables.  As far as the design, I was actually inspired by a card I spotted over on Pinterest ... so that was my starting point.  And it just look on a life of it's own from there.

 

 

OMG ... I just realized that my Celebrate sentiment is the one I die cut for last month's card design but I used the negative portion for that card vs the positive.  YAY ... two for one!!  

 

 I do hope you will come join in our challenge fun!

See you there!

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

 

 Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Lavender cs, Deep Purple cs, DCWV dp

Dies:  Tutti Designs 'Celebrate Word Set' #243, Sue Wilson 'Laurel Leaves' #CED1437, Poppystamps 'Stitched Main Street Tags' #1268, Tutti Designs 'Nesting Stitched Banners' #214, Cherry Lynn Designs 'Lace Corner Deco E' #B165, Dee's Distinctively 'Butterfly' #IME232, Heartfelt Creations (flower off cuts from a trade show)

Stamps:  The Stamp Pad Co.

Accessories:  Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dot' EF, Wilton paper doily, Nuvo purple crystal drops, Reasonable Ribbon 'Violet', Heartfelt Creations 'gold prill', Nuvo white crystal drops, TH distresser, stylus for shaping, TH oxide inks

          

Double D - TAN Neutrals with Texture

Hello Friends!

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

Diane is our hostess today and her theme of choice is:

TAN Neutrals with Texture

( touches of black or white are acceptable)

Check out this beautiful mood board she has created to inspire us!

I'm SO GLAD Diane came up with this theme because it prompted me to finally remember I have some fabulous DCWV paper pads that have texture like burlap, corrugated, woven ... I even had cork that I could have used ... wow, what fun!!

Here's what I came up with . . .

What a fun card to create!

Obviously I was inspired by the textured flowers, so that was my starting point!  

My main textures came from the DCWV 'burlap' 6x6 page that I die cut my Spellbinder 'Blooms 3' flowers from and the woven background panel from another DCWV 'woven' 6x6 paper pad.

After die cutting the flowers from the burlap paper, I decided to sponge the edges with Tim Holtz 'frayed burlap' distress ink to add a little more dimension.  I've used a drop of Nuvo 'Copper Penny' crystal drops for the flower centers.

I love how all the stitching & piercing came together too ... 

Very happy with today's card and I think it could be used for a man or a woman!

Challenges to share in:
Monochrome Magic  -  ATG monochrome/optional bow
Make My Monday - Monochromatic 
 Scrapyland - Anything Goes
The Crazy Challenge  - Rustic Elegance
613 Avenue Create  - Anything Goes Optional Monochrome

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun!Here's what Diane has up for grabs to one lucky random draw winner.  And, check out her beautiful creation ... she used this same embossing folder ... what fabulous texture!

Hope to see you there!
As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  Ivory 110# card stock, black cs, DCWV burlap cs, DCWV woven cs

Stamp & Ink:  Impression Obsession, Versafine Onyx, Tim Holtz 'Frayed Burlap'

Dies:  Elizabeth Craft 'Leafy Branch 4 (#1317), Spellbinder Shapeabilities 'Blooms 3' (S2-046), Sue Wilson 'Pierced Tags' (#CED4305), Sue Wilson Shadow Box Collection 'Stitched Lattice Frames' (#CED9303)

Accessories:  Dimensional Tape, Nuvo Copper Penny Crystal Drops, RRR Country Holiday Collection ribbon, Craft-Dee Bowz bow maker tool, Fine Tip Black Marker

Technique:  faux stitching

DRU - Just for You!

Hello Crafty Friends!!

Today I have my Dies R Us Inspiration Blog DT commitment creation to share and I think (hope) you'll like it!

I fussed around with various dies before finally deciding what I wanted to create today.  Here are the dies I've used . . .

Sue Wilson 'Australian Collection - Background'

Impression Obsession 'Fancy Butterfly'

EK Success - Cutter Bee Die Set - Mason

Sue Wilson Designs - Finishing Touches Collection - Queen Anne's Lace

Penny Black - Dies - Just For You

My first thought was to use my new Mason jar dies and create a 'vase' of flowers.
And, I just been playing with 'new color' Tim Holtz oxide inks and created a couple of watercolor panels that I was hoping to be able to incorporate into my design (butterfly & word sentiment).

I knew I didn't want to put white flowers against a white background ... but yet I didn't want a solid or pattern behind my vase of flowers either ... hmmmm what to do??  Then the thought of a decorative edge on the actual card front would make my vellum jar of flowers POP ...

My card is 5x7 (A7) in size and this largest rectangle from the Sue Wilson die set
worked perfectly!!

After die cutting my card front, I used the same vellum as I used for my Mason jar and cut a panel just an 1/8" smaller than my 5x7 card front.  I used 1/8" Scor tape to adhere the vellum panel to the inside of my card so it peeks through the openings on the front of the card.

I used foam tape behind the flowers and along the sides & bottom edge of the mason jar to add dimension.  Also a small strip of foam tape was added down the center of the butterfly.
I'm very happy with the outcome of this creation and it could be used for a variety of occasions!
 Here's another view of the finished card. 

Challenges to share in:
Love To Craft August Challenge - ATG
Glitter 'n' Sparkle Challenge - Things with Wings
Come and Get It Challenge - Just Add Flowers


 I hope you've enjoyed what I've shared today!  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 and as always . . .