I Am Thankful

I am thankful for there being such a thing as the internet.
I am thankful that someone had the bright idea to initiate a thing called a "blog".
I am especially thankful for the opportunity to be in the presence of such wonderfully talented and creative peeps.
Thank you. All of you. You are what makes this worthwhile.
That being said, I want to express a very deep and heartfelt thanks to Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge for allowing me the chance to be a Guest Designer this week! I'm so excited and honored.

Here is the card I made just for them. Please go to their blog and check out the beautiful work by all of the DT's, start working on your Easter card and enter Challenge # 76 - "Easter Stuff"!

This card will be entered in the following challenges:
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge #9 Fancy Folds
Sentimental Sundays Challenge#95 Easter or Spring

B is for Baby

I have wonderful news! Justin & Amanda (my son and daughter-in-law) are expecting their second baby!!! Chandler, my 4 year old grandson is not qiute as thrilled. He has certainly enjoyed being the center of attention, but I think the idea will grow on him.
I made this card because I'm ready for a precious little grand-daughter that I can spoil as much as Chandler. Can you tell? We don't know if it's a boy or girl yet...I'm just casting my vote.
As long as he or she is healthy, I'll be happy (but I sure would like a girl)!

Supplies used:

Michael's: all cardstock, bow, rose, pop-up dots

Recollections: (for Michael's) Encreur ink pad

Zig: 2 way glue

Fiskars: paper trimmer

Scotch ATG700: tape gun

Letterpress: debossing plate

Cuddlebug: embossing machine

Spellbinders: Label Seventeen die cuts

This card will be entered in the following challenges, then it goes to Amanda!

Friday Mashup Challenge FM51: Quilted Technique

Lollipop Crafts Challenge: #73 March Anything Goes

Make My Monday: Week 42: New life or beginnings

Thought for the Day

 

"Peace has a great deal to do with warm-heartedness and respect for the lives of others, avoiding doing them harm and regarding their lives as being as precious as our own. If, on that basis, we can also be of help to others, so much the better."

The Dalai Lama
Let us be kind to one another. Our days are short and everyday can be an opportunity to spread kindness and joy.

Dressing Screen Birthday Card

Oh my, I was so "inspired" by this photo inspiration on the Runway Inspired Challenge Blog!
They always have such fab pics and this has to be one of my favs!
Here's my interpretation....

I used Flower soft on the bodice and skirt. Paper glaze transformed my purse and shoes to patent leather.
You've got to scroll down to check out Fran's version. It's awesome! Occasionally we find something that we both want to do in our "own unique way", then share to see how different our projects turn out. It's so much fun!

Supplies used:

Colorbok: hot pink cardstock, black cardstock

Michael's: black ribbon, netting, rhinestones

Cricut: Expressions machine, Home Accents cartridge (swirls), New Arrivals cartridge (hanger)

MTC: I created the dressing room screen welding 3 rounded rectangles, adding rectangles to the bottom for legs, and applying a lattice technique

Flower Soft: Spring Mix

Internet image: shoes

Fiskars: paper trimmer

Scor-Tape: 1/8"

Scothch ATG 700: tape gun

Zig: 2 way glue

Aleene: Paper Glaze

Sentiment: Annabel Script

This card will be entered in these challenges:

Runway Inspired Challenge # 8 - McQ Fall 2012
The Crazy Challenge CCH # 112 - Add a Sentiment
Lollipop Crafts Challenge # 73 - Anything Goes
CAS-ual Fridays Challenge CFC # 45 - The Bold and the Beautiful

A Bumble Bee is Serving Tea!

Oh boy! Oh boy! There's nothing like playing with a new toy and I just got this Spellbinders Teacup and couldn't wait to use it! I matched it to the teapot and.....after searching high and low I FINALLY found my little bumble bees! I bought them 3 or 4 years ago (yeah, I know, I should've thought of something before now) so today I got to use one. Yay! The Happy Easter sentiment is French Script - computer generated.

Supplies used:

Colorbok: green cardstock, purple cardstock

Micheal's: plaid paper, all ribbon, bumble bee, gems, pop-up dots

K&Co.: floral cardstock

Cricut: A Child's Year cartridge (teapot) and machine

Cuddlebug: Die Cut machine

Spellbinders die cuts: Nestabilities Label Seventeen, Nested Tea Cups

Martha Stewart: eyelet lace edge punch

Scotch ATG 700: tape gun

Scor-Tape: 1/8"

Fiskars: paper trimmer

Zig: 2 way glue

This sweet little bumble bee has been patiently waiting for his chance to buzz on over to:

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #90 - Spring Cleaning (use some old stash)

Cute Card Thursday Challenge # 209 - Anything Goes

Paperplay Challenge # 12 - Spring Colors

Sentimental Sundays Challenge # 95 - Easter or Spring

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Bingo (Gems, Flowers, and Die Cuts)

Give them a Coach bag!

 

Okay, I figured since I really can't afford to give my friends a Coach bag, I'll do the next best thing; a Coach gift bag! This way they get a "Coach Bag" AND a gift! This was such an exciting project which came from an idea to use plaid, which is this week's DYSU challenge.

Ingredients:

Colorbok: white cardstock

Bazzill Basics Paper: Mocha Devine cardstock

Michael's: keychain, copper cardstock

Tonic: ticket corner punch

EK Success: buckle punch

Martha Stewart: scoring board

Fiskars: paper trimmer

Scotch ATG 700: tape gun

I printed the plaid onto the white cardstock, then created the "C's on Make The Cut and printed over the plaid. The bag, tag, and straps are from the brown cardstock. The tag was printed in black.

I used copper cardstock to punch the buckles.

This very fashionable bag will be on display in the following challenges:

DYSU Challenge # 64 - Plaid

Tuesday Alchemy Challenge # 6 - Anything Goes

Kaboodle Doodles Challenge # 111 - How Cute is That?

Unique Crafters Challenge March Challenge # 1 - Anything Goes

CAS

Sometimes it seems the cards I make are a reflection of how my life is going. Recently it's been busy, busy, busy...ergo, busy cards! Today I'm slowing down and bit and today's card represents my day; clean and simple.

Supplies used:

Bazzill Papers: Patina and French Vanilla cardstocks

Colorbok: cherry red cardstock

Michael's: red embroidery thread and rick-rack

Cricut cartridges: Beyond Birthdays, Home Accents

Cuddlebug: machine and Swiss dots embossing folder

Martha Stewart: button punch, glitter

Make The Cut: basic shapes- triangle

Fiskars: paper trimmer

Zig: 2 way glue

Scotch ATG 700: tape gun

This card will be entered in the following challenges:

CAS-ual Fridays CFC #44 Easy as 1-2-3

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #208 - Happy Birthday

Made Especially for You Challenge: 3 buttons

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge #75 3,2,1 recipe

You've Got a Friend

Before I get into the details involved with this card, I must tell you about my new friend. I've only been blogging for a few months, and I've truly enjoyed the opportunity to communicate with so many wonderful people who share similar interests.
Earlier today whlie working on this card, I decided to take a short break and check the blog. I was so surprised to read such a sweet comment from Amy at Scrap This, Save That. Check out her blog, she has the coolest ideas and projects! She was so kind, supportive, and genuine. We are all so blessed to have this venue that brings us together.
So, thank you, Amy, you've got a friend!

Supplies used:

Bazzill Papers: cardstock in Berry Blush

Michael's: beige, green stripe, and green brocade cardstocks, ribbon, pearl on flower

Cheerly Lyn Designs: oval lace die

Cuddlebug Die Cut Machine

Tonic: corner punch

Marvy: large petal flower punch

The Paper Studio: medium petal flower punch

Fiscars: paper trimmer

Scotch ATG 700: tape gun

Aleen: clear gel tacky glue

Dell computer and printer: sentiment

This card will be entered in the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments Challenge #50 - "Song Title" I chose one of James Taylor's famous songs.

Just Us Girls Challenge #128 - "Color Challenge"

Lollipop Crafts Challenge #72 - "Sentimentally Yours"

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #233

Stampin' for the Weekend Challenge #5 - "Photo Inspiration"

The Fascination with Feathers Challenge

 

Cath at Paper Crafts Magazine has created a fun challenge inspired from the Moxie Fab column of the March/April issue. If you haven't been to her blog, Moxie Fab World, it's a must see! Her blog is always full of wonderfully inspired crafty ideas and challenges.
Make your project (card, tag, gift bag, layout, home decor item, mini book cover, etc.) and submit by April 2, 2012 for a chance to win a "I'm Moxie Fab" button and a "Fab" prize!

This is the card I will be entering.... Is it a fascination with feathers or a fetish for hats? maybe both.

Supplies for this project:
Colorbok: white cardstock
Bazzill Basics Paper: Mud Pie (brown cardstock)
Colormates: Deep Terrific Teal cardstock
Michael's Crafts: peacock feather, black ribbon, green jewel, pop-up dots
Staz-On: Jet Black ink pad ( edging around card and sentiment- I also used it to dye the white netting I recycled from an old Halloween costume!)
Cricut: Expression machine and Heritage cartridge (hat)
Cuddlebug: embossing machine
The Paper Studio: Script embossing folder
Fiskars: paper trimmer
ATG Scotch 700: tape gun
Dell computer and printer: sentiment fonts, Annabel and Arial Greek

Mum's the Word!

 

I'm one of those people who must get everything done...right now! So, when I noticed so many blogs using Mother's Day as their theme, I just had to jump on it. Now I have one more thing I can check off my list. Yes, I'm a lst maker, too! So, here's "Happy Mother's Day" to all of you very special and creative moms out there, just a little bit early!

Supplies used for this card:

Colorbok: white and pink cardstock

Michael's: doillies, large white rose, all pearls, ribbon

Wild Orchid: all other flowers

Make The Cut: lattice pattern cut 5"x7"

Fiskars: paper trimmer

Thermogrip: hot glue and gun

Scotch ATG 700: tape gun

Zig Memory System: 2 way glue

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Paper-Crafting Journey challenge #5 "Pretty Pastels"

Top Tip Tuesday "Mother's Day or crafty buddy"

Creative Inspirations #154 "Something for Mum"

Delightful challenge "Something Special"

Crafty Purple Frog "Pink and Girly"

DYSU challenge #63 "Favorite Color"

Make My Monday #40 "Mother's Day or Thank You"

Moving Along With the Times #140 "Special Lady"

Craft-Room challenge "Shabby Vintage"

My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges challenge #48 "Mum's the Word"

Crafts and Me Challenges challenge #75 "Let's See Circles"

Playing with Ribbon

 

I had so much fun playing today!
Did you know you can emboss/
deboss ribbon? On this card I used
double sided tape to adhere the
white ribbon to cardstock the same
width, leaving about an inch over-
lap of ribbon on each side. Then,
I ran it through my Cuddlebug
using the Swiss Dots embossing folder.










Since I "embossed" the blue background
cardstock, I decided to "deboss" the ribbon to
give it a slightly different look. I can't wait to play
with this idea again!

Ingredients for this card:

Colorbok: white, blue, and green cardstock

Michael's: all ribbon except the wide white

satin (recycled from valentine

flowers bow!)

American Greetings: baby boy and caterpillar

stickers

Cuddlebug: Swiss Dots embossing folder

The Paper Studio: 2 5/16" scalloped cicle

punch

Fiskars: paper trimmer

Thermogrip: hot glue and gun

Scotch ATG 700: tape gun

This card will be entered in the following challenges:
Charisma Cardz Challenge #9 "Ribbon, Ribbon, Ribbon"
DYSU Challenge #62 "Go Green"
Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #232
The Paper Shelter Challenge "Anything goes"
Sentimental Sundays Challenge #93 "Go green or Recycle"

Party Ensembles Week

 

To promote their new and exciting book, Party Ensembles, Paper Crafts Connection blog is hosting a very special contest! The crafter with the best handmade paper-crafted party ensemble will win a giant party package!
We have until 3-16-2012, so get those wheels turning in your crafty head and enter for a chance to win!http://papercraftsconnection.com/

I will be entering these items I made for a lingerie bridal shower. Wish me luck!

Items made for this project:
Initials wall hanging
Shower invitations
3 tier cake box
Quilt scored goody purses
Candy wrappers
Topiary 3-D heart and 3-D butterfly ornaments
Green flower candies
Jordan almond tulle goodies
Mini bundt cakes
Hershey bar wrappers

Supplies and tools for this project:
Colorbok: cardstock
Martha Stewart: scoring board, glitter, daisy lace edge punch
The Paper Studio: heart punch, butterfly punch
Joann's Crafts: large white flowers
Michael's Crafts: small white roses, pearls, white pearl and flower pick (top box), ribbon, pearl picks for topiary bow, tulle, Wilton green and yellow candy melts
Cardmaking Paradise: corset template
Liquid Pearls: on quilted scored purses
Scotch ATG 700: tape gun
Thermogrip: hot glue and gun
Wal-mart: jordan almonds
Cricut: Tie The Knot and Plantin SchoolBook cartidges
Cuttlebug: victoria embossing folder
Mel Stampz: purse template
Make The Cut program: I enlarged a rectangle (to fit the sides of the large and small tier boxes) and cut it out using the lattice option.
Font: Anabel Script

Neutrals ~ So Soft and Subtle

 

It's difficult for me to pick a particular
color that's my favorite for card making
and crafts. Brights, metallics, pastels -
they are all beautiful and occasion specific.
Sometimes I'm just in a mood to tone it
down a bit with subtle neutrals.

Ingredients:
Michael's: all cardstock, ribbon
Wild Orchid: flowers
Cuttlebug: Victoria embossing folder
Make The Cut: lattice cut rectangle
Tonic: round and ticket punches
Fiskars: paper cutter
Thermogrip: hot glue gun
Audrey Hepburn: sentiment

This card will be entered in the following challenges

The Pink Elephant: TPE138 "Let's see those layers"

Less is More: Week # 57 "Neutrals"

The Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge: SSS148

CES Challenge: # 75 "Flower Frenzy"

Sentimental Sundays Challenge: #92 "Words of Encouragement"

A Special Gift Deserves Special Wrapping!

 

As you know, I absolutely love giving cards and gifts, so today I'm sharing with you a "wedding cake" set of gift boxes for a freind who will wed in June! It was so difficult to decide what to give her...so I got 3 gifts! Then, I thought of wrapping them like a wedding cake. It was soooo much fun! I can't wait to give them to her. Of course, I'll make a matching card and as soon as I get it done I'll get it posted for you to see!
Ingredients:
Colorbok- white cardstock
Joann's Crafts- large white flowers
Martha Stewart- Scoring board
Michael's Crafts- small white roses, pearls, white pearl and flower pick (top box)
Cuddlebug- Victoria embossing envelope (sides of middle box)
Make The Cut- I enlarged a rectangle (to fit the sides of the large & small boxes) and cut it out using the lattice option.
I'm entering these in:

The Blackberry Vine: Pretty Packages Party#13
Party Time Tuesdays Challenge Blog - PTT #57 "Anything Goes"
Lollipop Crafts Challenge #70 "Clean and Simple"
Unique Crafters Challenge March Challenge #1 "Anything Goes"
Make It Monday "Anything Goes"
This is a part of The Paper Crafts Creation, Party Ensemble Contest I will be entering in a few days!

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge 229

Wow! This is a great sketch challenge! It opens the mind to move in so many creative directions!

I printed the picture, sliced it, then used the same picture for the center. What fun! Thanks Mojo Monday for coming up with such a wonderful idea. http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/

Birthdays Rock!

I just adore that we celebrate the
birth of one another! Creating
a special card and gift shows
how much you care.
I made this easel card with
a drawer for a friend and
plan to slip her gift in the
drawer.....and I always
make a matching bag!

Ingredients:
Cricut: 12x24 pink pastel cardstock
Martha Stewart: scoring board
Craftwork cards: candy buttons
Fiskars: paper cutter
Thermogrip: glue gun
Versa Magic: pink, green ink pads
Marvy Punch: large scalloped oval
Michael's Crafts: flowers, lace, both
green cardstocks, pearls and netting
picks, pink pearl swirl, ribbon, knob,
green paint (for knob)
mygraphico: digital papers
This will be entered in the following challenges:
Aud Sentiments Challenge #49 "Happy Birthday"
Flutter By Wednesday's Challenge#192 "Open"- must have butterfly, fairy, or angel
Paper Shelter Challenge #53 "Fancy Folds"
DYSU Challenge #61 "Things with Wings"
Pals Paper Arts PPA130- "A Color Challenge with a Twist" lucky limeade, always artichoke, and your choice
The Blackberry Vine "Pretty Package Party" #13
The Ribbon Carousel Challenge RCC42 "Anything Goes with Avocado Arts"

My Hat's Off To You!

Last night I was looking around at all the blogs out there. So many offer not only wonderfully creative ideas, but they give all of us an opportunity to share our crafts and see fantastic works done by others.
That being said, let me present this thank you card to
all the challenge blogs! You give me such joy being
able to share my favorite hobby!
Thank you soooooo very much and today,
"My hat's off to you!"

Ingredients:

Michael's- flower, pearl in flower, ribbon, tan and brown cardstocks, rhinestones, pop-up dots, brown ink pad, feather

K&Co.- orange and brown printed cardstock

Cricut- Heritage cartridge and Expression cutting machine

Scotch ATG 700- tape gun

Thermogrip-glue gun

This card will be entered in the following challenges:

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge #74- "Photo Inspiration"

The Pixie Cottage Challenge #110- "Anything Goes"

All Sorts Challenge #143- "It's Your Choice"

2 Sisters Challenge #80- "Anything Goes"