Handmade Cards & Other Madness

365 Cards - Days 35 & 36

2011-04-05T21:48:00.000-07:00

My craft room is a disaster right now.... there's paper everywhere, ribbons, buttons all over the desk top, and I couldn't be happier. That's the way I roll, ladies and gents. I craft for keeps!! When it's neat, I haven't been playin'... oh, and I've been playin'!! Here are two I finished this evening (can you tell I was in a glittery mood today? I went kinda nuts with my DCWV glitter stack).

365 Cards - Day 35 Up in the Air.

3 things in the air: cloud, kite, birds

365 Cards - Day 36 Colour Scheme

Green, Orange, Blue

I bought a pack of googly eyes on the weekend at the dollar store, and I was dying to use them on a card, so I stuck 'em on my BasicGrey Lime Rickey birdie. Flippin' cute! I love googly eyes... I even like say it "googly eyes". Gosh, they're fun! I can't wait to use these on a monster card. Monsters are always fun when they google. :)

G'night, and have a crafty tomorrow!

365 Cards - Catchup Weekend

2011-04-03T22:41:00.000-07:00

Last week was incredibly busy at work, with extra hours, end of quarter stress and no time for cards. This weekend, though, it was all over. (insert sigh of relief here) So I got crafty... it was glorious!! Pardon the long post, but I had a lot of catching up to do on 365 Cards...

Day 28 - You Inspire Me

Inspired by my beautiful niece, Emma <3

Day 29 - Signature Sentiment

"You Rock" I say it a lot. I guess I'm lucky to be surrounded by people who rock!!

Day 30 - Mix & Match

Using the 'bargello' technique & using up some scraps
Tutorial posted on Splitcoast Stampers

Day 31 - A Piece of Poetry

Sorry, no matter what I do, Blogger wants to put this one in sideways.... help?

Day 32 - April Fools

OK, so why isn't this one sideways? This makes no sense!!

Day 33 - Whoops....missed this one...

Day 34 - Super Sketchy Sunday

Great Sketch, Pam!! :-)

Well, that's it! Thanks for dropping by and taking a peek.

Focus on: Teal

2011-03-27T10:05:00.000-07:00

I'm kinda on a teal kick right now. It's not deliberate... it's just what I gravitate towards.

365 Cards - Day 26 STW

S - Stitching (sewn around image)
T - Toile (shamelessly stolen off the internet)
W - White.

365 Cards - Day 27 Super Sketchy Sunday

Well, I'm off to do laundry and clean the bathrooms. Ah, it's a charmed life, to be sure ROTFL... hopefully I'll have some more time to craft this afternoon. Have a great day!

Amendment... one more to add... the Stickles dried, so I could take the pic! See what I mean about the teal fixation?!

365 Cards - Day 25

2011-03-25T20:16:00.000-07:00

I've enjoyed the Alphabet challenges over at 365 Cards this week, and the saga continues (although I must admit that I'm a little tentative about an X challenge appearing tomorrow. LOL. I guess we'll see what Pam has in store!)

Here's today's - Day 25:

P Polka Dots
Q Quilting
R Red

I must admit that this is a CASE card. I was completely inspired by a gorgeous card called "Happy Heart" by HB on Splitcoast Stampers. I wouldn't have thought to try such a tight zigzag stitch on a card if I hadn't seen how effective it was on hers. Thanks HB... whoever you are! :)

DP is all from the "Fly a Kite" line (October Afternoon); Pearls are Zva; Sentiment is TH for Stampers Anonymous; Flower is Prima.

I got a hot dude waiting downstairs for me, so I gotta bolt! Friday nights rock! Hope yours is as fun as mine!

365 Cards - 4 Challenge Blitz

2011-03-24T21:20:00.000-07:00

What a craft-fest this evening! Fun, fun, fun... beats the heck outta watchin' TV!! It's been one heck of a week at work (so far) and I really needed to do something that was just for me. So I took Pam up on her crazy alphabet themed challenges this week at 365 Cards... what a hoot!

Day 21:

A - Alpha Stickers or Stamps (the word 'fun' were CTMH alpha stamps)
B - Blue - tickets
C - Circle - do you see it? The jeweled flower centre! :-)

Day 22:

D - Distressed - big time. Distress Inked within an inch of its life!
E - Envelope. Yup... burgundy, holding the tag
F - Fringe. Fun 'eyelash' yarn.

Day 23:

G - Grosgrain. The mauve ribbon
H - Heart. DP... look closely...they're there...
I - Ink. Stamped image, Distress Ink, and Copic colouring!

Day 24:

M - Marker. Ha!! I tried a little Copic edge on the green circle, but didn't like it.
(so it's under the ribbon!)
N - Number. HB2U :-)
O - Orange. Ticket, DP, Nestied circle & twine. Viva l'orange!!

That was truly fun, but now I'm tired. The craft room's a complete disaster after that flurry of creativity, but I don't give a poop. I'll close the door, and no one will see it.

Have a crafty day!

Greetings from Earth...

2011-03-20T22:15:00.000-07:00

A quick post with some of the cards I created this weekend:

Thanks for looking!!

365 Cards - Days 16 & 20

2011-03-20T22:12:00.000-07:00

I've made a ton of cards this week, but with sales in mind, and not challenges. But I was inspired by two of 365 Cards' challenges this week:

Day 16 - Abstract Art: I actually made this DP myself smooshing black and blue alcohol ink between two sheets of photo paper. It came out completely different than I thought it would. Darker. A lot darker... but I liked the look - very 'space' like with nebulas of purple and blue. That experiment inspired a science themed card with a great quote from Albert Einstein.

Day 20 - Super Sketchy Sunday: I'm always inspired by SSS. :D Yay Pam!! I bought this DP today for 20 cents in the Michaels clearance bin. So cute... the flowers on one side, and wee adorable animals on the other.

Hope you had a great weekend. Darn, they go by fast!!

The Evolution of a Spring Themed Card

2011-03-18T22:17:00.000-07:00

I find it odd (and utterly wonderful) that the project as imagined often differs so drastically from the project as completed.

My first card began it's idea as an elaborate card. I'd imagined as a garden of butterflies lighting all over the front of the card, but it turned out rather simple and understated with two lightly Stickled butterflies. Sweet... and perfect for spring...

I was pleased with the result, so I thought I'd make a similar, Spring-y card.

My second card started with a piece of pink gingham paper and a gorgeous pink Prima flower. Well, I started playing with colours, and the black crept in... stunning and elegant against the fuschia... and then I thought it would be fun to use a picture of Lucille Ball (so I did the ol' Google image search) Gosh, I love Lucy! Really, what a stunning beauty, what an expressive face, what a hoot she was!!

Well, the fresh spring card turned into the old Hollywood glamour card. It wasn't me! Seriously... it evolved of it's own accord and took me along for the ride! That's why I love card making. It's an adventure, people! It's still got a touch of the original 'spring' idea... the gingham paper and the pink rose, so I'm still going to enter it into the Splitcoast Spring Challenge (Gloria, are you proud?)

Que sera sera!

Well, that's it for today. Hope you have a wonderful, crafty weekend!

Spring Yellow...

2011-03-17T15:58:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post for a card made for the Splitcoast Stampers Spring Challenge (SPRINGSC11)

I just love this yellow gingham paper - it's so cheery for spring. I've had it in my stash for a good long while - but forgot about it. Now I can't remember who makes it and where I got it so I can't buy more. Ah, it's just as well. The ol' stashola is getting out of hand and there's a self-imposed moratorium on spending until I can get it down to a manageable level.

The other DP is October Afternoon (from their Thrift Shop line). The lovely yellow flower is Prima, the roses, lace and pin are from Wild Orchid Crafts (I adore that online store!!)

Thanks for looking... I hope y'all have a great day!

Flowers for Mom

2011-03-16T16:38:00.000-07:00

A couple of quick cards...

The paper flowers are made with Tim Holtz' Tattered Floral Alterations die. Pearls & bling are dollar store finds. Button & die cut letter stickers are Basic Grey. The DP has been in my stash so long that I don't remember whose it is any more... slowly usin' up the stash. :)

Hope you're having a good day...

Annabelle Stamps - Sketch ABSC035

2011-03-13T14:58:00.000-07:00

Here's the sketch...

And here's the card that I made in response...

Yeah, I used a little artistic license with the ol' sentiment. I wasn't feelin' the whole round thing today. :)

Sentiment is by Artistic Outpost, Numbers and Crown by Tim Holtz for Stamper's Anonymous. The burlap, balsa wood, feather and metal accents are from my stash.

Hope you have a great week!

365 Cards - Super Sketchy Sunday + a few extras

2011-03-13T14:50:00.000-07:00

I love working from Pam's sketches for 365 Cards' Super Sketchy Sunday! The design team always provides some rockin' examples, and it's just plain fun to play along! Here's my take on the sketch:

This card is going to someone I don't know - a woman named Penny, a friend of Patti J's who needs a pick-me-up right now. Find out how you can help, too on Patti's blog: Cherish Each Precious Day.

DP by BoBunny; Sentiment by KaiserCraft; Tim Holtz Grungeboard; dollar store bling. Button and flower from stash.

*****

Now for two 'just because' cards. Last week I was chosen as the winner of Robyn's Fetish sponsored week, and made these two with my new digis from Robyn:

Well, I've spent a whole lotta time crafting this weekend (I LOVE it!!) but now comes the time to get some housework done. The laundry and vacuuming awaits (damn it!)

Stay crafty!

Repurposing and Keeping it Simple

2011-03-12T23:01:00.000-08:00

365 Cards Challenge for Day 11 - Repurposed. We were challenged to find a paper in our stash that was designed for one season or occasion - and use it for something completely different. I chose to work with Basic Grey's Eskimo Kisses line - used a Penny Black sentiment, buttons, lace and WOC paper flowers for a card that is not at all Christmas-y.

Day 12 - Ah, the old KISS principal. Keep It Simple. 3 basic ingredients... Design Paper, Sentiment + 1 (ONE!) embellishment. I started with some jungley themed DP by Doodlebug & DCWV, printed up a computer generated sentiment and topped it off with an adorable Hippo feltie from Cosmo Cricket. (I'm a sucker for googly eyes!)

It's been a good day. Crafting, reading, relaxing... but now it's time for bed (after I move my clocks forward an hour) Thanks for looking.

I always enjoy your comments, so if you've got time - say hello

3 Challenges - one card

2011-03-10T19:17:00.000-08:00

Today's challenge over at 365 Cards (Day 10) was to be inspired by the latest trends in scrapping and cardmaking. I don't know if these are the latest trends...they've been around for a while, but they seem to be going strong: Stitching & Pearl swirls... I love 'em both! They add texture and interest to any project.

I'm also entering this for the following: Wild Orchid Challenges - Anything Goes & Annabelle Stamps - Blue, White & Red.... 'cuz if the card fits, submit it! LOL

Dollar Store Card Blank; DP: October Afternoon

Sentiment: Fiskars "Make a Wish Quotes"

Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts; Pearls: Zva Creative

Thanks for looking! Hope you're having a great day!

- Carolyn

I'm Up for a Challenge!

2011-03-09T22:10:00.000-08:00

Well, I am! I just haven't had time to post, and so here are 3 challenge cards for the past 3 days of 365 Cards:

Day 7 - Feeling Fierce. In my mind, fierce is not fashion... but then I'm old and Tyra Banks annoys me. To me the word 'fierce' evokes wild and fun, which is why I was inspired to make a kids birthday critter card.

Incredibly simple... this was some DCWV design paper on which I popped some Doodlebug Design stickers. I made up my own sentiment and glued it under my big ol' gorilla.

Inside the card is a wee fun surprise. These stickers were just too cute, so I popped one inside, too.

Day 8 - Arch Card. I've never made a card with this shape before, but to me 'arch' brings to mind gothic architecture, stained glass windows and McDonald's fries. I both love and hate McDonald's fries, but that's neither here nor there. Here's my arch card:

This arch with vines was cut on my Silhouette, and the flowers were punched and placed randomly around the card (and over the nesties tag) Ruby red Stickles add a bit o' glitz. Sentiment by Fiskars.

Day 9 - Do that Decade - the '90s. I'd also like to submit this one for the Simon Says Challenge - Anything Goes.

I'm a bit of a movie buff, and some of my favourite movies were released in the 1990s (93 - Jurassic Park; 94 - Shawshank Redemption; 95 - Usual Suspects & Toy Story; 97 - Good Will Hunting; 99 - The Matrix & The Sixth Sense) Well, I took my inspiration from a rather famous scene in the Sixth Sense.... only, I changed it up a little...

I found this free clip art online, and I couldn't resist.

I typed up the sentiments using free fonts

The font on the front is called "Goofball"

- and the on the inside is "Chiller"

That luscious design paper is October Afternoon - from their Night Light line. Love it!

Thanks for poppin' by! Time to catch a few zzzzz's. That alarm clock goes off kinda early around here (dang alarm!)

- Carolyn

365 Cards - Day 2

2011-03-02T21:44:00.000-08:00

Today's Challenge over at 365 Cards is Pick 5. We were challenged to use the answers to 5 questions to design our cards:

1. Favorite color (blue, more specifically, turquoise)

2. Favorite design technique (Copic colouring, I keep practicing!)

3. Favorite embellie (Stickles! I really, really loove Stickles)

4. Least favorite color (pink - yeah, crazy right... I use it all the time, but it's really not 'me')

5. Favorite card size (dollar store card blanks - 4¼ x 5¾ - yup, weird size... but I use these things all the time. saves time and $ which are both in short supply these days)

Well, that's it for now. Wonder what tomorrow's challenge will be? :D

- Carolyn

365 Cards - It's a Whole New Year!!

2011-03-01T10:52:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Pam are due for 2 years of excellent blogging - her 365 Cards daily card challenges are often difficult, sometimes wacky, and always, always enjoyable! I love playing along. I think congratulations are due to Linda B as well - for she has completed EVERY SINGLE ONE of those challenges FOR TWO YEARS!! Wow! Am I in awe of her dedication... and attention span.

So Year 3 begins with Day 1 - a white space challenge. I find these, well, challenging... when someone tells me 'don't embellish there' I find it hard to resist the urge to overflow those embellishments exactly where I'm not supposed to. I belong to the Gloria Stengel School of Cardmaking! LOL

But I adhered pretty well to the rules today. Here's my entry for this challenge:

Hope you're having a great day! I sure appreciate you droppin' in to my little place in blogland.

-Carolyn

365 Cards - Super Sketchy Sunday

2011-02-27T15:37:00.000-08:00

365 Cards is almost done their second year - it's day 364, and it's Super Sketchy Sunday. Love the sketch... not so crazy about my card, and I'm not sure why. I think it's the big fabric flower behind the roses... it's too much. Maybe it's the off-white roses (Wild Orchid was out of white) Anyhoo - I'm posting it anyways!

I've made a discovery of sorts. I was looking for an affordable source of Copic-safe paper (my local craft store charges 50¢ a sheet for the stuff! Yowza! Regular card stock bleeds like the dickens and is therefore useless for this application. I thought... photo paper? I had a big pack of Costco's Kirkland glossy photo paper, and I thought I'd give it a shot, so I printed these floral clip arts and got my Copics out.

I love the result! So bright and crisp. The black lines didn't smudge one iota with the application of colour, and the gloss shines through the Copic colouring - the entire picture looks as if it is a photo print. The blending doesn't work in quite the same way as matte card, but this will be an effective alternative for some cards - and definitely cost effective!!

What do you think? What's your cost-cutting alternative?

- Carolyn

S.L.S.

2011-02-19T10:52:00.000-08:00

Ahhhh, sleeping in, breakfast with the hubster, and crafting in my pajamas! Seriously. Love. Saturdays.

Thought I should get caught up on those 365 Cards challenges. I am lovin' sketch week, I gotta tell you. I am so inspired by the DT's examples + seeing what the other participants have done. It's like the creative juices are just a'flowin in my craft room, and my seriously depleted fund-raising card stock is getting replenished at an unforeseen rate! Yay!

Anyhooo, without further adieu, here are my submissions for the 365 challenges to date:

Day 364 - a challenging sketch by Hannah. I don't know why this one was so difficult for me, but I gotta tell you that my first card ended up in the dustbin (and shall never see the light of day again). I am happy with this one though...

Done on a dollar store card blank like most of my cards

(I sell my cards for $5 each, and $4 of that goes to charity - this strategy helps keep my costs down)

DP - 7Gypsies & the tag is cut from October Afternoon (Thrift Shop)

Day 355 - I am so inspired by Sophie's clean and simple style, but I've figured out that simple isn't simple. It takes an expert eye to take three components and arrange them for the best effect. I haven't mastered it, but I sure do admire it...

Dollar store card blank; Card Stock is Paper Source (Melon)

Image - Sugar Nellie (Anime); Sentiment - Stampendous; Ribbon is stash...

Day 356 - When I saw Heidi's great sketch this morning, I knew just what I wanted to do - a window. I had another pre-coloured Sugar Nellie, so I popped her in the window and voila! Quick card, but I think she turned out kinda cute...

Dollar Store card blank; DP is Cosmo Cricket (clouds)

Image - Sugar Nellie (Anime); Sentiment - Kaiser Craft; dollar store pearls

Hope your Saturday is turning out to be as wonderful as mine is! Gonna go get dressed now. The sun is peeking out, and I don't want to miss it. Gonna take my ol' dog for a saunter (he doesn't walk any more, he meanders). - Carolyn

365 Cards - Day 353 + a Couple More

2011-02-17T08:59:00.000-08:00

Love Kim's adorable example card on 365 Cards' Challenge blog - isn't that fold a clever way to interpret the sketch? Yeah, well I'm not that clever... LOL I did have some fun with that sketch, though.

I kinda turned that middle square into a funky circle, and no frilly hearts in the top corner - my Skull Boy would not stand for that! Here's submission for Day 353 + Simply Create's "It's Bright in Here" challenge:

I had such fun with that Skull Boy that I did up a couple more just for a laugh! Gosh, those dudes are cute, and my hubby loves 'em, too - especially the little handstand dude! (he's set aside for Harv's brother)

All images are Sugar Nellie's Skull Boyz; DP - October Afternoon (Nightlight), Metallic from stash & Basic Grey (Recess); Versamark ink + CTMH Black embossing powder + Sakura white gel pen = fun. Embellies are all from my ridiculously massive stash...I don't keep packaging, so I have no idea who they're from any more.

Have a great day!

- Carolyn

365 Cards - Super Sketchy WEEK!!

2011-02-15T20:41:00.000-08:00

I quite enjoy working from card sketches. I also quite enjoy seeing how many interpretations there are for a single sketch... it's inspiring, really.

Here are my submissions for Days 350-352 at 365 Cards:

Day 350 was an amazing sketch from Wendi. I opted to go 'landscape' with the card, and move the image more to the centre (it was so small in comparison to the rest of the card, that it got lost in the bottom corner).

Image- Penny Black; Sentiment - Fiskars; Card Stock - Paper Source (Night);

Design Papers - October Afternoon (Nightlight);

Metallic Paper - from the ol' stashola (don't remember whose it was)

Day 351 - a luscious layered look from Gloria (seriously, does Gloria do anything that isn't luscious? I think not!) Here's my take...

Image - Penny Black; Card Stock - Bazzill Basics (black)

Design Paper - My Mind's Eye & The Paper Studio

Copics & Stickles & Dollar Store pearls

Day 352 Audrey's sketch is a classic. Simple lines, with plenty of room left for interpretation. I'm loving the result I got from this sketch - and I may just simplify more often! I wanted the focal point of this card to be the incredible image (first time I've inked this puppy up, and it won't be the last!). I wish the picture showed the 'blinginess' of this card. I Stickled the living daylights out of it....

This one will also be entered into Paper Cutz Challenge # 78 - Ladybugs, Bees or Butterflies

Image: Sweet Pea Stamps (ching-chou kuik's Fantasy Art image... isn't she stunning?!!)

Design Paper - nameless in the stash; Butterfly punch - Martha Stewart

Copics & copious Stickles & dollar store rhinestones.

Well, if you made it down here, you've seen all there is to see... for today. :) You're welcome, of course, to keep browsing my other posts - and I always love to hear from you. Leave a comment if you've got the time.

- Carolyn

Jerome the Giraffe... and Friends

2011-02-15T12:14:00.000-08:00

I've been busy. Seriously busy... the Valentine's card sale went extremely well - I sold about 60 cards and made $244 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation!! My card supply is now very low... so it's time to re-stock, and that means getting busy. I'm trying to do a couple a night so I've got enough for every day cards (birthday, get well, thank you, wedding, baby, sympathy) and get some Mother's day cards started - because in a couple months I'll do it all again!

I completed these last night:

(The giraffe with attitude above will be entered into

Annabelle Stamps challenge - Say it with Polka Dots

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge # 21 Stamped Flower Image)
Our Creative Corner "Cut it Out" - well, I did. 3 times... and layered)

Images: Dog Gone Stamps (giraffe); Penny Black (puppy); DP: October Afternoon (Thrift Shop), dollar store embossed mauve & the green geometric is from the stash... no idea who makes it any more...

That giraffe (who've I've affectionately named Jerome) is one of my favourites. You've seen him here before, and you'll likely see him again. I just love his expression. I'm amused by the birthday card where it looks like he's popped up in front of the sentiment. How rude, Jerome!! (yeah, I'm easily amused)

As well as the cards above, I've done a bunch of stamping and 'copicking' of some images - and you'll soon see these babies on some upcoming cards (365 Cards has a week of sketches that I'm dying to dive into!)

Images: Sweet Pea (ching-choi kuik's Fantasy Art), Penny Black, Sugar Nellie (Gorjuss & Anime)

Thanks for popping by my little place in blogland! Hope you're having a GREAT day!!

- Carolyn

Flowers and Birthdays...

2011-02-14T09:27:00.000-08:00

The dust is still abounding in my household because I spent the entire two days crafting and spending time with friends! My kinda weekend!! Betty Crocker, I am... NOT!

Started Friday with a bit of a craft room tidy and have come to the realization that my paper stash is ridiculous. Two drawers full of 12 x 12 sheets + a box of books + a box of scraps (both rather big boxes). I love paper... seriously, I do. Colours, texture, pattern = heaven in my mind. But still, things are getting out of hand with this obsession. So I hereby swear not to buy any more paper until I've used up half of what I already have! (except for the staple black and white card stock if I should run out of it... a girl's gotta be realistic)

I started my purge by making use of my scrap box and my Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die cut. Flower time!! Making these is the perfect activity to do while visiting with a friend or, in my case on Saturday, watching hockey... I cut out two of each (for a total of 8 flat paper flowers) of 12 different papers, packed and brought them along to my brother's house ...and started crumpling and layering when the hockey game started. They're a bit time consuming, but I love the way these look:

Here are some of the cards I made from these luscious paper flowers this weekend:

I also made some simple birthday cards using the Cuttlebug birthday plate, and some giant brads that I found on clearance a year ago (stash cleansing is good!). The balloon bows are kind of fun, too, I think:

My stamp stash is pretty major, too. I have so many stamps that hadn't even been inked yet, so I thought I'd get to working with those... This little dude is from Sugar Nellie - from a set called "Skull Boyz" (don't think it's available any more) I used Versamark and black heat embossing, then coloured him with a white gel pen. LOVE IT!! Why did I wait so long to stamp these guys, they are sooooo cute!

Crafty weekends rock! Craft on, my friends, craft on....

- Carolyn

Challenging Challenges...

2011-02-04T23:15:00.000-08:00

I've been away from the world of card challenges for a while. Life has gotten in the way... there was always something to do (or someone staying in my craft room / office / guest room) Life happens.

I've been getting creative lately with Valentines - but I was itching to stretch my creative muscles, and the best way that I know how to do that is to enter a 365 Card challenge. Seriously. I love 'em! So here they are...

365 Cards - Day 340 White Space

OK, my first day back, and I'm cheating already. I didn't mean to... my intention was to stick the dude on the centre of the card and call it a day, but little Rockin' Roger had other ideas. He clearly has star attitude, and demanded a back up band of 'heavy metal' and stars. I contend that, as a rocker, he's supposed to be a rebel, and the addition of embellishments behind him is too natural to be blamed on me. Blame Roger.

Yeah, that's a real CD behind the dude... I work for a software company, and we had some old releases that they were going to junk. Heck no! Card material!! I've got a ton of 'em!

Stamp is Sugar Nellie (coloured with Copics); DP is Basic Grey (Obscure); Metal mesh - dollar store (I'm the dollar store queen)

365 Cards - Let's Celebrate Use at least one sticker (check) & make it a birthday theme (check)

Simple dimple card, but for some reason it took me an age. I'm rusty... (too much rain in Vancouver)

Cuttlebug folder & dollar store dimensional sticker (did I mention that I'm the dollar store queen?) Cardstock is moldy oldie from the stash. I no longer remember who or where it came from.

Well, it is late, and I'm tired. Soooo glad it's the weekend! I will sleep 'til 8 (that's a luxurious sleep-in in my world), then I've got to make more Valentines. Seriously, those things are selling like hotcakes!! Yay! More money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. I freakin' HATE cancer!!

G'night!

- Carolyn

4 More Valentines & a Birthday Card for Santos

2011-02-03T20:54:00.001-08:00

I'm on a roll... so here's some more valentines for the sale...

...and my husband came in to the craft room tonight and made a special request for a custom guy card for a friend, coworker and all-around great guy. Santos, I hope you like this one :)

Well, I'm going to go watch the last little bit of "Wipeout" with Harvey, and then it's nighty-night time for me!

Good night... Carolyn

More Valentines...

2011-02-03T07:04:00.000-08:00

Another creative evening, and some more valentine greetings. I went a little non-traditional with these - no pink or red. I was feelin' the lavender, turquoise and salmon ... I hope you like them:

Well.... hi-ho-hi-ho, it's off to work I go! Hope you're having a great day...

- Carolyn

Valentines - CBCF Fundraiser

2011-02-01T20:59:00.000-08:00

Do you remember me? It has been soooo long since I made any cards. I've even committed the cardinal cardmakers sin... I didn't make or send even one Christmas card! I know, I know...excommunication from the card club for that one!

Alas, the creative itch has hit once again... and I've gone a little nuts with Valentines cards. It's a good thing they're part of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation fundraising that I do - or I'd have to pick up 30 or so boyfriends to send them to in the next two weeks... and somehow I think my husband might frown on that idea!

In order to be more efficient, I've actually done something that I don't usually do - I made them in bulk. OK, not really bulk... I don't have the attention span for assembly line card making. I made two at a time, with slight variations in colour or paper.

I hope you like them...
I hope my customers like them... and we make a lot of money for CBCF! I HATE cancer!!

Hey, you made it all the way down here! Wow! That's impressive... Thanks for looking, and have a GREAT day!! :)

- Carolyn V

Purple and Orange at 365...

2010-07-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

I'm posting out of sequence, but "oh well"...

Today's overcast and cold (very un-July), and I don't feel like housework (when do I?). I've enjoyed the week of colour challenges so much at 365 Cards, that I thought I'd finish off the week by completing the two remaining challenges, which are two of my fave colours. :) Thanks for poppin' by!

Day 124: Purple

Day 125: Orange

Purple Card: Card Base - Dollar Store; Design Paper - Basic Grey; Glitter Paper - DCWV; Sentiment - Stampendous; Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts; Bling - Swarovski; Ribbon - stash. Spellbinders "Fancy Tags" die.

Orange Card: Card Base - CTMH; Design Paper - Basic Grey; Sentiment - CTMH; Giant RicRac Ribbon - Rusty Pickle;

Guest Design Spot - 365 Cards

2010-07-04T09:14:00.000-07:00

First - Happy 4th to all my American friends and family! I hope you have a wonderful celebration today and tomorrow!

As a Canadian, my patriotic celebration was a couple of days ago - but today's very special for me, too. It marks my very first guest designer spot! I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to have been chosen as one of the guest designers for 365 Cards today. Thanks Rose! I am truly honoured.

Today is, of course, Super Sketchy Sunday. Pam's sketches are always fun to work on, and this one was no exception:

I flipped the sketch and got to work:

Card base - Paper Source; Ribbon - May Arts; Sentiment - Stampendous; Flowers - dollar store, coloured with Copic E55, Leaves - Wild Orchid Crafts; Brads - stash.

365 Cards - It's STILL a Colourful Week

2010-07-01T23:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Canada Day!! I LOVE Stat Holidays! I slept in this morning - and got paid for it!! Whoo Hoooo! Then, the hubster took me out for breakfast and we piddled the day away doin' nothin'! ...and I got PAID for it!!! (Did I mention that I love Stat Holidays?!)

Anyhoo, part of any wonderful day is playing with paper and glue... and playing along with the wonderful ladies at my fave challenge site - 365 Cards. :)

Today's challenge at the 365 Cards blog: 3 Shades of Yellow...

Card Base - Paper Source "Curry"; DP - 7Gypsies; Flowers & Embellishments - Stash; Die Cut Sentiment - Silhouette;

Be back tomorrow - I see that Pam has posted the Friday challenge - purple. Ooooh, love purple. Gotta play along with that one, too! See you soon! - C

365 Cards - It's a Colourful Week!

2010-06-30T01:46:00.000-07:00

Quick Post - 1:30 am here...

It's been crazy busy at work, so I haven't had a lot of time for card making. Who am I kidding - I've had NO time for crafting at all. The only way was to make time.... and here I am in the wee hours. Oh well, one more day in the month... one more day in the quarter... *sigh*

It is indeed a colourful week at the 365 Cards challenge blog this week. It seems as if Pam has chosen a new colour theme each day - and so far we've been challenged to use at least 3 different shades on our cards. Here are mine:

Day 120 - Green

Day 121 - Red

Day 122 - Blue

Green Card: Card Base - Paper Source; Design Papers - DCWV, Basic Grey & Paper Source; Brads - CTMH; Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts; Ribbon - the ol' stashola (Circles cut with my trusty Cuttlebug & Nesties) Sentiment - Fiskars

Red Card: Card Base - My Mind's Eye; Design Papers - Graphic 45 & Worldwin; Jewel Brads - 7Gypsies; Flowers - Wild Orchid; Ribbon - stash; Sentiment - Fiskars

Blue Card: Card Base - Paper Source; Design Paper: Bo Bunny; Brad - Basic Grey; Flowers - Wild Orchid; Ribbon - Stash; Sentiment - Fiskars

365 Cards - Day 117

2010-06-25T00:27:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh, it's good to be back. We've suffered a few self-inflicted internet issues and I finally caved and hired someone to come in and fix the mess I made. Last time I try to change wireless network settings... I swear! I've learned my lesson... I'm a nerd, not a geek. ;-)

So, I'm up late reading blogs like crazy ('cuz I missed it) and I see that Pam posted the 365 card challenge for tomorrow. I don't care that it's 11:30 - Haul out the glue and get craftin' sistah! *happy sigh*

The challenge: Favourite 5

Favourite Colour: Orange

Favourite Embellishment: Twine

Favourite Sentiment: Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous "Just Thoughts"

Favourite Card Shape or Size: Square 5 x 5

Favourite Tool: Distress Ink applicator thingy (what the heck do you call it?!!)

Cardstock - CTMH; Kraft - PaperSource; Design Paper - Basic Grey "Boyfriend"; Sentiment - Tim Holtz; Embossing Powder - CTMH Denim; twine, brads, burlap & button - stash!

Internet Issues

2010-06-24T08:32:00.000-07:00

.... I hate 'em! But I'm back up, and will post some new cards soon. :)

365 Cards - Day 94

2010-06-02T20:19:00.000-07:00

Today's challenge at 365 Cards: Take one 365 challenge theme from March, April & May and make your own combo challenge.

Day 11(March) - Lovely Landscape. I went more figurative than literal, with the sky and a garden being represented. Artistic license...

Day 55 (April) - Pins & Needles. The pins are obvious, the needle used was a bodkin to lace the pink ribbon through the lace ribbon.

Day 85 (May) - Flora & Fauna. Roses & Butterfly.

I made this card for an old friend ~ a girl I used to babysit back in the day, who is a young woman now with kids of her own. She was just diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma. She's in for the fight of her life, for her life... and I don't know what to do besides pray and encourage... I prayed the entire time I was making this, every cut, every glue dot I asked for a miracle. We love you, Sheila... and your family. May you be strengthened by the love that surrounds you and may you find health and peace. ~ C

Cardstock - Worldwin; DP - Basic Grey "Lemonade" & "Lime Rickey"; Image and Sentiment - Whimsy Haven (digital) On Sale today only for $1!; Lace, Roses & Pins - Wild Orchid Crafts

Just Clowning Around...

2010-06-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

... at least, that was the challenge today at 365 Cards. Our cards had to have a clown or circus theme. Considering that when I think of clowns, I think of Tim Curry in Stephen King's "It", I had to think beyond my first response for this one.

I also don't own any circus-y or clown stamps or images, but I've never let that stop me before. I did a Google search under "Clown Images". Interestingly enough, the results contained a fair percentage of evil clown images, which I find oddly disturbing. It's not comforting at all to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way about clowns...

Anyhoo, I found this photo of these amazing shoes (actually for sale on a Russian shoe website!) and decided to poke a little fun:

Cardstock - Worldwin; DP - Daisy Bucket; Ribbon - stasherooni; Image - http://www.exotic-footwear.ru/eng/clown.htm; Font - Gilligan (free download)

Well, I hear the hubby downstairs, and I'm going to go join him for a snuggle on the couch. :) I'm a lucky woman, I am... lucky indeed.

Catch ya later!
~ Carolyn

Card Challenge Catch Up

2010-05-31T20:50:00.000-07:00

Why, oh why do weekends fly by so quickly, and Mondays last forever?!

I'm having a crappy day, so I'm in my craft room for some paper therapy. I do feel a little more 'normal' now, but you and I both know that won't last. Call it temporary sanity...

Here are the fruits of my glue-y labours. 365 Cards - Day 90 was a card recipe: 5x5 card, 2 Design Papers (layered here), 3 stamps (2 sentiments, and the leafy background stamp was repeated), string or twine, and 4 blooms:

I like those Wild Orchid roses... but not on this particular card. Not happy with it at all. Leaves would have worked better with this motif, IMO. Oh well, they're glued now!!

365 Cards - Day 91 - Super Sketch Sunday. I took some liberties with the sketch, but was definitely inspired by it! (I really love Pam's sketches!)

365 Cards - Day 92 - Tissue Paper. A little or a lot, we were challenged to use tissue paper on our card. I chose to make tissue curtains for this little diorama card.

Isn't that picture just darling?! My mom is an infamous thrift shop shopper, and she found a pile of wee Dutch kids books from the fifties. Now they're all mine!! Wonderful illustrations! I have scanned it and printed it a few times so I could do a bit of decoupage layering.

Orange Birthday: Cardstock - Bazill Basics; DP - Basic Grey "Mellow"; Sentiment Stamps - Hero Arts (I think); Background leaf stamp - CTMH; Paper Roses - Wild Orchid Crafts; Twine - Stash.

Life is Art: Cardstock - Bazill; White Card - Copic coloured with Copic & Staedtler markers; DP - Basic Grey; Stamp - Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous; Bling - Dollar Store; Brads - stash.

Peter's Hobby Horse: Cardstock - CTMH & Bazzill; DP - Cosmo Cricket "Boyfriend"; Brad - Stash. Illustration - Thrift Store 'score'!

I really appreciate you dropping by to take a look at my work. I hope you have a great day! ~ Carolyn

8 Challenges - 1 Card

2010-05-28T20:21:00.000-07:00

It's Friday night, raining and my hubby's working late - so it's time to play. I dared myself to break my record of 4 challenges on one card. I have a hard time focusing on more than one challenge at a time - that's just not the way the ol' brain works, so this one was... well... a challenge! But I doubled it - 8 Challenges!!

365 Cards - Day 85 Flora and Fauna

Just Christmas and Birthday Challenge - Sketch

Crazy Challenge - It's a Girl Thing

Shabby Tea Room - Polka Dot Tea Party

Spoonful of Sugar - Celebration

Quixotic Challenge - Emboss It

Simon Says Challenge - Pink (or blue) with Green and Brown

Pile It On - Out of the Box (my froggy's jumping out of one!)

Well, that concludes this crafty evening. 8 challenges... phew!! I gotta lie down! To all my American friends - have a great Memorial Day weekend!

~ Carolyn

Insomniac Cards... 2 am post

2010-05-28T02:28:00.000-07:00

Nope, it's not an auto-post. I was lying awake with a million things on my mind... and decided to tackle a few challenges for my fave challenge site - 365 Cards. A little catch up.... and as a bonus, it's an {ippity} sponsored week, and each day of participation is an entry. I'd really love to win me some of their gorgeous rubber goodness!

Day 86 - Keep it Simple. One stamped image, one stamped sentiment & one embellishment. NO design paper. It's astounding to me how challenging simplicity is...

Card Blank - Dollar Store; Image - Sugar Nellie "Gorjuss" (coloured with Copics); Sentiment - CTMH; Ribbon - The old Stashola.

Day 88 - Insect Frenzy. Yeah, Pam's been drinkin' that famous coffee... the specific requirements are: at least 3 different bugs on the card - and at least 10 bugs in total. I stole a page from DT Vicky's book and made a buggy background. Forgive me for plagiarism, dear Vicky... it was just such a good idea!!

Card Blank - Dollar Store; Image - Penny Black (coloured with Copics); Sentiment - CTMH; Buggy Background Stamps - Big ol' clear stamp pack I bought from Costco a year back; Ribbon & Buttons - Stash.

Day 89 - Courage and Strength. Pam challenged us to create a card with that theme. For me, it was simple... this one's for you, Jane ~ your courage and strength inspire me every day:

Card Blank - Dollar Store; DP - DCWV; Big ol' Brad ... I can't remember!

Thanks for poppin' by my little ol' blog. I may try to get some sleep now - after all, I do have to work tomorrow! Cheerio! ~ Carolyn

All Natural + First Attempt at Scrapbooking

2010-05-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

It was kind of a relief to get back to cardmaking tonight. :) This one is in response to the 365 Cards challenge for Day 87 (All Natural) Pam challenged us to include something from nature on our card.

Not only is the image inspired by nature, I've included a few feathers as embellishment. First time for those... I've had this little bag of feathers for ages, and I've never opened it, but I'm glad I did now! I like the way they look.

Card Blank - Dollar Store; DP - Basic Grey; Ribbon - Cosmo Cricket; Stamped Image - Penny Black; Coloured with Copics; Sentiment - CTMH; Paper Flowers - Dollar Store; Jewel Brad - 7Gypsies; Feathers - Poor Naked Birdies

Where have I been? In typical Carolyn fashion, I've taken on a task that has consumed me - creating a scrapbook to honour my wonderful Mom on her 70th birthday! No small task for anyone, I'm sure - but for me, who's never attempted a 12x12 page... phew... quite the challenge. I've found that it's an entirely different beast than a card. I decided on a quilting theme, because my mother's very passionate about quilting.

Here are a few pics... I'll post some more in the coming days!

A Couple o' Challenges

2010-05-11T07:20:00.000-07:00

Another Quickie post.... work is seriously hampering my craft and blogging time! LOL

Chelsea, this is the card I was making as we were talking on the phone last night. I hope you feel better.... love ya!!

This one's for two challenges - 365 Cards - Day 72 - It Needs Something (I added liquid glass to the balloon to make it rounded and shiny, and used thread to make the string instead of drawing the line) - and for Jacksonbelle Embellishments Tuesday Challenge - Clean and Simple. I've been practicing my Copic colouring technique after taking a class on Saturday. I gotta tell you, I am LOVIN' the Copics. I've loved colouring since I was a wee lass...

Card Base - dollar store; DP - Basic Grey (Lemonade); Image - Sugar Nellie (Gorjuss - Up, Up and Away); Sentiment - CTMH; Liquid Glass - CTMH; Coloured with Copics.

And a bonus card - not for challenge... just for fun (and for the CBCF card sale)

Card Base - dollar store; DP - MME (Laundry Line) & Basic Grey (Lemonade); Image - Sugar Nellie (Gorjuss - Poppy Fields); Sentiment - Fiskars; Coloured with Copics.

Thanks so much for poppin' by... I hope y'all have a GREAT day!

365 Cards - Day 70 & 71

2010-05-09T23:53:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend! Craftiness ensued, starting with my first Copic class on Saturday. What a hoot that was! After that, I've been practicing my colouring, and making cards. I've got to get that inventory up. Last year I sold about a hundred cards - with $4 from each one benefiting the CBCF. This year, I want to raise at least $500, but I can only do it if I actually have them made! The 365 Cards challenge keeps me motivated to make at least one card every day...

Day 70 - Super Sketch Sunday

Kraft Cardstock - Paper Source; DP - Anna Griffin; Sentiment - CTMH; Stickles - Lime Green

Day 71 - Do that Decade - 1920's

When I think 20's, I think flappers, the Charleston, and Coco Chanel. Although this picture of Coco was taken in the 40's, the inspiration is flapper with the pearls.

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics; Sentiment - Fiskars; Velvet Flowers - 7gypsies; Pearl Brad - Little Yellow Bicycle; String Pearls - from the stash.

Well, it's off to bed with me... another weekend bites the dust, and it's back to the ol' salt mines tomorrow. Dang!

Have a great week - and thanks for poppin' by my blog!

365 Cards Catch-up

2010-05-09T20:51:00.000-07:00

Well... almost a catch-up... I haven't done today's challenge yet - but it looks like a great sketch, and you know how I feel about those Super Sketchy Sundays... :D

Day 67 - 3 L's

Love - wedding/ anniversary theme

Leaf - check, right there under my fabric roses

Lace - yippers

Day 68 - 3 C's

Circle - yup

Cross-stitch - I don't do cross-stitch, but my mom had given me this lovely little piece a few days ago - perfect! (Thanks Mom! It's gorgeous!!!)

Cream - the needlework is done on cream fabric

Day 69 - 3T's

Twine - check

Tree - Digistamped :)

Triangle - ha ha ha... added as an afterthought to the upper and lower right corners

Bonus card - I love the new "Hope" digistamp from Whimsy Haven, so I made another just for fun!

3 L Anniversary Card: Cardstock - Bazzill Basics & CTMH; DP - My Minds Eye "Laundry Line"; Sentiment - Fiskars; Pearls - Kaiser Craft; Flowers - recycled from old hat; Pins - dollar store; Glimmer Mist in Iridescent Gold.

3 C Card: Cardstock - CTMH & Bazzill, DP & brads - unknown from stash; Sentiment - Fiskars; Needlework - by Marilyn Klapwyk.

3 T + bonus Card: Cardstock - CTMH & Bazzill; DP - Daisy Bucket Designs "Sweet Marabella"; Sentiment/Image - Whimsy Haven Digistamps; Flowers - Prima, coloured with Copics; Ribbon, twine & brads - from stash.

Jacksonbelle Tuesday Challenge

2010-05-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

Quick post... then off to work!

This was made in response to a photo inspiration challenge from the Jacksonbelle Embellishments Blog

I actually made this a full day ago, but since I Stickled the living daylights out of it - I had to lay it flat to dry for a long, long time. LOL

This was a labour intensive card... but it was cheap! Dollar store paper & dollar store flowers & hand-me-down-been-around-here-forever beads.

Dang! .... hi-ho-hi-ho.....

Carolyn's Craft Room

2010-05-05T01:10:00.000-07:00

365 Cards Day 65 - 3 A's

Anniversary - I don't have any stamps for that, but this card'll do!

Alpha Stickers - the "I" and the "U"

Arc - the two corners... cut into a gentle arc by my Creative Memories corner cutter.

Cardstock - Paper Source; DP - Basic Grey "June Bug"; Alpha Stickers & pom ribbon - stash; Card Stickers - Basic Grey "June Bug"; Die Cut Hearts - Basic Grey "Mellow"

365 Cards Day 66 - 3 W's

White - check

White Space - lots o' that

Wings - my little bee has Stickled ones

Card Stock - Bazzill Basics; Bee Stamp - Penny Black; Sentiment - Technique Tuesday; Staedtler pigment liner & Diamond Stickles.

Now... the newly organized craft room :D

The hubster hung shelves so I could have more table space - and he hung my new ribbon organizer (how much do I love that thing?!!!)

I always told my daughters that when they moved out I was making a craft room....

I absolutely love this space... but truthfully, it hardly ever looks like this. You see, I'm a messy crafter. It's true. Stuff. Everywhere. You should see it now (or maybe not) LOL

I'm heading for bed. I stayed up to the wee hours again, and I'm going to be sorry at work tomorrow. Oh well, an extra coffee and I'll be fine. ~ Carolyn

365 Cards - Day 64

2010-05-03T20:30:00.000-07:00

Pam is indeed in a silly mood over at 365 Cards, as she starts a week with a TRIO theme. Today's specific 3 challenge: 3 Fs Fairytale, Fringe & Favourite colour. Here's my entry:

If you could lift off the sentiment, you'd see that I actually bled for my art! LOL I cut my finger opening a bottle of wine. It felt wonderful to sip the lovely red wine while I worked. ;^)

Fave Colour: Teal

Fringe: just a bit under the sentiment

Fairytale: 3 stamps used were from one of my favourite sets - Tim Holtz's Fairytale Frenzy Collection (that may be considered stretching the rules, but I'm a rebel!)

Kraft Cardstock - Paper Source; Teal Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; DP: Basic Grey; Flower - Dollar Store white flower lightly painted with Stampin' Up Pastels & water; Ink - Versafine Imperial Purple & Distress Ink Scattered Straw; CTMH Gold embossing powder with Versamark.

I wonder what Pam has in store for us tomorrow? 3 Q's? 3 Papers? 3 Blind Mice? Whatever it is - it's sure to be fun. Come on and play along :)

~ Carolyn

365 Cards - Super Sketchy Sunday (Day 63)

2010-05-02T12:23:00.000-07:00

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I love Sundays at 365 cards. Pam's sketches are always challenging and fun to do. Here's this week's sketch:

...and here's my entry... I deviated somewhat from the sketch... but I wanted to put that darn monkey in the bottom corner! :p

(Cardstock: Paper Source & Bazzill Basics; DP - Sassafras Lass; Die Cuts - Silhouette)

I still had the Basic Grey "Mellow" die cuts out from yesterday's challenge... and had some left overs - so I made another card (not for a challenge... just to go into the CBCF fundraiser)

Well, back to the craft table. I've been making cards all weekend, but haven't made the one that I'm needing to make... a card for my colleague and his beautiful wife - who just had twin girls.

Have a crafty day!

~ Carolyn

Crafty Saturday

2010-05-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

I love Saturdays...I slept in...
I vacuumed half the house before I decided that paper was far more interesting than dust...
Me and the hubster drove to the craft store, where he didn't complain one iota as I daydreamed and bought more than I went there for in the first place...
Previously mentioned wonderful hubster made me dinner while I crafted... and no, it wasn't hot dogs...
The Vancouver Canucks are trouncing the Chicago Blackhawks 5-0...

What an awesome day! :)

Here's what I made:

nabelle Stamps, Basic Grey, birthday, Burlap, Ladybug and Friends, Pile It On, Secret Crafter

This one's been entered into 4 different challenge blog:

365 Cards - Day 61: Circles 3 Ways (card shape, button & pearls)
Annabelle Stamps: Say it With Pearls
Pile it On: Make it Sweet (sentiment)
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge: Friendship

(Cardstock - Bazill and Paper Source; Image - Ladybug and Friends; Sentiment - Technique Tuesday; Ribbon - May Arts; Pearls - Kaiser Kraft (coloured with Copic E04; Button - stash)

This one's entered into 1 challenge:

365 Cards - Day 62 : Look Who's Talking (using speech or thought bubbles)

(Cardstock - Paper Source; Burlap; Die Cuts - Basic Grey "Mellow"; Speech Bubble Big Brads - Dollar Store; Happy Birthday Confetti; Woof - CTMH Atomic lower case)

Cheers ~ Carolyn

365 Cards - Day 60

2010-04-29T01:49:00.000-07:00

At the end of this challenge "All that Glitters" is.... me.

No, really, I look like one of those ridiculous glittery vampires - without the annoying teen angst. (I'm an Anne Rice fan & don't enjoy the new, glowy version of vampires)

The challenge was to include 3 colours of glitter on our card. I went abstract with a glue pad, 6 different circle stamps, 2 Silhouette cutouts and 7 colours of glitter (Hooray for dollar store glitter!). I left the card sentiment-less, so the giver can decide on the occasion (and on the card orientation).

It was fun, and now that it's done, I'm going to hit the proverbial hay... it's almost 2 a-freakin'-m. Insomnia got the better of me tonight, but I should be able to sleep now that I've had a little card fun (and a nice cup of Sleepytime Tea)

Have fun getting glittery! ;-)

Carolyn

365 Cards - Day 59

2010-04-28T20:11:00.000-07:00

Today's challenge: Moving Parts

I was completely WOWED by Kim's example. Man, that girl's got some crazy creative streak! LOL My card's got one moving part - the propeller (and that doesn't move that easily, either, despite using an eyelet in the prop to allow the thing... in theory... to move freely over the brad)

Despite it's sad lack of independent movement, I really like this card. I think it's fun and would be a cute one to give to a little girl or boy, who likes to dream big...

Cheers!

Carolyn

365 Cards - Day 58 + more

2010-04-27T21:06:00.000-07:00

It is really fun to see how the other ladies interpreted Pam's challenge called "Crazy 8's" She was looking for us to incorporate 3 quantities of 8 on our cards. LOL Put down that coffee, Pam... back away from the Kahlua.

Any how, here's my contribution. 8 birds, 8 presents, 8 jewels. CAS... and go figure, I completed a Christmas card before December 15th! (Now watch me misplace it or forget it and have to make another one anyway)

I've been very busy with the cardmaking - not just the challenges - gearing up for the breast cancer fund raiser in the fall. I sell my cards for $5 each, with $4 from each one going to my Run for the Cure team at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Here are a few of my latest not-for-challenge creations. I'm not very confident about my colouring, but I'm practicing and hoping to improve my technique. I'm taking a Copic class next week, and I'm really excited about it!

Thanks for dropping by...

Carolyn

365 Cards - Day 57

2010-04-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

Today's challenge: Ad Inspired.

DT Gloria picked selected this pic as her challenge. Such a striking photo - and so much inspiration (plaid, colour, baby, turtles, monograms).

I was inspired by two things... the white cribs and the fact that I had a Silhouette cutting pattern of a crib that I was dying to try out! Score! Perfect excuse to pull out the Silhouette SD. It did a bang-up job cutting out the layers of the crib (I could never even dream of being so precise - I think I need stronger glasses) and it was fun to layer the pieces to make 3D cribs... so fun, in fact, that I made two. :D

I tried to Picnik my photos to make the colours true-to-life, but I just couldn't get it right. Lighting in my craft room is terrible... That'll be the next upgrade.

My wonderful hubby just put shelving up and I'm ridiculously organized (we'll see how long that lasts!)

Cheers!

Carolyn

365 Cards - Days 54 - 56

2010-04-25T15:51:00.000-07:00

Day 54 - Fancy Folds

The challenge was to create a "Joy Fold" card, which I had never done - but I certainly was inspired by the examples from Sophie and the other participants (one benefit from being late to post). I had so much fun that I made two! :D

For both I used the "Earth Love" DP from Cosmo Cricket. I really like the soft colours in this line - they work beautifully with the kraft card stock I just ordered from Paper Source.

Day 55 - On Pins and Needles

We needed to incorporate pins as decoration and needles for the purpose of stitching somewhere on the card - otherwise anything goes. I kept with the sewing theme of pins and needles and created this card using the "Material Girl" line of paper from Cosmo Cricket. (LOVE!) This one will go to Mom, who loves quilting and other needlework... both Mother's Day and her 70th birthday next month...

Day 56 - Super Sketchy Sunday Pam's sketches are always fun! Hope you like my take on it!

I've been having some trouble leaving comments on other people's blogs (sometimes it works, but most of the time it doesn't) I love looking at everyone's entries, and I am very inspired by everyone's unique take for a single challenge. I just wish I could leave y'all a note to let you know how you've inspired me...

Thanks for poppin' by!

365 Cards - Day 50 & 53... and more

2010-04-22T22:31:00.000-07:00

I've been making cards - honest! I just misplaced the darn camera. Now that I've found it, I've already packaged most of the ones I've made in the past few weeks and set them aside for the Breast Cancer fundraiser. But there are a few to share with my fellow handmade card enthusiasts :) (Then they'll be packaged for sale, too!)

This one was from Day 50 - a challenge called "Digging Deep" had us digging to the bottom of our stashes. I had just organized my craft room (thanks for the shelves, Harvey!) so I was so ready!

1) An item that is more than a year old (photo of my parents' wedding - June 10, 1960)
2) Something that you were given that you have never used - this could be from a swap or a gift, but it has to have come from someone else. (lace collar from my Mom)
3) Something you forgot you had. (dollar store wedding bands)

I also had fun with today's Day 53 challenge "Front, Back & Everything in Between"
This was also a product of the craft room cleanup. I found a set of clear stamps called "Mindscapes" by Inkadinkadoo that I had purchased a year ago - and hadn't even opened! I love the fairy butterfly, but I wanted to try something a little different, so I used a glue pad instead of an ink pad and used MS Onyx glitter. I LOVE the result!

True to the challenge, I made sure to decorate the inside (stamped & trimmed with a red Swarovski crystal) and the envelope flap. The back of the card is, like all my handmade creations, signed.

This was a simple, simple card to make - and I loved the effect so much that I made more with different colours. :D

365 Cards - Day 31: All Mixed Up

2010-04-01T07:44:00.000-07:00

Here's the challenge: Take an image (digi, stamp, etc.) and break it down into thirds - 1/3 no color, 1/3 patterned paper, 1/3 hand colored (markers, colored pencils, chalks, paint, etc.).It doesn't have to be in perfect thirds, just broken down into three parts.

This one was certainly a challenge, but I had the luxury of finishing my card late, so I could glean some ideas and inspiration from the other participants. Wow, there are some talented ladies out there in the blogosphere, not the least of which was the 365 Cards Design Team member, Kim. Her card's a real stunner. Check it out.

My card started with a cute little 'Stampin' Up' image, stamped on white card stock and again on DP (for her dress). I coloured her hat and skin - and it was very hard not to watercolour the sky and grass, but I restrained myself in the spirit of the challenge! I did, however, have to add a bit of FlowerSoft for effect. Ribbon, twine, funky purple paper, and a wonderful birds on a wire stamp from Artistic Outpost.

I also spent a bit of time making a couple of baby cards for a colleague and his wife who have a brand new baby boy. No, he doesn't need two, I just kept cutting and pasting until I had two cards. I'll use one now, and save the other for the next baby. :)

Thanks for poppin' by.
-Carolyn

Carolyn's Return to the Craft Table....

2010-03-27T16:51:00.000-07:00

Where does the time go? I thought it was a few months since I'd last sat down to post on the blog - but it's been half a year!! Holy Schmoley! Why is it that the older I get, the faster time flies?

Life has been hectic, and I've been feeling kinda crazy lately, but instead of calling a shrink, I do what makes me feel best - I pull out my paper and glue and get crafting! Somehow, taking the time to create makes me feel, if not sane, at least at some kind of tentative peace with the madness.

Here's my therapy for today:

365 Cards - Challenge 27 "I'm Touched"

The card must have 8 elements (not including background paper) and each element must overlap at least two others.

Crazy difficult challenge! I've only succeeded if I am allowed to call each individual colour of ribbon as a separate element. I kinda like the weaving effect - but it sure was time consuming!

365 Cards - Challenge 26 "Card Recipe"

The ingredients for this recipe are:
5x5" card
3 circles
2 squares
Ribbon
Sentiment
and the toughest part of all... nothing else!

I also played around a bit with my Silhouette, cutting the word 'Celebrate' out twice for a shadowed effect. Not for a challenge... just for fun. :D

365 Cards - 3 Day Catch-up Extravaganza!

2009-09-19T14:59:00.000-07:00

I love Saturdays. It's 3 in the afternoon and I'm still in my PJs. Slept in, watched TV, made cards, blog surfed... ahhh. I was 3 days behind in challenges for 365 Cards, but my paper-play-time this morning catches me up!

365 Cards Day 201 - One, Two, Buckle my Shoe: any shoe will do as long as it's on your card.

I only have one shoe stamp! Luckily, I'd just purchased this digi-stamp beauty about a week ago from Sketc hing St amper Christine Dark. I LOVE it!

Cardstock - CTMH; Design Papers - Basic Grey & K&Co; Coloured with Prismacolour Blue Slate & CTMH Watercolours; Crystals - Swarovski; Stickles in Dark Blue; Ribbon, flower & brad - from stash;

365 Cards Day 202 - Once Upon a Time. The challenge is to take inspiration from your favorite fairy tale - well, actually, any one will do even if it's not your favorite.

This one was inspired by one of my favourite tales of all time... a rather modern fairy tale called "The Paper Bag Princess" by Robert Munsch, in which the princess defeats the dragon with her cunning, and in so doing saves the prince from being eaten.

When the prince tells her she looks a mess after her adventure, she replies "Ronald, your clothes are really pretty and your hair is very neat. You look like a real prince, but you are a bum." And they didn't get married after all.

I scanned one of the illustrations (by Michael Martchenko) in and printed it out, so I could 'pop' the dragon.

I also used liquid glass on the princess to give her dimension, and tiny bits of cotton off of a Qtip to fluff up the dragon's smoke. I gave the dragon some sheen ('cuz dragons are really pretty) with green Stickles, and popped the whole scene on - yes - a paper bag!

365 Cards Day 203 - Feeling Lucky. (Well do ya, punk?!) Today's challenge was to put a symbol of luck on your card.

I chose a lady bug. I had this cute "T is for Transparent" Penny Black stamp in a set called "Bubbly". So cute... I just adore that little hedgehog!

Cardstock - CTMH; Design Paper - Basic Grey; Dry Embossing - Cuttlebug (Swirls & Swiss Dots); Scalloped Circles - Nestabilities; Image - Penny Black; Watercolours - CTMH; Ribbon - from stash; Sentiment - computer generated (font: Heartbreaker - free download);

It feels good to be caught up on my card challenges - now I'm going to go get caught up on my housework. Cards first, house second... I have my priorities straight !! LOL!!

365 Cards - Challenge 200

2009-09-16T22:39:00.000-07:00

365 Cards Day 2oo - It's what's inside that counts.
The inside of your card, that is.... the theme is "I miss you"

On the inside of the card, there should be a message with those words or something similar. On the front of the card, there should be an image that adequately conveys that message without a sentiment on the outside.

I chose one of my fave stamps - he's a sad and funny little giraffe stamp. He does look kinda lonely. I cheated a bit on the sentiment thingy by putting 2/3 of the word "fun" on the front. Live dangerously, right Gloria?!! The punchline's inside the card, so I contend that it fits the challenge!

Cardstock - Bazzill; Design Paper - Basic Grey; DieCuts - Basic Grey; Image - Dog Gone Stamps; Watercolour pencils - CTMH; Diamond Stickles & mini buttons from stash.

Thanks for stopping by my little space in Blogworld.
See you later, I'm off to catch some Zees.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

365 Cards - Challenges 198 & 199

2009-09-15T21:20:00.000-07:00

I've been stewing on 365 Cards' challenge # 198 for a few days now. The challenge for the day was to create a mosaic. Now you can do this a couple of ways. Nice clean cuts of paper to create even shapes OR lots of different shapes, sizes and patterns. Either way you choose to do it, piece together a mosaic on your card.
I simply went to my scrap bin and cut approximate 2 cm squares and pasted them on as a random background for my popped Silhouette-cut sentiment. I really like the way it turned out - and just know I'll be using this technique in the future (my mum's a quilter, and I think she'd appreciate the quiltiness of the look)

I'd list the papers... but I simply don't remember the manufacturer for each of these. I cut up 14 different random scraps.

As hard a time as I had when I read mosaic, 365's next challenge made me laugh out loud. Seriously, Pam must be working overtime to try to stump us! It's awesome!!! They're called challenges for a reason, I suppose.

Challenge # 199 - Shape Up.... and today's shape is....a hexagon! That should be the dominating shape on your card.

Tammy's example was truly inspiring, as were some of my co-participants. I'm glad I had the luxury of finishing my card late - I really needed the inspiration! I decided on a little boys card - inspired by a set of stickers my daughter, Allison, gave me. The hexagonal card with a blue hexagonal cog - and a friendly robot saying hello. Kind of a fun boy card, I think.

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics; Design Paper - BoBunny; Robot Stickers - K&Co; Letter Stickers - Making Memories; Screwhead Brads - Michael's;

G'night....

One Card - 4 Challenges

2009-09-14T21:34:00.000-07:00

I started this card with every intention of including 5 challenges - but I couldn't fit 365 Cards' mosaic challenge on here. Dang! I tried... I cut up a luscious red heart and had it ready to glue on, but it just looked like a broken heart... which was NOT the look I was going for... so I skipped it. I've got mini hearts (cut in two), but somehow they worked... but unfortunately, they hardly qualify as mosaic.

Here's the list of Challenges met:

Unscripted Sketches #23
Cupcake Craft - Pearls & Swirls
Three Clovers - Letter or Letters (but no words)
Pile it On - Black, White + one more colour

Cardstock - Bazzill Swiss Dots; Design Paper - BoBunny; Pearls - KaiserCraft; Flourish & XO border cut with Silhouette.

I'll have to work on the 365 Challenge later this week. I'm dead tired now - work's a little overwhelming. September's the end of the fiscal year at work - and I'm soooo close to making my sales goal. Work (and therefore, life) will be a little hectic for the next two weeks (but hopefully, I'll still find time to play with paper and glue!)

Thanks for checkin' out my blog!

Get Sketchy # 5

2009-09-13T21:55:00.000-07:00

What a fun sketch by "Get Sketchy"! The design team projects are gorgeous - and I couldn't help but be inspired. Besides, I love working from a sketch!

I did flip the sketch upside down, though. The proportions of the circle on the left appealed more to me for some reason. That, and I could have my owl peering to the left, like he couldn't wait to see what was written on the inside of the card...

The bonus challenge was to make your own embellishment. The lovely crocheted flowers are by Paper Blooms, so I can't take credit for those. I did, however, cut the branch out freehand, so hopefully that counts for something! (The owl was cut by my Silhouette)

Design Papers - Basic Grey "Mellow"; Cardstock - various from stash

It's late Sunday night, and this concludes a very wonderful weekend. While I'm sad to see it end - I sure enjoyed it while it was here... and now another work-week begins. I sure hope it's a good one!

Blessings,

365 Cards - Challenge 197

2009-09-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

365 Cards Challenge#197 is Super Sketchy Sunday + this will also be entered into Simon Says Stamps Challenge "Oriental"

I love Pam's sketches - they're a hoot to work from, and really stretch those creative 'muscles', so to speak. This one is no exception, and once I got past looking at the oval as a giant orange football, I could see lots of possibilities (it's funny how the brain tries to de-code an abstract image with an easily recognized shape, isn't it?)

The image is a digital stamp from Sassy Design Studios "Oriental Princess" I just love her.

I printed the image three times in order to paper piece... on white watercolour paper, on red for her obi and on a piece of gorgeous origami paper (it's a fibrous, almost fabricky paper) which makes her kimono vibrant - I am very pleased with the result.

Last step: CTMH Liquid Glass made her hair and obi shine.

Cardstock - Bazzill; Bamboo Paper - Imaginisce;

I had a great day yesterday with my friend, Betty. Our makeovers were a hoot! We were completely over-done for our casual burger / beer lunch and scrapstore invasion - but it was awesome! Fun with friends and new paper... can a day get any better than that? :D

Thanks for poppin' by the ol' blog. Now I'm off to see what y'all have done in response to the 'big orange football' challenge!

365 Cards - Challenge # 196

2009-09-12T09:26:00.000-07:00

Today's Challenge at 365 Cards is called: Just a Touch... And here's the specific challenge: Using a stamped image (ink or digi), use black on white, and just add a touch of color somewhere. I'm going with the "less is more" theory on this one!

OK, so my finished product doesn't exactly adhere to the 'less is more' part of Pam's edict. The image does, though, so that must count for something!

I started with an image/sentiment from Stampers Anonymous by Tim Holtz and just coloured in a few sun rays and the heart with my Staedtler markers. I noticed that I smudged the stamped impression AND managed to get inky fingerprints on the bottom. I had to laugh - and leave them there - after all, isn't that the message of this sentiment?! :D

I wanted funky, so I pulled out my June Bug papers and went to town.

Cardstock - Bazzill; Design Papers & Glazed Brads - Basic Grey "June Bug"; Image - Stampers Anonymous; Ink - VersaFine Onyx Black; RicRac - Rusty Pickle; Burlap - Dollar Store

Well, I'm off! Meeting my friend Betty and going for a makeover! When we're both stunning, we're going for lunch and then off to Precious Memories for some shopping. Gotta feed my paper habit. Yay!! I LOVE weekends!

I hope you're all having a great day!

Basic Grey Inspiration + Mojo Monday Sketch

2009-09-11T18:57:00.000-07:00

It's Challenge # 3 at the Basic Grey Challenge Blog, and I've been mulling over this inspiration picture for a week now.

I was thinking that it was little too Martha Stewart-y (LOL, go figure) to work with the Basic Grey products in my stash. I've only been card-making for a year and so far, my Basic Grey stash leans toward the funky side of BG's line... I have the Obscure, Recess and June Bug paper collections + a few sheets of Wisteria. My BG wish list is HUGE! I love their papers!

It's taken a week, but I finally found a paper that worked. June Bug. I know... you're going "what?!" The June Bug line has all those funky, bright colours and patterns. This blue/green paper was the back side of the aptly named "Kaleidoscope" paper. It reminded me of the soft green of the wall, the teal on the bedspread - and although the picture doesn't quite reveal the fine details in the paper, it's also got hints of yellow such as on the pillow and on the flowers (both real and quilted) in this room.

Another inspiration taken from the photo is the wainscotting on the lower walls. I decided to use my handy-dandy ScorPal (I LOVE my ScorPal!!) and make a few paper panels of my own - to match the sketch for week #103 for Mojo Monday.

Add a Basic Grey June Bug glazed brad, a bunch of paper flowers, and a tidy little sentiment from Stampendous... and voila: two challenges in one card!

Design Paper & Glazed Brad - Basic Grey "June Bug"; Sentiment - Stampendous; Ribbon and Paper flowers - Dollar Store; Ink - Martha Stewart "Ocean"; Stickles Diamond.

Blessings Blog-friends!
I hope you have a lovely weekend!!

365 Cards - Challenge 195

2009-09-11T02:18:00.000-07:00

365 Cards Day # 195: Pretty Pattern

Today's challenge is all about Gingham. But you won't be surprised, I'm sure, that this is not a simple challenge. Create a piece of clothing with gingham as the pattern. You can stamp it, print a digital image, hand-draw it, or whatever you wish to do.

No, Pam, I'm not surprised. LOL

It's 2:00 am... I was in bed, but I couldn't sleep. Work stress, life stress, card ideas... swimming in my head as I lie wide awake. I thought I might as well get up and get something accomplished! Dishes, dusting, laundry all need doing, or I could log on remotely to my work computer and get a head start on my day tomorrow.... nah... paper and glue... craft room calling...

Yeah, I'm no Betty Crocker, that's for sure... and my card today kind of reflects my personal views on domesticity: "Know what I'm making for dinner tonight?"

The inside reads "Reservations!"

Cardstock - Bazzill; Design Papers - Paper Studio "Hot Pink Gingham" & American Crafts; Pearl Earring - Kaiser Craft; Shiny Belt - Sharpie & CTMH Liquid Glass; Image - clip art; Sentiment - Computer Generated (Magneto font - free download);

Hope y'all have a GREAT day!
Blessings,

365 Cards - Challenge Catch Up

2009-09-09T22:53:00.000-07:00

Ah, finally... time in my craft room! I've been battling a cold for the past week, and the last few days when I got home from work, I was wiped out with no strength for cards (how pathetic is that!) I'm feeling better today, though - thanks to a ton of sleep, and regular drops of disgusting oregano oil. Blech!

I caught up with yesterday's and today's cards - and went to post and noticed that Pam had put tomorrow's challenge up (it's helpful being on the west coast), so I got back to work and did that one, too! I'm caught up into the future!! Ooooh, freaky.

Challenge 192 - So Sweet: The word 'sweet' had to appear on our card.

This card was actually planned out in my head a lot different than it turned out. Once I stamped this gorgeous image from Ladybug and Friends, framed it and placed it... the embellishments I planned just didn't work. They seemed only to detract from the image.

And so, my submission for this particular challenge is pared down and simple - image, (slightly crooked) sentiment and a single brad.

I think this would be a very sweet card for any special someone... lover, friend or child.

Cardstock - Bazzill; Image - Ladybug & Friends; Sentiment - Technique Tuesday; Brad - stash.

Challenge 193 - Card Recipe:
5x5 Card
4 different patterned papers
3 blossoms
1 stamped (ink or digital) image
5 rhinestones
The sentiment is up to you

I find recipes fun, but challenging - not for the ingredients allowed, but for the ingredients not listed. I am pleased with the result this time, though.

I gotta admit, however, that this is the second attempt. The first card I made was fine, but I couldn't resist adding things that weren't in the 'recipe' (that's actually the way I cook, too)

The first card's been given away already... and I didn't take pics. Oh well. C'est la vie!

Cardstock - Bazzill & DCWV; Design Papers (clockwise from top left) SEI "Bridgeport", Paper Studio "Hot Pink Gingham", Basic Grey "Eva - Courtier", BoBunny "Green Dot"; Flowers - Prima; Image - Artistic Outpost "Bluebird"; Sentiment - PennyBlack (I think); Rhinestones - Swarovski (2 black in flower, 3 white on corners;

Challenge 194 - Imagine This: Technology

The specific challenge was to see how technology inspires you...

Oh, I'm not much of a techno-dweeb... I love this whole blogging thing, and I work at a software company - on a computer for 8 hours a day... but I don't know the inner workings, can't program in the simplest of languages and am not in the least bit interested to learn. Which means that I'm completely out of my league in most of the conversations at work. LOL That's OK... I sell the stuff - I leave the programming to others.

This card actually features a software CD from my company. It's an old version of our software, so it was going to be destroyed... I 'saved' it (and a dozen of it's friends) because I knew I'd put it on a card one day! Voila!!

Cardstock - Bazzill; Design Papers - Basic Grey "Obscure"; Images (main & bg) - Artistic Outpost "Geek is Chic"; Letter Stickers - Basic Grey; Metal 'screw' brads - Michael's; Metal mesh - Dollar Store;

Thanks for stopping by for a visit. I hope you're having a great day.

365 Cards - Challenge 191

2009-09-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Statutory holidays!! I woke up this morning at 8 am (which is usually when I start work) rolled over and hugged my hubby and thought "I'm getting paid for this"

The challenge of the day over at 365 Cards is: Musical Monday & our cards were to be inspired by Chantilly Lace (the song by The Big Bopper)

My stash is sadly short of lace, but I did find this piece in my sewing box (leftover from a Halloween costume made eons ago). I stretched it over a piece of pink cardstock & pink gingham paper and tied a big bow. An epoxy greeting "Sweet" topped it off.

The colour on the picture is off (the ribbon is not that bright) but I've given up trying to fix it.

I think this might make a lovely baby card - or it can even be used as a 'thank you', so I've left the inside blank.

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics; Gingham Paper - Paper Studio; Epoxy Greeting - Little Yellow Bicycle; Ribbon & Lace - from stash.

Today's card was supervised by my old cat Smokey (aka Schmoo) who can't say he approves because there is nothing catty about it. Perhaps I'll make a cat-themed card later for fun, but chances are he'll still have that disdainful look on his face. There's just no pleasing some people.

I hope y'all have a great day!!

Super Sketchy Sunday Challenge + PIO #14

2009-09-06T09:13:00.001-07:00

Yay! Super Sketchy Sunday at 365 Cards. I love Pam's sketches - they're always challenging and fun to work with. I'm also going to enter this card into Pile It On's challenge #14 for the week - Birthday.

I must admit that this sketch had me baffled at first, so I printed it and flipped it (I have a hard time visualizing it with my head tilted to the computer screen). For me, I thought it was fun flipped sideways - but I still wasn't sure what I was going to do until I dug through to my stash to see what I had... Paper is what usually inspires me.

I thought these little Doodlebug fishies were perfect. I bought the matching glitter card stickers - and now I'm really glad I did. I popped the stickers for added dimension and fun.

This one's too special to sell. It's going to be saved for my great-nephew...

Well, I'm off. Mom and Dad are coming over later, and I'm going to put on a pot of soup.

Cardstock - generic construction paper from da stash; Design Paper - Doodlebug Designs "Deep Blue Sea"; Glitter Stickers - Doodlebug Designs "Seaside"; Stamp - CTMH; Ink - Opalite Nordic Ice & VersaFine Majestic Blue; Ribbon - da stash.

I hope y'all have a GREAT day!!

**Yay! This card made 365 Cards' Top 3 Card of the Week!
With so many great entries every week, this is an honour indeed! Woo hooo!

A Couple of Sketch Challenges...

2009-09-05T21:43:00.000-07:00

Mojo Monday's Week 102 Sketch is gorgeous! This is one I can see myself using over and over again. It's so versatile (as you can see by the DT examples)

It's the first time I've inked up my Basic Grey mini owl stamp set... and boy, is it cute, or what?!! I'm pretty certain that if I don't send this one to my daughter (who is crazy about owls) she may never phone me again... so it's heading to you, Allison... don't you worry! Hoo Loves ya? Mummers, that's Hoo!

I started with a dollar store blank card/envelope combo; Design Paper - Sassafras Lass; Green Paper - DCWV; Scallop Circle Nestabilities; Creating Memories Circle Cutter; Mini Buttons & Ribbon - unknown origins in stash.

Unscr ipted Sketches # 22 was a lot more challenging.

There are so many elements to this sketch that, quite frankly didn't all fit on my smaller format card - so I ended up flipping the sketch and doing a pared down version of it. I do really like it though.

This card features another new stamp... this one's from Stampers Anonymous: Tim Holtz's Fairytale Frenzy set, which I adore. I've put myself on a spending freeze for a while now before the American Express card melts. LOL Between the paper addiction and the rubber stamp bliss, I'm poor, but happy!!

Once again I started with a dollar store blank card/envelope combo (6/$1 - and in great colours!!); Design Paper - Basic Grey "Wisteria" & Costco pack; Ink - VersaFine in Imperial Purple & Spanish Moss; Embossing Powder - CTMH Gold; Ribbon - from la stash;

I made one more card for no reason at all... no challenge, I mean.
I made it simply because I wanted to play some more with the Sassafras Lass paper. I LOVE this paper!! I also wanted to colour, so I inked up a Gorjuss Girl and sat her on the front of the card. No sentiment... perhaps I'll put one on later, when I decide what I want it to say.

Card Stock - Bazzill Basics; DP - Sassafrass, Basic Grey & DCWV; Watercolour Pencils - CTMH; Ribbon & Brad - from the outta hand stash.

That concludes this crafty day. Tomorrow my folks are coming over for lunch after church, so it'll be nice to just visit. I hope you're having a wonderful weekend, too.

Blessings...

365 Cards - Challenge 189

2009-09-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

Day 189 at 365 Cards is simply Charming... the task at hand: add a charm to your card.

Some of you may remember a certain Twilight challenge where I used a single earring as a charm - well, I did find the mate, and since I had already sold the card, now this one was single, too. Welcome to my disorganized little world. LOL

So, here it is... Twilight card - the sequel. This one's for Erin (a friend at work) who asked me to make an "Alice" card. After she told me who Alice was, I said "sure". (I still haven't read, nor seen, Twilight)

I hope you like it Erin!

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics; Photo source - Internet; Photo alterations - Picnik.com; Ribbon - stash; Photo Paper - HP Everyday Matte; BG Stamp - Penny Black Letter Background; Charm - stupid magically re-appearing mate to an 'already glued on card' earring.

The second card is not for a challenge... just me playing with my new "Geek is Chic" set. I LOVE IT!! OK, I work for a software company, and to say I know a lot of geeks is an understatement. This set is GREAT!!

The photo doesn't really show that Einstein's beret is glittery, though... which I think is really fun. I made a couple of these and they're going (like the majority of my cards) into the ongoing card sale at work to raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Cardstock - Dollar Store (pre-made blank cards and matching envelopes); Design Paper - Basic Grey "Recess"; Stamps - Artistic Outpost; Ink - VersaFine Onyx Black; Glitter - Martha Stewart Onyx; Brads & Twine - from stash

I hope you're enjoying your weekend so far!

Triple Challenge

2009-09-04T16:11:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! It's a long weekend. I'm going to celebrate by making cards. Who's with me?!!

This card is my entry into 3 different challenges:

Basic Grey's Challenge # 2: Colour Combo - Brown, Yellow & Pink

Get Sketchy's Sketch # 4

Pile it On: Challenge # 13 - Circles Spots & Dots (DP & Brads)

It all started with a sketch... OK, really, it all started with blog-hopping and visiting Amy Tsuruta's fun blog - where I saw the GS sketch. I do love working from a sketch, so I thought I'd give it a shot.

The hardest part for me was the colour challenge. I had the yellow and brown - but fitting pink into my layout was tough. I wanted to do a muted, distressed look and the pinks in my stash just looked too 'pink' to work. So I made my own... using Stampin' Up's Pastels, I mixed pink and brown and brushed some on my Prima flowers. The "Promise" sign was too bright, too - so I distressed it by using a brown Staedler marker. Looking at my picture, I'd say that the gold is still a little too shiny. I'll put one more coat on, I think....

Cardstock - unknown from stash; Design Paper - Basic Grey "Mellow" collection (Seasoned & Birch); Image Stamp - Ladybug and Friends; Background Stamp - Penny Black Letter BG; Ribbon - Rusty Pickle; Flowers - Prima; Ink - StazOn Timber Brown; Distress Ink - Antique Linen, Scattered Straw & Black Soot; Brads, fancy pins & Promise Tag - Dollar Store.

Thanks for popping by my blog. I'd love it if you'd leave me a quick note and let me know you were here.

Have a GREAT long weekend!

A friend sent me this by email... it was too fun not to share:

2009-09-04T09:13:00.000-07:00

Words of Wisdom for Women to Live By:

1) Aspire to be Barbie - the bitch has everything.

2) If the shoe fits - buy them in every colour.

3) Take life with a pinch of salt... a wedge of lime and a shot of tequila.

4) Go on the 30 day diet. (I'm on it and so far I've lost 15 days!)

5) When life gets you down - just put on your big girl panties and deal with it.

6) Let your greatest fear be that there is no PMS and this is just your personality.

7) I know I'm in my own little world, but it's OK. They know me here.

8) Lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself.

9) Don't get your knickers in a knot - it solves nothing and makes you walk funny.

10) Keep your chin up, only the first 40 years of parenthood are the hardest.

11) If it has tires or testicles it's gonna give you trouble.

12) By the time a woman realizes her mother was right, she has a daughter who thinks she's wrong.

Good friends are like stars... you don't always see them, but you know they are always there. Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but LIVE for today.

Now, pass this on to any girls wasting time at work, suffering from a hangover (or just suffering from life) that may need a reason to smile. :) Thanks for sending it to me, Sharmini!

365 Cards - Challenge 188

2009-09-04T00:05:00.000-07:00

It's Touchy-Feely Friday over at 365 Cards! What does that mean? The specific challenge is to use felt or flocking on your card.

I chose the flocking... and kept it simple by using DCWV's La Creme Stack! Delish neutral palette with classic patterns and texture... Of course, I had to add a bit of colour and sparkle for my Gorjuss little fairy...

Design Paper - Die Cuts With a View "La Creme"; Image - Sugar Nellie; Chipboard Sentiment - Dollar Store; Ribbon - Michael's; Rose Stickles & CTMH Watercolour Pencils.

OK, it's late... I'm snoozy, but only because I couldn't resist staying up late to get an early start on Friday's challenge AND to play with my new Artistic Outpost stamps. I want to play some more, but I do have to work tomorrow, so this quickie post and it's 'hit the hay' time!

This one's not for a challenge...it's just for fun.

Cardstock -CTMH; BG Stamp - Stamper's Anonymous Tim Holtz; BG Ink - Versamark; Designer Paper - Basic Grey; Ribbon - Rusty Pickle; Flower - Prima; Sentiment - Artistic Outpost "Geek is Chic" set; Ink - VersaFine Onyx Black; Metal Sculpting net & decorative pins - Dollar Store.

Night all...

365 Cards - Challenge 187

2009-09-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

Today's challenge is Label It - to use a label on your card. Any kind will do - when in doubt, pull that one off the can of Campbell's Soup ;)

(Pam actually inserted a cute winkie-face after this statement, which I take to mean that she had a devilish grin on her face as she was assigning this challenge)

If Pam only knew the trouble this challenge caused me - she would probably laugh. I've never met Pam, but she strikes me as a lady with a sense o' haha. I spent half the day lamenting that my hubby (I loves ya, pooks), who bought a pair of jeans last week when we were on vacation with a very cool label - canvas, screenprinted and perfect for a card... well, he threw away the label in the hotel bin, and darn that maid service... it was gone, gone, gone.

The other half of the day I was mulling over possibilities. None that really inspired me (after the disappointment of the jeans label!) I have labels from tea, coffee, soup, beans and pet food on my desk right now.

I settled on this cat food label, and a cat-themed hello card. I liked the purple. The card kinda turned out Halloweenie, but that wasn't clever or timely design, it was pure accident.

Cardstock - CTMH; Design Paper - Basic Grey; Ribbon - Rusty Pickle (purple houndstooth) & a happy trade from Sherry (black poms); Cat Cutouts - Silhouette SD; Metal sculpting net - Dollar Store; Green Stickles; Sentiment - computer generated font: Flowerchild (free download);

I'm just glad that challenge is over, and tomorrow it's FRIDAY! I'm really, really looking forward to the next 365 challenge and to this upcoming long weekend. I'm going to forgo the housework and get all inky and gluey!! Dust be damned! I've just received a shipment of Artistic Outpost stamps that I'm dying to play with!! Wooo Hooo!

Oh yeah... those jeans... hubby's butt looks HOT in 'em! Not a total loss after all. ;) (Devilish grin of my own, Pam)

Life is good.

365 Cards - Challenges 185 & 186

2009-09-02T19:03:00.000-07:00

What a great vacation!! So Grand Rapids isn't exactly Maui, but as both my daughters were there, I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else! The hugfest was completely rejuvenating (I've missed them both so much!!) and I feel great. :D

I've been busy catching up at work, and today I did a bit of catching up on card challenges, too. OK, just two of them - but it felt so good to play with glue again!

Challenge 185 at 365 Cards - Feeling Blue

The specific challenge was to have at least 3 shades of blue on our card. DT Tammy gave us yet another inspiring example with her lovely ice blue card with a glorious bow (I am bow-challenged, so I can only aspire to have a glorious bow... alas, the best I can offer is a passable bow LOL)

I am in need of some baby cards, so I chose to make a baby blue boy card in response to the challenge.

Cardstock - Bazzill; Design Paper - Rocking Horses by Karen Foster & Blue Dots by BoBunny; Ink - VersaFine Majestic Blue; Fabric Brads - Dollar Store; Alpha Stamps - CTMH;

Challenge 186 - Ad Inspired

I love the Ad Inspired challenges at 365 Cards. We are given a picture and told to go for it! The entries are so unique and varied, because each designer takes inspiration from a different part of the picture (colour, subject, mood) It's so much fun to create... and it's so much fun to feast your eyes on what others have created! Today's pic was chosen by Kristie (sexy heels, tea set & rose in a glass) and her example card is a real knockout! Love the houndstooth background and how the rose pops off the card. :D

The picture inspired for me a fantasy of music, romance and whimsy - and so my card has elements of all three.

The sentiment reads "Learn to pause... or nothing worthwhile will catch up to you."

Design Paper - unknown from stash; Black & Red cardstock - Bazzill; Flowers - Prima; Brads dipped in glue & Martha Stewart Onyx glitter; Ribbon - Rusty Pickle (black lace from the Boo collection & oversized red rickrack from the WhipperSnapper collection); Sentiment - Stampers Anonymous (Just Thoughts by Tim Holtz); Ink - VersaFine Onyx Black;

I hope y'all are havin' a great day! Blessings...

365 Cards - Challenges 171 & 172

2009-08-19T08:19:00.000-07:00

3 more sleeps, and I'm off for a week. I'm so looking forward to flying to Michigan to see my daughter, Allison!! I haven't seen her in over a year (I'm going through withdrawals). This may actually be my last post for a while - busy days before we fly off. Have fun carding without me!

365 Cards Challenge 171 was a Tueday's Trio: Triangle-Sticker-Button, you must incorporate these three things in your card.

While my card does have all three things, I'm not happy with it. I like the components - but not the way they work together... but I'm low on time, so it will have to do.

I think I'll be covering up the sticker 'hi' with another, more visible sentiment in black (to offset the dark frame)

I do LOVE this stamp though - this giraffe has attitude!! My husband laughed out loud when he saw him, too. I HAD to buy him!! Some things you just can't resist. :D

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics; Frame - Little Yellow Bicycle; Black Crackle Paint - Tim Holtz; Stamp - Dog Gone Stamps; Buttons - from stash; Stickers - Making Memories

365 Cards Challenge 172: ABCs and 123s. The details: Create a card with alphabet stickers and include at least one number. Don't have alpha stickers? If you have a stamp set with individual letters and numbers, that qualifies as well.

This was actually a very quick card for me. My friend, Kieran, sent me this image in an email, and I knew right away I had to use it for a card. I'll probably use it again, too... I can imagine all sorts of pithy captions. LOL

The inside reads "Again..."

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper - Karen Foster; Stickers - Making Memories

Work calls....gotta go

Have a GREAT day (and if I don't see you for a while, have a GREAT week!)

365 Cards - Challenge 170

2009-08-17T18:51:00.000-07:00

Pam has given us a whopper today! The challenge is called "Double Duty".

"Today's challenge is called Double Duty because I want you to make a card that doubles as something else.... examples would be a bookmark, a place card, or some sort of pocket card. HOWEVER - NO GIFT CARD HOLDERS OR MONEY HOLDERS!"

Despite a marvelous example by Gloria (a phenomenal gift bag!) I was stumped all day about what I wanted to do. I guess that's OK, since I was at work and couldn't really start anything anyhow. LOL I had brought a CD into work with all the pictures from our company picnic - and that got me thinking... CD case/card.

This one is for my Dad - family photos all cropped and edited and organized into files by date (He appreciates that sort of thing). His birthday is in October and I'll be saving this until then, so don't tell him!

The front reads: 2008-2009 Every Day Moments...
The inside reads: Wonderful Memories... Happy Birthday, Dad!

Patterned Paper - Fancy Pants (Daily Grind); Alpha Stickers - Basic Grey (Recess); Camera Sticker - Sandylion; Photo Editing - Picnik.com; Stamps for CD - CTMH; Ink - StazOn Black;

Now I'm off to see what the rest of you have done, and say hello on your blogs. :D

Have a scrappy day!

365 Cards - Challenge 169

2009-08-16T15:40:00.000-07:00

Well it's Super Sketchy Sunday over at 365 Cards. I love SSS! Pam gives us some great layouts to start with - and I love seeing how everyone interprets the same sketch and puts their own twist on it!

Isn't this a great sketch? Seriously, if you haven't already - go check out the design team's cards. Awesome!

I found today's challenge exceptionally easy - because I was inspired (again) by great paper! This paper obsession is becoming a problem. My Amex has just about reached its melting point this month. LOL

I just received this Anna Griffin Sierra cardstack in the mail on Friday, and I was itching to use it. Gorgeous! I love the matte look, and the country colours. This paper is so great with raffia - which of course I just had to use!

A metal ribbon slide from the dollar store is the final finishing touch.

Have a scrappy day!!

365 Cards - Challenge 168

2009-08-15T19:13:00.001-07:00

Day 168 at 365 Cards brings the "Touch of Toile" challenge: use toile as the background pattern.

We were given a great example by Vicky - she used actual toile fabric on her stunning card. So there I was... no toile of either the paper or fabric variety. This left me with 2 options... go shopping or go surfing. Busy day - no time to shop, so a Google search it was. I found some great examples, but very few with file sizes large enough to print a decent looking background... but the few I found were beautiful, indeed! There is something very elegant about toile.

My card started off life as a birthday card, but I decided that the flowers looked too much like poinsettias to not be Christmas. And hey, this is the first time that I've ever created a Christmas card before November! Is it sacrilege for a cardmaker to say that? Well, I said it!! :P

Cardstock - Coredinations (I was out of Bazzill Black); Toile - Internet Pic printed on HP Everyday Photo Paper (matte); Ribbon - from stash; flourishes and flowers - Silhouette; Metal Tag Holder - dollar store; Finished with Swarovski crystals & Pink Stickles.

Not for a challenge, but still lots of fun - here's a card I made this morning to thank the hosts of our company picnic - which was today... it's the reason I'm posting so late! (I usually finish my Saturday challenges first thing!)

Simple card... using Karen Foster's wonderful red-checked paper (aptly called 'Picnic Cloth') and some sushi grass from dinner last night (yum!!) The mustard container and sentiment were cut by my new Silhouette. Oh yeah, I'm lovin' that baby!! :D

Cardstock - CTMH; DP - Karen Foster; Grass - re-used sushi paper.

I hope your Saturday was as fun as mine (cardmaking and a picnic!)

See ya on the 365 blog tomorrow - it's Super Sketchy Sunday. (I love SSS!!)

365 Cards - Challenges 166 & 167

2009-08-14T17:42:00.000-07:00

:D This is me smiling from ear to ear. I've been playing with my new Silhouette digital cutter, and boy is it fun. I'm still learning the ropes and have wasted a bit of paper trying different things, but this thing rocks!! (I especially like being able to cut any font that's on my computer!!)

Anyhoo... down to business. Besides 'playing' I have made time to work in some challenges at my fave blog...365 Cards.

Challenge 166 - Card Recipe:

The challenge: Complete your card using only the ingredients below. Notice that this challenge DOES require you to include glitter:
Ingredients -
4x7 card
5 blossoms
glitter
wet embossed sentiment
3 different patterned papers

OK, this is my first go at a card recipe & I gotta tell you, that I found it tough - not really for the ingredients that are to be included - but for the ones that are absent...brads, ribbon etc.

I've used the first pp as the entire background (isn't that a luscious paper - it's flocked!) and added the 2nd and 3rd papers as the flowers themselves. I cheated and added a cut out flourish, which I glittered and ruined LOL I think the glue was drying, because most of the glitter has fallen off. Oh well... I also added glitter in the form of Stickles as the flower centres, but of course, I had to smoosh one that wasn't quite dry as I took pics. I'm skilled like that.

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics; PP - DCWV (La Creme Stack); Glitter - Martha Stewart Onyx; Stickles - Copper; Sentiment - Inkadinkadoo; Embossing - CTMH

Challenge 167 - Gift Card

The challenge was to make your card look like a beautifully wrapped present.

Well, it's wrapped... I don't know if it's beautiful or not, but it's fun and I like it! :D The paper is really bright and fun - from Bella Blvd. I had to add an intricately cut little flourish (a product of my earlier play!) and a tag laced with Stickles to add some oomph with glitter. I'm really getting behind this whole glitter thing. It's been fun.... and that prize!! The weekly prize is posted today. My word, I'm salivating at the thought of playing with those Caribbean colours! Gorgeous. One of us is going to be lucky, lucky, lucky indeed. :D
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; DP - Bella Blvd; Sentiment - Stampendous?; Ribbon - Offray

Thanks for poppin' by!

My Silhouette SD Cutter is Here!!

2009-08-12T12:06:00.000-07:00

Wooo hooo! Big fun in the old town 2nite! My Silhouette Cutter just arrived (I had it delivered to work - 'cuz basically, that's where I am during the day)Isn't it beautiful?!!
Ooooh, it's only noon and I can't wait for this day to be over! I wanna go home and play!!

365 Cards - Catch Up 163, 164 & 165 + PIO 10

2009-08-11T22:55:00.000-07:00

I was just about to post 163 & 164 and I noticed that Day 165 was just posted by Pam... so I sat back down at my craft table and made a quickie. :)

I noticed that none of these cards used patterned paper, so they'd all qualify for Pile It On's Challenge # 10! If I'd have to pick one to be entered, I'd pick this first one:

365 Cards Day 163 - Try a Technique: Masking

Truth be told, I don't use this technique a lot. Perhaps I will use it a bit more now... time will tell. I stamped the flower first, then masked it and stamped the two chains with VersaMark. A little silver embossing powder and I had the look I wanted. I turned my attention to the flower, which needed a little oomph if it was to compete with the silver chains. Glitter, baby!! :) I finished off with a pewter-coloured bead for the flower centre + a funky piece of real chain for added dimension.

Card Stock - CTMH; Flower Stamp - CTMH, Chain Stamps - Inkadinkadoo (Chain Reaction); Sentiment - Fiskars; Bead & Chain - Dollar Store

365 Cards Day 164 - Colour Scheme:

For me, this one was tough. First I tried to combine challenges with Mojo Monday. Yeah... that was a wasted hour. Piali did it - skillfully with panache... but alas, I could not.

When I concentrated on the colours alone, I could do it. I didn't have any DP with all 5 colours, so I opted for simple blocks of colour, stamped with a Penny Black background script. The bird was painted with Tim Holtz's Distress Crackle black, which looked good, but left the whole card rather flat... so I added more oomph again with glitter. While I like the result, there are definitely things I would change if I was going to do the card over. C'est la vie.

Cardstock - CTMH, DCWV; Ribbon - Offray; Chipboard Bird - Little Yellow Bicycle; Background Stamp - Penny Black; Sentiment - CTMH; Paint - Tim Holtz Distress Black; Glitter - Martha Stewart Onyx; Metal Tag - Dollar Store

365 Cards Day 165 - Shape Up: Star

Today's card (rather, tomorrow's card... I'm a west coastie, so I got to finish a whole day early!! LOL) had to feature a star as the dominant shape on the card.

Simple card! I just picked up these fun stickers at the dollar store (yeah, I go to dollar stores a LOT) I loved the colours and they were just so darned sparkly! Finish off with a satin ribbon (don't look to closely at the cut edge - my scissors are apparently getting dull) and a metal tag - and done!

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics; Ribbon - unknown from stash; Star Stickers & Metal Tag - Dollar Store; Sentiment - computer generated, font: BlackJack

Whoo hoo! That was one crafty evening... and it's nigh on midnight now, so I'm heading off to catch some zzz's or I'll be useless at work tomorrow!

Thanks for poppin' by this crazy lady's blog. :)

Basic Grey Challenge - Week 1

2009-08-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

We're heading to my sister-in-law's later... so I had some more time to play with paper and glue. What a challenging sketch posted for challenge # 1 on Basic Grey's new challenge blog!
Tough, but FUN!!

As always, the ideas for me are started with great paper... and then the ideas flow from there. One thing you can count on with Basic Grey is great paper - and great colours!

The sketch is all pretty and pink and flowery - well, I didn't go that way at all!! LOL

Todays entry is almost entirely made up of papers from BG's Obscure line, including the Design Papers, Die Cuts & Alphabet Stickers. Obscure is not really a pretty line, but it's definitely way funky - It's now disco'd, which is too bad, cuz it's fab and FUN - especially for teen cards and such... but happy for me - I got a fab deal at Peachy Cheap on it. Yay!!

I flipped the sketch and got to work.

There was no way a ribbon was going to fit on this grunge theme, so I opted for a couple of die-cut arrows. I like 'em! Same with the flower - the fun stripey cloud die cut is standing in for that.

I loved the paper so much, I decided to pop some inside the card, too. :) I'm going to save this one for my niece...

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics; Blue Card - CTMH; Design Papers - Basic Grey; Die Cuts - BG; Alpha Stickies - BG; Eyelets - from stash; Inside Sentiment - computer generated (font: Inked God - free download!!)

I absolutely adore card-making! Thanks for popping by and sharing in my fun little obsession.

Cheerio!

365 Cards - Challenge 162

2009-08-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

Challenge 162 is a Sketch. I love Super Sketchy Sundays! Today's sketch from Pam is simple, but you should see the variety of cards produced by the Design Team and the entrants. Fabulous!

I cheated a bit by adding some elements (kites) to the right side of the card - but it needed them! The card was too plain otherwise. I really like this one (I think it's fun) and I hope my nephew will, too. :)

We were supposed to add some glitter, but I didn't have to - this lovely kite paper by Best Creation is already glittery! I hope to get my glue n' glitter out tomorrow.

Cardstock - unknown; Design Paper - Best Creation Inc; Sentiment - CTMH; Ink - SU! Ruby Red; Ribbon - Offray; Metal Tab Holder - Dollar Store; Thread & Brads - from my stash.

I'm off to have a cuppa joe with Harvey, and then we're off to visit Judy (my sister-in-law, whom I adore!) If I have time later, I may try my hand at the Basic Grey challenge sketch. :)

Have a great day!!

365 Cards - Challenges 160 & 161

2009-08-08T07:48:00.000-07:00

I love weekends. I was happily up until 2:30 card-crafting because I didn't have to worry about getting up in the morning for work. Of course, I woke up at 7am anyway... just like any other day! Ha ha on me. I made these two cards last night, but was too tired at the end of it all to post them.

The challenge for Day 160 at 365 Cards: Lovely Lace

We had to add lace to our card... a little or a lot....and boy, did I have to dig to find a piece of lace... I'm not really a lacey kinda girl ~ the digging wrought an old lace collar from somebody's old dress. I actually remember finding this at a thrift shop when my girls were wee... I was going to sew it onto one of their dresses. 20 years later, it's in my sewing box unattached to anything.

After removing the old piece of dress that was still attached, I ironed it and attached it with brads to my base card - which is frosted acrylic from Shortcuts, with a diagonal dp behind.

The rest was simplicity itself... glue on two flowers, cut, distress and stamp a tag sentiment and finish with a corner rub-on.

I really like the result. I may not be a lacey girl, but maybe I'll become a lacey old lady...

Card base - Shortcuts; Designer Paper - My Mind's Eye, Signature Suite; Lace - ancient; Flowers - Prima; Sentiment - Inkadinkadoo; Rub-on - Little Yellow Bicycle

Challenge 161: Cool Collage

The challenge entailed covering our card entirely with DP and embellishments.

My entry is actually my second attempt at this challenge. The first will not see the business end of my digital camera... nor the light of day. I may cannibalize it for it's parts and use them on other cards... or just toss the whole bleedin' thing. LOL

The second attempt is much more subdued. A simple quilt of papers with a tad embellishment. Technically it fits the challenge. The base cardstock is white - and you don't see any of that, do you?

I wasn't sure what sentiment to put on this one, so I left it blank ~ inside too. I think this'll make a nice way to send a letter, although the metal charm may make mailing a tad more expensive. C'est la vie.

Card Stock - Bazzill Basics; DP - K & Co, MME (Signature Suite, Bohemia & 29th St. Market); Ribbon - Offray; Charm & Buttons - nameless from the stash.

I am so excited that I won some blog candy from the lovely Amy Tsuruta. What fun! Amy's awesome. It's her birthday... and SHE gives away presents. You know what's really cool- there are cupcake stamps in there.... yahoo! Love 'em! Not only that - I'm doing another fund-raiser (beside the ongoing card sale) for CBCF in September... Cupcakes for a Cure. To see pics of last year's event, which raised over $1,000 for the foundation, click here. Those cupcake stamps will be used to make thankyou cards for the volunteer bakers. Yay, yay, yay! Thanks Amy!

Well I'm off. I'm posting in my jammies because I have no more clean undies. LMAO I guess there's no getting around the fact that I need to do laundry and housework today. I have a heavy date with Mr. Clean. Dang!!

See you wonderful ladies tomorrow for Sketchy Sunday!

365 Cards - Challenge 159

2009-08-06T21:01:00.000-07:00

Today's challenge at 365 Cards - Setting the Scene: Indoors

Gulp! No 'indoor' stamps! I had this challenge at the back of my mind all day, and looked to Amy's example and the other entries for inspiration. Great stuff... but I had to work with what I had. I decided to paper piece a room... but had no idea what I was going to place into it to make it interesting or fun.

After work, I was paging through my stamp stash (I keep my acrylic stamps organized in page protectors in a binder) I found this cute little pup from Penny Black. I love PB's critters. Too cute.

I stamped and watercoloured him then cut him out (carefully - didn't want to lop an ear off!). The image had a rose in his mouth, but I did cut that off (intentionally) and stamped it separately... too hard to cut out the stem, otherwise! I used the wire from a paper mini flower and glued the rose head onto it and inserted it through the pups mouth. I popped him and his 'mess' to give the card some dimension. More dimension was added by using Liquid Glass on the pup's nose, rose and doo (gotta have shiny doo!)

The inside of the card reads "I messed up"

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics; DP - unknown from stash; Image - Penny Black; Sentiment - Technique Tuesday; Metal Frame - Dollar store; Watercolour Pencils - CTMH; Liquid Glass - CTMH

It's only 9-ish, but I'm heading off to bed. I can hardly keep my eyes open. No more craftin' 2nite!

'night cyber-buddies!