SO MUCH TO SHARE ...

Good Evening my fellow bloggers!

It's a cool evening in N.E. Ohio so I thought I'd share another creation or two with you since I don't feel like doing house work or outside work.  Priorities you know ... LOL!

Card #1 is for this week's challenge at Joan's Gardens.  I just LOVE doing Joan's challenges ... she & Selma come up with some fabulous card creation ideas and a lot of times really makes me think!!  With that being said, here is what's required to make this weeks card:

Use a Garden Theme
Use a Sentiment
Make a flower using Flower Soft or micro beads for the Stamen (center)
Use an Embossed Background

 I only just today, received this new LaBlanche stamp from Joan's Gardens so thought I would work it into my challenge entry. 

I wanted to show you a closeup so you can see the cat's eyes which were created by coloring them with a Prismacolor PM25 spring green marker then a dab of SU Crystal Effects on top (they look so real!).  My flower was created using the PunchBunch Lily punch, conditioned using the PunchBunch Flower making kit,  sponged  the edges with TH Broken China distress ink and added 'toffee' Flower soft for the stamen.  SU watercolor pencils & blender pen were used for my coloring and the embossing folder is Sizzix.

Other qualifying challenges:

Crafting for all Seasons - Handmade Flowers

Crafts and Me - Punches and Dies

Crafty Creations Challenge - Frame It

The Paper Shelter #63 - Anything Goes

Stampin' Royalty - Punches

Whimsy Stamps Challenge - Make it Pop - Add Dimension

Craft-room Challenge - Emboss It

* * * * *
The second creation I have to share with you this evening is a tissue box cover and matching card that I made for a friend to give to her sister for her birthday.  Her sister collects 'COW' themed items so she thought she'd get a kick out of having a tissue box cover in that theme.  Here's what I came up with . . .

and the matching card is a 'gate fold' card.

* * * * *
okay ... ONE more to share!
I saw a card of this style a couple of weeks ago when one of my crafting friends took one of the classes offered during the Adventures in Stamping when it was in town in April.  I thought it was quite clever and asked her if she'd mind sending me a photo so I could case it and have a few in my stash.  What do you think?  Cute huh!

Products used in this creation are:
Spellbinder Classic & Scallop Heart dies ... Cuttlebug Textile EF ... MS Doily Lace border punch ... Cuttlebug Swiss Dot EF ... tag punch ... Liquid Pearls ... JoAnn's satin Bow Tie (bridal section)

Well there you have it!  Thanks so much for sticking with me to the end and I hope you have found inspiration in my work.  Have a FABULOUS evening and upcoming weekend!  I'll be seeing you soon!
Hugs,
Darlene

Shelly's Images Challenge

Holy Smokes ... 

Thursday again and time for another challenge at Shelly's Images!

Today's challenge is:

"C'mon, Let's get HAPPY"

Use something that makes you HAPPY!

CAROUSEL

Today's FEATURED image is 'Carousel' and can be purchased at a REDUCED PRICE ... TODAY ONLY!  So be sure to click on the linked name under the image to go directly to the store location and get YOURS today!

Here is what I've created for today's challenge:

What a fun image to color and create with!  Something that has been making me 'HAPPY' lately (in my crafting world that is) ... is making paper flowers.  In case you hadn't noticed, there have been FLOWERS on a lot of my latest creations!  LOL!  So here we go again! 

The stripes & polka dot papers I have used are from the My Mind's Eye 'Lime Twist' 6x6 paper pack.  The flower panels were die cut using the Tim Holtz Floral Die and various scraps from this same paper pack.  I have added a little 'Berrylicious' Colorbox chalk ink to the ends & edges ... as well as conditioned them using the PunchBunch flower making kit tools (see below for info).  The leaves were created using a Marianne die (LR0156) also purchased at Joan's Gardens.  I have used Prismacolor markers to color my image and popped it up with Pop Dots.

A few qualifying challenges are:

Hooked on Crafty Challenges - Flowers

Incy Wincy Designs - Spots and Dots

Tammy's Scrapin' Corner - Punches and Die Cuts

The Crazy Challenge - For a young one
Crafting for all Seasons - Handmade Flowers
Crafts and Me - Punches and Die Cuts

 I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun at Shelly's Images and share with us what makes YOU HAPPY!!  You'll want to be sure to check out the fabulously inspiring creations made by my team mates!  See ya there!

PunchBunch Flower Making Kit

purchased through Joan's Gardens

Hugs,

Darlene

The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge

Happy 'Over the Hump Day' my fellow bloggers!

It's time once again for a challenge at The Sisterhood of Crafters and today, my sistahs and I challenge you to . . .

use FLOWERS on your creations.

How easy and fun is that!

AND ... we have Shelly's Images as our sponsor!

Prize:  $9 gift voucher

 Shelly has generously shared various images with the team to use on their creations today.  Be sure to pop over to The Sisterhood and check out the fabulous cards by these talented ladies!  I chose to use the 'Hummingbird' image for my Double Z fold card creation.

Instructions for making a Double-Z card can also be found on Shelly's Images Blog this week.  After coloring the image for the inside of my card, I decided to scan it (too lazy to color it again, lol)  ... add a sentiment (.png sentiment image from Shelly's Images) over laid on the image  ... reprint it and use it again on the front.  I really love how this came together!

NOW, to address the issue of FLOWERS for this challenge, I not only have a FLOWER in the image but also FLOWERS on the background designer paper (paper pizazz) and two small flowers in the front corner (prima).  The only other addition to this creation is narrow, purple organza ribbon from JoAnn's.

I do hope you'll come join in our FLOWER sharing fun at The Sisterhood of Crafters!

See you there!

Hugs,

Darlene

CDAC Progressive Challenge Round 17

Well, here we are on Round #17 (of 18) over at CDAC (Crafters Digital Art Center) and the themes and images just keeping getting better & better!!  What a fabulous time we've been having.

This round's theme is:
 "You've Got The Cutest Little Baby Face"
and check out some of the fun images we get to create with . . .

Aren't they adorable!!! 









I just fell in love with the baby buggy images and instantly thought of 'paper piecing'.  Here's what I came up with ... what do you think?

My Paper Pizazz designer paper was actually set aside for 'Easter' creations but I thought the soft pastel colors worked perfectly for 'Baby' too!  At my age, I don't have much call for baby cards but want to be sure to have some in my collection for the upcoming craft shows I will be attending.  The little sentiment circle is from an old Stampin' Up stamp set and the embossing folder on the background panel is from Sizzix.  The yellow bow was colored with a Prismacolor yellow marker and then covered with SU Crystal Effects (difficult to see the shine in this photo).

Hopefully I'll get a few more creations completed using the other images before this round of the progressive challenge is over (May 15th) and when I do, I'll be sure to share them with you.  Remember, if you missed out on the previous rounds of this challenge, you can always BUY IN for $1 to get these fun images and play along.  You only need to create ONE card to qualify for the next round of images!  Hope you'll come join in the fun!

Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful week!
Hugs,
Darlene

Guest Designer Spot

Hello blogger friends! 

How much fun is it to run across an online friend from a past design team after loosing track of them for awhile!  That is exactly what I have done with Lelia (Green Goddess Creations).  AND ... I'm thrilled to say that she's asked me to be a Guest Designer on the Can You Dig It Challenge Blog.  

WHAT FUN!!

 I was a little slow getting started ... but have finally got it all figured out and today they have a new challenge posted and I'm excited to play along.  The challenge is a photo inspiration challenge ... called PAINTED MEMORIES.

This sign certainly takes you back in time and that was my inspiration

 for today's creation.

My 'Can You Dig It' digi image is called OUTHOUSE FOR RENT and can be found at the Can You Dig It Store found HERE.

Recipe for my card:

Papers:  white cs, black cs, Colorbok 'Rosewood' 12x12 paper pack

Images:  CYDI ' Outhouse for Rent' digi, TJ Designs vintage image (www.tweetyjill.com)

Accessories:  Michaels red polka dot grosgrain ribbon, Prismacolor markers, chalk, makeup applicators, Prima flower, TH Tea Dye distress ink, 

Thanks so much for stopping by today and please come join in the Can You Dig It challenge fun!

HUGS,

Darlene

Quick Thinking

This is going to be a QUICK post so I can get this creation onto the current challenge before it expires in less than an hour.  The challenge is over at CRAFT A SCENE (#4 Silhouettes) and I JUST stumbled upon them.  I learned about Stampscapes a couple of years ago at a local stamping store that is run by a retired art teacher and in fact have met Kevin (Mr. Stampscapes) at Adventures in Stamping in Akron, OH two years ago.  I really need to get these stamps out and play more ... I love the scenes that can be created.

OKAY ... here we go ...

I will come back and add all the details momentarily ... don't want to miss the deadline!

Shew!  okay .. I'm back ... just made it!!  As I was saying, I took a Stampscapes class locally about 3-4 years ago and fell in love with the results.  But like everything else, I've moved into various other forms of paper & ink and my Stampscapes have been neglected for awhile now!  This awesome challenge blog is just what I need to get my 'create a scene' juices flowing again.  I guess I didn't do too bad of a job considering that in the last 30 minutes I have come up with the idea, created the card from start to finish, photographed it and got it on the blog for viewing / commenting!  Just imagine what I might do when I can TAKE MY TIME!  LOL ...

Here is the recipe for this card:
Papers:  Black cs, white cs
Inks:  Momento 'bamboo shoots', SU Pacific Point, Soft Sky & Chocolate Chip, Versafine Black
Stamps:  Stampscapes 'Pine Row - 150E' ... 'Tree Trunk Trio - 088F ...'Cattails lg. - 017D' ... 'Leafy Branch - 277F', Rubber Stamps of America (water), Ala Art (sky), The Stamp Pad Co. (moose), Impression Obsession (sentiment), the Geese are also Stampscapes but can't find the number.
Accessories:  Michaels brown gingham ribbon, EK Success tag punch, SU suede marker for ground line

Other qualifying challenges:
ATCs & Cards with Attitude - Anything Goes/one layer
Inspire Me Friday - Anything Goes
Poodles Parlou - Anything Goes
The Stamp Man - Your favorite technique (creating scenes)
Aud Sentiments Challenge - Anything Goes
 Craft Us Crazy - Inspire Us (Stampscapes)
Cute Card Thursday - One for the Boys


Thanks for stopping!
HUGS
Dar

Joan's Gardens Challenge #17

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Can you believe another week is nearly over ... WOW!

Yesterday I had a fun time creating cards with my friend Terri Snode from Alliance, Ohio.  She & I are both members of The Sisterhood of Crafter's so we were enjoying working on DT work together and being inspired by each other.  Plus we did a little Video Skyping with Shelly of Shelly's Images (who is our sponsor for the upcoming Sisterhood Challenge) and with Joan of Joan's Gardens.  How awesome is it to be able to see/talk to people all over the world via the internet.  You gotta love technology!!

Anyways, the card I have to share with you today is my creation for the current challenge at Joan's Gardens.  This week the requirements are:

• Stamp a background
• Do a Vintage Card
• Use Olive and Tan Colors - and any accent color
• Use some kind of feathers (you might have to kill a chicken LOL)

Joan was right ... I thought I was going to have to go out and pluck a feather from a chicken since I could NOT find the TWO packs of feathers that I have SOMEWHERE in my stash.  I did have a few laying around by my lightbox that I sometimes use for photographing so I just ended up grabbing one of those and inked it lightly with Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress Ink.

Here are the other items used in making this card:

Paper:  White cs, Putty cs, Old Olive cs

Inks:  Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress Ink

Stamps:  SU French Script (background), Inkadinkado (Victorian Couple & Heart/Birds)

Accessories:  White feather, MS doily border punch, olive satin ribbon, Cheery Lynn Designs B147 Olive Branches, Distress it All, 

Here are a few other qualifying challenges:

Paper Crafting Journey - Vintage

Rainbow Lady's Challenge - Memories

Scrap It With a Song - I Will Always Love You

Digi Doodle Shop's Best - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you've found inspiration in my card creation.

Enjoy your weekend and remember 'SMILE' ... 

it will make them wonder what you are up to!

LOL

HUGS,

Darlene

Shelly's Images Challenge

YEAH!!  Time for another fun challenge at Shelly's Images.

Today's challenge is:
DON'T PUNCH ME!

(Don't use any punches or dies on your project.)

and the image being featured today is:

"CHICK" (available TODAY ONLY at a REDUCED PRICE).

Click HERE to go to "CHICK" in the SI Store.

Before I show you the creation I have made for today's challenge ... please let me apologize for 'not following the rules' ... MY BAD!  When I was at the end of creating my card, it just looked like it needed something more and without thinking, I grabbed my flower punch and punched out flowers & leaves!  OH DEAR ... I'll be in trouble now!!!  LOL   (I still like how the card came out!)

Recipe:

Papers:  DCWV  Linen Closet dp, black cs, gold cs, olive green cs

Accessories:  Prismacolor markers, chalk, SU Crystal Effects, PunchBunch flower punch, MS leaf punch, Stampendous diamond dots, pop dots

A few qualifying challenges:
Creative Belli Blog - Animals and Blog Candy
Little Darlings Challenge - Flowers (2nd entry)
Scrapalicious USA - Flower Power
Crazy Amigo Challenge - Flowers
Creative Craft Challenge - Animals
 

Please come join in our challenge fun!  

YOU could be the winner of FREE digi images from Shelly's Images!  Please be sure to pop on over to the challenge blog and check out the amazing creations by my team mates!  Awesome inspiration!

See you there!

HUGS,

Darlene

Kids can be "SO CUTE"

Hello my friends!  

I just have to share with you the little 'surprise' I received from the two little neighbor girls last evening.  They are Olivia (age 9) & Emily (age 7) and I just ADORE them.  

Is this AWESOME or WHAT!!!

And, how sweet of the girls to think of me!

I was in my crafting cave and Mark was napping on the couch when I heard the door bell ring twice real quick!  I went up to see who was at the door and found this beautiful May Day Victorian Cone filled with candy, tissue paper and a live Pink Dogwood Branch!

The girls had spent the day with their 'Grandma Lou' and this is what they created. (Obviously Grandma Lou is a very crafty lady.)  I just LOVE the pink dogwood!  That is something we don't have in our yard but I think we might be looking into adding some in the near future!

While I have your attention ... LOL ... I may as well show you a few cards I've been working on.  I've decided to do several different versions of 'fancy fold' cards for the local craft show I participate in come Fall.  I will be making Three Fold, Double Dutch, Z-Fold, Joy Fold, Diamond Fold, Gate Fold  ... AND ... Tri-Shutter Fold cards.  Here are a couple of the Tri-Shutters I have ready.

The stamp sets used on this creation are from "Our Daily Bread".  They are "The Almighty Sea" and "Anchor".  

The designer paper on this card is 'Disney' by Sandy Lion and the puffy stickers are 'Disney' by EK Success.  I think this card will be a huge hit ... not just because it's Mickey ... but the fancy fold makes it EXTRA SPECIAL in my mind!

Well, I have several DT projects needing done today ... so, I'd better GET BUSY!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Have a JOYOUS day!

HUGS,

Darlene

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #138

Another month has past (so quickly) and here we are on MAY 1st already!

The beginning of a new month means the start of a new challenge at Midnight Madness Sketch Challenges! Here are the sketches we have for you to play with this month:

Remember, these challenges now last the whole month so you have lots of time to submit your creations. You are welcome to submit up to four projects using the sketches provided as a guide. We may add some fun twists with themes too. The themes are merely for inspirations and not required to play our sketch challenges. We will continue to award the Gold Star and Remarkable awards each month as well as a prize each month. We hope you will have fun working with our sketches and will be inspired by the fabulous Midnight Madness Design Teams Work. This weeks sketch...it's "YOUR PICK" Make it fancy, clean and simple, or somewhere in-between.

This month's TWIST is to use at least ONE BUTTON on your creation!

Here is what I've created to hopefully inspire you to come join in the fun!

My lovely flower was created using Elizabeth Crafts Glitter Peels & Micro Fine Glitter.

I learned the technique during the last workshop at Joan's Gardens.  

Recipe for this card:

Papers:  Black cs, White cs, Groovy Guava cs, Echo Park 'Victoria Gardens' dp, DCWV dp scraps

Inks:  Color Box Rose Coral

Accessories:  Spellbinder Beaded Ovals, Bucket 'o Buttons coral buttons, MS butterfly punch, sponge applicator, round tip black marker, pop dots

Hope to see you at Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge!

Have a wonderful day!

Darlene

Fun Weekend

Happy Monday Everyone!

Well, it's raining here in N.E. Ohio so I'll be spending the day in my 'cave' playing with some of the new 'stuff' I bought at the Adventures in Stamping yesterday in Akron.  This event is a 2 day affair ... and I used to go both days ... but it's so crazy busy on Saturday, that's the past few years I've limited myself to only going one day.  Sunday is less crowded and you can actually get close enough to see the demos and partake in some of the make & takes.  (And I spend half the money! LOL)

Here's a few things I purchased this year.

(See I was a very good girl!)

Although I really didn't need any new 'toys' to play with ... I always enjoy looking around and running into crafting friends while there too.  It's exciting to hear what they learned in some of the classes that they took on Friday and/or Saturday as well as where there's something new that I just HAVE TO SEE!!

But the best part of this years convention was getting to meet BECCA Feeken (Amazing Paper Grace) in person. (Silly me ... didn't think to take a camera!)  What a wonder, gracious lady!  We actually sat down together at concessions and enjoyed some chatter while eating our hot dogs!  If you've never seen Becca's work (OMG where have you been?) ... then you really need to click on the link to her blog and take a peek!  She is VERY TALENTED and I have been in AWE of her designs since I started paper crafting some 7-8 years ago when I joined up with Splitcoast Stampers.  If you need inspiration ... Becca can provide that for you!

Well I guess I'd better get busy.  

Have a wonderful day and don't forget to hug the ones you love!

HUGS

Darlene

Joan's Gardens Challenge #16

Happy Weekend Everyone!

It's a bit dreary and rainy here in NE Ohio but that's okay ... I need to spend a little time on indoor projects anyways.  I got a call on Thursday from Joann Fabrics Headquarters and they've ask me to do another project for them ... YEAH!! ... it involves decoupaging and it's a Christmas creation!  It's proving to be INTERESTING to say the least since I've never really done actual decoupaging!  Between the glue and the glitter ... yikes ... what a mess I have created!  LOL  But the project is turning out really pretty!!

Anyways ... now that I have that done and it has to dry, I thought I'd get my card done for Joan's Gardens Challenge this week.  Here are the requirements:

• Use any size or kind of butterflies on your card
• Use some type of scallops or lattice
• Use yellow or gold colors
• Use a pattern paper back ground

Well ... yellow is not a color I use a lot on my cards so this was fun!  I actually really like yellow for decorating (you should see my YELLOW kitchen) but just never think to use it as the base color for cards.  Of course, I will after today!  Here's what I came up with:

My background paper comes from the Echo Park Paper Co. 'Victoria Gardens' 6x6 pack.  I used a buttercup yellow cardstock for my Martha Stewart 'doily lace' border punched panel as well as the Cheery Lynn Designs Butterflies (DL112 & DL113 Exotic Butterflies).  I then sponged the butterflies with Delicata 'Golden Glitz' pigment ink to give them a bit of sparkle and make them pop a little more from the page.  The sentiment and little Versafine black inked butterflies are from the JustRite Clear 'Botanical Butterflies' stamp set.  Those items highlighted in red were purchased at Joan's Gardens.  I have use a Creative Memories fine tip black pen to do the faux stitching and the yellow gingham ribbon is from Michaels

Joan and Selma are always coming up with the most wonderful, unique challenges.  I hope you'll come join in the fun!  And while you are at Joan's Blog checking out the challenge, be sure to check out all the products she offers in her store (sidebar listings) ... and her shipping rates are exactly what it costs her to ship ... what a deal!!  OH and she's QUICK too!

Here are a few other qualifying challenges I found at Feline Playful:

Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog #64 - Stitching

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes

Dilly Beans Designers & Friday Challenge - Pastel Palette 

Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge - Punches & Dies

Glitter Geeks #17 - Stitches

PaperPlay Challenge - Monochromatic & Ribbon
Stampin' Royalty - Monochromatic

Have a wonderful weekend and I hope to see you over at Joan's Gardens!

Hugs,

Darlene

Shelly's Images Challenge

Time for another challenge at SHELLY'S IMAGES 

and today we are FEATURING Shelly's adorable 

"HONEYBEE" digi image.

HONEYBEE

Remember, you can get this adorable image at a REDUCED PRICE - TODAY ONLY!

Our challenge is:

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

 Use PASTELS, KRAFT and FLOWERS on your card/project.

Here's what I have come up with:

Won't be long before I see a lot of these critters around my flowers on the deck (once it's warm enough to plant them that is!  LOL)

Recipe for my card:

Papers:  Kraft cs, gold cs, white cs, K&Co. dp

Accessories:  Prismacolor markers, SU Crystal Effects, MS border punch, MS branch punch, Prima flowers, Stickles

I hope you'll pop over to Shelly's Images and check out the fun creations my team males have created to inspire you ... then come join in our fun!  Remember to check out Shelly's Images NEW STORE FRONT also.  HERE'S A LINK to make it easy for you!

A few qualifying challenges:
Little Darlings Challenge - Flowers
My Mum's Craft Shop Challenge - The Great Outdoors
Stampavie and more Challenge - Spring
My Time To Craft Challenge - Garden Gems

Hope to see you there!

Darlene

Sisterhood of Crafters - Shake It Up!

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

It's time for another fun challenge at The Sisterhood of Crafters!

Our challenge this time around is:

SHAKE IT UP!

Create a shaker card.

Well ... since I had never made a shaker card, this was a real challenge for me and I'm NOT real happy with the outcome but I will share it with you anyways and maybe you can give me a few pointers!

I chose this adorable Shelly's Images "Spring Lamb" image for my shaker card.  The product I used for inside my shaker is an embossing tinsel and the problem with that is the static made the silver particles stick to the acetate panel ... like I said ... this is my 1st shaker card!

My team mates at the sisterhood have some fabulous samples to share with you ... so be sure to pop on over to The Sisterhood of Crafters ... be inspired ... and come play along!  We also have a SPONSOR this time around.  

Hope to see you there!

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs,

Darlene

Z-Fold Cards

Good Evening Everyone!  

I hope you are enjoying a restful weekend!

I was taking a peek at the challenges listed over at Feline Playful and came across a few that caught my attention.  I made a decision last week to create a variety of 'fancy fold' cards for the upcoming local Fall Craft Show and as I was doing a bit of investigating over at Splitcoast Stampers as well as online (YouTube, etc.), I found that there can be more than one card design that falls under the same name.  i.e. Z-Fold Cards

Here are a couple that I have created.  

(My post is a bit lengthy ... might want to grab a comfy chair.)

This is what I initially called a Z-Fold card and is the style they were looking for at the Come and Get It Challenge. So following the guidelines that they provided by Linda Duke (here) I've created this lovely z-fold card in purples & greens.  The double sided designer paper is from K&Co and the focus image if from JustRite Stamps.

I have stamped this sweet image from the JustRite Clear 'Botanical Butterflies' (CR-02245) set several times and popped up the flowers & the outer word ring with dimensional tape.

My flower was created from a scrap of designer paper, Best Creations Inc 'A Walk in the Garden' (AW012) and the medium PunchBunch 'Ovoid' floral punch.  The center stamen is the PunchBunch 'Big Skye' punch and the leaves are Marianne (LR0156) die.  Martha Stewart 'branch' leaf punch and purple Stickles were also used in the creation of my flower.  Ooops nearly forgot to mention the PunchBunch Flower Making Kit and McGill black mat were also used.

The other items used on this card are the Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Kaiser pearls, Michael's satin ribbon and the SU scallop border punch.

(Items identified in RED were purchased at Joan's Gardens.)

* * *

The other style of Z-fold card I found looks like this:

It is this style that I have cut out several 'base cards' and started to decorate for the upcoming show.  I will be using this particular card as a SAMPLE to show the people what I mean by 'Z-Fold' instead of them wanting to take the cards out of their protective sleeves.  I will share the other cards made in this style at a later date.

On this card I have used a cute sticker from Crafty Secrets, SU red gingham paper (very old), Spellbinder scallop rectangle dies, and the sentiment is from Verses Rubber Stamps.  Pretty simple design but still cute I think!

SO ... WHICH STYLE DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU HEAR "Z-FOLD"?

Here are a few challenges I'd like to enter these cards into:

Come and Get It Challenge - Z-Fold

One Stitch At A Time - Anything Goes

 PanPastel UK Challenge - Add a Flower

That Craft Place Challenge - Anything but a Square or Rectangle

Hiding in My Craft Room - Homemade Flowers

Joan's Gardens - Homemade Flowers from punches and/or dies

Just Some Lines - Give a Gift of Flowers

Prairie Fairy Friday - Anything with Flowers

Fussy and Fancy Friday - Punches & Dies

Since it's getting late (nearly bedtime), I guess I'll bring this post to an end.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'd really LOVE to hear your opinion on this fancy fold style ... or any comment you may have for that matter!  LOL!

Big Hugs to you all and I wish you a FABULOUS week ahead!

Darlene

Joan's Gardens Challenge #15

I look forward to Thursdays because that means I get to play another challenge at Joan's Gardens.  She & Selma always come up with the most wonderful challenges for us and today is no exception!  Here's what's going on this week.

We are planning a blog hop May 15th and are looking for 6 Guest Designers to participate.

We are asking everyone who would like to be considered as a guest designer for the blog hop, to create a card or project that includes one or more flowers that you have created with either punches or dies.  You will submit your entry in this week's challenge.  You can create any type of  flower/s you wish.  There are no other requirements other than you will want to make your entry the prettiest you can make it.

How about that!  As many of you have noticed, I've been like a crazy woman making homemade flowers on so many of my projects lately ... so this was awesome fun!!!  Here's what I've created ...

 Here is a list of items used to create my card.  Those items in PINK were purchased at Joan's Gardens.


Papers -  grape, lavender, white cardstock, scrap of polka dot designer paper
Ink - Versa Magic 'cloud white' chalk ink
Accessories - PunchBunch punches:  Begonia, Ovoid (med), Ovoid (sm), Snowflake, Big Skye . . . Cheery Lynn Designs (B117) Fanciful Flourish die . . . Marianne (LR0156) leaves, (LR0157) flourish . . . Cuttlebug 'textile' embossing folder . . . Joy Crafts swan dies . . . pop dots . . . Kaiser pearls . . . Diamond Stickles . . . Michaels gingham ribbon

Here is a close-up showing how I popped up the swans.

Other qualifying challenges:
Crafty Ribbons Challenge - Things with Wings
Craft Us Crazy - Mother's Day and/or Flowers
Forever Friends Monthly Challenge - Embossing
Sassy Studio Designs - Flowers & Flourishes
For Your Inspiration - Photo Inspiration
Cards and Scrap - Flowers

Thanks for stopping by today!

I hope you'll come join in the fun at Joan's Gardens!  

Hugs,

Darlene

Shelly's Images Challenge

WOW!  Is it Thursday again already???  

Well, that means that it's time for another challenge at Shelly's Images!  

We have an EASY one for you today along with a FABULOUS new digi image ... 

AND, I am thrilled to be your hostess!!

Remember you can purchase this image today only at a reduced price ... so jump right over to the store (remember to register - there are perks for doing that) and grab this image for yourself.

This beautiful image is called 'Beach Path' ...

and the theme of today's challenge is ...

SHOW US WHAT YOU GOT!

(anything goes)

My creation tells you what I'd like to be doing right now!!

That's right!  How would you like to look out the window and see this view! Aaahhhh, I can feel those warm ocean breezes already!  (yea right ... dreaming of course!  I live in OHIO!)

Anyways ... please pop over to the blog and check out some of the creations my design team mates have created using this wonderful image ... they are quite the talented group!

Other qualifying challenges:

Challenge #23 Song Inspiration (Almost Paradise) at Deep Ocean 

Inspired By A Movie (Beaches) at The Crazy Challenge 

Challenge #106 Die Cuts and Punches at Craft Your passion 

Challenge #98 Frame It at Sentimental Sundays

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you'll come join in the fun at Shelly's Images!

Hugs,
Darlene

Mother's Day Creations

Hello my friends!

Before I share today's creations with you, I'd like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all of you who take the time to stop by my blog and leave such kind, encouraging words.  I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate your kindness. 

With Mother's Day right around the corner (May 13th) ... and after spending the day on Monday helping my Mom do some 'spring cleaning' ... I thought I'd better get started on her Mother's Day card.  I wanted to make her something a little different ... she is always so thrilled with the unique folded cards I create and when I saw the 'Double Dutch Fold Challenge' over at the Sweet Stamps Blog, I knew that was a good starting point.

Here is my finished card.  

Keeping in mind my Mom loves the 'Vintage' style (must be where I get my love for it), I decided to use the new designer paper and die cuts from the Melissa Frances [c'est la Vie collection] that I purchased while attending the workshop at Joan's Gardens last month.

Here is what it looks like opened.  I will be sure to attach my personal message under the bottom 'doors'.  The other items I've used on this card are Prima flowers, Kaiser pearls & a Wilton paper doily.  The Mother's Day stamp is from A Stamp In The Hand and the sentiment verse if from Serendipity Stamps (D154).

Other qualifying challenges are:

Can You Dig It - Secret Garden (photo inspiration)

City Crafter Challenge - Just a hint of Pink

The Cheerful Stamp Pad - From the Past

The Shabby Tea Room - Aqua, Pink, Neutrals & Flowers (photo inspiration)

Platypus Creek Digitals #4 - Fancy Folds

* * * * *

On Monday I shared my Altered Framed Mirror creation with you ... shown here.

Well I'm thrilled to say this item is SOLD!  How cool is that!  When I went over to Friendly's on Monday morning for breakfast, I took it along to show my waitress friend, Gretchen.  She thought it was beautiful so she called her manager, Tammy, out of the office to see it and she (Tammy) immediately asked if it was for sale.  She said it would be the perfect Mother's Day gift for her Mom.  Of course I said yes ... but I wanted to apply an extra coat of paint to the back before selling it to her and she was in agreement.

Then today (while the paint was drying), I decided to use the remainder of the matching designer paper to make a Mother's Day card for her to accompany the mirror.  Nothing real fancy but the fact that it matches I thought would be a nice touch.  She can add her personal message inside.  I'm sure she'll like this idea!

Well, that's it for today!  Please stop back tomorrow when I will have another creation for the challenge at Shelly's Images to share with you.  Hope to see you then!

Hugs,

Darlene