Feelin' like a kid again . . .

Good Morning everyone and happy weekend to you!

No card to share with you today but I would like to share a few photos from our fun time at the ball park last evening with our neighbors (and friends) ... the Adkins!  You've seen these little girls on my blog before ... they are so sweet and were kind enough to invite us along for a fun time!

 (l.-r.) Christine, Olivia (standing), Emily, and Phil Adkins

(l.-r.) Forrest Stein, Ruth Stein (Christine's parents), ME and hubby Mark.

The ball park I am referring to is the Canal Stadium in Akron, Ohio ... home of the Akron Aeros!  And that is the minor league team we were cheering on this night!  (BTW ... WE WON!!!)

This is a beautiful ball park and believe it or not, we've lived in the Akron area for nearly 10 years now and this is our FIRST TIME to the stadium.  So glad we got to experience this wonderful past time on such a beautiful, cool autumn evening!  Another fun thing about the night was that everything was based on ELVIS PRESLEY!  Yep, it was Elvis Presley Night!  There was an Elvis impersonator and even had the end of the night fireworks set to Elvis's music!  Pretty cool in my book since I've always been an Elvis fan !!!

Here's some photos of the fireworks taken right from my seat! 

We had fabulous 3rd base seats and you can't get much closer than this for an up close fireworks experience!  Awesome!  We certainly ended the night with a BANG!!!

 A HUGE THANK YOU to the Adkins family for the invitation! 

We had a FABULOUS evening and look forward to doing it again!!

We are headed to Pittsburgh, PA for the day to visit with family so I'd better scadadle!

Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by!

OH and real quick before I leave ... just wanted to share my OUT OF CONTROL Morning Glories with you . . . they have once again taken over the side of the garage.  I should yank them out but I do enjoy the beautiful flowers each morning!
(BTW ... all these photos were taken with my iPhone5 ... LOVE THAT THING!!!)

Happy Day All and As Always . . .

Putting 'SHAPE' to my cards . . .

Good Afternoon  my friends!  

Whew!  What a busy day yet it doesn't look like I've gotten anything accomplished!  

Ever have a day like that??

Anyways, while I was instant messaging with a Michigan friend, she told me about this really cool challenge called Do More With Less and this months is "Shaped Cards with Lisa".  My friend (yes I'm talking about you Diane!!) thought this was right up my alley and that I would like to play along ... (I'm getting more & more adventurous these days!  LOL!)  So, here we go . . .

Oh, by the way, Lisa is Lisa Fish of A Mermaid's Crafts.  She is extremely talented!  In need of inspiration?  Pop on over to her blog ... some really cool stuff!!!

The actual challenge is:  shaped cards using a die cut as the base.

I am extremely happy with the end result and think this style will be a nice addition to my cards for my upcoming craft shows.  It's not like I don't have a variety of dies to work with!  LOL!!

Well, the neighbors have invited us to go to the Akron Aero's ball game tonight and my play time is running out!  Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you'll give this a whirl.  Isn't it awesome how we can be inspired and learn from each other!

A few additional challenges:

Bloggers Challenge - Flower Power

Card Crafter's Circle - Winged Things

Creative Corner Challenge - Anything Goes

Kitty Bee Designs - Birthday

Sister Act Challenge - Anything Goes

Until later and as always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, the Paper Studio 'Kirby Teesdale Studio' dp,
Stamps:  Inkadinkado, Impression Obsession
Inks:  TH 'peeled paint' distress ink, Momento 'angel pink'
Accessories:  Spellbinder 'Gold Labels Four' and 'Labels Fourteen', Heartfelt Creations 'Classic Leaf -  HCD736' and 'Sun Kissed Fleur = HCD734' dies, Heartfelt Creations 'Sun Kissed Fleur HCPC3533 precut stamp set', Sizzix #658437 Susan Tierney Cockburn Tool Kit, Martha Stewart 'fern' punch, Cheery Lynn Designs 'DL113' butterfly dies, sponge daubers, E6000 spray adhesive

Joan's Gardens Challenge

Sorry everyone ... I know this is my 2nd post today but I just couldn't help myself !!!

Check out the requirements for this week's challenge at Joan's Gardens . . .

• 3 flowers out of vellum (or you can use flowers you purchased)
• Colors - Golden Yellow and Violet
• Mesh or tulle 
• Stencil on paper  (if possible)
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens

So, of course I just had to get busy and jump on this.  I spent most of my day toying around with flowers then had to decide what to do with them ... WELL ... I decided to alter an 8x10 canvas instead of making a card this time.  Here's what I came up with!  What do you think?

FROM THIS:

TO THIS:

 

I am so excited about the outcome of this project {doing the happy dance!}

Here's a quick run down on how I created this piece . . .

• Created my flowers using yellow and purple vellum, sparkly white tulle and Heartfelt Creations 'Sun Kissed Fleur' HCD734 die set.  Leaves are from the Heartfelt Creations Classic Leaf HCD736 die set onto a scrap of light green paper which was painted with Tim Holtz 'Peeled Paint' Distress Stain.
• Cut a piece of design paper 7 1/2" x 9 1/2" for my background.
• Sprayed  the top of my background paper with E6000 adhesive spray and attached pieces of scrap sparkly white tulle.
• Did some fussy cutting on my chosen focus design paper from the Kaiser Craft 'Sweet Nothings' 6 1/2" paper pack ... which was matted with a torn corner of design paper from the Prima 'Sweet Fairy' 6x6 paper pack.  The other 'Sweet Fairy' corner is in the upper left corner under the flowers.
• Using the same E6000 adhesive spray, I adhered my design paper corners.
• Next I placed a little JudiKins Mica Gloss 'Amethyst' Metallic Effects Ink onto my craft sheet, then crumpled up some small bubble wrap and 'sponged' here and there over the tulle as well as the design paper image.
• Now it was time to position and adhere my flowers/leaves and add my Impression Obsession stamp.

The sentiment reads:

Let your soul take wings ...

Resist the downward pull and sing ...

Amy Carmichael

Thought I'd share a close up of my flowers.  I am very pleased with how they came together too!  I actually die cut the tulle and vellum at the same time and layered the tulle in between some of the layers ... they are so soft looking IRL ...

click on image to enlarge

I just love getting involved in a challenge that really challenges me sometimes and today was that kind of day!  I get so busy with other things that I don't take time to really be 'creative' but today I think I was successful and actually quite pleased with myself!  LOL!!

Anyways ... thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll give Joan's challenge a try!

Now I'd like to share this creation with a few additional challenges:

Altered Eclectics - Alter Something

CardandScrap - Anything Goes

Ladybug Crafts - Something Floral

Crafting with Dragonflies - Alter Something

Crafting By Designs - Anything Goes

Digistamps4Joy - Make your own embellishments

Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
The Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes + Twist=Mixed Media (must be a member)

Thanks again and as always . . .

A.R.T. #10 Challenge

Welcome Everyone!

Today, I have a creation for the new challenge at 

A.R.T. (A Random Thursday) Challenge Blog.  

Today's theme is a sketch (see below) . . .

If you follow my blog, you will know that CAS is NOT my usual style!  I lean more towards creations using lots of layers & embellishments.  BUT, I'm thankful for the opportunity to be inspired to create a card of the CAS (clean and simple) style and must admit I'm very happy with the outcome!  

What do YOU think?

You know, I think I'll make a few more of this style to add to my craft show collection.

It's good to have variety!

I hope you'll join in our challenge this week and if you are in need of inspiration, be sure to pop on over to the A.R.T. Challenge Blog and check out what my team mates have created.  These ladies continue to inspire me from week to week.

A few additional challenges:
Scribbles Designs Challenge - Clean and Simple (CAS)
 Sunshine Mail Challenge - Anything Goes
The Cupboard Trilogy - Monochromatic
Aud Sentiments Challenge - Anything but a birthday card with a sentiment
Craftin' Boutique - Anything Goes
DL.ART: August Linky Party - Anything Goes
Crafting By Designs - Anything Goes
 Simon Says Stamps - Monochromatic
Whimsy Stamps - Clean and Simple (CAS)

Thanks for stopping by and as always . . .

Recipe for my card:
Paper:  White cs
Stamps: Stampin' Up 'Fresh Vintage', Riley & Co. 'Funny Bones' RWD-080
Ink: Versafine Onyx, Brilliance 'Rocket Red Gold' pigment ink
Accessories: EK Success '2-in-1 Rose Bush' border punch

Technique:  Direct Ink to Paper

A Crafty Secrets / SCS Sketch Challenge

Afternoon friends ... 

I'm here this afternoon to share a second post with you for the Sketch Challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers.  Gosh ... I said the first of the year I was going to do more of the challenges over there and was off to a good start then life took over and it's been months since I've played along ...

Well I'm here to tell you I'm playing the sketch challenge today!!!

Here is today's sketch:

and here's what I came up with . . .

Again I have created a matching envelope and finished the inside (my New Year's resolution).

My focus image today is this adorable 'robin' image from the Crafty Secrets 'Birds & Blossoms' Creative Scraps.  You can find this sheet and many, many more fabulous images, stamps, etc. at Crafty Secrets.com and if you are getting familiar and LOVE working with all the new digital papers/images ... be sure to check out their new Crafty Vintage Girl Shoppe.

I have really dipped into some of my OLD stash for this creation today!  One being the sheet of Creative Scraps which I've had for some time now ... and the other is the design paper I've used.  Oh my gosh ... I've had this Ancestry.com K&Company designer mat pad for at least 4 years ... probably 5!  It was hiding under a couple other K&Company 12x12 packs (does that tell you I have WAY TOO MUCH paper ... LOL) and since it was calling out for me to be used ... I did!!

I've been commissioned to make a selection of male/female birthday cards so this one will certainly be going into the pack.  I think it could be used for either male or female ... what do you think?

Thanks for stopping back and I hope you find inspiration from my work.

Take care and enjoy your day!

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Light Pink cs, Dark Pink cs, K&Co. dp
Image:  Crafty Secrets
Accessories:  Zig markers for edge doodling, JoyCraft #6003/0030 flower die, Creative Memories corner rounder
Rubber Stamps:  Art Impressions, Impression Obsession

The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge

Time for another challenge at The Sisterhood of Crafters!

Hello everyone!  

Tanis is our hostess today and she has a really 'useful' challenge idea for us today!

OH SCRAP!

(use scraps on your card/project)

This is a challenge we can ALL join in on because Lord knows we all have mountain of scraps in our crafting areas!!  In fact, I never even made it to my scrap bin ... this was just stuff laying on my craft table that never got put where it belonged!!  Pieces and parts from other projects that I tossed together for today's creation (don't you love when you can do that!!)

Recipe for my card:

Papers:  White cs, Hot Pink cs, Paper Pizazz dp

Stamps:  Sweet Stamps 'Whispy Flowers', Stampendous 'Bubble Day Set'

Ink:  Colorbox 'Berrylicious'

Accessories:  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Jo-Ann's dotted organza ribbon, Offray white satin ribbon, Bow-Easy,  EK Success 2-in-1 Rose Bush #54-52007 punch (this thing is so cool!)

Had a little extra time today so here's another creation I 'tossed' together!  I just love rummaging through my scrap bin and pulling together pieces that I think will work well together.  I glanced at a few sketches over on Paper Playful but nothing really caught my eye so I just did my own thing!  I must say I'm quite happy with the outcome.

Recipe for my card:

Papers:  White cs, Paper Pizazz dp, DCWV dp

Stamps:  Rily & Company - Funny Bones 'RWD-080, Great Impressions 'G304'

Ink:  Versafine Onyx, SU River Rock

Accessories: Stampendous diamond dots

A few other challenges:

Can You Digi It #42 - Lift Me Up (Card #2)
Tuesday Throwdown - Pastel Rainbow (Card #2)
Use It Tuesday - Un-Inked Stamps (Card #2)

ABC Challenge - Stamps, Ink, Paper (Card #2)

Craft-Dee BowZ:August Challenge - Anything Goes with homemade bow (Card #1)
The Crafty Bloggers Network - Favorite Things (love using up my scraps)

So now it's your turn to grab that SCRAP BIN and get busy!  I'm sure you'll be amazed at what you can create just from your scraps!  (I know I was!!  LOL!)

Hope to see you at the Sisterhood ... till then and as always . . .

Prima - Julie Nutting Doll Hop (Week 2)

WOW!  Have you seen the Prima Julie Nutting Mixed Media Doll stamps?  They are ADORABLE! 

A few of us are having so much fun with them that we’ve decided to put together a 4 Part HOP and the rules are very simple.  Each Tuesday throughout the month of August we will be sharing creations made with a variety of these fabulous stamps to inspire you.   

All you will need to do is HOP to each of our blogs each Tuesday in August and leave us a comment.  

 Be sure to include your email address because on August 30^th we will EACH BE GIVING AWAY A PRIZE.  We will be sharing what our individual prize packages are on our blogs.  REMEMBER … you will need to comment EACH TUESDAY to qualify for the prize!  AND … if you share our hop info on your blog, your name will go in twice towards the prize.  WAIT THERE’S MORE!  If you become a follower/subscriber you get a THIRD CHANCE!!

So what do you say?   

Are you ready for WEEK 2 of our hop??

This week we girls are creating our Prima Doll Projects with SUMMER in mind and here's what I've come up with.

When I think of kicking off SUMMER, my thoughts go directly to the 4th of July!  So, with that in mind, I decided to create this 8x10 standing easel.  Believe me when I say I just started pulling out ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that was red, white & blue related ... then started picking & choosing what to put together.  What fun! 

DARLENE (Dar's Crafty Creations) YOU ARE HERE! 
MARY   (Primitive Seasons)  

LISA   (A Mermaids Crafts) 
DIANE   (Nellie's Nest) 
MINDY   (Mulberry Mindy) 
JOYCE  (Scrap For Joy)

Be sure to hop over to EACH of the girls blogs and leave some love!!

  REMEMBER:  By leaving a comment at EACH blog EACH week in August, YOU will qualify for the prizes being offered!

AND, it would be VERY HELPFUL if you  

• add your email address
• let us know you've become a follower
• let us know you've shared this hop on your blog.

Those last two items will get your name put in the hat additional times so we don't want to miss anyone!

 You next stop is MARY ... wait until you see what she has created for you this week!

A few challenges:

DL.Art - Thankful Thursday - August Anything Goes
Sunday Funday - August Linky Party
Just B Creative Crazy - Just Because Linky Party

Bearly Mine - Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments - Dies / Punches
Papertake Weekly - Occasion-ally
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Artistic Inspiration - Dies / Punches
Crafty Boots - Die cuts

I look forward to hearing what your thoughts are on this project.  

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

Recipe:

Paper:  Chipboard, Paper Pizazz, old SU gingham dp, scraps from various other companies, navy blue cs, white cs, garden green cs

Accessories:  Creative Memories star punch, Heartfelt Creations HCD 736 Classic Leaf die, McGill #64503 Floral Petals punch, various stickers from my scrapbooking stash, Cheery Lynn Designs DL103 Italian Flourish doily die, gold Stickles, Prima Doll Tag, xPress It Foam Mounting Tape, JoAnn's holiday rik-rak, SU red gingham ribbon, Tim Holtz Alterations #657187 Small Easel die, Sizzix Susan Tierney Cockburn #658437 tool kit

SFC3213 - IT'S Squigglefly Time!!!

Top of the Morning to you!

Today I have a fun card to share with you that was made for my DT commitment over at the Squigglefly Challenge Blog.  

Today's challenge theme is:

THINKING OF YOU!

While coloring up a few images for my DT work I thought this cute image called "Nuts About You" by our newest artist to the staff ... Judith Hart.  Isn't he just PERFECT for this theme.  You'll want to be sure to check out the new images released from Judith Hart as well as all the other very talented artists over at Squigglefly!

 

I used several dies to create this little scene (listed below) and had so much fun with this HAPPY character!  I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun and if you need more inspiration, by all means pop on over and check out what my teamies have created.

Remember to use a Squigglefly image to win but if you don't have one, try one of their freebies! 

A few other challenges:

Hiding in my Craft Room - use your scraps

Our Creative Corner - Words, Words, Words

StuckOnUSketches - Die Cut Challenge - Furry Friends 

Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes

Craft A Scene - In the Park

Pile It On - Outdoors

Thanks so much for stopping by today ...

Happy week to you all ...

And As Always ...

Recipe for this card:

Papers:  Kraft cs, Recollections burlap & wood dp,

Stamp/Ink:  Verses Rubber Stamps, Versafine Onyx

Accessories:  PoppyStampsInc. 'Picket Fence' #827, Joy Craft 'Grass' 6002/0137, Spellbinder Fall Leaves dies, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Tim Holtz 'Peeled Paint' Distress Stain, Tim Holtz 'Wild Honey' Distress Stain

Card #2 for Joan's Gardens Challenge

Hello All!

Okay ... so I had a little time this morning and 

decided to give the current challenge at Joan's Gardens another try.   

This week's requirements are:

• Make a Vintage card
• Use a bird
• Use a scenic pattern paper
• Use a die for your sentiment
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens.

I'm actually happier with the outcome of this card over my first entry.  I think it's the colors that I like more than on the other card.  Plus this pretty tag image, which is a part of the KaiserCraft paper pack (purchased at Joan's Gardens) is perfect.  I simply chose one of my Spellbinder die sets that was closest to the shape for the matting panel.

The lower right corner stamping is a part of the paper design but I felt it needed a bit more overlaying design so I stamped it a few times with an OLD 'Rubberstampede' stamp that I had in my stash and Versafine Onyx ink.

Well, today is laundry day so I'd better get out of my crafting cave and take care of that!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have a FABULOUS upcoming weekend!

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Kraft cs, SU Old Olive cs, KaiserCraft 'Turtle Dove' 6 1/2" paper pad, 

Stamps/Ink:  Rubberstampede 2875F 'Solidago Sprig', Hero Arts 'Good Cheer', Versafine Onyx, Memento ' Bamboo Shoots' dye ink

Accessories:  sponge dauber, Liquid Pearls, Cheery Lynn Designs B148 'Holly Flourish', Hero Arts holiday brad, Spellbinder Labels 4 die, Fiskars swivel craft knife, E6000 Spray adhesive

Items identified in RED where purchased at Joan's Gardens.

Joan's Gardens Challenge

Good Evening my friends . . .

I've been busy at work on a few creations today and one of them is for 

the current challenge over at Joan's Gardens.  

This week's requirements are:

• Make a Vintage card
• Use a bird
• Use a scenic pattern paper
• Use a die for your sentiment
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens.

I actually struggled a bit with this challenge ... just being sure I had all my bases covered.  Maybe that's because I was multi-tasking and as I get older I realize I don't do that as well as I used to!  LOL!  Anyways ... here's what I came up with.

The die set used for my sentiment is Spellbinder Labels 14.  I actually die cut from my design paper which meant I stamped my SU sentiment right onto the base card.  The next size die was too large for me to make my border so I die cut the same size panel from red cardstock and hand cut around it to make my border piece.    Using my DG4 Spectrum Noir alcohol marker, I did the green dots around the inside border so there wasn't quite so much white space.  A little different technique but it worked!

Well it's time for me to get 'out of the cave' and go sit with hubby for the evening.  The weather man has predicted bad storms here all day and they have been around us but we are still experiencing hot, humid weather. SO ... I broke down and put the A/C back on ... I just can't handle that humidity!  Uuugh ... makes you feel like a wet rag!

Thanks so much for stopping by and I love hearing your comments ... don't be shy!  LOL!

As always . . .

 Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Christmas red cs, K&Co. dp
Stamps:  Stampin' Up

Accessories:  Silk poinsettias from Archiver's,  Spellbinder Labels 14 die, Cheery Lynn Designs B184 Holly Corner die, Gold satin ribbon, red Stickles