Friday, December 30, 2011

Last Card for 2011


Is it just me, or did this year seem to go by exceedingly fast? It really is difficult to think that a new year will begin in just a little over a day from now. Three years ago, on New Year's Eve, I said good-bye to my Mother as she slipped peacefully away in hospital. It seems, in many ways, as if it was only the other day but here it is, three years later. So many days have past.

So, we must look forward and not backwards as we anticipate another year. What will 2012 bring? There will be blessings and joy. There will be sadness. There will be laughter and also tears. It seems as if each year is the same in so many ways and entirely different in so many other ways. Yet, I look forward to a new year coming. I look forward to finding out what the new year will bring. I rejoice in the opportunities and challenges that await.

So enough "Auld Lang Syne" and melancholy. On to my last little card that I've made for 2011. This little card is for no particular reason except that I was in the mood to create and already had the LOTV image coloured up. Isn't she a cutie? She makes me want to throw caution to the wind and dance (and believe me, at my age, it would be throwing caution to the wind - ROFLOL). I have a sign up in my craft room that reminds me to "Dance as if no one is watching." Well let me assure you, it is best if I dance when no one is watching (LOL)!!

My image is coloured with Copic markers on X-Press card and cut into a rectangle shape. My base card is white (5.5x5.5 square) on which I've adhered blue card and then my patterned paper. I have this random stack of 8x8 paper that is not in a pad, and I don't know where I acquired it. I thought it was a gift from a friend, but it is card weight, and she tells me the paper she sent me was paper weight, not card. Consequently, I cannot tell you the manufacturer as it is not printed anywhere. I cut a strip of matching paper (also from that random stack) which I layered on the same blue card and adhered onto the top. The little flower border along the bottom is cut with a Martha Stewart border punch. I added some flowers (Wild Orchid Crafts), some pearly dots, some ribbon and a freebie "ticket" sentiment that I found on the web. (Again I have to apologize -- gosh, I've spent a lot of this entry apologizing -- but despite the fact that I try to save my freebies with the name of the designer, this one doesn't have it, so I cannot give credit where it is due.)

My idea for this little card was something fun and uplifting -- a joy to make and (hopefully) a joy to receive. As the new year approaches, may we all be blessed by God's Grace. May we enjoy each day to the fullest. May we "Work as if we don't need the money; Love as if we've never been hurt; Dance as if no one is watching." Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Anything Goes


I have to try to get it through my head that Thursday is Friday (LOL)! What? Have I gone completely off my rocker? No, I have to remind myself that the challenge blog for which I'm a DT posts new challenges on Australian time which is a day ahead of the US -- hence, it is already Friday in Australia even though it is several hours away from midnight here in the US. Since I'm "supposed" to post my card on my own blog in conjunction with the Card Crafter's Circle post, then I've got to get my wee brain regimented to remember that Thursday is Friday -- see, quite simple, right?

Anyway, after all that babbling, here are the details for this week's challenge -- simply make a card for any theme you'd like. Yes, this week's challenge is "ANYTHING GOES." Our generous sponsor this week is Daisy Doodles. The prize for our random winner this challenge is their choice of three (3) Daisy Doodles images!

For my card, I used Pip the Penguin (http://daisysdigidoodles.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=47&products_id=189). He is found under the Christmas section, but I don't think he looks so Christmasy. He looks as if he is just having a grand time hitting the slopes. I colored my little guy using Copic markers and cut him out in a circle using a Spellbinder die. I then took my scalloped circle Spellbinder die and cut another circle from red card. The blue snowflake paper (sorry I can't tell you the manufacturer) was sewn to a piece of solid blue card. The red snowflake piece is adhered over the blue and all are adhered to a white card base. The large snowflake is cut on the Cricut and the smaller ones are cut from a die. The large snowflake has a smaller pearlescent snowflake in the center, and then I place icey blue gems in the center of all the flakes. I used white satin ribbon (have to have ribbon on my cards - grin) and attached a silver snowflake charm to the bow. The inside of my card reads, "Snow what's up friend? I've been thinking about you."

There you have it. Do check out our sponsor's store at http://daisysdigidoodles.com/store/index.php?main_page= and do join us this week at Card Crafter's Circle challenge blog http://cardcrafterscircle.blogspot.com/ as we'd love to see your lovely art work.

Challenges entering:
http://www.4craftychicks.blogspot.com/
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/
http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/
http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-23-anything-goes.html
http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-90.html
http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.com/
http://littlemissmuffetchallenges.blogspot.com/

My Favorite Mo

The challenge for this last week over at Mo Manning's blog (http://mosdigitalchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-115-favorite-2011-mo-project.html) is simply to submit a favorite card using one of Mo's darling images. That, it seems, isn't as easy a task as it sounds. I looked through my cards, and it seems that everyone that I did using one of Mo's images was a favorite. It was just so easy to make a charming or pretty card. I would look at one image and think, "that's it" only to go to the next one and think, "no, that's the one." However, I kept coming back to a birthday card that I made for a special friend.

This image made me smile the very first time I saw it, and the simplicity of my card is appealing to me. My friend loved the card, adding more warm fuzzie feelings for me.

Other cards in contention include:

And also --

Miss Bossy, above, is one of my all time favorite images (notice I said "one of" as most of Mo's are my "favorite" at one time or another). This image has lent itself well to numerous sentiments (from thank you to get well). Using the "Listen Up" on the front, I've been able to personalize the inside to fit the occassion.

Well, I could go on and on, but most of my cards have already been viewed once on my blog, so won't do a repeat of them all.

I'll enter my little House Cleaning Fairy in the "favorites" challenge over at Mo's.

Ciao for now!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

One Last Christmas Card

This will be the last Christmas card I'll post this year. This is my DT card for this week's challenge at Card Crafter's Circle. Our sponsor this week is very special to us. Mary Ellen, the wonderful owner and designer of Dearie Dolls images, also created the header and badges for our Card Crafter's Circle blog. The images at Dearie Dolls are adorable and so much fun to use. Do stop by her site, Dearie Dolls Digital Images (http://www.deariedollsdigistamps.com/) and have a look, and if you have a few minutes during this busy week, we'd love for you to enter our second challenge.

I used Pigtail Angel (http://www.digideariestamps.info:82/viewitem.php?productid=498) for my card this week. She is such a cutie and reminds me of my little granddaughter -- angel with a little impishness to her. I colored my image using Copic markers. I used one of my Spellbinder dies to cut the scalloped circle out of red card and adhered my image to the scallop. I used a patterned paper matted onto green and adhered to a white card base. I used a strip of the same green I'd used for matting to the front of the card across the patterned paper. The ribbon and bow is from some new ribbon I got this year at Michael's. I liked the way the stripes in the ribbon matched the stripes in the background paper but at a distinct slant, setting them off from the background. The white poinsettia at the top is from a pack of chipboard Christmas embellishments by K&Co. and the gold leaves were cut from a spring of glittery leaves that I picked up at Michael's.

Hope you enjoy my little angel, and hope you will join us at Card Crafter's Circle. May the blessings of the season be abundant for you; may the happiness of the season fill all of you; may the peace and goodness of the season reign for all of you all year through. Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, God speed.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.com/
http://www.bellichallenge.blogspot.com/
http://digistamps4joy.blogspot.com/
http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.com/
http://littledarlingschallenges.blogspot.com/
http://www.charismacardz.blogspot.com/
http://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/

Thursday, December 15, 2011

3-2-1-Blast Off


Today is the first day of a brand new challenge blog, and I was asked to be one of the members of the design team. The new blog is called Card Crafter's Circle http://cardcrafterscircle.blogspot.com/ Each week we will have some fantastic sponsors. This week's sponsor is the wonderful Bugaboo Stamps http://www.bugaboostamps.com/  I think Bugaboo has some absolutely darling images, and I was thrilled to work with the above cutie called Scarlette Party. She can be found at http://www.bugaboostamps.com/Scarlette-party_p_258.html

For my card, I was thinking either New Year's Eve or my older daughter's up-coming birthday (1 Feb.). Either one is a wonderful celebration (which is this week's challenge theme). I printed Miss Scarlette on X-Press card and colored her with my Copic markers. I used silver and blue as my color scheme for this card and layered dark blue card onto a while card base. I then layered a soft silver patterned paper over the blue.The solid strip behind Scarlette (which isn't showing well) is a matte metalic silver. The border is cut from the dark blue using a Martha Stewart border punch.

I layered the colored image on the matte silver and then on the dark blue. The silver blue organza ribbon runs behnd the matte silver strip and the image. Lastly, to really "jazz" it up, I used a rhinestone swirl along the right side. Unfortunately, this is one of those cards that looks much better in real time because several of the elements didn't photograph well. I hope, though, you can see enough to get the general effect.

Thank you for stopping by, and do hop over to Card Crafter's Circle http://cardcrafterscircle.blogspot.com/ and have a look around. Even more so, if you can spare a little creative time during this hectic time of year, we'd love to have you join the challenge. You just might be the lucky winner of seven (yes, that's 7) wonderful Bugaboo images.

I've entered this card in the:
 "Anything Goes" challenge at http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/
"Blue, silver & white" challenge at http://colourcreatechallenge.blogspot.com/
"Photo inspiration" challenge at http://foryourinspirationchallenges.blogspot.com/
"Let's Celebrate" challenge at http://www.southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com/

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl

My granddaughter, Claire Todd, turned 8 yesterday. She shares her birthday with her cousin (my oldest grandchild). Nicholas turned 18 yesterday. I only have four grandchildren, but I've been blessed with wonderful ones. They are all happy, bright, intelligent, and of course, handsome/beautiful children. Claire is the only granddaughter and is the youngest of my four -- can you say pampered?

She asked for an easel card for her birthday. I'd made her Mommy one in August, and Claire thought it was so very neat. Of course, Claire is quite the little crafter and artist herself, so she notices things such as easel cards with a special eye, and appreciates the workmanship that goes into making them.

Although I fussed and fumed for days trying to figure out what I wanted to do for the easel card, I finally came up with this one.  (I did report my Muses to Santa and asked he put them on the naughty list because they were definitely misbehaving and not helping me as they should.) The little image is a Magnolia stamp on Cryogen paper. I coloured it using my Copic markers and then fussy cut around. The background paper is from my stash, and I'm sorry I cannot tell you the manufacturer. The doily little Tilda is sitting upon is cut from a Spellbinder die. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. The lace on the side is manufactured by Wright, but I don't know where I bought it.

You can't see them in the above photo, but there are small flowers on the circular sentiment, and I used teeny-tiny pearls for the centers, and I placed two larger pearls in the upper left corner of the strip above the ribbon. I also added a scallop of pearls on each corner of the bottom layer. The scallops of pearls are by Recollections and come on quite a substancial roll. I bought them at Michael's Crafts. They did finish off that lower part of the card quite nicely I think.  My birthday message to Claire is hidden in the area you can't see once the easel is standing.

So that's it. My little girl is no longer a baby. In fact, she informed her Mommy that she can now legally ride in the car without a  safety booster seat. Sigh! Another milestone passed (grin). 

Thursday, December 8, 2011

No Post Today


Well, that isn't totally true as I am sharing a picture (and hopefully link) to a wonderfully fantastic opportunity to win some lovely blog candy. A very talented lady by the name of Julie Price is celebrating her six months blog-aversary and is offering the above package to one lucky person (drawing on 15 Dec. 2011).

Julie is a very talented artist. I think you will enjoy seeing all of her beautiful creations -- cards to decor -- so plan on being at Julie's site for some time (do take the time to look at all of her older posts as you won't want to miss ANYTHING). I plan to add the link to my sidebar for Julie's blogcandy, but just in case it doesn't work, here is the address: http://julieprice3.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/6-month-blog-candy/

Good luck!

Monday, December 5, 2011

So Much To Do -- So Little Time



My last post was titled "Beginning to look a lot like Christmas" but I didn't share anything Christmasy, so I thought I'd make up for it a little bit today. The month is fast filling up with projects I need to get done, baking that doesn't "need" to be done but would be sorely missed if I don't do it, school programs to watch, birthdays and lots more. I think I have finished off making enough Christmas cards, but of course, still need to get them addressed, little personal notes added and most importantly, off to the post office.

The above photos show a wee bit of our holiday decor. If you look closely at the tree, you  can catch a glimpse or two of some of the hand painted ornments I did. I also painted the two stockings some years back but didn't quite finish off the project. Had planned on adding a "cuff" to the top of each, and Father Christmas (the larger of the two stockings) never got his robe finished off. None-the-less, they hang on the mantle as they have for the past number of years.

We have cut down on the amount of decorating that we used to do. We used to put up a number of different "theme" trees (the one you see is all Santa ornaments, but also have enough snowmen ornaments and angel ornaments to do up similar sized trees). Also used to decorate every room in the house. We down sized our dwelling space significantly 11 years ago when we moved here to Georgia, so decorating also down sized. We still do enough to be festive and, as my husband says, to keep us from turning into old Scrooges (big grin)!

At any rate, sitting here posting isn't ticking anything off my list, so since I started this post bemoaning the number of things I need to get accomplished, I'd best sign off for now. Isn't the Christmas season truly wonderful?

Sunday, December 4, 2011

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas


OK, so the little card I'm sharing has nothing to do with Christmas; however, the hubby and I have spent the past two days putting up our decorations and getting ready for the holidays. Well, we did take time out yesterday to celebrate our 46th wedding anniversary with a nice date that included a lovely dinner and a movie. (I know, such a sedate celebration, but you know we ARE over 50, eh?) I also took time out today to make the above little card for a dear friend who recently had surgery.

I do so adore those little House Mouse images. I remember reading somewhere that the artist paid her way through college with those little images. So see, mice can be nice (grin). My younger daughter actually had quite a cute little rodant as a pet at one time. We also went through a number of hamsters (which are actually meaner) as well. Those days are past now, and I do think I much prefer the rubber stamp variety of mice at this stage in my life.

At any rate, this little card will go postal tomorrow (along with a gift for my oldest grandson who will soon be turning 18). I hope my friend will quicky and properly heal and that this little card will bring her a smile.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Went a Little Wild


Yesterday I went a little wild in the craft room. I had this little image from Cuddly Buddly (out of the UK) already colored up. I had put Stickles on his cap and on the star and wasn't really happy with the results. He is an adorable little St. Nick, and I felt, after the Stickles had dried, that I should have kept him a little more simple and primative. So, with that being said, I decided to go all the way with the glitzing him up.

I cut the red background using a die by QuicKutz. The square was too small to place the little image in the middle, so I turned the die cut so the scallops could be seen at the top, bottom and sides. I then ran a piece of Christmas ribbon through the two corner loops and secured the ribbon to the back. I added a matching bow and then "went wild." The poinsettia flower is by Wild Orchid Crafts. I added Stickles to the poinsettia (taking a brush and spreading it over the entire area). I then added the red glitter leaves behind the flower. They came from a bunch that I purchased from Michael's Crafts. 

The results are a bit glitzy for the jolly old man, but I had lots of fun experimenting with this little card. 

Friday, November 25, 2011

Muses Still Stuffed


I think my Muses are still stuffed from yesterday's celebration and feasting. They are working a bit sluggish today. Finished this little card using an image that I had already colored (in fact, have several). I really wanted the image panel to be oval, but the image is too large for my Spellbinder dies (should have decreased the size before I printed and colored -- one of these days I'll figure that out -- grin). Anyway. . .

The image is a freebie (always love those, right??) from Cuddly Buddly. It is by Karen Middleton. The sentiment is also a freebie from Cuddly Buddly.  I colored the image using my Copic Markers (G99/94, YR24/23/Y15, R46/59). The card base is white layered over with a patterned paper of subtle holly leaves. I placed a band of deep red cut using a Martha Stewart punch and used solid green for matting of the image and the sentiment. The image matting (scallop) is cut with one of my Spellbinder dies. The poinsettia flower at the top is by K&Co. Quick, easy, nice -- 

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Tis the Season for Giving


I have found another wonderful crafter who is giving away a package of wonderful blog candy. You really need to hop over to her blog and check it out. Who wouldn't love to get some new paper, inks and images -- not to mention those lovely little roses? Our generous crafter is called Kate, and she is celebrating 600 followers (I was happy to get a dozen - grin). Her URL is http://downrightcrafty.blogspot.com/p/good-evening-to-you-all-in-land-of-blog.html and I know that you will enjoy a visit to her blog. Good luck!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Spellbinders+stamps=Happy Christmas


Would you like to treat yourself to a super nice Christmas present? Then run right over to Tracy's Stamping Corner at http://tracysstampingcorner.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-candy-anybody.html and sign up for a chance to win this wonder blog candy. You will also enjoy Tracy's blog, so check it out while you are there. 

Monday, November 21, 2011

Another Tilda



The little Tilda (from Magnolia) was another image that I already had colored up waiting to go onto a card. I mentioned to my friend, Bonnie, that I was having problems finding sketches that would work with the images that I have, so she sent me the link to Magnolia Down Under challenge site (http://magnoliadownunderchallenges.blogspot.com/) where she had seen the above sketch.

Well, the sketch looks quite nice, eh? The sample card at the site was even lovelier, so I had to give it a try. Ummm, that's where I made my mistake (LOL)! My elements just didn't seem to want to go together in as nice a manner as the lovely sample or the lovely sketch. No problem, right? I can just adapt -- which is truly what I ended up doing and in the end my card pleases me. It really is prettier when seen for real -- up close and personal, as they say. The two strips in the background are a gold foil-ish card with the holly leaves printed on top. Adds just the right amount of bling without looking garish.

The middle strip is a Martha Steward punch with ribbon woven between the spaces. The background paper (blue) and the paper the little Tilda cut out is atop were printed off from a computer cd called "Snow Much Fun" by Margaret Sherry. Tilda was colored with my Copic markers and Stickles glitter were added (as with yesterday's image - see previous post). The ribbon is a new spool I bought from Michael's Crafts this past weekend, and the little Poinsettia flower a top the bow is from Wild Orchid Crafts in the U.K.

I have entered this card in the challenge at: http://magnoliadownunderchallenges.blogspot.com/

Sunday, November 20, 2011

WOW, Two Posts in One Day


Seems it is feast or famine with my posts lately, eh? However, I am trying to stay busier in the hope of getting better prepared for the holidays. This coming week I will, of course, be getting ready for the US Thanksgiving holiday. It will not be as large an event for us this year as only my one daughter and her three kiddos will be here, but we will be thankful for our blessings.

So enough of my prattling. This little card uses a darling Magnolia image of little Tilda as an angel (well, I presume she is an angel and not a fairy -- rather mixed parts as she does have a halo, but then she also has a wand -- to my mind that is mixing elements from two different things) -- at any rate, she is going to earn angel status with me and help celebrate the Christmas season. I colored her in with my Copic markers and added two different stickle glitters (diamond for the halo and wand and Diamond Dust for the wings). The diamond stickle has a little gold in it whereas the diamond dust is more white/silver-ish. I covered white card with a patterned paper, added a open cut doily and a border. I was pleasently surprised to find just the right color ribbon in my stash, The holly pieces at the top and the Poinsettia piece at the bottom are K&Co chipboard. I don't have a sentiment on the front (although that may change -- or not -- before I send the card out), but has an appropriate Christmas verse inside.

So that's it for this evening. I promise no more posties until at least tomorrow (smile).

I entered this little card in the challenge at:
                                         

Chistmas is Coming





I seem to be falling quite behind in getting any Christmas cards ready for this year, so yesterday I vowed to stay in my craft room until I accomplished a bit. I've had a number of images colored up, but then the energy level fell short of actually using them and putting them on a card that could be sent away. These four little cards were the fruits of my efforts yesterday.

The first one is rather simple. I colored up Santa using my Copic markers. I covered the "fur" areas using Diamond Dust stickles glitter, added a strip of Christmas paper and a round sentiment. Voila, a little Christmas cheer to send off.

The second one adds a little more in the decor department. I covered white card with Christmas paper, added a smaller layer of green paper, a strip of red that I trimmed out on one side using a snowflake border punch (Martha Stewart), a strip of Christmas ribbon, a couple of circles cut with one of my Spellbinder dies, the little elf image that I had colored up, and some 3-D holly stickers by K&Co. Festive little card, right?

The third card is a darling image by Mo Manning. Again, I colored it with my Copic markers, used the Diamond Dust stickle glitter for the fur areas and cut it out with one of my Spellbinder dies. I inked the edges around the die cut so that it would stand out more on the background paper. A punched border and a wee bit of ribbon, and I have another card to mail out.

The last one was super simple and quick. The little gingerbread guy is a punch out image that I've had for eons. I don't even remember where I got it or which company made it, but I found it in my Christmas stash so decided to use him. I simply layered some decorative paper onto red card and put that on top of green card. It looked a bit plain to me, so I added the red corner punches and a little ribbon. This is my least favorite as the green was not really dark enough (in my opinion) once I got everything together. However, it will go out just the same.

Now I just need a to spend a few more days in the craft room being as productive and maybe, just maybe, I'll be ready for the holidays this year -- novel idea, eh?

I did enter the little elf (North Pole) card in the challenge at: http://herecometheboysblogchallenge.blogspot.com/

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Sugar Nellie Blog Hop and Candy


Isn't this lovely candy? Wouldn't it be a wonderful holiday gift to some lucky person (maybe me - GRIN). You can have a chance, too. Simply go to http://pinkpuds.blogspot.com/ and enter your name with Mr. Linkey. LUV those new Country Cousin images from Sugar Nellie. I think you will, too. Good luck!!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Little Santas


These simple little Santa cards were quick and easy to make. I've managed to get four of them done (yes, I'm only sharing two) in very little time. The card base is 4.5 x 6" so will fit a standard size envelop. Using a variety of papers from my scrap bags, each of the four that I've made have a different look. The little Santa is from Dustin Pike (it was a freebie a while back). I printed off twice as many Santas as I was going to use. I colored one using my Copic Markers (R29, R27 and R24 for the red and C9, C7 and C5 for the "black." Sorry, I can't remember which green I used on his mittens.). I then fussy cut one entire image. I cut only the mustaché from the second image and pop-dotted it on top of the base mustaché for a little dimension. I added some Diamond Dust Stickles to the white "fur" area. The sentiment is a rubber stamp that I've had for ages (it actually has three ho's, but I only inked two of them so they would fit on the tag size I wanted to use). A little ribbon and some scalloped circles, and there you have it -- a cute little card to share during the holidays.



Saturday, October 29, 2011

Been A While


It has been quite a while since I last posted here on my blog. I ended up with a bad case of bronchitis/pneumonia which put me out of commission for some time. When I finally started feeling better, it still took a while for the energy levels to start to recoup. Consequently, I did not get much creating done during the month of October. Hoping and planning to rectify that though.

This little card was done right before I became ill. I colored my image using my Copic markers. The card base is kraft card that I dry embossed with my snowflake folder. I mounted the little image on red card as well as the sentiment and the background designer paper. I used a strip of green ribbon between the image and the background paper (you can see just a little bit of it in the attached photo).  I added three little glitter baubles beside the sentiment. I then cut two snowflakes with my Cricut cutter and the Noel cartridge (one at 2" and one at 1"). I adhered them and added a jewel to the center of each. Very quick; very easy.

The outside sentiment says, "Quit with the Bah Humbug." The inside says, "Enjoy the Christmas season."

More soon. . .

Friday, September 16, 2011

Thank You, Dottie



Earlier this year, during the summer, I "met" someone on a card making Yahoo list. Turns out she only lives about 60 miles from me, so we decided to meet at a neutral spot (Mickey D's) near her home and introduce ourselves properly. Turns out that we "hit it off" right away. Not only did we have our enjoyment of cardmaking in common, but seveal other things, so we got together more times. I usually go up to Dottie's home because I don't mind driving, and due to medical issues, Dottie isn't comfortable driving. In return, Dottie provides lunch, and we spend several delightful hours visiting and crafting.

My birthday is tomorrow (17th September), so on my last visit, Dottie surprised me with a lovely Cherry-Lynn butterfly die. It is absolutely stunning. Being the proper "Southern lady" that I am, a gift meant a proper (mailed) thank you. So, I set out to make, not only a thank you card, but one using the lovely gifted die. The above card was the outcome.

I really like the die very much, but even more, I love having a "new" friend. Friendships are such blessings, and we all need them. I do feel very blessed to have met such a wonderful lady and friend in Dottie. She is lots of fun and a joy to be around. 

Friday, September 9, 2011

Simple Elegance



My cased version of Annie's card

My girlfriend was surfing the web for card ideas and came across the lovely card made by Annie. Aga sent me the link, and I, too, thought the card was absolutely stunning. Knowing that I did not have the same dies and supplies that Annie had, I set out to see if I could create a similar look using the supplies that I did have access to. I was quite pleased with the results.

I used white card cut to a 5.5" square as the base for my card. Then I used Spellbinder and Cherry-Lynn dies in my Cuttlebug to start creating the layers. The butterflies I used have open cuts in the wings rather than embossed designs, so I simply reversed that look by rubbing the wings with a VersaMagic Pixie Dust chalk ink pad. I used Memento Gray Fog ink and Just Rite stamps for the sentiment in the middle. The gray fog was just the perfect color as it allowed the sentiment to be readable without making a glaring contrast such as black would have.Not having any Pergamano templates (and being too OCD to be comfortable with random pricks), I omitted that element from my card; however, I did add lots of pearls for the elegant touch. I used the same chalk ink around the sentiment circles and along the edges of the base card. The roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts.

Thank you Annie for sharing your lovely card, and thank you, Aga, for bringing it to my attention. 

Sunday, September 4, 2011

We're Expecting



My husband's niece (his brother's middle daughter) is expecting her first baby. Courtney's due date is 11 September, but we all know that babies come when they get ready to come (my older daughter showed up at 1:30 on the exact date she was expected, but my younger daughter came a month early). Anyway,  I decided I better get prepared (grin). After searching through my digi stamps and then visiting all my "usual" stores, I decided on this oh so sweet Sugar Nellie image. It just reminds me so much of a new born, and those little hats that all babies are given in the delivery room (although, none of our babies ever got one quite as cute or nice as the one in the image).

I printed the image and colored it in with Copic markers. I used white card for the base card and pink card for the first layer (we do know that Courtney is going to have a little girl). I then embossed white card using my Cuttlebug and an embossing folder. Since my embossing folder isn't quite the size I needed, I ran the piece through twice. The pink satin ribbon is placed across where the two embossings met. The pink flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, and I kept them to a minimum so that they didn't distract from the sweet baby image. The verse on the inside is copied from a card that I received when my first child (Paige) was born. I printed it off on vellum and attached it to pink card using tiny brads.

I'm all set -- just waiting now for the new Miss to make her appearance. We don't know what her name is going to be (Mommy and Daddy are keeping that a secret from everyone -- even the grandparents -- but I think that is kind of fun as it gives them something special to announce upon baby girl's arrival). 

Sunday, August 28, 2011

What's Your Style?

Card by Aga Bailey

Card by Claire Todd (colored by Jenee)

What is your coloring style? I tend to color using lighter colors. I feel I can control and blend them better than the darker tones. My girlfriend, Aga Bailey, does fantastic coloring using the darker colors. So, I copied off the above card made by Aga as a sample of using darker colors. Last night I colored my image (pretty much like her's as I was working on technique, not originality). I had the colored image (as well as the print off of Aga's card) sitting on my craft table when my daughter, Amber, and my granddaughter, Claire, stopped by. Claire is 7 years old and loves to craft. She saw the image and the sample sitting there and asked me if she could make the card. Since I really had no plans for the image (as I said, I was working on coloring so not thinking about the finished product), I gave Claire free reign.

Other than helping tie the bow and helping punch the white snowflake strip used in the middle (my craft table is high, so Claire couldn't get the leverage needed to work the punch), Claire put this card together herself. She picked her papers and the ribbon, glued, placed and completed everything. I had to laugh as she was picking out her papers. She pulled out a piece of red and white gingham but decided it looked "too picnicy" (don't you just love that term?). She pulled out several rolls of green ribbon, but they were "too light and got lost with the background." (Hum, can you tell she's spent a lot of time with me in the craftroom?)

Before she left, she used my ProMarkers (which she prefers over my Copics because the tip is more ridged) and colored another image. Then she asked if I would print off some images for her to take home with her. Lastly, she raided my envelop of already colored images and took some of those (as samples and ideas for her own coloring).

 We didn't get to spend a lot of time crafting this summer. She went out of town several times to compete in Tai Kwon Do tournements, and with both of her brothers being teens now, they have kept the family busier. School started back on 1 August, so the routine is even more hectic now. I sure do miss my little crafting buddy.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Chance to Win


Alas, there is no new creation from me today. I have spent the week dealing with a kidney infection which was not only quite painful, but which zapped me of energy and creativity. The antibiotics the doctor put me on have (finally) helped, and I am feeling better (enough so that I'm now irritated that my week has been "wasted" - grin). I seldom get sick, so I'm afraid I don't have much patience when I do come down with something.

Anyway, I did want to post about a fantastic give away over at http://jacquesmagnolias.blogspot.com/2011/08/sunday-sensations-from-magnolia-licious_21.html This lovely lady not only does the most beautiful cards, but every week she very generously sponsors the most wonderful eye candy. Sadly, I've not had the good luck to win any of that eye candy, but I keep trying. If you like those darling Magnolia stamps of charming little girls and boys (Tilda and Edwin), then this is the deal for you! Diana, the owner at Magnolia-licious, is offering a $25 gift certificate as this week's prize. However, you have to hurry. You need to submit your link before Tuesday night in order to be eligible for the drawing. That's all you have to do -- no card submission; no linking anything from the page; nothing, nada, nil. Simply go to the linky frog at the bottom of the post and enter your blog URL, your name and your email address. If you don't have a blog, then you can submit your name via email (it is all explained on Jacque's blog site.

So, run on over, submit your name, and you may be the winner (if you win, though, you have to share your prize with me - ROFLOL - no, I'm just kidding, but maybe you'll have better luck than I (grin)!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Happy Birthday, Amber


Today is my younger daughter's birthday. (I won't tell you which birthday, though - grin!). This morning my husband asked me if I'd made a card for Amber. He got very upset when I told him I had not gotten one made. Now I fully intended to make one, and since I won't be seeing her until around 6:00 this evening, I knew I had enough time to come up with something special for her. However, dear Hubs went into a panic. He informed me I HAD to get one made or Amber's feelings would be hurt. Sigh, men can be so silly at times (smile).

Anyway, since that was before 9:00 am this morning, I took my time, had my breakfast, read my emails, and then went into the craft room. A dear friend and I were recently discussing the fact that I like easel cards, but never think about making them when I start a new card. She challenged me to make an easel for the very next card I made. Well, turns out that Amber's card is the very next one, so easel it is! I apologize for the poor photos. They are darker than usual despite the same lighting, but immediately after I took the last picture, the camera turned off -- dead battery -- so I'm using that as my excuse for the less than stellar pictures (as the saying goes, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!).

So, happy birthday to one of my sweet girls. Now I need to get a card made for her "little" bro whose birthday is five days from today -- can't wait as long to make his 'cause it has to get in the mail.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

More Christmas


I am "playing around" looking for some images and ideas to use for my Christmas cards this year. It has been quite a while since I made my own cards. I used to do them each year, but the past years have just been filled with too many "things" that I've not had the time nor energy to devote to making them. Now that I'm back into card making and have more time, I thought I'd set a goal to at least make some of my cards this year.

I made the two cards above using Mo Manning's images called Little Elf Pipa and Little Elf Mim. I colored them in with my Copic markers. I colored the ornaments with the Copics but afterwards, I thought they looked a bit "flat" so after some thought, I pulled out my Sparkling H2O paints and colored the ornaments with the gold paint. Don't think you can tell from the attachments, but the Sparkling H2O's really give the ornaments a lovely shimmer. To fortify the concept that the ornaments are hanging on a tree, I punched two fir leaves and glued them to the top of the "string." To anchor the leaves, I added the tiny bows. (I use red velvet bows on the ends of branches on my own tree each year.) The sentiment is computer generated, and reads, "Have a Swinging Christmas."

I think the cards turned out rather cute, although I'm not sure this will be my final product (or the actual design I will use). For now I've had fun coloring the little elves and experimenting.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Just a Little Shy


Can't believe it has been five whole days since my last entry. This has been a busy week with not a lot of crafting/card making going on. Decided this morning that I was going to get at least one card made before I started into the usual Sat. chores (how is it that 2 people can generate so much laundry? We are either the dirtiest people around or the cleanest - LOL).

Anyway, this card is made using another darling image from Mo Manning. It is a digi-stamp, of course, printed onto Cryogen paper (yes, I need to restock ALL my different Copics papers, so using what I have left). I colored it with my Copic markers (I know I need to get in the habit of writing down the colors I use -- sorry, will try to start doing that). My sweet Hubs thought the pearls were a bit fancy for the gingham, dotty paper and little miss with stuffed bunny, but I like the contrast of the different elements (besides, don't you think those little pink rose buds at the end of some of the pearls are just so sweet?).

Hope you enjoy this little card. I am entering this card at:
Frosted Designs:  http://frosteddesigns.blogspot.com as their challenge this week is being sponsored by Copics, so colored image is the requirement.
Make It Colorful: http://www.makeitcolorful.com as the challenge was to color it pink.
Stamp Something: http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com as the challenge is digi stamp.
Raise the Bar: http://raisethebarchallenge.blogspot.com as the challenge is "anything goes."

Monday, August 1, 2011

Blog Hop


My girlfriend, Kristie Wilson, is owner of a fun little blog called Birthday Sundaes (I've mentioned this blog before). In honor of their first year and some changes in her design team, Kristie is holding a blog hop with some FANTASTIC prizes. I highly recommend, if you have time, that you hop on over to http://www.birthdaysundaes.blogspot.com and join in on the hopping fun. Not only will you have the opportunity to win those fantastic prizes that I mentioned, but you will get some really great birthday inspiration from the ladies who are sharing their great blogs.

In honor of Kristie's birthday, I've made the little card above. Congratulations Kristie!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Birthday Sundaes



My friend Kristie runs a weekly challenge site (www.birthdaysundaes.blogspot.com) devoted to birthday cards. This week she challenged us to use the cupcake photo above as our inspiration. If you've read any of my past blog posts, you know I'm a pretty literal person, so I used the colors in the photo (blue, white, tan) as my inspiration.

My image is a digital stamp by Cuddly Buddly. I printed it onto Cryogen white card and colored it with my Copic markers. The tan card is by Bazzill, and the blue patterned paper is by gcd studios. The tan patterned paper was from my scrap bag. The background lace doily and the lace border at the bottom are both cut from Spellbinder dies. My white roses and the hat-pin are from Wild Orchid Crafts.

I am entering the card in Kristie's weekly challenge.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

No Particular Reason


Today I got into the craft room with the sole purpose of using up some of the images that I have colored and restocking my card stash. I had no challenge in mind. I had no specific event in mind. I told myself not to worry about being creative, just create. So that is what I did. I ended up with three sweet little cards, a big mess, and some relaxing time.

I had to laugh, though. I looked around my craft room when I finished and thought, "What happened?" Not too many years ago, I was one of those organized crafters who always cleaned up after each project. If I made a layout or a card, I put everything away before I started on the next one. At the end of my crafting session, my room looked as neat and orderly as it did when I began. Not any more! If someone were to see my room right now, they might get the mistaken notion that I actually create something (grin). There is paper on several surfaces, packets of flowers overflowing in another area, rolls of ribbon, scissors -- so much not in its place -- and yes, everything does have a place.

I'm laughing even harder because it used to be that if my environment was a mess and unorderly, I could not function. The clutter would distract me, and I would have to stop and clean up. Where did this "sloppy" crafter come from? Surely there is an alien that has taken over my body. Oh well, whatever it is, if I can continue to be as productive as I was today (albeit perhaps not quite as creative), then we'll just let the slob alone. She's at least getting some cards made!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Pink and Brown


I was supposed to be making a card for my Mother-in-law. This week she turns 86 years old, and I need to get a card made and into the mail for her. However, the Birthday Muses don't seem to be in residence today. Instead, I made this card using another one of Sassy Cheryl's images. I discovered Cheryl's site the other day and couldn't resist buying several images. Her images seem to be a cross between two of my favorite designers, Mo Manning and Lili of the Valley. I have been experimenting lately with different color combinations using my Copics. They are wonderful markers, but sometimes can be a little tricky getting colors and shades. Anyway, saw a challenge on A Spoon Full of Sugar to make a card using brown and pink; thus, my little card above. Unfortunately, I created the card too late to enter it in the challenge, but it did make me look at and try something different.

Of course, I'm now getting further behind getting that birthday card made. Alas! When we are young, we take birthdays for granted and look forward to each one that comes along. When we get older, we no longer take them for granted and are thankful for each one that comes along. My Mother-in-law is the last parent (between my husband and I) still alive, so I want to make a special card (no pressure there, eh?). Think I need to go blog hopping for a bit. Maybe I can entice the Muses to come out of hiding!