Nothin' but Blue Skies

Blue skies smilin' at me / Nothin' but blue skies do I see / Blue birds singin' a song / Nothin' but blue skies from now on...

Can you hear it? Can you hear the song? The only version I hear is sung by Willie Nelson, and it was only one of many songs playing on the record player that I woke up to on Saturday mornings. When I saw the colors for the latest Embellish Magazine Challenge, I saw nothing but blue skies (and flowers).

Instructions for the main panel (to remind myself!):
1. Stamp Daisy Stamp with Versamark on high gloss cardstock.
2. Color stamped areas with chalk.
3. Overstamp daisy image with Versamark and immediatley heat emboss with clear powder.
4. While the powder is still tacky, sponge additional chalk on the petals for a brighter color.
5. Cover glossy panel with blue ink and wipe off embossed areas. Ink edges of panel with same blue ink.
6. Trim to size, apply sticker sentiment (these are awesome stickers!!!).
7. Stitch ribbon tab and attach layered button.
8. Stitch border with yellow thread on card base and attach main panel with foam adhesive.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: Glossy White (SU) White (Georgia Pacific) Stamps: Upsy Daisy (SU) Ink: Versamark Other: Chalk (SU), Thank You Sticker (SRM Stickers), Clear Embossing Powder (SU) Ribbon (American Crafts), Buttons (Cloud 9 by Fiskars), Thread, Foam Adhesive

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

[CREATIVITY]

Ten random things that spark my creativity, please, do share your sparks!

1. Real Simple Magazine
2. The boys' school rooms
3. Nature
4. Legos
5. Billboard Signs
6. Coffee Shops or Hole in the Wall Cafes
7. Beer Glasses
8. TV Commercials (especially the one where it goes from black and white to ladies in yellow swimsuits, yeah, the one with the annoying jingle...)
9. Antique Stores or Garage Sales
10. Memories!

Supplies Used: DSP (K&Co.) Stamps: Rough Edges Alphabet (SU) Ink: Chestnut Roan Chalk (Colorbox) Other: Cardboard, Typing Paper, Ring

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

I Am Honored

Kind of late to the game here with my announcement because of the long day at work, but I am so excited I still had to share!
I made it onto the inaugural design team at CAS-Tastic Wednesday Challenges! There is a great group of ladies that I get to share this honor with and we look forward to you joining us as we debut another challenge on May 5th! Please take a minute to congratulate and check out the work of these wonderful Clean. And. Simple. designers.
Angie
Deb
Maylee
Agata
Barbara
Bonnie Rose
Regina

In Wonderland

I read the real Alice in Wonderland to my oldest son for a bedtime story not too long ago. He was fascinated. I was fascinated. The story truly is amazing and full of eccentricities and characterization. The fabulous challenge image at Off the Wall Craftiness eluded to the Wonderland Tea Party and I pulled out the butterflies, bold colors and patterns with a clean and simple interpretation. I kissed the cute butterfly image onto some different patterned stamps to create texture and then randomly stamped the outline butterfly over the mask for a background. (Wplus9 has a great tutorial on masking here, a great technique for clean and simple designs.)

Supplies Used: Cardstock: SU Pixie Pink and Whisper White Clear Acrylic Stamp Sets: Woodgrain Silhouettes from Wplus9, For the Love of Dots from Practicing Creativity Designs Ink: SU Pixie Pink and Only Orange Pigment Ink, Colorbox Chalk Citrus Yellow and Lime Pastel Ink Other: Signo White Gel Pen Tools: SU Corner Rounder Punch, Staples

Gaga-ness

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah Roma-Roma-ma Ga-ga Ooh La-la
The crafty blogging world is tons of fun, you know? I get so much inspiration, get to know so many new people and find loads of new things to try, including music from none other than Lady Gaga. A little bit ago I noticed that the wonderfully talented Brandi (YankeeBelleStamper) mentioned in her profile the Lady herself as a music fave and I thought, hmm...maybe I should listen to some of her music, I mean, if Brandi (and my sister) likes her so should I. And trust me, her music is great, upbeat and fun. Through email correspondence we challenged to ourselves to create a card based off on of Lady Gaga's famous costumes and here are our creations. Enjoy!
Brandi found this galactical image of Lady Gaga at the 2010 Grammy's for our inspiration:

Here's my bold take:

(Supplies: Cardstock: Georgia Pacific White, SU Summer Sun, Basic Black and Silver Clear Acrylic Stamps: Look Up and You're Dandy from Practicing Creativity Designs, Thank You from Heidi Grace Ink: SU Pigment Ink in Summer Sun, Versamark Ink Embellishments: SU Black Grosgrain Ribbon, SU Silver Cord, Button Tools: SU Black Embossing Powder, CM Circle Punches, Fiskars Corner Rounder)

And here's Brandi's beautiful interpretation:

This was tons of fun! I got to know another crafter a bit better, created a bright and fun card and now I have a new soundtrack that puts me in an upbeat mood!

Quite Contrary

Mary Mary quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With silver bells and cockle shells. And pretty maids all in a row.

Such a lovely little rhyme I was humming in my head when creating this card, all these pretty felt flowers lined up in a row. Upon finding the correct verbiage for the poem, I ran into the historical origins. I don't care to find out the true meaning of a nursery rhyme again anytime soon. Oh dear, how complicated. I think I shall just remember the poem as I did when I was little, so much more fun that way.

These felt flowers fell from their container and were a perfect match to jump start a card for The Curtain Call Color Challenge. Along with the pink flowers, I added a celery green ribbon leaf and rose stitching to hold them in place, as I've seen some talented designers do with other shapes. I'm happy that I kept this card clean and simple instead of complicated, I think it's so much more fun that way.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: Georgia Pacific White, SU Pink Pirouette, Stamps: SU Wonderful Words Rubber Stamp Set Ink: SU Certainly Celery Pigment Ink Embellishments: Felt Flowers from Flower Fusion SU, Pearls from Queen & Co. Tools: Fiskars Scallop Border Punch Other: Thread

The Robin's Eggs

We used to live in the little yellow house on the corner and each year the robin would build a nest on top of the somewhat rusty lamp and lay a few eggs. Bright, yet soft, blue eggs. Our dad would let us climb up the ladder and count how many we were expecting to arrive in a few weeks. This would, of course, signify Spring and warmer weather. What significance two or three blue robin's eggs could have for three girls.
The colors of current challenge at The Play Date Cafe include a robins blue and terra cotta, along with cream and pewter. I pulled out the large stamp, inked and misted lightly with water and then stamped onto watercolor paper. I repeated the step with the blue and layered the two together. This card is just within reach of my comfort zone, but far enough away that I do need some binoculars...

Supplies Used: Cool Caribbean SU Cardstock, Watercolor Paper from Archers Paper, Really Rust and Cool Caribbean SU Pigment Ink, Medallion SU Stamp, Thank You Clear Acrylic Stamp Set from Heidi Grace, Pewter SU Brads, Fiskars 1/8" Hole Punch, SU Edge Distresser, Ranger Mini Mister

Instant Human

The alarm goes off. And maybe it goes off again. I methodically do my morning chores and try to wake the boys. And then I maybe try to wake them again. I'm rushed. I send one on the school bus and drive the other to daycare. I punch in the code to enter the building. And I maybe have to punch it again. I drop off my purse, grab my most favorite mug and waltz to the coffee pot. I pour coffee. I maybe pour some more. Aah, now I can begin my day. Instant human. Just add coffee.
This card was created with the Moxie Fab World Get Sketchy Challenge in mind. Something a bit witty that perhaps might put a smile on your face? There are tons and tons of great entries so if you wanted to grab a cup o' joe and take a look see like I did, its worth your while!

I'm going to give this a whirl in the Caardvarks Monochromatic Challenge as well. I'll call it the coffee or coffee bean sack colors.


Supplies Used: SU Nutural White Cardstock, SU Linen Background Stamp, SU Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Close to Cocoa, True Thyme Pigment Ink, Ranger Distress Ink in Walnut Stain, Karen Foster Stickers, Sunflower Pearls from Queen & Company, CM Journaling Pen, Cardboard, Brown Linen Thread