I'll Stay There Forever . . .

Hello Dear Friends!

It's the start of a new week and the start of a new challenge at 613 Avenue Creates!

I hope you'll come join in the fun!

Very easy ... ALWAYS ANYTHING GOES but with a TWIST.

YOU CHOOSE if you enter with an Anything Goes creation or if you go one step further and follow to create using the Twist!

AWESOME FUN!

 Did you know it was Winnie The Pooh Day??

Yep ... so this week's challenge 

TWIST is to use one of the Winnie the Pooh quotes provided at the challenge blog. 

Once again we have fabulous sponsors for our challenge!

FITZTOWN

SAMI STAMPS

What fun I had creating with one of the fun images 

from Sami Stamps called 'BIRD ON  MY TOES".

I do hope you'll come join in our challenge fun and PLEASE pop over to see what fun creations my team mates have created using a variety of Winnie the Pooh quotes.

A few challenges to share in today are:

Hiding in my Craft Room - Color It (used Spectrum Noir alcohol markers)

Paper Creator's Crafts Challenge - Anything Goes

Jo's Scrap Shack Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and have a "Pooh"daful day!!  LOL!!

As always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Graphic45 6x6 Secret Garden 6x6 patterns & solids dp, Black cs
Accessories:  Spellbinder classic circle dies, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Tim Holtz fine tip black marker
Technique:  Faux Stitching

Butterfly Kisses . . .

Hello Again My Friends!

Sorry for yet another post in the same day but what can I say?  I'm on a roll and lovin' it!   These 'spurts' don't happen often and I have to keep the creative juices flowing when they do!!!

I do hope you understand! 

At my age, a girl's gotta do - what a girl's gotta do!  LOL!

As you saw in my earlier post, I do enjoy a good sketch challenge!  And, I recently was introduced to an awesome one at the Cardabilities Sketch Blog.  

Here's the new sketch to create with . . .

And, here is my creation . . .

(View of the INSIDE)

I must admit these sketches are really making me THINK and be more creative!

I'm very fortunate to have all the wonderful crafting goodies I have available to me ... so many in fact, that sometimes I neglect (or just don't have enough hours in a day) to blow the dust off and use them.

Today, I did just that!  

Blew the dust off of my stencils and got creative!

As you see, not only on the front of my card, but on the inside panel as well!

LOVE when I finish a card inside & out!!

I even used a couple dies that had never been die cut yet!  OMG!  

This pretty 2 piece Impression Obsession 'Fancy Butterfly' die set that I've had for ages.

And, hiding under the Butterfly Kisses panel, the Spellbinder 'Wonderful Locket' die set.

Here are a few other challenges I'd love to share this creation with:

Brown Sugar Challenge - Birthday for a Girl

Jo's Scrap Shack Challenge - Anything Goes

Sister Act Challenge #89 - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and for all your kind words of encouragement!

I truly love what I'm doing (now that I'm retired) and so blessed to be able to share it with all of you out there in blogland!  Have a FABULOUS weekend!!

As always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  Ivory cs, Cosmos Cricket dp, Paper Pizazz dp, scraps of design papers
Inks/Stamps:  Versafine Onyx, Tim Holtz Dusty Concord / Serendipity Stamps, Verses Rubber Stamps
Stencil:  Memory Box 'Texture Mesh'
Dies:  Impression Obsession 'Fancy Butterfly',  Poppy Stamps 'Massa Leaf Outline', Sizzix 'Branch w/leaves, Sweet Dixie 'Daisy Set', Spellbinder 'Wonderful Locket'
Accessories:  Pop Dots, Purple Stickles, Large sponge dauber

Butterfly Birthday

Happy Friday my friends!

Today I have a card created for the Sketch Challenge at Splitcoast Stampers.

(If you're not a member of SCS, you probably won't be able to get into the site link.)

It has been SO LONG since I played a challenge over at SCS!

Well ... Today's the day!

Here's the sketch ...

And, here's my card ...

I found this beautiful image over on Pinterest and thought it would work perfectly for the focus image on today's card.  It seemed to be the right size ... all it needed was a little matting and faux stitching.

The background designer papers I've used are all from my scrap bin.  The green panel is from Cosmos Cricket, the dark purple panel is from Fabscraps 'High Tea' and the lighter purple background is from Hot Off The Press.

I knew I wanted to add butterflies but wasn't sure on the color  ...  so, created my own using Tim Holtz broken china & dusty concord distress inks onto a scrap of ivory card stock before die cutting with my Cheery Lynn Designs 'Exotic Butterflies' dies.  I also put a coat of SU Crystal Effects on them for a little 'shine'.  I knew I wanted them to match the hydrangea flowers in the image ... too bad the wing covered so much of the flower.  Guess I should have positioned it just a bit higher!  Oh well ...

Let's see if I can locate a few other challenges to share in today:

Aud Sentiments Challenge #123 - Anything Goes

Creative Knockouts Challenge #72 - Birthdays

Dream It Up January Challenge - Birthday Wishes

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by!

Hope you have a fun weekend planned!

Till next time and as always . . .

In the Pink . . .

Hello my friends ...

Brrrrr ... it sure is cold here in NE Ohio!  

Since it's too cold/snowy to do much outdoors (at my age that is), I'm staying inside and crafting.  Doing a little clean up and reorganizing along the way but today I have a pretty card to share with you.  

After watching this video over on the PartiCRaft (Participate in Craft) blog, I was inspired to purchase the main striplet die set and create some birthday cards that I think will go well at my craft shows.  Birthday cards of course are my #1 seller and I just can't keep enough on hand.  Plus, I've been wanting to make some larger cards (this one is 5x7) so this die set was perfect.

The die set I am referring to is the Creative Expressions Sue Wilson 'Floral Meadow' Striplet die which I purchase through the Dies R Us Store and can be found HERE.  I didn't do all the layering Sue did in her video but I did die cut the 'frame' portion of this set twice ... once in color as the background for my floral panel and again as the outer 'frame' which has been popped up with dimensional tape.

 

 In the video Sue Wilson shows how you create the sparkly background panel using their products (of which I didn't have) so I improvised by using a few strips of my wider Scor Tape and Deco Art 'Glamour Dust'.  I have also added brads for the centers of my flowers for additional dimension. 

  

Here's a peek at the inside of my card.

Since I was actually using a scrap piece of designer paper for the background on the front of my card, I wanted to coordinate the inside using the same paper.  Unfortunately I didn't have enough left to cover the entire inside panel, so I cut it 2/3 - 1/3 and spaced it out to cover the panel.

Then I decided with it being a larger card, it needed a little more than just a sentiment stamped on the inside and created this 2 part flower using the Memory Box Dogwood Blossom #98475 and Memory Box Dogwood Blossom Outline #98481.  This die set is being retired so if you're interested pop over to Dies R Us right now and order them.  They are at a very good price too ... just click on the links I have provided.

A few challenges to share in today are:

Butterfly Challenge - B is for Brads (use butterfly also)

Design Team Showcase - DT Only (Jan 11-17)

Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Glitter n Sparkle  - Include some Pink

Jo's Scrap Shack 'Fun Day Friday' Challenge #70 - It's a New Year, Bling it on!

Clear It Out Challenge  -  Pink things (pink dp is at least 3 yrs old as are the pink brads)

Digi Choosday January wk 2 Challenge - Birthday
Pixies Crafty Snippets Challenge

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

I hope you are have a fabulous day and if you are also experiencing this bitter cold temperatures ... stay in, stay warm and get creative!

As always . . .

Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, SU pear pizazz cs, SU Pink Pirouette cs, Paper Pizazz dp

Stamp/Inks:  Impression Obsession, Hero Arts, Tim Holtz 'spun sugar' distress ink, Memento 'bamboo leaves' dye ink,

Dies:  Creative Expressions Sue Wilson 'Floral Meadow' Striplet #CED1605,  Memory Box Dogwood Blossom #98475, Memory Box Dogwood Blossom Outline #98481,  Creative Expressions Sue Wilson 'California Collection' Corner-Border-Tag #CED1102,  Cheery Lynn Designs 'Exotic Butterfly Small' #DL113

Accessories:  Scor Tape, Deco Art Glamour Dust, Brads, SU dimensional tape, small sponge dauber

Something *NEW*

Hello My Friends!

It's finally time for a new challenge over at The Sisterhood of Crafter's.

It was wonderful to have a little 'time off' but now we are ready to get back on track with challenges for the new year!  Our first challenge of the year is a fun and easy one . . .

ANYTHING GOES using something *NEW*

Well, I must admit I didn't get any new crafting goodies for Christmas (I think I buy myself too many goodies throughout the year, lol) and, with that being said, here is a die set I bought at the Dies R Us store.  It is by Creative Expressions Sue Wilson ... Spanish Collection - Granada #CED1207.  Then on my trip to Indiana last October, I discovered this coordinating stamp at Joan's Gardens ... Sue Wilson 'Woven Leaves Stamp' #UMS551.  Actually found a couple different stamps that matched some of my Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Die Sets so of course I had to purchase them.  (Haven't inked them up yet though ... MY BAD!)

After stamping on white card stock, I colored in the leaves using my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.  Then I die cut the stamped image using the larger of the 3 dies in the set.  I've used pop dots to pop it up on the garden green base card and die cut the 'smallest' die of the set and stamped my sentiment.

Easy Peasy yet beautiful!

Since there are 3 dies in this set, I just HAD to die cut the middle size die and create a card with it.  So that is what I've done on this black card stock panel then adhered it to my white card base.  I knew it wasn't going to need 'much' so I simply created a couple homemade flowers using the Cheery Lynn Designs #B435 'Tea Rose Small' floral die strip.  This adorable image from the Graphic45 Place In Time 12x12 pack worked perfectly as my focus image. 

A touch of sparkle on the flowers and leaves using Stickles just wasn't enough for me today so I went all around the border with white Liquid Pearls.  OK ... NOW I'm happy!  LOL!

I do hope you'll come join in our challenge fun!
You will have until January 25th to play along!

A few additional challenge to share in today:
Fashionable Stamping Challenge - Something New (Stamp & Die Set)
One Stitch at a Time Challenge #228 - Something New (Stamp & Die Set)
Sister Act Challenge #88 - Anything Goes
Design Team Showcase - DT Only

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Wishing you a fabulous remainder of your week ...
As always . . .

Just a Note ...

Hello Dear Friends and thanks for stopping by today!

The card I have to share with you today is my design team card for the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog.  Everyday Monday through Friday one of the team members has a NEW creation to share and inspire you using die cuts from the Dies R Us online store.  Have you checked out the Dies R Us Store?  There are so many well known companies to pick from ... fabulous ONE-STOP-SHOPPING location and awesome shipping rates!  Please pop over and check it out for yourself!

Today I have only used two die sets . . .

Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Designs 'California Collection - Hollywood' ... #CED1107

Cheery Lynn Designs 'Lace Corner Deco E' ... #B165

 If by chance you do not find the exact dies I have used on my creation in the store, please check back another time or be sure to check out the similar dies available by these companies.  There are several different collections available through Sue Wilson and Cheery Lynn Designs has several other fabulous corner die sets that would work beautifully.

Also remember, if an item you desire is 'Out Of Stock', be sure to add your name to the list to be alerted as soon as it has been restocked. Really doesn't take much time at all!

A couple challenges to share in:
Design Team Showcase - DT Only 
Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge - Girly
PDE Linky Party Challenge - Blue and White

Thanks again for stopping by and please come back tomorrow when I have a creation to share for the First Challenge of 2015 at The Sisterhood of Crafters.

Till then and as always . . .

Butterfly Thank You

Hello Again my friends!

I have a second card to share with you today!

One of my New Year resolutions is to create a few cards 'just for fun' ... not any DT requirement or personal order obligation ... just because I want to and that's what this card is all about!

I have always enjoyed working with a 'sketch'.  In fact, that's where I started my card making journey ... doing the sketch challenges over on Splitcoast Stammpers (OMG I haven't joined in those challenges for so long ... must do something about that!).

So, with that being said, today's card combines two fun challenges!

The sketch challenge at the Mojo Monday Card Sketch Challenge Blog

and the Butterfly Challenge which is to make a Thank You card (using butterflies of course).

I found this beautiful image on Pinterest.  After printing, trimming, and distressing I decided to die cut a black butterfly to give added dimension over top of the black butterfly that is in the image.

I hope you are taking the time to be creative JUST FOR YOU and take the time to play some of your favorite challenges.  I can always use more thank you cards in my stash and love how this one came together so quickly by using two fun challenges.

Let's see if I can find a few other challenges to share my creation in today:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge #1 - Anything Goes (c10)

Scrappy Hands Challenge #30 - Layers

Scribble and Scrap Challenge - Always Anything Goes (c15)

Stamping Sensations January Challenge - Dies and Punches

That Craft Place Ltd Challenge - Monochromatic
Design Team Showcase - DT Only

Thanks so much for stopping by again today!!  And, I hope you'll stop back again tomorrow when I'll have an inspiration card sample to share using dies from the Dies R Us Store.  With all the New Releases coming out, Dies R Us shelves are full and you'll want to go check 'em out!  I'm expecting an order today and can't wait to see them/and play of course!  LOL!

Happy Day all and as always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Black cs, Basic Grey 'Basics Kraft Paper Pad' design papers
Stamp/Ink:  Hero Arts/Versafine Onyx
Accessories:  TH distresser, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Exotic Butterfly Small' #DL112, Martha Stewart Butterfly Border Punch, Pop Dots

Now I lay me down to sleep . . .

As a child did you say this prayer every night before going to bed?

I sure did and remember it fondly!

Hello My Friends!

Today I have a card to share with you showcasing product from Crafty Secrets!

Did you see all the amazing creations the team made for the current Linky Party?  

OMG such a creative team and we would LOVE to have you come join in our challenge fun ..., you can check out all the details HERE and you have until Jan. 18th to share your creation.  

Please tell your friends too ...  remember, EVERYONE can get the FREE image & paper over on the blog for their own use in playing our challenges BUT you can still use ANY CRAFTY SECRETS products to create and enter.  The FREE paper I'm referring to is the one I have used on my card today ... so pretty!

Isn't this image precious!

It's one of the many adorable images found in the Crafty Secrets 'Little Dolls' Images and Journal Notes Booklet.  I have actually cut the strip apart and used both parts on my card front.

 

I had a little bit of fun with the ribbon & pearls too ... 

Vintage just isn't vintage without satin ribbon & pearls ...

Please be sure to check out all the AMAZING prices at our STORE

and come join in our challenge!  

A few challenges to share in today are:

Gem of a Challenge - Something New (digital design paper/gold flourish stickers)

Allsorts Challenge #293 - New & Cute (digital design paper/gold flourish stickers)

Crafty Calendar Challenge - Something New (digital design paper/gold flourish stickers)
Craft-Dee BowZ January Challenge - Anything Goes using a Bow
 Design Team Showcase Challenge Jan 11-17, 2015

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you're having a FABULOUS day!

As always . . .

Turning Wednesday's 'Ooops' . . .

. . . into today's beautiful card creation!

Hello my friends!

Yep, if you stopped by on Wednesday you know what I'm referring to!

And after using the 'teal' ink over my snowflake 'die cut stencil' ... it actually was quiet pretty once dried and more of a teal color then it's original medium blue color!  

SO ... decided to use it for my second card which I'm entering into the current 'Teal Snowflakes' challenge at Classy Cards n Such.

Grrrr!  I struggle with achieving 'TRUE' color when taking photographs!  Trust me, this is more teal IRL then it looks in my photos!

How do you like my medicine bottles in the background!  I purchased them while out in Indiana in the Fall with my Midwest crafting friends and think they are SO appropriate for this time of year!  

I don't know about you, but I know I've been taking my share of 'Pertussin' (had a cold for 2 weeks) as well as using the ole 'Liniment' on these aching bones over the past few weeks!

This getting old is for the birds!  LOL!

I hope you'll come join in the 'Teal Snowflake' challenge fun ... you still have a bit of time!  

Challenge ends Saturday at Midnight (CST).

A few challenges to share in:
Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge - Blue Tones
Docerela Creations Challenge - Anything Goes
Fairy Tale Challenge - Snow
Design Team Showcase

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by!  

Your encouraging comments mean the world to me!

Have a great weekend!

As always . . .

 Recipe:

Papers:  White cs, Red cs, DCWV Winter 6x6 mat stack,  XP-73017516 'Stardream Fuse Vista'

Stamps:  Heartfelt Creations HCPC3342 'Snowmen Melt Your Heart' Set 

Dies: Marianne 'Mittens', Cheery Lynn Designs 'B477' (snowflake), Impression Obsession 'Snowflake Background' 

Accessories:  Diamond Stickles, PopDots, Fiskars Swivel Craft Knife (for fussy cutting), Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Creative Memories corner rounder, White Gelly Roll Pen,

Hot Chocolate Anyone??

Cold and Snowy here ... how is it where you live?

Hello friends, thanks for stopping by today!

My friend Diane Hover (Nellie's Nest) mentioned to me the other day when we were Yahoo Messenger chatting that she was working on a card for a fun sketch challenge and shared the link with me.  Well immediately I thought "that does look like fun" and decided to join in.  

The sketch challenge blog I'm referring to is Mojo Monday Card Sketch!  I'm sure a lot of you are familiar with it ... as was I actually ... but just never took the time to play along.  Well, that is until today! LOL!  (thanks Diane!)

Their current sketch challenge is here:

See what I mean ... isn't that an awesome sketch to follow?

I had a stack of images (of all sorts) along with paper packs laying on my work table and that is where it all began.  First I picked one of the smaller images in the pile then I went with a NEW paper pack that I've had for several months and though would work well with the image and Viola!  I could not believe how quickly this card came together!

This delightful image is actually one I printed off of Pinterest and the paper pack I referred to is American Crafts ' Hot Cocoa' 6x6 pack.  I remember when I spotted it at Hobby Lobby last summer thinking "in all the papers I have (and that's a LOT) ... I don't have anything like this!"  So of course just HAD to have it.  I had actually forgotten all about it until I created a card (which I posted yesterday for The Shabby Tea Room) and knew it was PERFECT for this sketch & image too!  And, the brand new chocolate single stitched ribbon is so OOOLLLDDD and I'm not sure but believe it is from Michaels (can you tell I have a lot of ribbon too, lol). 

A few other challenges to share in today are:
NBUS Challenge #3  - (NBUS - paper & ribbon)

Clear It Out Challenge - Use your stash!  (paper & ribbon)

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes

Party Time Tuesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafting By Design January Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafty Girls Corner Challenge #1 - Anything Goes + Blog Hop
Diva's By Design - Anything Goes
Design Team Showcase

Well that's it for me today!
I hope you are having a wonderful week!
I'm STILL putting Christmas away (in fact the tree is still up, yikes)!
We celebrate the '12 Days of Christmas' which meant the outside stayed decorated & lite until Jan. 6th.  Hence the reason I am STILL trying to get back to normal!  LOL!
As always . . .

Having a "Dang!" Moment . . .

Hello Bloggers!

It's snowing to beat the band here and very cold!  So, I decided to take advantage of the situation and spend the day in my crafting cave! 

I know, I know ... some of you (who know me well) are saying "So what's so unusual about that?"  What can I say?  I LOVE my crafting cave and even though I still have Christmas decorations to put away ... I've decided to PLAY instead!  The mojo is flowing and a girl's gotta do ... what a girl's gotta do!  LOL!!!

Anyways, today I've created a card for the current challenge over at Class Cards 'n Such.  Their theme is Teal Snowflakes using this pretty image as your inspiration.  What fun (I thought!) ... outside my comfort zone to do snowflakes other than white!  And as you will see by my card ... I couldn't bring myself to make 'blue snowflakes' ...

One of the rules of their challenge is to use something carried in the Classy Cards n Such Store and even though my card doesn't have a lot of layers or embellishments (definitely outside my comfort zone) I did actually use TWO items carried at their store:

Memory Box 'Precious Mittens'

and

Impression Obsession 'Snowflake Background'

Here is what I came up with ...

CONFESSION TIME:

I did actually die cut the snowflake background to use as my CCNS item  and the basis for my card.  But, then noticed that the theme said TEAL not just blue.   DANG!   SO ... I shifted gears and used my die cut snowflake background as a 'stencil' to sponge my card front using teal ink and a large sponge.

NOW, I have this beautiful die cut for another 'wintery' card creation. Don't you just love it when a mistake works to your advantage?!  

I wish you could see this beautiful paper in person ... IT IS GORGEOUS!

Also from Classy Cards n Such ... XP-73017516 'Stardream Fuse Vista'

This beautiful, glimmer paper comes in various colors and is a heavier weight.  Perfect for die cutting and as I found out today ... great for stenciling too!

Have you checked out the challenges at Classy Cards n Such?  NO?  Well what are you waiting for ... take a peek and play along!  YOU might even be the prize winner and they are very generous with their prize offerings!

A few other challenges to share in are:

Loves Rubberstamps Challenge - Anything Goes

Paperminutes Challenge - Snowflakes (NO Christmas)

{Pin}spiration Challenge #131 - Snowflakes

Design Team Showcase

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Stay warm and safe out there!

As always ...

Other items used:
Papers:  White cs, Navy cs
Stamps:  Graphic45, Heartfelt Creations
Accessories:  Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Versafine Onyx ink

Winter Wishes . . .

Brrrr ... It sure is Cold Outside!

Hello my friends ... thanks for stopping by!

Single digits and the teens are NOT my idea of ideal weather! SO, I decided to stay in my cave and PLAY!  No DT commitment card today ... just one for a fun challenge I don't get to play often enough.  Although I truly enjoy my design team involvement, I'd like to take a little more time to create 'just for fun' in 2015.

Today's card was created for the 

The Shabby Tea Room ..."Baby It's Cold Outside" ... 

how appropriate!  LOL!

I really had fun creating this card and actually was able to use NEW and OLD products that I had never used before.  And I even got creative and used a die for the 'steam' that isn't really meant for that!  LOVE when you find  a new purpose for your dies, etc.

I also couldn't decide what size cup I wanted to use for the front of my card so cut out two of the three smaller cups/handles from the Spellbinder 'Nested Tea Cups' #S4-350 set.  Once I decided on using the larger of the two, I figured why not adorn the inside of my card with the smaller one!  PERFECT!

AND, how about this perfect little red satin bow holding up my mittens?  I just love my Craft-Dee BowZ bow maker.  I actually was lucky enough to WIN it a few years back when they started their blog and it creates a perfect bow every time!  LOVE THAT!  Especially when you're working with these tiny little ribbons ... my fingers aren't as 'nimble' as they once were so this tool makes the job SO MUCH easier!  Another fun challenge for you to check out. 

A few additional challenges to share in today are:
Craft-Dee BowZ January Challenge - Anything Goes using a Bow
Card Mania Challenge #64 - Make It Sparkle

Crafting From the Heart #41 - Always Anything Goes

Crafty Boots Challenge - Out with the Old, In with the New (new Embossing Folder)

Eureka Stamps Challenge - Snowman or Snowflakes
Design Team Showcase

I hope you are able to stay in and play today too (love that retirement benefit! lol)!
But if you're not, please be safe out there!  I hear the roads are a mess!

Thanks again for stopping by and for your encouraging comments!
I truly appreciate you taking the time!

As always . . .

Recipe:

Paper - Red cs, White cs, American Crafts 'Hot Cocoa' design paper,
Stamp/Ink - Verve Stamp 'Winter Mittens/Versafine Onyx
Dies - Spellbinder 'Nested Tea Cups', Wild Rose Studio 'Snow Flurry' #WRS032, Marianne 'Mittens' #CR1255, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Add a Flourish' #B456
Embossing Folders - Provo Craft Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes', Crafts-too 'Frame Winter' #CTFD4025
Accessories - Tim Holtz 'Tumbled Glass' Distress Ink, Large sponge dauber, 'Diamond' Stickles, SU Dimensionals