3 Cards--3 Challenges

I've made quite a few cards in the last couple of days, but haven't got around to posting, so I'm gonna try to post a few challenges in one.  So grab a coffee/tea/coke (whatever drink you like) and here we go . . .

Embellish Color Challenge w/ Embossing:
I love the vibrant pink of the flower in the inspiration photo:

Here's my card (pink polka dots are heat embossed--you can sort of tell on the bottom right of the card, and the blue is a lot more vibrant IRL):

I made the flower out of . . . get this . . . the elastic corners of an old fitted bed sheet!!  I was cutting up an old flannel sheet into rags, and when I was trimming off the elastic corners, I was left with this:  

. . . which made me think of rolling it up to get something like this . . .

I hand stitched it at the bottom to keep it together, added a button to the centre, and Voila!  I got this flower:

Curtain Call Act 27:

Some more vibrant pink flowers--this time with beautiful peonies (one of my favourite flowers--they smell just as good as they look!!)

I just got Wplus9 Studio's new Woodgrain Silhouettes stamp set and was super excited to ink it up.  This is the first card I made with the set.  (You'll be seeing a lot more cards with that set--I'm really liking it!!)

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger--Pool Inspiration:

Don't you just to jump right into this picture and lounge on that couch with a cool beverage?  Sure beats the cold and windy weather we've been having the last couple of days.

I loved the crisp white on the couch, and since there was a tree in the photo, I had to use my new large woodgrain stamp.  I stamped it a few times and then set it with white embossing powder.  I also loved that hint of aqua peeking in the corner of the photo!

Pheww!  Enough posting--I want to go get inky!!

Thanks 4 your time!

My 100th Post!!! {a LONG one too!}

Wow--when I started this blog back in the fall, I never imagined I would make it to 100 posts, but here I am!!  I had no idea how much joy reader comments would bring me each day!  Really, they all make me smile! I THANK each of you who has taken the time to leave me some love!  I think my cardmaking has developed a lot since I started blogging, participating in challenges, and being inspired by so many of YOU!!

So what better way to honour a milestone than with a card that honours another milestone!  My parents are celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary next month!  They take care of my grandmother [who is in the late stages of Alzheimers] full time.  My sister and I would have loved to send them away on a trip or even a weekend, but they refuse to take time away (even though they SO need it and deserve it).  They wouldn't want a big party either, so we decided to invite just some of their close friends and family out for lunch, and then we'll head back to my parents' for some cake and coffee.  Pretty low-key, but I wanted to make a nice invite, nonetheless!  I only had to make 8 invites (one of which will be a keepsake for my parents).

40th Anniversary is considered the Ruby Anniversary, so I found these big ruby brads that double as the zero digit in 40.  The card is a hybrid creation: I created the sentiment on Word first and then printed it  onto cardstock first, then I stamped and heat embossed the damask print. [On a two of the cards above you'll see I stamped a bit of damask on the bottom, but then decided to omit it on the rest]

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On another marriage note, my little cousin is getting married tomorrow!  So glad the forecast is calling for a sunny day!  My husband and I are pumped about getting to celebrate all day with family!  My in-laws are watching our boys for the reception, so it will be nice to have a date night too! (Okay can I stop using exclamation points?  LOL)  Any way, Dawn McVey inspired me with this card she made for a wedding she attended last week.  I just swaped the colour to suit my cousin's wedding colour scheme.

Here's her card:

Here's what she inspired:

Again, thanks to all of you who visit my blog!  I hope my creations can inspire you -- even if it's just a bit!

Thanks 4 your time!!

REAL woodgrain!

   I was hoping to get my new Woodgrain stamp set from Wplus9 Studio in the mail by today so I could participate in the current CARDS blog challenge (I'll add the link later--server's currently down), which is to use woodgrain.  Unfortunately, cross border mail service is always slow.  However, this did not stop me!
   In the spirit of Earth Day, I went directly to nature and took some "woodgrain" right off our white birch tree in the backyard.  It's only a couple of years old--you can barely make it out in the background of the photo (camoflauged by our fence).  I peeled a bit of the thin white bark off and stitched it on my card--it was a bit brittle and not quite flat.  I didn't think any adhesive would work well.

I also used my new CutterBee.  Jessica Rosario mentioned a tool like this over on her blog a while back (her cards are simply fabulous--check her out!).  Any way, I've been looking everywhere for one and finally found one today at a discount store (a single row and double row piercer for $3.49)!  It created the small piercings around the card base--SUPER easy to use!  Here's what they look like:

Any way, gotta run and try to figure out what to make for supper tonight.  I rather by crafting than cooking!

Thanks 4 your time!

One Layer Card Challenge

I have to thank Kristina Werner for her current challenge to create a "one layer" card. I don't remember the last time I made a card that was only one layer--and I don't know why.  Kristina's challenge reminded me of how much fun they can be . . . and how quick and easy they can be too.  I created two last night, but I have ideas for a few more, so you may see some more in near future posts.

Here's my first card.  I think I may make a set of them (switch up the sentiments and layout, but keep the flower stamp and colours).  I coloured the flowers in with markers and added some highlights with a white pencil crayon.

For my next card I coloured in the baby buggy with pencil crayons and blended colours with some mineral water.  I scalloped the side edges to mimic the scallop trim on the buggy.

Thanks 4 your time!

Day 50 -- Digging Deep

Haven't play along at 365 Cards in what seems like forever!!  But when I saw today's challenge, I figured it was a good way to make a card and tackle some cleaning of my craft table.  The Day 50 challenge is called "Digging Deep" and asks to use three things:


1. An item that is more than a year old--the green card base from a DCWV box set (never could get around to use that colour)
2. Something that you were given that you have never used -- the decorative brad was from a big scrapbooking tote filled with goodies my sister gave me a couple of years ago too.
3.Something you forgot you had.-- the patterened paper is from a mat pad of K&Company Christmas Cheer paper (found it in the bottom of a drawer).

I decided to make an anniversary card (I have a lot of those coming up!), and when I saw the fab flower on this card that my blog buddy Lynn made last week, I knew I wanted to try one myself (check Lynn's blog for a link to a tutorial on how to make the flower).  So, without further ado, here it is:

Here's a close up of the flower--definitely want to practice making more. 

 

Thanks 4 your time!

Ha"Bee" Birthday!

Okay, so when I first saw this sketch over at the EBTKS Challenge blog, I thought, "fuggadabout it--I'll skip this one!" 

But the sketch lingered in my mind and then suddenly an idea came to me last night--perhaps it was getting inspired by all the goodies I saw at Scrapfest yesterday [I actually only used one of the new things I bought at Scrapfest on the card--Prima alphabet stamp set] . . . any way, I'm pretty happy with what I came up with!!

The shape reminded me of a beehive, so I went with it . . .

I think it's SO FUN!  Can't wait to give this card to someone!  I

Here's another card I made Friday night and didn't realize until now that it sort of fits with the sketch as well (arch of the flowers)--guess the sketch was lingering subconsciously in my mind ;)  Found some rhinestone packs at a local Dollar store last week (look just like the Basic Grey sets--come in a spiral with 3 sizes--different packaging, but both made in China, so they're likely the exact same product!)--I bought them in every colour!!

Thanks 4 your time!

D"awe"n Inspired

Okay--so I new I'd play with Dawn's Color Cue {3} challenge again! Who knew I'd get it done in the same day!  . . .  I don't know if anyone else thought of this when they saw her colors, 

but I immediately thought of her own WPlus9Design Studio logo:

So I thought of Dawn when creating this card (hence my post title).  She and her stamps totally ROCK!!  And now that she has great shipping rates to Canada, she rocks even more!! (Now I just have to get back to work to earn some $$ again and order me some).  I gotta send this to her in the mail to thank her for her new stamp set I won!!  Woohoo!!  So Dawn, if you're reading this--yes, you're getting a sneak (well I guess full) peek at the card.

Thanks 4 your time!

Color Cue {3}

I'm anxiously awaiting Dawn's new Woodgrain stamp set--I'm crossing my fingers I get it in the mail today, but I just couldn't wait to play with her new Color Cue Challenge.  Again, what I love about colour challenges is that they compel me to use colours I would not likely combine on my own, so they're great inspiration!!

Here's my card:

I haven't done a lot of heat embossing in a while, and I have a whole set of Hampton Art coloured embossing powder I haven't really used.  I like how the shimmery the yellow dots turned out (although I now see a lil' mistake)

With Mother's Day being the next big holiday, I need to start cranking some of those cards out (another reason I can't wait for Dawn's new stamp set!).  My aunt suggested that I put a small display up at her spa to sell some of my cards--she's a gem!  I'm going over later today to drop my stuff off.  I'm not selling them for too much--$3--hopefully enough to support this crazy hobby!!  Who knows if anyone will even be interested in buying any?!  Any way, here's a photo of the display I made up.  Some of you may recognize some of the cards from older posts!  What do you think?

Thanks 4 your time!

CARDS blog--Birthday Candles challenge

Well I got into my gardens today and boy did it feel great!  The greatest thing about spring is anxiously visiting my gardens each day to see what new flower is peeking out of the soil or what new bud has blossomed.  It just makes me so happy!   It was great to be outside for a large part of the day . . . I even took my camera out and got a pic of my card for this week's CARDS blog challenge (which is to feature candles on a birthday card). 

Here it is:

I just cut the flame free hand and inked it up on the edges and centre.  I curled up the top a bit to give it a bit of dimension--pretty pleased with how it turned out!

Going to try brainstorming invite ideas for my parents' 40th Anniversary.

Thanks 4 your time!

Let the Good Times Roll

Wow--2 card posts in one day!!  Guess the Embellish Parties challenge really got my mojo going!
I love that it includes Black and White--it leaves SO many possibilities. 

I printed off this sheet music image just yesterday, and thought it would work well for this challenge since most "parties" include music!  So here's my second submission for the challenge:

Also thought I'd post another card I made that uses this same sheet music; however, I distressed it all up. BTW, that pale green strip on the bottom is actually a Behr paint sample chip.  I found a whole pile of paint samples when I was cleaning up some drawers yesterday and I couldn't throw away all these great colours!!

Thanks 4 your time!

Embellish Challenge--Celebrate Parties

When I saw the martini glasses in the inspiration pick for Embellish's new challenge, I knew I wanted to dig out an old martini glass stamp I have (Sarah Beise).  The colour combo is fab:

Now I did have to add that dab of green for that olive--couldn't really make it look like a raspberry.  The classy feel of the party in the photos led me to adding the classy damask strip.  Dug out some stickles too to add some sparkle to that drink!

I think little coasters with this martini glass would be really great too!

Well--I often make more than one card for Embellish challenges--so I'm going to try a get more inky!!

Thanks 4 your time!

Blog Candy Giveaway!!

It's hard to believe my little Caden is going to be a year old soon. 

This past year has been such a blessing!  I have loved being at home with both my boys.  I've had fun playing with them, and have also had fun squeezing in some CRAFT-time while they play beside me.  Alas, my maternity leave is coming to an end; I'm going back to work on May 17th :(  

   Sadly, the reality is that when I go back to work, my paper crafting and blogging will slow down drastically (if not come to a complete stop).  I teach high school English, and since I'll be going back with only 6 weeks left of the school year, I'll likely be up to my eyeballs in marking papers {insert big pout here}.
   I'm going to try to squeeze in as much papercrafting and blogging as I can over the next few weeks, and I thought I'd do a BLOG CANDY giveaway too!!  I thought about doing one for my 100th post (but that may be by next week).  So I'll draw for the candy on May 16th (the day before I go back to work).

 Details:
1.  Leave a comment on this post.
2.  If you admire my work, consider Following my blog (not a requirement to win)
3.  Help spread the word about the chance to win--Copy the photo of the blog candy and post it with a link to this post somewhere on your blog.

Blog Candy:
1. Cloud9 Design "Kensington Gardens" 19 piece clear stamp set
2. 3-D "Peel-Off's" self-adhesive stickers--Sunflowers
3. EK Success 24 piece Scallop Circle chipboard shapes
4. Making Memories Classic Card Pad (18 pre-cut, scored cards)
5. 2pk-Handmade paper cards and envelopes pack.
6. Jolee's Boutique Dimensional Stickers--Pink & Cream Daisies
7. Memory Labels (with words Freedom, Awesome, Fantastic, Dream, Believe, Discover)
8. Silver Studs (these are used for jewelery, but I've used them for bling in papercrafting with Glue Dots)


Thanks 4 your time and GOOD LUCK!!