365 Cards - Days 35 & 36

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!

Repurposing and Keeping it Simple

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 

365 Cards - Day 353 + a Couple More

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

Challenging Challenges...

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

Purple and Orange at 365...

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;

365 Cards - It's a Colourful Week!

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

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!

365 Cards - Day 94

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

Card Challenge Catch Up

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

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

All Natural + First Attempt at Scrapbooking

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!

Carolyn's Craft Room

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 - Super Sketchy Sunday (Day 63)

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

• 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 - 3 Day Catch-up Extravaganza!

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 Sketching Stamper 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

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

Get Sketchy # 5

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 # 196

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!