Becomes a Rose

"Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows, Lies the seed, That with the sun's love, In the spring, Becomes the rose" ~From The Rose by Bette Midler

 

What an amazing experience it has been to guest design for Artful Delight during the month of December and being able to feature projects from their gorgeous December Card Kit.

(Hurry! There's just a couple December scrapbook kits left, and all other remaining months are vastly discounted!)

The kit included a perfectly sized bottle of glossy accents which I put to use on the above card. It is unreal how this product can change the look of paper. I touched up the Authentique Dotted Patterned Paper with it and then used it on a handmade flower. Simon Says Stamp is having an Anything Goes Challenge so I thought to enter this card.

I also wanted to showcase how the stamps included can be used by themselves to create a unique project too! The following card is based off the inspiration picture at Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge and features misting as well. (The January Kit includes a bottle of mist, just saying!)

(Here's the inspiration picture...)

So there you have it, thanks for joining me every Saturday this past month as I featured the card kit from Artful Delight! And thanks, LeeAnne, for the wonderful opportunity. You can check out all I made with this kit here, here, here, and here! The best part is that I still have a ton of product left over too!

Please stay safe tonight if you are going out and let's have a blast in 2012!

Wrong Side of the Bed

Old Man Winter must have gotten into an argument with Mother Nature last night because he purely woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Father Time is against me as I have to travel a ways to get to work this morning on some pretty bad roads stuck with ice and snow...I'll make this short!

There was a pretty modern inspiration picture over on the Runway Inspired Challenge, so my card design is pretty graphic and modern as well. I was drawn to the colors and her dress, pulling in the dull grey, green, purples and blue. I also pulled from the design of the vines and the white overlays in her dress so that is where my main image comes from. I was also drawn to the bag handle and colors.

Supplies:
Cardstock: (Soft Stone) PTI, (White) Office Max
Stamps: (Falling for You) Practicing Creativity Designs, (Mega Mixed Messages) PTI
Fiber: (Green Burlap String) May Arts
Other: (Markers) Copic
Tools: (Eyelet Border) PTI

Comic Strips

The boys' school held a conference about helping your kids with reading a while back. One of the sessions had us cutting up comic strips after reading them together, and then the kids had to put them back together, in order, based on memory, the pictures within each strip and the word bubbles. It helps your child with comprehension and understanding how the English language is read (left to right, top to bottom, etc.). Pretty neat stuff, eh?

There's a new sketch challenge up over at Skipping Stones Design, I'd love for you to try out your take and link up for a chance to win a free Skipping Stones Set. There's a bunch of fabulous inspiration over on the blog too, from the regular design team and our December guests.

Anywho, my design today reminds me of the coloring in comic strips--it was fun to try a different technique! The card base is embossed with a series of circles and all the edges have been inked with black, I did that after coloring. I think it is another comic strip kind of element that is kind of fun.The patterned paper is compliments of Canvas Corp, our partner this month. Their patterns are so fun and bold and absolutely wonderful.


Supplies: 
Cardstock: (Vintage Cream) PTI
Patterned Paper: (Circles) Canvas Corp
Stamps: (Uplifting) Skipping Stones Design
Ink: (Onyx Black) Versafine
Fiber: (Black Burlap String) May Arts
Other: (Button, Circle Impression Plate) PTI, (Markers) Copic

Fuzzy Snow

It went down something like this: "Grandma, do you have chicken and noodles instead of beef and noodles. I like chicken a whole lot better." "Eww...are there mushrooms in this?" "I'm not eating that, it tastes gross!" "Where are the mashed potatoes? You can't have Christmas without mashed potatoes!" We had to eat in shifts this year because we've purely outgrown my mother-in-law's house. Since I was in Phase 2 of the schedule, I had to chuckle when I heard many remarks from little to big as I sat waiting for my turn to eat the yummy food...and it was seriously yummy, in my opinion.

Showcasing today a quick tag I made for a last minute gift that came together pretty quickly with the help of the texture challenge at  Lawnscaping Challenge and the colors from ColourQ.

The snowman features a coat of flocking, glossy nose and eyes, and real twigs for arms. His scarf is donned with glossy beads and he is nestled among some burlap and woodgrain embossed paper. The tag is tied with silk ribbon and burlap string to the bag.

I hope you all had a great holiday!

Supplies:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max, (Chocolate Chip) SU
Stamp: (Frosty Friends) Lawn Fawn
Ink: (Java) Momento, (Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger
Fiber: (Natural Burlap String, Burlap, Silk Ribbon) May Arts
Other: (White and Black Enamel Accents, Glossy Accents) Ranger, (Markers) Copic, (Brad) Making Memories, (Flocking), (Twigs)
Tools: (Labels Four Nestabilities) Spellbinders

I'll Be Home

"I'll be home for Christmas  /  You can count on me  /  Please have snow and mistle toe  /  And presents under the tree  /  Christmas Eve will find me  /  Where the love light gleams  /  I'll be home for Christmas  /  If only in my dreams..."

There's a light dusting of snow outside this morning and it finally feels somewhat like a Wisconsin Christmas! I'm popping in today to showcase a few cards showcasing contents from Artful Delight's December Card Kit.

The above card is based on Authentique Paper's current sketch challenge. (Featured on the above card is Authentique's Gathering Collection-their Bloom Patterned Paper and Icons, which are elements included in the kit!) 
 

Next up is just a fun number playing with some beautiful patterned paper and eclectic stamps included in the kit! Tons of fun this kit is, and I've still got so much more elements from the kit to play with yet!

Allrighty then, just a quick post today because I'm off to celebrate my son's birthday today and a certain someone else's birthday this weekend too! Merry Christmas to you!

Trust

"Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?  People can be so cold.  They'll hurt you and desert you. Well they'll take your soul if you let them.  Oh yeah, but don't you let them. You just call out my name and you know wherever I am  I'll come running to see you again... You've got a friend.
You've got a friend.  Ain't it good to know you've got a friend." ~from James Taylor

CAS-ual Fridays has a fun challenge that will run for two weeks. Use kraft and twine on your project! Often times I have in the back of my head that I need to trust in things beyond my control, lean on others in time of need, and that everything will be okay in due time. This lovely stamp set from Market Street Stamps, our fabulous sponsor this next two weeks at CAS-ual Fridays, so dutifully reminds me on one of my most favorite songs. I find myself humming the tune when times are a bit tough or I'm feeling a bit down.

I discovered a really neat look when working on coloring the pitcher with Copics: turn your paper on the backside! I then stamped the pitcher on a piece of acetate and pressed the acetate to my paper. The twine has been stitched into the panel and the panel tied with burlap string. I'm slightly obsessed with this particular clean and simple layout, I think it works for everything!

I hope that you will find some time over the holiday to participate over at CAS-ual Fridays. Check out the blog for details, rules, sponsorship information and to see the other great projects from the Girl Fridays!

I've got one more post coming on Saturday, but to those that will be busy, have a very happy holiday season!

Supplies:
Cardstock: (Kraft) PTI, (White) Office Max
Stamps: (Faith in You) Market Street Stamps
Ink: (Java) Momento, (Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger
Other: (Markers) Copic, (Twine), (Burlap String) May Arts

...And Bright

May your holiday be merry and bright this year!
I have a project and a few cards up over at the May Arts Blog featuring some merry and bright Bazzill papers and May Arts ribbon, you could take  a peek if you'd like over on the blog!
I had a bit of fun creating a card set that features patterned and textured paper, grosgrain ribbon, burlap string and an SRM sticker sentiment. As always, comment for your chance to win some Bazzill goodies!

Also, did you see that Wee Memories is having an Anything Goes Challenge!

I Believe

"I believe in Santa Claus / I believe in Santa Claus  / I believe there's always hope when all seems lost / And I believe in Santa Claus / I believe in Santa Claus, I'll tell you why I do / 'Cause I believe that dreams and plans and wishes can come true / I believe in miracles, I believe in magic too / Oh I believe in Santa Claus..." ~from the ever famous Dolly Parton

Not entirely sure Santa would bring a Visa Gift Card but...

It's Tuesday and that means that there is another fabulous sketch and corresponding challenge up over at Skipping Stones Design! I went ahead and made another gift card holder card because I liked the first one so much! The dots on the kraft baggie are from the Garden Kiss Stamp set, and the sentiment is from Christmas Song. For more inspiration and challenge rules, plus information on the prize, please check out the Skipping Stones Blog!

I just adore this Canvas Corp paper, we were so lucky to team up with them this month! I knew right away that this paper would be perfect current JUGS Color Challenge! Love traditional holiday colors as much as I love the un-traditional colors. I pulled out a fun and whimsical pattern and added some selective stamping right on the little bag. So glad that this challenge came when it did too, because I usually shy away from the fun and whimsical but that paper just kept calling my name!!

Only two more days until my tenth wedding anniversary, four more days until my first born turns eight and five more days until Christmas! Ack! I'm trying to keep sane, how about you?

Frozen

Are you like me and sometimes sit frozen...staring at lovely patterned paper and fabulous stamps but do not have anything to jump start your creativity? How about trying out a simplified card sketch?

Today on The Project Girl's blog, I'll show four versions from a card sketch that I designed as a Creative Contributor. All of the cards feature products from Jen's Lost & Found Two Collection from My Mind's Eye. 

Here's a sample one of the cards:

I invite you to take a look at the other three cards and the sketch over on The Project Girl's Blog, perhaps it is just the sketch needed to finish up those last minute holiday cards...(like me.)

The Gift

***For my May Arts and Graphic 45 post, please click here!***

"The best Christmas gifts came not from the gift received, but from those given."

I am back for another Spotlight Saturday as a guest designer for Artful Delight, where I get to showcase their December Card Kit! This time I created a card set and packaged them up in their own handmade glassine bag, tied up with some pretty orange twine found in the kit.

I really wanted to showcase the handmade embellishments included in this month's kit and what a better way to do that then with various one layer cards. Each card base is half of an 8.5x11 sheet of cardstock included in this kit. The sentiments all come from the Paper Smooches Stamp set, a perfect addition to this kit.

Let's take a look at the cards, shall we?

These two feature the beautiful layered butterfly focal pieces included in the kit:

Then we've two cards featuring the beautiful diecut flower with clay mold rose center:

And last but not least, the final two each feature a paper medallion from the kit. The first card showcases the yellow side of the medallion through a punched circle card front.

And then this one features the other side of the medallion along with some fun misting.

I love that Artful Delight's December Card Kit contents offer the flexibility of being able to create different designs but still have similar elements to make a nice card set.

And, the Artful Delight Sketch Challenge draws to a close on December 23rd. Don't forget to link up your project for a chance to win a free kit!

Fern Gully

***For my May Arts and Graphic 45 post, please click here!***

"Like the fern, we grow and flourish if we unfurl toward light or truth.

The more we unfurl, the more the tendrils of our true nature begin to show as we loosen,

surrender and soften, releasing and opening as we let go..."

~Exert from Fern Life Center

CAS-ual Fridays brings you a Signed, Sealed and Delivered Challenge for this week-create a clean and simple card with a coordinating envelope! The sponsor, and guest, is the talented Sherri Thompson with Ippity Stamps.

It was just overall fun to play when making something for the challenge... inhibitions melted away the further and further I experimented with distress ink and water. The envelope utilizes the stamping off technique for the fern image. Won't you try to find time to play too? Check out the blog for challenge details, rules, prize information and to see fabulous inspiration from the Girl Fridays!

***For my May Arts and Graphic 45 post, please click here!***

Jingle Bells

"Dashing through the snow In a one horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go Laughing all the way
Bells on bob tails ring Making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing A sleighing song tonight

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh!"

I had a ton of fun creating with the vintage inspired goodies from Graphic 45 and ribbon from May Arts! It brought back memories of my mother's string of jingle bells that were only brought out for one month out of the year to hang on the door leading to the stairs. I have missed the sound of the jingle bells in my home and decided it was time to make my own version.

1. Gather your supplies! I used ~ 2 yards of the lovely red/ivory striped May Arts grosgrain ribbon (RG14) and natural burlap string (SM10), chipboard tags from the Christmas Emporium Collection from Graphic 45, 6 jingle bells, thread and spray paint.
2. Trim a portion of the ribbon, enough to loop around a doorhandle. Fold in half the two edges and stitch each together.
3. Stitch the handle to the length of the ribbon.
4. Adhere the jingle bells to the ribbon at even intervals using strong thread. I spray painted my bells with both black and copper spray paint to give them an aged look.

Once you've finished with the basic steps of the hanger, its time to embellish by tying burlap string bows on each bell and a chipboard tag and button at the top! (Of note: I did loop back the ribbon and adhere it to itself with some strong adhesive. This, along with a weight on the bottom, allowed for stability so the strand does not tangle.)

May Arts Ribbon and Graphic 45 Patterned Paper and Embellishments make for some quick, easy, vintage style clean and simple cards too! Love that combination! I simply selectively trimmed the patterned paper, adhered chipboard tags with ribbon and mounted it all onto a card stock base.

I had the most fun creating with the products, and I hope that you are inspired! Please be sure to leave a comment here for your chance to win some amazing product from both companies, as well as at Graphic 45, May Arts and the following blogs...

Today's hop includes: 

Sherry Cheever 

Hilde Janbroers

Jinky Kowalski 

Britta Swiderski

If  you've missed a few days of the swap hop, no worries,
here's a list where fabulous inspiration can be found!

Lynette Carrol

Jane Tregenza

JackandCat Curio

Candy Rosenberg

Latrice Murphy

Ellen Sosnoski

Laura Denison

Charlene Driggs

Melaine Forbes

Jen Shears 

Robin Shakoor

Yuka Hino

Jenifer Cowles

Gloria Stengel

Jingle

And tomorrow, be sure to visit these blogs!

Tara Orr

Kimberly Jones

Nancy Wethington

Peggy Cain

Nicole Eccles

Vera Yates

Still in Existance

I still exist! The Bald Dragonfly still exists! Scary night last night when I found out my everything Google was disabled. Glad to be back up and running this morning.

There's a new challenge site in town, Runway Inspired, and it is incredibly awesome, has an incredibly awesome creator and design team. I didn't want to miss the inagural challenge, so here's my entry! I was drawn to the pattern and color of the dress, along with the black lines of the logo behind the runway. I love the simplicity of my card. I took a white card base, embossed it and then stamped the sentiment. Then I also embossed some yellow cardstock with the same embossing plate and ran it through a die cut and stitched those onto the panel. Yep, the tension was off on the sewing machine, but I'll run with it (pun intended) because I kind of like the messy look.

I was also inspired by the Young Crafter's Unite Challenge to use die cuts!

(Short on time here, so I'll post the supply list later!)