Navy Wedding Wishes

Hi!  Well, here I am with another pre-planned post to share.  :-)  I have been crawling up to the attic to craft, but mostly it's been for my August release projects for IBS.  Glad I made enough stuff before surgery to keep the ol' blog busy until I can get back into the swing of things!  

A friend recently requested that I make a wedding card for someone special.  I begin my design process by asking questions about the bride, to find out what her general style is.  Sometimes I may take a cue from the color of the bridesmaids' dresses, too.

When I learned that the bride likes things that are not too over-the-top, glitzy and busy, but rather prefers simple, sweet styles, I thought of my go-to Grace background stamp from Market Street Stamps.  The bridal party will be wearing navy blue, so here is the result:

Grace was stamped in navy, and each little medallion was topped with a pearl.  Just had to go shopping since I didn't have the right kind of navy ribbon.  I found this satin ribbon from Offray and was smitten.

Sure hope the bride loves the card as much as I enjoyed making it for her!

I believe I can fit this card into these challenges:  City Crafter - "Summertime" (weddings definitely remind me of summer) and Word Art Wednesday - "Anything Goes" (sure do appreciate their easy peasy challenges week after week). ETA:  Moxie Fab World's Tuesday Trigger - I'm Craving Navy

Thanks for dropping by today.  :-)

Stamps: Grace background - Market Street Stamps; Love Story - Verve Paper: Night of Navy - SU; white - PTI Ink: Night of Navy - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: navy satin ribbon - Offray Accessories & Tools: pearls; Scallop Diamond border punch - EK Success

All Things Grow With Love

Hello!  Here's another preplanned post to share. Today, I've got some yellow tulips for you....no water or vase needed!  This pretty die cut from K & Co. was beautiful on its own, but I matted it with kraft cardstock, added a punched border, some twine and a little sentiment tag.  It elevated that die cut to something with a bit more 'oomph'.

Love the glitter on these blossoms.  They came that way!  The sentiment is from Fiskars' All Year Greetings.

Hope this bouquet brought some joy to your day!

Thanks for the encouraging well-wishes. :)  I am on crutches for the foreseeable future, and won't take my first step (albeit in this boot) until around August 9th. Crawling up and down stairs is getting old and i look forward to walking again.

Stamps: All Year Greetings - Fiskars Paper: Crumb Cake, Barely Banana, Whisper White - SU; pattern - Colorbok Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions Accessories and Tools: tulip die cut - K & Co.; Deco Fan border, tag punch - Martha Stewart; pearls

Butterfly Birthday

Hi there!  Just popping in to share a birthday card I made a few months ago in preparation for my surgery/recuperation, so my blog could look busy.  ;-D

The frame, stamped in Pear Pizzazz, and sentiment, stamped in London Fog gray, are from Inspired By Stamping's Vintage Frames set.  The ticking stripe stamp is by Hero Arts, making its debut here on my blog.

I'm glad I could fit this card into the following challenges:  Seize The Birthday - "Anything Goes" and Simon Says Stamp Birthday challenge.

Thanks for taking a peek today!

Stamps: Vintage Frames - Inspired By Stamping; Large Canvas Stripes - Hero Arts Paper: Sahara Sand - SU; white, Vintage Cream - PTI; floral pattern - Webster's Pages Ink: Pear Pizzazz - SU; London Fog - Tsukineko; Frayed Burlap - Ranger Fibers: white seam binding - Hug Snug Accessories & Tools: scalloped border punch - SU; Rectangle, Fleur de Lis Rectangle dies - Spellbinders; die cut stickers - K & Co.; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger

Baby, Baby, Baby!

Before school ended last month, I made a baby boy card for the custodian at our elementary school.  He became a first-time grandpa, and I just had to get the baby a little somethin'.  While I was making his card, I created several more for Arts Plus, the shop where I sell my cards.

All stamps are from Inspired By Stamping.  The sweet onesies and tiny dresses are from Oh, Baby! and Fancy Alphabet made easy work of the "baby blocks." All the little garments were paper-pieced using scraps.....never-ending scraps.  ;-)

This baby boy card is entering at Lawnscaping - "Paper Piecing", and Addicted To Stamps - "CAS" and 4 Crafty Chicks - "Let's Hear It For The Boys."

And the little princess card is entering here:  In The Pink - "Pink and Pearlie"; Charisma Cardz - "Girly".

It was almost like playing paper dolls!  Used to love that when I was little, and my girls did, too.  How about you?

P.S. There is a new post up at my photo blog, bleu hydrangea.  All the photos were taken by my 11 year old, but you'd never know.  She's got a great eye.  Here is a little sample to entice you to visit:

Stamps: Oh, Baby!; Fancy Alphabet - Inspired By Stamping Paper: white - PTI; Pretty In Pink, Bashful Blue, patterns - SU Ink: Pretty In Pink, Bashful Blue - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: honest-to-goodness bakery twine, pink satin ribbon; twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools:  square, scalloped square dies - Spellbinders; pearls 

Soft Hydrangea Beauty

Hello my friends!  How are you doing?  This is a weird summer for me, because I'm spending a lot of time cooped up in my bedroom, instead of getting outdoors to enjoy the weather.  I had reconstructive foot surgery on June 25th, and will remain non-weight bearing on it for another four weeks (groan).  Doing stairs is my greatest challenge.  My upper body is getting a good workout, since I use my bottom to go from step-to-step!  Thankfully, I set up some posts ahead of time, and I'm sharing one here today.  Enjoy!

You know how sometimes creativity just won't flow, and other times, it pours out of you as if by some magical force?  I was sitting at my desk, thinking how my mojo seemed to have disappeared, when suddenly this idea popped into my head:

When it was finished, I felt so pleased!  It reminds me of old lace my friend showed me a long time ago.  She inherited the most glorious, handmade, lace-adorned hand towels and bedding from her Italian grandmother's trousseau.  Her Nonna had a sense of elegance and grace that she brought with her to this country.  Her handiwork is truly special, and my friend is very lucky, indeed!

This embossing folder is Frame, Heart & Vines by Sizzix.  Isn't it pretty? I bought it at Hobby Lobby on clearance a few months ago.  The hydrangea is from Inspired By Stamping, and the sentiment is from their Creative Tags set.

This fits into the following challenges (if you S-T-R-E-T-C-H the imagination a little):

• Simon Says Stamp & Show - "Good to be Green" - use green, or BE green by recycling.  I used vintage twine.  Hope that counts!
• Addicted To CAS - "Water" - hey, flowers need water! 
• One Stop Craft - "Summer Colors" - well, if you have dry conditions, your grass might be the color of my card.  ;)

My family's been taking good care of me.  See what my girls plucked from the garden to adorn my bedroom?

Here's hoping your day is full of creativity and beauty!

Stamps: Graceful Hydrangea, Creative Tags - Inspired By Stamping Paper: Naturals White, Very Vanilla - SU Ink: Crumb Cake, Basic Gray - SU; Antique Linen - Ranger  Fibers: vintage thread Accessories & Tools: White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; Classic Tags die - Memory Box

Inspired By Stamping July Releases - Hexagons

It's the last Inspired By Stamping sneak peek before all the sets are available in the store tomorrow!  Today we're showcasing Hexagons. I went with a modern, gender-neutral baby card:
 

The sentiment is from a previously-released set, Big Notes III.  I stamped the hexagon border first across the patterned paper. On scraps of white cardstock, I stamped the different patterns of individual hexies with many shades of brown ink.  A few were propped up with foam stickers, as you can see in the photo below.  My kids wrinkled their noses at this card, but I like it for something different!

Be sure to see what the rest of our design team has cooked up for you:

Joanna - http://wp.me/p2QJN7-3eS

Colleen - you are here!

Deb - http://aworldofimagination-deb.blogspot.com/2013/06/inspired-by-stamping-july.html

Kendra - http://luv2scrapnmakecards.blogspot.com/2013/07/ibs-july-release-hexagons.html

Irit -http://iritshalom.blogspot.com/2013/07/ibs-july-release-day-4-hexagons.html

Leah - http://paperblossoms.blogspot.com/2013/07/hexagon-love.html

Shea - http://glitterandbonbons.blogspot.com/2013/07/ibs-new-release-hexagons.html

Pam - http://www.pammejo-scrapbookflair.com/2013/07/inspired-by-releasehappy-birthday.html

Tina -- http://woodedviews.blogspot.com/2013/07/sweet-hexagon.html

Vicki - http://allidoisstamp.blogspot.com/2013/07/inspired-by-stamping-sneak-peeks-day-4.html

 Shani http://paperesse.blogspot.com/2013/07/ibs-july-release-hexagon-sneak-peek-and.html

Stuff to know before you go:

• FREE shipping on orders over $25 for limited time only (July 10th 7 p.m. Brisbane time to July 12th 7 p.m. -- if you live in the Eastern Standard Time zone as I do, it's 5 a.m) Code: IBSJULY
• SAVE 10% when you buy the bundle of new releases
• BLOG CANDY - chances to win every day from July 6th - 10th.  Leave a comment each day at Joanna's blog for your chance!
• Check out our July Online Catalog - it's FREE!
• IBS has a Color Challenge Hop every month -- next one begins July 11th
• IBS also has a Challenge Blog Hop every month -- next one begins July 20th.
• There are FREE cut files to go with every stamp.  You can find them in the shop with each stamp set.

Tomorrow all the sets will be in the store; can't wait to show them to you!

Inspired By Stamping July Releases - Vintage Banners & Everyday Tabs

Hello there!  We're in the middle of our July release party at Inspired By Stamping, and today's sneak peeks are Everyday Tabs and Vintage Banners.  I'm showcasing Everyday Tabs, which can help you create an awesome filing system for just about anything, but it can also be used for sentiments, like this:

I filled it with a sentiment from another new release set, Happy Occasions Sentiments.

I stamped the Tab two more times, trimmed, and added to a corner as a little adornment.  The focal point, though subtle, was created with two doily stamps from the previously-released Delicate Doilies.

More inspiration for you to see here:

Vintage Banners:

Joanna - http://wp.me/p2QJN7-3eQ 

• Leah -  http://paperblossoms.blogspot.com/2013/07/vintage-banners.html

• Shea http://glitterandbonbons.blogspot.com/2013/07/ibs-new-release-everyday-tabs-and.html

• Grace http://tolmanchronicles.blogspot.com/2013/07/inspired-by-stamping-july-release.html

• Vicki - http://allidoisstamp.blogspot.com/2013/07/inspired-by-stamping-july-sneak-peeks_8.html

• Rose - http://roseshappyplace.blogspot.com/2013/07/inspired-by-stamping-july-release-day-3.html

• Shani http://paperesse.blogspot.com/2013/07/ibs-july-release-vintage-banners-and.html

Everyday Tabs: 

• Deb - http://aworldofimagination-deb.blogspot.com/2013/06/inspired-by-stamping-july.html

• Irit -http://iritshalom.blogspot.com/2013/07/ibs-july-release-day-3-tabs-and-banners.html

• Colleen - you are here!

• Calypso- http://calypsocandycraft.blogspot.com/2013/07/ibs-july-release-you.html

• Tina -- http://woodedviews.blogspot.com/2013/07/faith.html

Stuff to know before you go:

• FREE shipping on orders over $25 for limited time only (July 10th 7 p.m. Brisbane time to July 12th 7 p.m. -- if you live in the Eastern Standard Time zone as I do, it's 5 a.m) Code:  IBSJULY
• SAVE 10% when you buy the bundle of new releases
• BLOG CANDY - chances to win every day from July 6th - 10th.  Leave a comment each day at Joanna's blog for your chance!
• You can check out our July Online Catalog for FREE!
• IBS has a Color Challenge Hop every month -- next one begins July 11th
• IBS has a Technique Challenge Blog Hop every month -- next one begins July 20th
• Joanna makes FREE cut files to go with every stamp.  You can find them in the shop with each stamp set.

I'm so glad for your visit today!

Inspired By Stamping July Release - Arrows & Octagons

Welcome to our sneak peek party at Inspired By Stamping!  Today's peeks are all about Arrows and Octagons, two new July sets.  (links will begin working on July 10th, when the sets are in the store) I'm sharing a little gift I made with Arrows:

This little metal canister begged to be dressed up with pretty stamps and flowers.  The sentiment and the arrows all come from this new IBS set.  The pink paper flowers remind me of frosting roses on cakes.  So sweet!

Have a peek at our design team's creations, too:

Octagons

Joanna - http://wp.me/p2QJN7-3eO

Leah - http://paperblossoms.blogspot.com/2013/07/faithand-octagons.html

Deb - http://aworldofimagination-deb.blogspot.com/2013/07/inspired-by-stamping-july.html

Kendra - http://luv2scrapnmakecards.blogspot.com/2013/07/ibs-july-release-octagons.html

Grace - http://tolmanchronicles.blogspot.com/2013/07/inspired-by-stamping-july-stamp-release.html

Vicki - http://allidoisstamp.blogspot.com/2013/07/inspired-by-stamping-july-sneak-peeks_7.html

Arrows  

Irit- http://iritshalom.blogspot.com/2013/07/ibs-july-release-day-2-arrows-and.html

Shea - http://glitterandbonbons.blogspot.com/2013/07/ibs-new-release-octagons-and-arrows.html

Colleen - you are here!

Calypso - http://calypsocandycraft.blogspot.com/2013/07/ibs-july-release-you.html

Rose - http://roseshappyplace.blogspot.com/2013/07/inspired-by-stamping-july-release-day-2.html

Stuff to know before you go:

• FREE shipping on orders over $25 for limited time only (July 10th 7 p.m. Brisbane time to July 12th 7 p.m. -- if you live in the Eastern Standard Time zone as I do, it's 5 a.m) Coupon Code: IBSJULY
• SAVE 10% when you buy the bundle of new releases
• BLOG CANDY - chances to win every day from July 6th - 10th.  Leave a comment each day at Joanna's blog for your chance!
• You can check out our July Online Catalog for FREE!
• IBS has a Color Challenge Hop every month -- next one begins July 11th
• IBS has a Technique Challenge Blog Hop every month -- next one begins July 20th
• Joanna makes FREE cut files to go with every stamp?  You can find them in the shop with each stamp set.

So glad you dropped by today!

Inspired By Stamping July Release - Happy, Happy Occasions

Welcome to Day One of our July Release party at Inspired By Stamping!  Today we are showcasing Happy Occasions and Happy Occasions Sentiments.  "Happy" is a separate stamp that can be paired with many different stamps, such as the one I chose:  "Birthday."  It's got great mix-and-matchability.  (links will work starting on July 10th when the sets are in the store)

The smaller set, Happy Occasions Sentiments, includes many sayings to enhance your main sentiment.

Inspiration to share:

Joanna - http://wp.me/p2QJN7-3eM

Irit -http://iritshalom.blogspot.com/2013/07/ibs-july-release-day-1-happy-occasions.html

Leah -  http://paperblossoms.blogspot.com/2013/07/happy-occasions.html

Shea - http://glitterandbonbons.blogspot.com/2013/07/ibs-new-release-happy-occasions.html

Colleen - you are here!

Deb http://aworldofimagination-deb.blogspot.com/2013/07/inspired-by-stamping-july-releaseshappy.html

Kendra - http://luv2scrapnmakecards.blogspot.com/2013/07/ibs-july-release-happy-occasions.html

Pam  - http://www.pammejo-scrapbookflair.com/2013/07/inspired-by-stamping-release-make.html

Tina -- http://woodedviews.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-happy-occasion.html

Rose -http://roseshappyplace.blogspot.com/2013/07/inspired-by-stamping-july-release-day-1.html

Vicki - http://allidoisstamp.blogspot.com/2013/07/inspired-by-stamping-july-sneak-peeks.html

Stuff to know before you go:

• FREE shipping on orders over $25 for limited time only (July 10th 7 p.m. Brisbane time to July 12th 7 p.m. -- if you live in the Eastern Standard Time zone as I do, it's 5 a.m) Coupon Code: IBSJULY
• SAVE 10% when you buy the bundle of new releases
• BLOG CANDY - chances to win every day from July 6th - 10th.  Leave a comment each day at Joanna's blog for your chance!
• You can check out our July Online Catalog for FREE!
• IBS has a Color Challenge Hop every month -- next one begins July 11th
• IBS has a Technique Challenge Blog Hop every month -- next one begins July 20th
• Joanna makes FREE cut files to go with every stamp?  You can find them in the shop with each stamp set.

Thanks for coming by today!

Hello, Honeyblossom!

For my birthday this year, my friend Marie sent me this lovely die by Memory Box called Honeyblossom Sprig.  I love the impact it gives a card!  Not long after, I spent some birthday money on some more dies by Memory Box, including this sweet "hello".

A simple black and cream palette, some embossed texture, and accents like pearls and ribbon, and this card is good to go!

Tip:  Adhering slender pieces of cardstock like these die cuts can be tricky.  I used Elmer's Spray Adhesive to help them stick to the card.

Paper: Vintage Cream - PTI; Basic Black - SU Fibers: black ribbon Accessories & Tools: Honeyblossom Sprig, Hello dies - Memory Box; pearls - Queen & Co.; Kassie's Brocade embossing folder - Cuttlebug; corner rounder punch - EK Success