Thursday, March 31, 2011

Everything in Her Power


This according to a fine organization:
"Susan G. Komen fought breast cancer with her heart, body and soul. Throughout her diagnosis, treatments, and endless days in the hospital, she spent her time thinking of ways to make life better for other women battling breast cancer instead of worrying about her own situation. That concern for others continued even as Susan neared the end of her fight. Moved by Susan’s compassion for others and committed to making a difference, Nancy G. Brinker promised her sister that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever."


Starting with The Paper Variety's challenge as inspiration for this card, I arranged the three cherry blossom images from TiffanyDoodle's newest release to her series, Granny's Yard, to create my own background paper, used two types of ink to highlight the blossoms and finished the card by one powerful sentiment.


Tiffany has tons of specials and even a fun easter egg hunt going on in April (see my side bar) that you won't want to miss out on!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Kraft) PTI, (Pink) Recollections

Stamp, Digital: (Cherry Blossom) TiffanyDoodles
Ink: (Vintage Cream Hybrid) PTI, (Pink) Clear and Simple Stamps
Embellishments: (Ticket) Tim Holtz, (Twine) May Arts, (Button)

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

He Says it is So Trendy


I do believe any sense of normalcy has left my house and taken a vacation... Just a quick post inviting you to play along too with a few of my favorite challenges!

First, this card was inspired by the current sketch and product challenge at Limelight Papercrafts. These sketches are so versatile, as you can see I've taken a bit of liberty with a few placements and scale, but the inspiration is there. Link up your creation, with a birthday theme to the Limelight Blog by Monday for your chance to win a Kaisercraft train album.
 

Additionally, I am playing along with Yvonne's Guest Designer Challenge over on her blog, Do More with Less. Debbie Standard sure does amazing things with sanded cardstock and I wanted to try my hand at it as well. The woodgrain pattern has been sanded down to a lighter shade, and the texture is kind of fuzzy in person. Love it!

I laughed out loud when my boy said I was "so trendy" with this card...perhaps its the colors, textures, patterns and little metal pearls? I like to think so anyway, but I think he was trying to make me feel good.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max, (Teal Black Magic Cardstock) Coordinations
Stamps: (Woodgrain Silhouette Additions, Brothers and Sisters) WPlus9, (Communique Sentiments) PTI
Ink: (Pink) Clear and Simple Stamps, (Onyx Black) Versafine
Embellishments: (Black Corduroy Ribbon) May Arts, (Metal Pearls), (Black Pen) Pilot
Other: (Woodgrain Embossing Folder) Craft Concepts

Monday, March 28, 2011

FIngers and Toes


Life really is all about the little things in life, isn't it? I'm blessed that I've purely run out of fingers and toes when counting all the little blessings in my life.

Denami is having a Product Challenge to feature rhinestones. I like to use rhinestones to accentuate a sentiment mostly... In fact, I think this is the most rhinestones I've ever put on a card before.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Buckaroo Blue) SU, (White) Office Max
Patterned Paper: (unknown)
Stamps: (Single Tweety Bird) Denami Designs
Ink: (Onyx Black) Versamagic
Other: (Sticker Sentiment) SRM Stickers, (Rhinestones) Michaels, (Black Enamel Accents) Ranger, (Corner Chomper) WR Memory Keepers

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Number of Tools


I remember registering for our wedding with my husband and in order for him to remain remotely interested in towels and cooking supplies, we had to stop by the automotive department. The "combo" package wouldn't do, he had to register for the drill, the sander, the screwdriver set separately. I also recall his statements on how he needed to go to his father's, because his father has everything and can offer a solution to his problem. Of course, we are now older and therefore my car has to fight for room to rest at night. Do you think that men secretly justify their age by the number of tools or supplies that they own in their garage? 

The Masculine Color Trends Challenge at Embellish Magazine inspired this design and direction of this clean and simple card. (Thanks to a great friend for her words of advice during my foray of not making anything post worthy...keep it clean and simple and true to my style and I'll like what I make.)



Supplies Used:
Cardstock: SU

Stamps: (You're the Man, Another Year) Practicing Creativity Designs
Ink: (Pigment) SU, (Chalk) Colorbox
Other: (Die) PTI, (Staples) Tim Holtz

Friday, March 25, 2011

Stranded


My car stalled right in the middle of the county highway. After rolling to the side and calling my husband to rescue me, I sat there waiting. And waiting. After a few minutes I noticed a bluebird just sitting there on the telephone wire above me. Watching. And waiting with me. He never flew away, he never seemed to move. He just watched and waited. As soon as my husband rolled up behind me, the hues of blue fly away. I knew in my heart that the bluebird was sent by someone to be my protector those long thirty or so minutes.

This is just one of the many reasons why bluebirds will always be special to me...

The Lawnscaping Challenge is all about a splash of color. Having gone through a recent personal rough patch in regards to work, etc., I remembered the power of the bluebird and created this card. Instead of the black tones, I reached for the cream and brown, with a pop of blue.


The inspiration for the general design and neutral color theme came from the challenge at Scrapbooker's Paradise.


On a side note: I really like that I can use challenges as inspiration points, and appreciate it when they help to recall why I make cards. Thank you to all those wonderful crafters who put so much time and talent into running the challenge blogs.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max, (Teal) Bazzill
Patterned Paper: (Basics White) Basic Grey
Stamps: (Critters in the Burbs, Sophie's Sentiments) LawnFawn
Ink: (Walnut Stain and Antique Linen Distress) Ranger
Other: (Natural Burlap String) May Arts, (Glossy Accents) Ranger, (Woodgrain Embossing Folder) Craft Expressions, (Tag Punch) McGill

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Granny's Yard

I fully intended to make a card with these beautiful images from TiffanyDoodles, but alas, Old Man Winter decided to pay a visit and shut off our power. We had snow coming down like nothing else along with a fantastic (and scary) lightening and thunder show. Odd.


With this series, TiffanyDoodles is now offering pre-colored images. Making a card has never been more quick and easy....and pretty! Hope to be back after work to showcase a card!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Petie's Pal


Petie went almost everywhere with my oldest when he was two. Petie went almost everywhere with my youngest when he was two. Petie was, er, is very well loved (and oh so dirty). I might have talked about Petie before on here, I can't quite remember. Petie is a doll that both my boys love(d).



Wee Memories and The Lawnscaping Challenge have teamed up to showcase cute and cuddly creations. I started by adhering some soft baby yarn around a square block and topped it off with a pup that has a slightly distressed and well worn look to him. The square background reminds me of a chenille blanklie (as my boys affectionately call their blankets).The layout is from March's sketch at Artful Delight.



Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max, (Vintage Cream) PTI

Patterned Paper: (School Spirit Collection) Crate Paper
Stamps: (Critters in the Burbs, Sophie's Sentiments) Lawn Fawn
Ink: (Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger
Other: (White Enamel Accents) Ranger, (Colored Pencils) Prisma

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Country Bumpkin


I literally clench the wheel when driving on interstates or through big cities. Although I love what the city might have to offer, call me a country bumpkin any day and give me the speed limits of only 35-55 miles per hour. I think its been at least six months since I last drove through a city that has a real sky scape, and I'm totally fine with that.

I was quite intrigued, however, to participate in Moxie Fab World's Cityscapes are on the Rise Challenge for the fact that cities represent growth. Growth represents change, as in a graduation, or a promotion-where the sky is literally the limit!

I created the night time sky with a few squirts of mist after masking out the buildings. The windows were created by using mesh as a mask. (Often times I wish I had the resources to learn more about my camera so I can accurately capture how all the elements work together in my card, but alas, I am a country bumpkin without too many resources around--and I'm totally fine with that...)


Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black) SU, (White) Office Max

Stamps: (Sentiment from Look Up!) Practicing Creativity Designs
Ink: (Onyx Black) Versamark, (Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun Pigment) SU, (Charcoal Chalk) Colorbox
Other: (Mr. Huey Mists) Studio Calico, (Black Pen) Pilot, (Staples) Tim Holtz

Thursday, March 17, 2011

On St. Patrick's Day


St. Patrick's Day = Irish, Irish = Ireland, Ireland = History, History = Vintage Green Blooms. Some day my sisters and I are going to visit Ireland where we will take in all the culture, history and beauty. Some day.

This bit o' green card was inspired by the St. Patrick's Day Waltz for Waltzingmouse Stamps. (I'm not one to give out cards for this holiday, nor to use a ton of green-just not my color, I guess-so I much more inspired by the history of the holiday...) I used a combination of distress inks and shimmer spray to create the vintage, old background. Most of the same techniques were incorporated into the blooms, from Roses in Bloom. I added the delightful pleated ribbon, twine and a sentiment from Teeny Trees. The sketch layout is from Limelight Papercrafts, where Mandy has the challenge to incorporate some green into the layout!


(Remember, you can play along with Limelight too, just use the sketch and a bit o' green in honor of St. Patrick! Upload your creations to Mandy's blog before the weekend is up for your chance to win a Glitz Bubbles Roller Doodle stamp AND a package of Basic Grey Sparkling Rub Ons! Check out the links for the other design team members too!)

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Kraft) PTI, (Natural White) SU

Stamps: (Roses from Roses in Bloom, Sentiment and Lines from Teeny Trees) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Ink: (Antique Linen and Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger
Embellishments: (Pleated Ribbon, Natural Burlap String) May Arts
Other: (Kermit the Frog Mist) Shimmerz, (Marker) Copic
Tools: (Mini Mister) Ranger

Monday, March 14, 2011

Baubles


When we were old enough, my oldest sister took my twin and I to the local thrift store. With a what seemed like a fortune in our pockets (but was really only pocket change) we entered the store with the confidence of rich women and started trying on the fine baubles and long dresses. Ahh, good times for sure.


The beautiful and spring-like inspiration board at Jay Gee's Nook provided the color pallette for my card, and the sketch from Skipping Stones Design the layout.


Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max

Stamps: (Brothers and Sisters) Wplus9
Ink: (Sage Shadow Pigment) SU, (Antique Linen and Wild Honey Distress) Ranger
Embellishments: (Wrinkle Ribbon), (Natural Burlap String) May Arts, (Bauble) Making Memories, (Lemonade Mr. Huey Mist) Studio Calico
Tool: (All Occasions Die) Wplus9

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Thanks a Ton

DeNami March Blog Hop


Welcome to my first ever Denami Design Blog Hop! If you've arrived from the mega-talented Christina's blog, then you are on the right track!

The cute little paper pieced elephant is on parade with his friends, but stands out from the rest as he lets his true colors shine and holds in his trunk a flower of thanks, just for you

The next stop is super sweet Tracey! There are a total of 30 floral frenzy stops along the way, so if you ever get lost, stop at Denami Design's blog for a complete list. There is a chance to win a mini shopping spree at Denami Designs.  You have until March 14th to leave comments on all of the blogs to be eligable for a prize!

Supplies:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max, (Pale Plum) SU
Patterned Paper: (Kioshi) Basic Grey
Stamps: (Elephant) Denami Designs, (Sentiment) Heidi Grace
Ink: (Pale Plum Pigment) SU, (Onyx Black) Versamagic
Embellishments: (Glossy Accents) Ranger
Tools: (Border Punch) Fiskars, (Black Pen) Pilot), (Trio Flower Punch) SU

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Lucky


"Luck", in general terms, tends to be as good as it is bad. I'm fortunate that I have experienced both- to balance out my life.

Ted, from Happily Ever Crafter issued a Tribute to St. Patrick Color Challenge (sheesh, these colors scared me at first, Ted, but I am so happy with the way the card turned out!)...but it also called for the use of a three leaf shamrock. While on the hunt for one, I found these digital images from Paper Smooches, offered during their guest design contest. I don't think I've ever searched for a three leaf shamrock before making this card, but I have been a sucker to search for the elusive four-leaf clover...


I was also awarded this from Brandi at Yankee Belle Stamper. Thanks, Brandi! Brandi is so fun and talented...love what she does with PTI stamps. I'd like to give a shout out to a few other blogs that I've started to follow recently, these ladies are also so very talented!
Jocelyn
Kelly
Chari

Supplies:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max
Patterned Paper: (Orange Houndstooth and solid Green) Pebbles
Digital Stamps: (Clover and Sentiment) Paper Smooches
Embellishments: (Frame) DoodleBug Designs, (Floss)

Friday, March 11, 2011

Happy Thoughts


Sometimes he really gets into it...
Him: Why are you making a cloud with words in it?
Me: Because it isn't a cloud, it is a thought bubble.
Him: What?
Me: A thought bubble. You know, sending you happy thoughts.
Him: What? It looks like a cloud, and clouds don't talk. Nor are they happy.
Me: Because it isn't a cloud, it's a thought bubble.
Him: No, it's a cloud. Let me go ask the boys what they think it is.
So he takes the card, goes up to the youngest and I hear this...
Him: Do you see this cloud with words in it? What does it look like to you?
Youngest: A cloud.
So he then takes the card to the oldest and I hear this...
Him: You know what a cloud looks like right? All puffy and circular? What does this look like?
Oldest: A cloud.

I'll hand it to him, this stamp could be a cloud which I will save making for a rainy day, but today it is a thought bubble and the card is sending some happy thoughts. The very clean and simple card is based off the current sketch at Denami Designs, and the thought bubble is one of their inventive stamps.


Supplies: 
Cardstock: (White) Office Max
Stamp: (Thought Bubble) Denami Design
Ink: (Onyx Black) Versamagic
Embellishments: (Sticker Sentiment) SRM Stickers, (Decorative Tape: Blue Grid) Pink Paislee, (Washi Tape), (Black Burlap String) May Arts, (Staples) Tim Holtz

Thursday, March 10, 2011

A Belated Baby Shower


A picture of a little handsome baby wrapped in white blankies greeted me Tuesday morning on my telephone. My nephew arrived! Hoorah! I'll let you in on a little secret...This set was created with his arrival in mind. Could there have been any better inspiration than a real little bundle?

I made some sweet little baby sock cupcakes (the real ones with this much frosting wouldn't have lasted long enough for a photo in my house) and topped them with a toothpick sun. Bright and happy!

And I'll leave you, and my sister, with this card.


Please check out the other Practicing Creativity Design Team Members Blogs! Little Bundle is now available!
Courtney
Valerie
Dana

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Joy



The diapers. The crib. The onesies. The dirty diapers. The carseat. The diapers. The sleepers. The dirty diapers. The stroller. The diapers...Babies sure can fill your home up fast with stuff, but my oh my do they ever fill your life and heart with joy. Joy beyond belief, even through all the diapers.

The newest release from Practicing Creativity Designs, Little Bundle, is the perfect gift giving and works so well with other PCD sets. For this removable tag, I simply die cut and stamped (featuring the wood background from Carved Love) a piece of cardstock, distressed the edges and let the awesome sentiment from Little Bundle steal the show. A glittered, glossy pink heart accents the sentiment.

Valerie, Dana and Courtney have some truly fascinating ideas for baby gifts as well, please take a minute to check out their blogs! Also, there is still time to play with Practicing Creativity's Sketch Challenge too!

(A side note: I only wish I could crotchet like this! My great aunt gave gifted it to my first born son, I couldn't find it in me to wrap him in pink so it is patiently waiting in storage for the right little girl...)

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max

Stamps: (Woodgrain from Carved Love, Sentiment from Little Bundle) Practicing Creativity Designs
Ink: (Antique Linen and Walnut Stain Distress) Ranger
Embellishments: (Chipboard Heart) Heidi Grace
Tools: (Labels 4 Nestabilties) Spellbinders

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

A Blessing


This past Sunday, I listened to a rather lengthy sermon. Luckily, one little phrase caught my attention so his message stayed close to my heart: babies are the closest thing to heaven here on earth. Truly, babies are blessings sent from above.

Welcome to the first day of Practicing Creativity Design's March Release!  The design team was challenged to come up with a monochromatic card. The background on my card was created by using a series of mists and table salt to create that dreamy feeling. The sentiment rests on a die cut shape and the moon is paper pieced for dimension.

I've got to tell ya, this baby stamp set is different, unique and versatile. There are many sentiments with coordinating images. The sentiments range from short quips to longer phrases. Perfect for cards. Perfect for scrapbooks. Perfect for gifts. Perfect for those little boys, those little girls, or for parents who don't know yet...

Dana, Val and Courtney have some other fabulous monochromatic cards for the little ones in our lives to show you! Also, join in on the sketch challenge for a chance to win three Practicing Creativity Design stamp sets. The sketch is wonderfully easy to work with, open for much interpretation.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Blog Hop Winner

Thank you to everyone that signed on to follow during the Tiffany Doodles Spring Hop, I sure hope to not dissapoint you on return visits! And thanks for everyone that has continued to follow and leave such nice comments, you truly are why I am still here, blogging.


The winner of this beautiful dogwood branch image from Tiffany Doodles, chosen by Random.org is Emily Leiphart, from Art from the Heart. Emily is one talented lady, please check out her blog!

(Emily, please email and I'll get your wonderful digi out to you!)

Poppies and a Sneak


Spring is destined to arrive soon, right?...

TiffanyDoodles Challenge this time around is a lovely photo inspiration! I started with a poppy image from the internet, made it really large in my photo editing program and basically superimposed this poppy image from TiffanyDoodles.


Find the rest of the details and link up your creation on Tiffany's blog!

----------------

Also, Practicing Creativity Designs newest release is coming up. Here's a little sneak for you! Check out the blogs of Dana and Val, and then Courtney's to leave your guess for a chance to win this month's release! (Remember that you can win three sets by entering the sketch challenge featured in this month's release!)


Saturday, March 5, 2011

To My Dear Baby Nephew

For my TiffanyDoodles Blog Hop post, please click here!


Tapping feet. Clicking fingernails. Sighing...Waiting patiently.
My dear baby nephew, I am patiently waiting for your mama to call me up and say she's going to the hospital. My dear baby nephew, I'm patiently waiting for your proud father to call and say how you and your mama are doing fine... I can't wait for you to arrive.
In the meantime, I will continue to be inspired by your impending arrival. The colors were inspired by the challenge over at Off the Wall Craftiness. Loved that umbrella in the corner, which reminded me to pull out some decorative tape. I lined the tape in rows for a unique and graphic pattern, which was oh so much more quick then cutting and gluing strips of paper. Thanks to Moxie Fab World and their challenge to Get Daring with Decorative Tape. I cute-enized the card up with the sentiment and some buttons.



Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White, Teal

Embellishments: (Sticker Sentiment) SRM, (Decorative Tape) 7Gypsies, (Buttons), Floss)

Friday, March 4, 2011

Sea Grass


If she could only see the tall grass blowing gently in the dunes. If she could only smell the salty ocean air. It would mean that she was that much closer to her sister...It would mean that she wouldn't be so far away from the little baby that is expected so very soon...

Practicing Creativity Designs has something special up their sleeve for this month's release. We start the festivities out with a sketch challenge!


Oh, such a fabulous sketch that opens the door to so many possibilities... Find all the details at Courtney's blog (psst: the winner gets three Practicing Creativity Design stamp sets!) Sneak peeks featuring the newest stamp set start on Monday! My card today features the grass image from Nature's Wonder and a sentiment from Chatterbox. (The colors were highly inspired by the photo in this post at Moxie Fab World.)

The colors in the photograph might appear a bit distorted for which I am sorry, this dang winter hasn't allowed me to photograph outside for a while now!

***See my card for the Tiffany Doodle's Blog Hop here!***

Thursday, March 3, 2011

A Springy Hop


A spring in your step, a springy blog hop! I miss the spring of where I used to live, I miss seeing the dogwoods bloom early. What I don't miss is the five or so expected inches of snow we are supposed to get where I live now.

This card was so easy to create, I think I'll be trying it again. I printed the delicate dogwood branch image, misted and highlighted it, coloring the leaves with mist as well.

Today begins a 3 day blog hop at Tiffany Doodles where there are giveaways at every stop.
The details: Follow every blog and be sure to leave a comment to be eligible for prizes. Each stop has a special doodle that you could win, and there is a grand prize of a $10 gift certificate to Tiffany Doodles! I have this beautiful dogwood branch image to give to one lucky participant. (Winner will be chosen by random.)


Be prepared for a lot of spring inspiration when you visit the following Tiffany Doodles Design Team members:
There are some amazing happenings (besides this fun hop) at Tiffany Doodles this month. The regular Card Challenge starts Monday, March 7th! Tiffany also has great sales going on.

The Recycling Bins Talk.


Seriously. The Recycling Bins talk to me. You see, working in a print shop has benefits. Boundless papercrafting possibilities just lying there in vast, bottomless recycling bins, reaching out and saying "Use me, use me! Rescue me. Oh please!"

Seriously. That is what this large remnant of glossy die cut paper said as I passed by the machine on the way to the envelope press. The large circle was perfect for today's Limelight Sketch Challenge and Product Challenge.



One lucky winner will receive an Odd Bird Planet (justjohanna) stamp of their choice. Card entries must be linked to the Limelight post by next Monday afternoon before a winner is drawn! Stop by for links to the other fabulous cards from the design team, and remember, there are still so many great deals at the store! Stock up for the holidays and for every day!