In My World

In My World...there are bright turquoise and pink regal song birds flying through the air...there is just enough money to pay all the bills and have enough left over for fun things...all my family would live close (enough)...In My World...

Popping by with a quick card I put together after being inspired by this beautiful and regal pendant from Nanny's Room for the Etsy Inspired Challenge. I grabbed an this warbler image from TiffanyDoodles that has been sitting on my table for a long time-just waiting to be colored-then saturated the bird first with water from an Aqua Painter and then went back in with some pigment markers, removing excess colors with a cloth.

Tiffany is also sneaking another new beautiful flower image that will be available this Friday.

So, I'd like to know...What's in Your World?

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific, (Teal) Paper Company
Digital Image: (Warbler2) TiffanyDoodles
Stamps: (Mega Mixed Messages) PTI
Ink: (Onyx Black) Versafine
Markers: (Rich Regals Pigment) SU
Embellishments: (Black Brad) SU, (Pink Satin Ribbon) SU
Tools: Aqua Painter, (Labels One Nestabilities) Spellbinders

The Linen Closet

There was a little door in her hallway that contained the freshest, cleanest, most exhilarating smell. I remember trailing at her heals as she would walk to her linen closet door, open it and pull out the crispest sheets around-white speckled with big, bright pink rosebuds. She would then carefully spread the sheet on the couch, pinch the edges and tuck me in tight. It never failed, I would always sleep well at Grandma's house.

The colors of the feathers and the shape of the hair net on this piece at Pegasusmaiden's Shop for the Etsy Inspired Challenge reminded me of Grandma's sheets and the whole while I could smell that wonderful smell again....and shaking my head as to why my linen closet doesn't smell the same. I sure hope that you can see that the background is stamped repeatedly with a stitched hexagon shape from Hexagon-A-Thon by Schlosser Designs and there is a faint polka dotted hexagon pattern to the rose.

Supplies Used: 
Cardstock: (Gold and Copper Flecked) Archer's Paper
Stamps: (Hexagon-A-Thon) Schlosser Designs, (Rose from Roses in Bloom) Waltzingmouse Stamps, (Sentiment from Communique Curves) PTI
Ink: (Rose Red and Pretty in Pink Pigment) SU, (Antique Linen and Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger
Embellishments: (Rustic Twine) PTI, Button

A Set of Owls

So now I can finally post that it is Amy's Birthday and I'm sending her some well wishes today! (I screwed up with my pre-posting yesterday, ugh!)  Happy Birthday Miss Amy!

 

Amy Tsuruta was one of the first designers I followed when I started my blogging journey. She's got such a kind soul and has left encouraging comments for me time and time again, and I can't thank her enough! Amy caught my attention with her use of patterned paper, and she still amazes me to this day of the wonders she creates-both in cards and scrapbook layouts. Fabulous eye for patterns, colors, sewing, embellishments, the list goes on! Pop on over to her blog Tsuruta Designs and wish her well today!

 

Still trying out and practicing with the new Glimmer Mists that I purchased from Practicing Creativity Designs. I decided to make two owl birthday cards because, well, I still wanted to surprise Amy (the surprise being which one is actually sent to her!). The pink card was inspired by this pendant at Cathy Walter's Etsy Shop for the Etsy Inspired Challenge.

I have the great honor to be on the Schlosser Design Team with with Amy, as well as Laurel, who is having some awesome blog candy right now!

Supplies Used Pink Owl: Cardstock: (Very Vanilla) SU Stamps: (Mega Mixed Messages) PTI (Woodgrain Background) SU (Owl Digital Stamp) Hero Arts Ink: (Chestnut Roan Chalk) Colorbox (Rose Red Pigment) SU Other: (Sugar Maple Glimmer Mist) Tattered Angels (Blender Pens) SU (Brown Rhinestones)

Supplies Used Blue Owl: Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific Stamps: (Sentiment from Chatterbox) Practicing Creativity Designs (Owl Digital Stamp) Hero Arts Ink: (Charcoal Gray Chalk) Colorbox (Certainly Celery Pigment) SU Other: (Dragonfly Glimmer Mist) Tattered Angels (Blender Pens) SU (Blue Rhinestones) (Colored Pencils) Prisma (Yarn and Thread recycled from packaging at Lawn Fawn) Tools: (Corner Round Punch) SU

Bird Watching & Coffee

She's a wonderful woman, always seeing the good in people and taking time to notice the little things in life. She's conquered most obstacles that presented along the way, making her wise and beautiful. She drinks her coffee and watches the birds from her patio every morning. Perhaps I should do this as well, it seems to be the trigger to living each day in the moment and having a happy life like hers.

I'm on a quest to make some flat and easily mailed cards to give to my grandma for her 82nd birthday, the woman referenced above, who still believes in the power of a handwritten note. My card draws inspiration from the line of yellow coffee mugs at Octavia & Brown's shop for the Etsy Inspired Challenge and uses the layout from the sketch at Limelight Papercrafts (plus background stamping). The birds were stamped in chalk ink and given a bit of dimension with colored pencils. Love them, aren't they cute?

Supplies Used: Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific (Yellow Gold) Recollections Stamps: (Bird and Leaves from Woodgrain Silhouettes Additions) Wplus9 Ink: (Yellow Citrus Chalk) Colorbox Other: (Colored Pencils) Prisma, (Black Marker) Pilot, (Black Floss) DMC, Staples

YeeHa! Layout & Man Card

A cowboy themed party is what we had for my youngest on his first birthday. I am very biased when I say he made the cutest buckaroo in town.

The layout's colors were derived from The Scrap Doctor's Jolly June Yellow Challenge.

And to not forget the men in my life, I made a masculine yellow card as well for the challenge.  The design is inspired by this bag at SandBoxStudio's Etsy Shop, for the Etsy Inspired Challenge.

YeeHa! Layout: Supplies Used: White Scrapbook Page (Creative Memories) Cardstock: Yellow (Recollections) Patterned Paper: (Creative Memories) Stickers: YeeHa (Hobby Lobby) Other: Black Journaling Pen, Corner Round Punch (Creative Memories)
On Your Birthday Card: Supplies Used: Cardstock: So Saffron (Stampin Up), Green (Close to my Heart) Pattern Paper: (Creative Memories) Rubon: Chit Chat (Stampin Up) Other: Twine (PTI) Tools: Corner Round Punch (Creative Memories), Staples

Missing You

I can't begin to imagine all the emotions of deployment and what it is like-what families and soldiers must go through each and every time that happens. Thank you to the families that are brave enough to send off their loved one and thank you to the soldiers that are brave enough to fight for our country and freedom. I appreciate you.


These buttons at How Beadyful's Etsy Store inspired me to pull out a salvaged vintage children's books and create a Miss You card for the Etsy Inspired Challenge. I felt that the image of the home front as well as the yellow would serve as a reminder of what is waiting for soldiers at home as well as an appreciation for what they do.

ETA: In my haste to post this morning, I realized I misspelled a few words and forgot to mention that I thought placing a SRM Sticker inside a metal tag was genius! From the genius mind of Kim Kesti, who was featured on the SRM blog last week.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: White (Georgia Pacific) Sticker Sentiment: (SRM Stickers) Metal Tag (Stampin Up), Metal Brad (Colorbok) Other: Vintage Book Page, Baker's Twine Tools: Scallop Border Punch (Fiskars)

***The voting is still open for the 2010 PaperCraft's Gallery Idol Challenge! Have you voted for your favorite yet? Here's my entry for the Creativity Heals theme, made for women-of all ages- battling cancer.***

Spring Ferns

Every spring ferns start to grow right next to the back side of our house. I enjoy watching them start as little sprigs sneaking up through the frost and fawning out their rays of green. Every summer my husband makes his attempts to cut them down, thinking it'll be the last time he has to see them. I secretly smile inward that the ferns are resilient-they grow back bigger, better and greener every year.

The Etsy Inspired Challenge features Made By Michelle Brusgaard. Every single piece in her shop is amazing, but I was drawn to the tone on tone, silhouette flowers of this card. I cut some watercolor paper down to size, spritzed it lightly with water before stamping the flower images. After the base was dry, I stamped the sentiment in a darker green ink, rubbed the edges of the paper with the lighter ink for definition and added some rhinestones in the center of the larger flower for interest.

Supplies Used: Watercolor Paper (Archers) Stamps: Treasure Life (Close to My Heart) Small Script (Stampin' Up) Pigment Ink: River Rock and True Thyme (Stampin' Up) Embellishments: Rhinestones (Prisma) Tools: Aqua Painter, Corner Rounder Punch (Fiskars)

Gingerbread Trim

I adore the use of architectural scraps for interior decorating. I have a four paneled peeling green paint window...hanging on my wall in my living room. I love it for the simplicity, for the texture, for the balance it provides to the ugly cabinet that flanks the other wall, compliments of my husband.
There were some amazing repurposed for interior/exterior decorating household items at the creationdesign's shop. I chose this Gingerbread Trim Hanger for my inspiration for the Etsy Inspired Challenge and used the fabulous colors at Wplus9's Color Cue Challenge. I had in my mind to replicate the rays, woodgrain and vintage feel of the hanger.
Tip: For accurate placement of the scored rays, stamp the Practicing Creativity Design's Ray Guide from the You're Dandy Stamp Set on the back of your cardstock as an even guide for scoring.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: White (Georgia Pacific) Cool Caribbean (Stampin Up), Patterned Paper: Sweet Pea (Stampin Up) Stamp Sets: Woodgrain Silhouettes (Wplus9) You're Dandy (Practicing Creativity Designs) Sincere Salutations (Stampin Up) Ink: Versamark Pad and Marker (Tuskino) Creamy Brown Chalk (Colorbox) Night of Navy and So Saffron Pigment (Stampin Up) Embellishments: Button (Stampin Up) Linen Thread (Stampin Up) Tools: Labels 8 Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Mushroom Houses

When I was little The Smurfs where the thing to watch on Saturday mornings. All those little blue creatures living in mushroom houses. Led by the fearless Papa Smurf, they tried daily to escape being caught by the big Gargamel. Why didn't they just move to another mushroom patch? Oh, the good ol' days.

Lindsay Brackeen's Etsy Shop had a lot of cute mushroom scenes for the Etsy Inspired Challenge. I thought to create a simple thank you note to give to our neighbors while they house sit for us when we are out of town. The focal image reminded of the style of cartoons back when cartoons used bold black outlines and solid colors. The digital image was printed directly onto kraft cardstock, colored with chalk and then covered with glossy accents. So I've got to say that I know this isn't the best picture. It was my intention to take another but the little one (my son) came along and spilled his juice all over it and another card...

(I haven't found out the secret to photographing cards featuring glossy accents. Any tips you are willing to share would be quite welcome!)

Supplies Used: Cardstock: (Archer's Paper) Digital Image: Mushroom Home & Lady Bug (TiffanyDoodles) Stamp: Thank You (Heidi Grace) Ink: Versamark Other: Chalks and Black Embossing Powder (SU) Glossy Accents (Ranger) Corner Round Punch (Fiskars)

Encouragement

He told me to never give up. He told me to keep my head up and smile. He told me to be thankful for what I have. He told me he believed in me. He told me that things always work out in the end. He told me he would always be there for me. He was right.
My father was visiting from out of state this weekend and this was made for him. I appreciated the design of a bold brown image against a delicate pattern on this Etsy Inspired Challenge image by Isabell's Umbrella. I covered the petal only portion of the crocus image with glossy accents and added score lines framing the woodgrain pattern for additional interest. The hanger thread was added to balance out the design and to replace the need for an envelope. I also tried this idea out on a purple and yellow pastel background but unfortunately the glossy accents got the better of me. Mistakes so happen-sometimes for the better-and I am happy to complete my own challenge to create a masculine enough card that uses a flower image.


Supplies Used: Cardstock: Brown and Chocolate from Archer's Paper Clear Acrylic Stamps: Woodgrain Silhouettes from Wplus9 Ink: Colorbox Chalk Ink in Chestnut Roan and Creamy Brown, Versamark Embellishments: Rain Dots (Metallics) by Cloud 9, Gold Thread by Stampin Up, Glossy Accents from Ranger Tools: Score-pal

To Everything

to everything, terns terns terns there is a season, terns terns terns
It's me, chuckling out loud to the description provided by bee things at their Etsy Store regarding the image that inspired me. I was drawn to the simplicity and graphic nature of the birds. I liked masculine feeling created by the contrast of black and white against the gray-with a touch of yellow. Perfect for a Masculine Thank You card for the Etsy Inspired Challenge. I was also inspired by Maile's card here-how she created a background pattern and chose to highlight the sentiment by stamping it on white. I kept embellishments to a minimum, using only some black twill and three staples for just a touch more masculinity.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: Marigold Morning (SU), Textured Grey (Bazill), White (Georgia Pacific) Stamps: Woodgrain Background (SU) Thank You (Heidi Grace-Clear Acrylic) Ink: Jet Black (Stazon) Embellishments: Black Twill (May Arts from Practicing Creativity Designs) Staples

Warm Fuzzies

Sometimes people hit a rough patch in life and need someone to listen to them, to get it all out, and then to wrap them in warm fuzzies full of love, understanding and compassion. I'm proud to say that I was honored to give a warm fuzzy today-have you?

This card was inspired by this plate for the Etsy Inspired Challenge. After creating the card with warm tones of felt stacked squares affixed with cross stitching and placed under a raised frame, I realized that Cose Dolci also offered this plate. Ahh, even more warm fuzzies.


Supplies Used: SU Kraft Cardstock, SU Chitchat Rubon, DMC floss, Felt

Donut Be Sad

I never had a dollhouse growing up, and it didn't bother me one bit. Instead my sisters and I would place pillowcases on the floor and build rooms out of stuff for our Barbies. The furnishings came way of an auction, with the auctioneer being my oldest sister. By the time we had everything auctioned off and built, there was no time to actually play! Oh, good times...
The current Etsy Inspired Challenge features the shop of The Mouse Market who creates adorable little miniatures, and I was inspired by these orange colored earrings. I created a miniature card using a miniature stamp and sentiment and added a few layers and simple embellishments to finish it off. The tear is colored with blue pencil and the frosting has Glossy Accents to give it a bit of shine. The card is meant to be hand delivered or placed on someone's desk at work who might be having a rough day (or I might pin it to my own board at work!). Its so cute and tiny in real life, it makes me smile!


Supplies Used: SU Natural White and Kraft Cardstock, DSP (will update later), SU Comfort Food Stamp Set, Colorbox Chalk Ink in Chestnut Roan, Glossy Accents by Ranger, Prisma Colored Pencils, Light Blue Grosgrain Ribbon from Offray, CM Square Punch, Fiskars Scallop Border Punch

Vintage Rabbit

An Easter long ago the Easter Bunny gave three little girls a Beatrix Potter book in their baskets. How I loved the tale of Benjamin Bunny, and the book with its tiny little size and illustrations, and colors. I had that memory in mind when starting this card. I was the lucky recipient of Jane's digital Vintage Rabbit and finally tried him (and digital in general) out. I have to admit that working with digital images is a bit of a challenge for me, which is surprising considering I spent four years of my life devoted to that subject. I started with the beautiful blocked panel sketch from Nina. My intentions were to have the bunny stand out on a solid background and a pattern on the bottom to balance him out so I manipulated some digital stripes and printed it in tones to match the rabbit. I attempted printing my own sentiment as well, but my printer wasn't for that so it is handwritten instead. The colors were inspired by this bag at PonderandStitch's shop for the Etsy Inspired Challenge. All the edges were distressed, including the rabbit, for a worn, well-loved look. This card took a bit longer than I had hoped and there are a few things I would have done differently, but the important thing for me to remember is that I learned a few lessons to apply when working digital files the next time.

Supplies Used: Cream Cardstock from The Paper Company, Pink and Yellow DSP from SEI, Vintage Rabbit Digital Image from Squigglefly, SU Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana and Certainly Celery Ink, Colorbox Chalk Ink in Creamy Brown, SU Close to Cocoa Marker, Twine, Fiskars Scallop Border Punch, SU Blender Pens, McGill Tag Punch, Button (unknown source)

Luck of the...

Are you of Irish decent? I don't think I really am, but I sure do don my green on the 17th. Our mom used to paint a tiny shamrock with food coloring on our hands and its a fun tradition that I have passed on to my kiddies. This Etsy Inspired Challenge was too good to pass up. I was inspired by the shape, the textures and the colors of the necklaces featured on the 3dots store, they have some beautiful products. This card was tons of fun to make, and came together fairly quickly. Well, except for this part: me thinking I lost my hole punch, going to the garage and hunting for something that would punch holes in the middle of a square, my husband finding a nasty greasy grommet tool that actually worked to punch holes, and then me finding the hole punch and redoing the four holes. (Shh, haven't told him that this wasn't his work!) I am so happy the way the dots in the center of each wood panel turned out, I love the added texture on the dots from coloring the backs with gold and turquoise markers.

Supplies Used: Cream and Brown Cardstock from the Paper Company, SU Woodgrain Backround and So Many Sayings Stamps, SU Chocolate Ink, SU So Saffron and Tempting Turquoise Markers, Green Rain Dots from Cloud 9, CM Square Punch, SU Corner Rounder and Hole Punches

If It Ain't Broke...

Don't fix it. Although that simple little saying is full of grammatical errors, I still use it and apply it, such as the ribbon/button treatment and the dandelion image that I did in my card here. United Thread, the feature Etsy shop for Etsy Inspired Challenges, has some really neat hand drawn images, especially of bees and dandelions. The sketch is from CPS. I've never tried grey, purple and yellow before on a card...I kind of like it!

**This is my second post today, I'd love it if you have time to check out my first.**

Supplies Used: CTMH Smokey Gray Cardstock, SU Whisper White Cardstock, SU DSP, Practicing Creativity Designs You're Dandy Stamp Set, SU Basic Grey Ink, Colorbox Chalk Ink in Lavender, Fiskar's Scallop Border Punch, SU Basic Grey Satin Ribbon, Button, Thread

Shabby Chic Treasury...

Back in college I worked in the library Preservation Department at North Carolina State University repairing old (and ancient) books. It was my most favorite job to date...And here I am, ripping those treasuries apart. But I had to, I had to try out Dawn's Flower Technique after I was inspired by a handcrafted flower from the Etsy Inspired Challenge spotlight shop Sweetie Pie Tutus! Really loved how the color graduated from the outside to in. Such an easy and quick embellishment to make, and "A Little Treasury of Modern Poetry", discarded by someone and picked up by me, came in quite handy. I attempted to conquer the colors from Color Throwdown and was inspired by the sketch at CPS. I say inspired because I had intended this card to be a bit more clean and simple, but I'm kind of liking the way it turned out. The flowers were punched from two sizes of circles, sponged with blue and purple inks and adhered with a rhinestone brad. The stems and leaves were stitched as well as a portion of the band behind the flowers. I also sponged the back panel with blue and purple. Thank you to Virginia for giving me the push to try out something I've never done before (and I think I will try them again). I know that I need to give my Janome Sew Mini a break, but sewing is so much fun-must be my mom coming out in me! (grin)

Supplies Used: SU Brocade Blue (didn't purchase the Baja Breeze) and Very Vanilla Cardstock, SU Elegant Eggplant and Brocade Blue Ink, SU Sincere Salutations Stamp Set, CM Circle Punches, Rhinestone Brads, Fiskars Scallop Edge Border Punch, Sponge Daubers, Green Thread