Dietrich Designs

Hydrangea Get Well

2012-02-12T18:29:00.000-05:00

My father-in-law is having knee surgery next week, and I made a card to send him while he recuperates.
I think he will like this card, even though it sports some chocolate pearls and a bit of satin ribbon:

I used strips of retired Stampin' Up! patterned papers on a Certainly Celery card base. In fact, except for the card base, everything on this card was a scrap, including the ribbon.

Can I just tell you how much I love the Fiskars sentiment set, All Year Greetings? I bought it half-off (so it was $4.00) at a craft store near me, with the intent of using it on a lot of cards for submission to magazines. I wound up really falling for it. The sentiments are nice, the fonts are mixed and fresh, and they stamp like a dream! I don't need to prime it like I need to with other inexpensive polymer stamps.

Another find I LOVE and have coveted for quite some time is the Botanical Script stamp by Inkadinkado. I kept putting off getting it because it retails for $11.99, for just one stamp. I found it on clearance at a JoAnn's store for $2.97! How could I pass it up??

If you are not my Facebook friend, then you would not have seen the message I posted this past Friday, about my 13 YO daughter. Some of you may recall this post, where I shared about her battle with anorexia last year. Since the beginning of this school year, she has spoken to several different health classes in her grade about anorexia. Part of the curriculum is about eating disorders. Haley told her teacher that she wanted to give these speeches, telling all the details of her illness. It was completely up to her, no one pushed her into it, or told her what to say. She is a 'pro' at it now, and feels very empowered during her talks.

Last Friday, the students from the current health class gave her this poster, with individual notes of encouragement attached:

It touched my daughter so deeply that she cannot wait to go to school tomorrow just so she can thank everyone who included a note. :o)

Thanks a bunch for joining me today!

Colleen

Stamps: Botanical Script - Inkadinkado; All Year Greetings - Fiskars
Paper: Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery, Confetti White, patterned papers - SU
Ink: Close to Cocoa - SU; Antique Linen - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: chocolate pearls - Queen & Co; brown satin ribbon; Big Shot; oval die - Spellbinders

Up, Up and Away

2012-02-11T13:15:00.002-05:00

I decided to play again in the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday challenge, "Fly Away With Me." We are to focus on birds, and my card does include birds in the trees, but the focus is on a giraffe in a balloon:

Talk about a quick card to make! All of this is patterned paper from Stampin' Up! (retired, of course; I seem to have so much of that). I just cut out the giraffe in a balloon image, popped him up on foam dimensionals, and added some pearls.

A little sentiment from Verve and I was done!

How satisfying to make something so cute in so little time!

Challenge entered: Simon Says Stamp - 'Love is in the Air'

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Colleen

Stamps: Friendly Phrases - Verve
Paper: all SU patterned paper - name unknown
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: pearls - Recollections

What's New?

2012-02-10T14:38:00.000-05:00

I got my March/April issue of Paper Crafts magazine yesterday, and am so excited to see my card on page 37! And today was the day they sent out email acceptances for the upcoming Stamp It! issue...and I was one of them. :o) That's happy news, for sure. I sent in a whopping 23 submissions, but they only picked one. Hey, I consider myself lucky to at least be in there. Thanks, Paper Crafts!

I've got a fun card to share with you right now:

I love how all the text comes together: the tiny print on the Poppy Parade patterned paper, the large ABC's in the circle, and the sentiment.

Challenges entered:

Thanks for coming by! I really appreciate your visit. :o)

Colleen

Stamps: Just Sayin' - The Craft's Meow

Paper: Poppy Parade, Regal Rose cardstock, Peach Parfait & Poppy Parade patterned paper - SU; white - PTI

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko

Punch: corner rounder - SU

Other: Poppy Parade marker, Peach Parfait ribbon - SU; pink bling - Queen & Co.

Tuesday Trigger - Sending My Love

2012-02-10T12:26:00.000-05:00

I am playing in the Tuesday Trigger challenge at Moxie Fab World, and this is the inspiration picture:

I used Mehndi Medallions from Wplus9, which I just got in the mail the other day, and had time to play with it this morning. LOVE this set in a BIG way!

I created this card pretty quickly, and it's one layer (except for the pearls):

The mix-n-match sentiments are pretty cool, too.

Gosh, my photos look so dark! I am having such a frustrating time with my camera, and learning the subtleties of lighting your subject. Hmmmph!

Thank you for coming by! :o)

Colleen

Stamps: Mehndi Medallions - Wplus9
Paper: white - PTI
Ink: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch: corner rounder - EK Success
Other: pearls

Paint Chip Valentine

2012-02-09T15:24:00.002-05:00

My friend, who is a Girl Scout leader, came up with the idea of using paint chips to make Valentine cards for our troop. She asked me for further ideas on how we might do this. I thought it about it for a while, and this materialized today, in under 20 minutes:

No stamps were needed, no ink, either. I was glad I had chipboard pieces and stickers on hand that were perfect for the job.

The paint chip strip is actually one I was using. We are painting our bathroom Barely Teal by Benjamin Moore Paints, and it's at the top of this color strip. I only needed that one little piece, and the rest were headed for the recycling bin.

I am definitely entering this in the Around The House challenge over at Moxie Fab World, using tools from around the house. Love it!

Also entering at CARDS: create, where the challenge is Valentines.

Thanks for joining me again! You all have a wonderful day. :)

Colleen

Paper: white - PTI
Punch: corner rounder - EK Success
Other: white glitter alpha chipboard - Colorbok; 'u' sticker - Paper Bliss/Westrim Crafts; glitter heart chipboard sticker - Recollections; paint chips

Rosy Valentine

2012-02-09T12:12:00.000-05:00

This is my second post of the day.

Please click HERE to see my Play Date Cafe card.

I created some quick Valentines last night. The kind that mails easily. ;-)

The Cuttlebug Roses embossing folder is a gift from my friend Ruby last year, for my birthday. It came all the way to the US from England! It's making its debut today (sheesh, too much time gone by!). I love it, Ruby, thank you so much. :o)

The layout inspiration came from my friend Bonnie, with this card HERE. Thank you, Bonnie, for giving us all such great CAS eye candy!

Challenges entered:

Tuesday Throwdown - 'Be my Valentine'
52 Pickup - ongoing challenges
CARDS: create - Valentine cards

I sponged some Bravo Burgundy ink around the Real Red cardstock heart, to give it some depth.

The tiny flower is from Stampin' Up!'s Flower Trio punch. I used my fingers to curl the petals slightly, then attached a pearl and glued it to the heart (also an SU punch: Full Heart). The sentiment is Verve.

I'm off to craft. I'll see you all soon!

Colleen

Stamps: Heart to Heart - Verve

Paper: Pixie Pink, Real Red - SU; white - PTI

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Bravo Burgundy - SU

Punches: Flower Trio, Full Heart - SU

Other: Big Shot; Roses embossing folder - Cuttlebug; pearl

Play Date Cafe 118 - Thanks

2012-02-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

Golden Yellow, Pacific and Cobalt are the bright, happy colors this week at The Play Date Cafe. They totally remind me of sunny, summer days.

I first tried a more vintage style card and completely failed, so I went CAS instead - that's my usual go-to solution for a tricky color combo.

I used Pacific Point, Summer Sun and Brilliant Blue cardstock, punched and layered onto an embossed card base. The sentiment is Verve - Celebration of Thanks.

Our sponsor is Simon Says Stamp, which has a HUGE online store. One lucky player wins the terrific prize this week!

Check out what my stamping sisters did for the challenge this week HERE. One of the things that I love about our team is the diversity in card-making styles. :-)

Thanks for joining me today!

Colleen

Stamps: Celebration of Thanks - Verve
Paper: Summer Sun, Pacific Point, Brilliant Blue - SU; white - PTI
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punches: Scallop Dot - Martha Stewart; corner rounder - SU
Other: Big Shot; Labels Four die - Spellbinders; white seam binding - Wrights; Diamonds and Dots embossing folder - Lifestyle Crafts

Strength & Hope

2012-02-08T10:06:00.003-05:00

Today's card is a bit of a departure from my normal styles (my 13 YO wrinkled her nose up at this one). I had these papers lying around, and I really wanted to give them a try and mix patterns. One of the papers (bottom left corner) is from a beautiful day journal, which I barely used and know - realistically - that I never will. I used to be big on keeping a diary when I was a teen, and tried again when my first-born was very small. I'm just too darn tired at bedtime to record stuff in a book.

Another paper, the one under the flower, is actually a small gift card from a cheap-o pack of 10 from the craft store (bought for a dollar). It's really soft and pretty, reminding me of Anna Griffin papers.

The top left paper with a green background is a scrap from my cousin (thanks, Kristen!).

The gorgeous paper flower is from Mark's Finest Papers, and the little teacup charm is from them also.

The sentiment (Stampendous) is on a Fancy Tags Two die cut (Spellbinders), which I also sponged while the paper was still in the die.

Challenges entered:

Moxie Fab World: Die-Cutting Challenge
Paper Players - floral theme (wow, that's three times this week with Paper Players!! I am on a real floral kick)
Ribbon Carousel - Anything Goes

I'm off to paint the bathroom a bit more, and try to whip up some simple Valentines. I'll see you tomorrow with a new Play Date Cafe challenge!

Colleen

Stamps: Sincere Sentiments - Stampendous
Paper: Barely Banana, Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla - SU; patterned papers
Ink: Antique Linen Distress - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: pearls; paper rose, teacup charm - Mark's Finest Papers; Big Shot; Fancy Tags Two die - Spellbinders; sheer ribbon - Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

Silhouettes

2012-02-07T16:30:00.000-05:00

This is my second post for the day. Please visit HERE to see 'Parrot Tulips Valentine'.

I've not used a stencil on a card in a long time, but had the opportunity to play with one the other day. I used Adirondack Color Wash to create a pretty silhouetted scene:

The stencil I used is from The Crafter's Workshop, available through Blockheads Paper Arts:

Mini Butterfly Meadow

I protected an area on my table with paper, then laid my template on white cardstock and spritzed until I could see the images very clearly. I let it dry for a few moments before removing the stencil. After my paper was dry, I placed some heavy books on top to help flatten it out again.

I trimmed my image and added a strip of Pacific Point cardstock which had been border-punched. A piece of seam binding ribbon - from my scrap bag - was tied around the layer, then I mounted it with foam dimensional stickers to the card base. A little bit of olive bling helped finish off the card.

This template is an ample size (6" square), so I actually got two cards'-worth out of one project.

Challenges entered:

Paper Players - use flowers
Paper Sundaes - Clean and simple
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday - 'Fly Away with Me'

I visited my doc today about those x-rays on my hands. He tells me it is osteo-arthritis, not rheumatoid arthritis (thank God!). He recommended glucosamine-chondroitin, as did my friend who is a pharmacist. I know I need to be careful about how much time I am on the computer, too.

Thanks for visiting me!

Colleen

Stamps: none
Ink: Adirondack Color Wash spray - Lettuce
Paper: Pacific Point - SU; White - PTI
Punch: Double Arches - Martha Stewart
Other: Mini Butterfly Meadow 6 x 6 Template - Crafter's Workshop; white seam binding; green rhinestones - Michael's

Parrot Tulips Valentine

2012-02-07T09:26:00.003-05:00

It feels like forever since I posted (it was only last Thursday), but so much has happened in the days between. My 10 YO had a birthday party to attend and a Girl Scout cookie booth to be part of on Saturday. Before and after those two events, my husband and I had more painting to do in the bathroom (we're going from a deep hunter green to a light, crystal-waters blue).

I also cleaned my house as best as I could, because my sweet friend Andrea came for a visit on Sunday. She brought her daughter, and my girls were so excited to hang out with her. We have a trampoline now, and those three were out there most of the time. Andrea and I were thinking of crafting together, but we talked the whole time. I made (er, heated up) stromboli and a side salad for lunch, and my dear hubby took all the young girls out to lunch. I absolutely love Andrea's company and she feels like a sister to me. Plus...she always brings me goodies. ;-)

OH! One more thing before I show my card today. The deadline for Paper Crafts' Stamp It! publication call ended yesterday, and I wound up submitting 23 projects. !!! Yes, that took up so much of my time the last three weeks. I enjoy the publication calls because I am pushed creatively further and further. In fact, as the deadline approached, I felt that my cards were getting better and better. Let's see if the Paper Crafts gals agree! I should find out by Friday if I've made it in.

This card goes to my mom for Valentine's Day.

It just occurred to me that I made her a tulip card for Christmas too! The tulips in this pot are Parrot Tulips, and here is a pic of a real one:

Photo Credit

The image is from this Blockheads Paper Arts stamp set:

Victorian Eccentricities

All those flourishes and etchings make me happy! I'm anxious to make a card using the birdcage stamp soon.

I used a sticker from Heidi Grace called Quotes & Phrases - Happiness. It looked a bit plain next to that glorious pot of flowers, so I surrounded it with pearls. Of course!

Challenges entered;

CARDS: create - Valentine cards
City Crafter - use at least three of the colors of the rainbow (I've got green, blue/violet, and red)
Paper Players - use a floral image on your card

A big thank you to those of you who have offered advice on both cameras and hand pain. I am absorbing everything you say, and can't wait to get a new camera....and control this arthritis!

Colleen

Stamps: Victorian Eccentricities - Blockheads Paper Arts
Paper: white - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Punch: Botanical - Martha Stewart
Other: pearls - Recollections; Copic markers

Play Date Cafe 117 - Sparkly Thanks

2012-02-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

Robin Egg, Lilac and Bisque...our colors for this week's Play Date Cafe challenge. Soft and beautiful, aren't they? I love the picture of the weathered door in the inspiration grouping above.

I knew right away that I could use the sparkly ribbons I bought on clearance after Christmas at JoAnn's.
I created a frame with them, mitering my corners with this help.

The center panel uses a stamp from Stampin' Up!'s Clearly For You, with Wheat Versamagic Chalk Ink. Around the border of glittery ribbons, I put together a mix of 3 different Spellbinders die cuts.

The butterfly, from SU's Nature Walk, sports some clear glitter, though you can't see it too well here.

The base of the card is stamped with Vintage Wallpaper by Market Street Stamps, in the same Wheat chalk ink as the center panel.

We have a new designer joining us this week. Alicia Thelin is a name you may know from publications, and we're super excited to have her be part of our team. :-) You can check out her neat style at her blog, scrappybetties. Welcome, Alicia!

Our sponsor at The Cafe this week is Melanie Muenchinger, a GinaK Designer. She has designed many of those glorious stamps, so beautiful! Head over to The Play Date Cafe and check out the designer line-up of creations, and our fabby prize, too.

Thanks for joining me!

Colleen

Stamps: Vintage Wallpaper - Market Street Stamps; Clearly for You, Nature Walk - SU; Celebration of Thanks - Verve
Paper: white - PTI
Ink: Wheat Versamagic Chalk Ink; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: blue, lilac glitter ribbon - JoAnns; pearls; Big Shot; Fancy Tags Three, Fleur de Lis Motifs, Parisian Motifs dies - Spellbinders; clear glitter

Black Tie and Diamonds

2012-02-01T10:27:00.000-05:00

This is my second post of the day. You can see the Viva La Verve post HERE.

Got your attention with that post title, huh? The card I made last night reminds me of just that.

I created a toile-like pattern using a stamp from Lost Coast Designs, available at Blockheads Paper Arts:

Lily Flourish

Love it! It has the same feel as the older Anna Griffin stamps I fell in love with, and aren't available any more.

Here's my velvet "bow-tie", topped with a button from my stash (thanks, Aunt Kay!). There's lots of sticky Scor-Tape holding this baby together, plus a few stitches. I glued the whole thing down with Aleene's Tacky Glue when it was assembled. (And here's what a lazy crafter I am: I only had white thread / needle on hand to stitch this together, otherwise I'd have to go down to the cellar for black thread. So I brought out a black Sharpie marker and colored my white thread. ;)

The "diamonds" didn't photograph too well, but here they are!

Does anyone have any suggestions on a good camera to buy? I am currently using a point-and-shoot Nikon Coolpix S4000, and find it falls short in doing close-up pix. I've done a little research, and have started asking around. I'm kind of interested in this Canon, but it's at least $600 so I need to save for a while:

Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera

with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

Anybody have any experience with this camera?

Colleen

Stamps: Lily Flourish - Lost Coast Designs
Paper: white - PTI; Basic Black - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch: Lattic Edge - Martha Stewart
Other: white satin ribbon - Nicole; black velvet ribbon - Michael's; bling - Queen & Co.; button; thread/needle

Viva La Verve #4 - Hugs and Kisses

2012-02-01T09:05:00.000-05:00

Here's the final sketch of January for the Viva La Verve challenge (you have one more day if you want to play!):

I'm delighted and amazed that from now on, the fourth and final sketch challenge each month from Verve will be a clean and simple design. That's just up my alley! I do find the typical Verve sketches to be tricky.

My Valentine uses retired and oh-so-gorgeous Stampin' Up! paper, a thick strip of their pink grosgrain ribbon, and a few embellishments. This was a breeze to make!

The die cut is Martha Stewart, sentiment Verve (of course!), and the little glittery chipboard heart stickers are by Recollections.

I'm entering this at Really Reasonable Ribbon too: use red and pink with a ribbon.

Thanks to all of you who have commented on ways to combat hand pain, and wished me well. I liked Lisa's "one day on the computer/one day off" approach...though it would be so hard to stay away!! LOL
I think our strangely-warm winter is a benefit to my hands. It's going to be 64 degrees here today in New Jersey. Totally weird!

See you in a little bit with another post for the day, then tomorrow with a brand new Play Date Cafe challenge. :-)

Colleen

Stamps: Heart to Heart - Verve
Paper: white - PTI; Real Red, patterned paper - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: Pink Pirhouette grograin ribbon - SU; chipboard hearts - Recollections; doily die cut - Martha Stewart; pearls

Ranunculus

2012-01-31T12:46:00.001-05:00

Ever make a card "just because"? This is one of those times. No challenge, not being submitted for publication, don't even have a recipient in mind.

I was digging through my DCWV Mariposa Stack and found this beautiful piece of paper. I trimmed it, mounted it on a card base, threw on some lace and pearls and I was done.

I love the lace trims together, and of course, some pearls. ;) I added a birthday sentiment inside.

The flower on the paper is a ranunculus, which I've always loved but never had in my own garden. Here's one I'd LOVE to have:

Image Credit

I took the last several days off from major computer use, to give my hands a rest. I don't have the results of the x-rays yet, but the good rest definitely helped somewhat. Goes to show you how much I use my computer: TOO much! Some people are addicted to their phones (not me, I have a standard issue cell phone), some to Facebook, but I am addicted to blogging. :-)

Colleen

Stamps: none
Paper: Soft Suede - SU; Mariposa Stack - DCWV
Ink: none
Other: taupe trim, crochet trim, pearls

Viva La Verve Sketch #3 - Valentine

2012-01-27T15:24:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! I'm back with another Viva La Verve sketch, so I can complete my 4 for this month in hopes of winning Verve stamps. :) Viva La Verve Sketch Challenge #3 looks like this:

See the ribbon/paper banner extending to the left? The paper is actually a tag from my daughter's pants.

I trimmed it down, and laid a satin ribbon over the wording. It's nice to repurpose something as pretty as this!

As for the heart on the sketch...I don't have a heart shaped die, so that was out for me. Guess I could've used a heart-shaped stamp, but that thought did not cross my mind until I was finished. Instead, I clustered some chipboard heart stickers from K & Co on a Spellbinders tag.

The edges of the card are inked with Tattered Rose Distress Ink, and a sweet Verve sentiment is a good one for Valentine's Day, I think.

I'm entering this at CARDS create: blog for the new challenge, to use at least 6 hearts. I've got waaaay more than 6 if you count the embossing folder!

I apologize for not getting around to everyone's blog for a visit. I am experiencing pain in my hands, mostly my right (which is the "mouse" hand). I had x-rays taken this morning, and am awaiting results. After doing some research online, I believe it might be rheumatoid arthritis. (great.) My hands are starting to resemble my grandmother's, however, I'm only about half the age she was when her hands looked this way. I am seriously bummed. The knuckles right under my fingernails are swollen, tender and painful. The pinkie finger is stiff sometimes, and hurts to bend. Like I said, I am seriously bummed. So...when my hands have good days, I will make my way 'round to all of you, because I enjoy seeing what you have created!

Colleen

Stamps: Small Phrases - Verve
Paper: Blush Blossom, Early Espresso, patterned paper - SU; white - PTI; floral clothing tag
Ink: Tattered Rose Distress - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: Big Shot; 'Love is in the Air' embossing folder - Cuttlebug; Oval and Fancy Tags Three dies - Spellbinders; ribbon; pearls; stickers - Valentine's Day adhesive chipboard stickers - K & Co.

Play Date Cafe 116 - Psalm 46:1

2012-01-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

I had to laugh when I saw the names of our colors at The Play Date Cafe this week: Plum, Pear and Moldy Cheese! The Moldy Cheese refers to that interesting shade of blue, as in "Bleu Cheese".

I had a bit of a time trying to find that blue in my stash. Because I was first introduced to Stampin' Up! at the time I became a card-maker, I always try to see colors according to the SU color charts. Can't help it!! I thought this blue was somewhere near Not Quite Navy. So why does my blue look lighter? I definitely goofed there...but once the lace was glued down, there was no turning back!

The background paper is from my new stash of Anna Griffin goodies. It is from the Carolina collection.
The Spellbinders Label Eighteen die cut is also from that same shopping expedition. I used a piece of purple shimmery cardstock from DCWV Luxury Stack for that.

Our sponsor this week is

Head over to the Play Date Cafe to see what the fabulous prize will be!

Sadly, we are saying goodbye to Michele Gross and Andrea Ewen as our teammates this week. :-( They will both be missed so much!

Colleen

Stamps: Psalm 46:1; Notes of Prayer - Verve
Paper: white - PTI; Carolina patterned paper - Anna Griffin; blue paper, Kiwi Kiss cardstock - SU; purple paper - Luxury Stack - DCWV
Ink: Antique Linen Distress - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch: corner punch (name unknown) - Martha Stewart; Dotted Scallop - EK Success
Other: Venise lace; white satin ribbon scrap; pearls; Big Shot; Labels Eighteen, oval dies - Spellbinders

Viva La Verve #2 - Wedding

2012-01-25T15:40:00.002-05:00

I'm a little behind getting my Viva La Verve challenges done, but still okay if I finish before the end of January. This is Sketch #2 for January:

I combined this with a new-to-me challenge, Jay Gee's Nook. (thanks for the inspiration, Tammy!) Here is the inspiration picture:

The bits that I honed in on are the fabric design and birdcages on the bottom row, the lacy parasols in the top row, and the keys on the middle row.

The background is a Hero Arts stamp called Large Fabric Design, which is a recent acquisition for me. I used DewDrop Versamagic Chalk Ink in Wheat on white cardstock. I love it!

The lace is by Offray, and I wove (weaved?) a ribbon scrap through the holes, then tied it off in a knot on top. I purposely frayed the edge for a different effect.

This key stamp is from Classic Icons by TPC, bought at Michael's loooong ago (probably two years). It's the first stamp from this set that has seen ink!

For the oval, I layered on three stamps: the sentiment and rings are from Verve's Love Story, and the bird cage is from Stampin' Up!'s Nature Walk (another set that I haven't used until now).

I embossed the rings with gold embossing powder, and an accident happened. The word 'happiness' right above the rings was still wet, though I didn't know it. Now it's got a speckly, flecked kind of look to it...and I decided it looks alright. (Heck, I did NOT want to do this panel over; too many steps!)

I'm entering this also at Hero Arts January Contest, where the theme is love.

Thanks for joining me, and I'll see you tomorrow morning with another Play Date Cafe challenge!

Colleen

Stamps: Love Story - Verve; Nature's Walk - SU; Classic Icons - TPC; Large Fabric Design - Hero Arts
Paper: white - PTI; Early Espresso - SU
Ink: DewDrop Versamagic Chalk Ink - Wheat; Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark - Tsukineko; Antique LInen Distress - Ranger; Crumb Cake, Early Espresso - SU
Punch: Acanthus Leaf - EK Success
Other: Big Shot; oval die cuts - Spellbinders; lace - Offray; ribbon scrap; pearls; gold embossing powder - SU; heat tool

LOVE

2012-01-23T16:33:00.002-05:00

I'm back again today, this time with a bold design.

Love my pearls! (get it?)

I wrapped four challenges in one for this black and white card.

Moxie Fab World's Cool Tools Punching challenge
CASE Study - Jennifer Rzasa is the muse, and this is her inspiration card:

CAS-ual Fridays - use only Black and White in honor of penguins everywhere!

and create: - use square punches

Glad I was able to do this card in under a half hour, and spent only a little time more for photo editing and blogging. Whew!

Thought I'd throw in some pictures of Cristabel, since she's black (with just touches of white):

Sun bathing in Mom's craft area

Looking at the girls playing outside

Spying a birdie or a squirrel

Thanks for joining me again today. :0)

Colleen

Stamps: All Year Greetings - Fiskars

Paper: Basic Black cardstock - SU; asst'd patterned papers (donation from my cousin; origins unknown); white cardstock - PTI

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko

Punches: 1" and 1 1/4" squares - SU

Happy Holidays

2012-01-23T15:04:00.000-05:00

Color Throwdown has a very Christmas-y color challenge this week. Check out the colors:

I tried to use up some skinny paper scraps (all Stampin' Up!, from those $1 Scrap Bags), and came up with quite the horizontal card:

The holly and ivy cluster is from SU's Sleigh Bells Ring, stamped/colored/and trimmed.

This past weekend we had snow on Saturday, and then a layer of ice (not nice!). By Sunday, most neighbors had shoveled their sidewalks, so my 10 YO and I took our wagon full of Girl Scout cookies 'on the road'. We sold 20 boxes, which brings our total sold to 86! We just started selling cookies this past Thursday, and were given an initial load of 100 to sell. The ladies at our bank told us to come back on pay day, and we should be able to sell more!

Colleen

Stamps: sentiment, Seasonal Poinsettias - MFP; Sleigh Bells Ring - SU
Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, assorted patterned paper strips - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap Distress - Ranger
Punch: scalloped border - SU
Other: Big Shot; jingle bell; twine - red and natural, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing folder, lace scrap - SU; Copic markers

Tuesday Trigger - Winter Blossoms

2012-01-22T17:00:00.000-05:00

At Moxie Fab World, the Tuesday Trigger challenge photo is this:

Gorgeous paper flowers! I decided to make my own paper flowers, too.

In fact, I made two versions of this card because I couldn't decide whether I liked the 3D version, or the flat (read: more mail-friendly) version.

Some close-ups:

Which version do you like better? I'm entering them both at Moxie Fab World. I'll let Cath Edvalson decide if either one is worthy of being a Trigger!

Thanks for joining me!

Colleen

Stamps: Old French Script - Hero Arts; All Year Greetings - Fiskars
Paper: Very Vanilla, Pink Pirhouette, Crumb Cake, Barely Banana - SU
Ink: Crumb Cake - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: Big Shot, Blossom Party Bigz Die - SU; pearls

Pre-Paid Valentine

2012-01-21T09:38:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! I have a Valentine to show you today...my first of the season.

I really like how this turned out! The image is a Blockheads stamp from a set called Nature Medallions. (click on set to visit the store)

Nature Medallions

The stamp has a bee in the middle of the circle, but I transformed this into a Valentine theme by covering it with Martha Stewart Tinsel Glitter and a punched heart. It's not visible here, but the heart is propped up with a foam dimensional dot.

Of course, I had to add my beloved pearls...a trio in all four corners. Heaven!

This card measures 4.5" square. I am linking up to the Die Cutting Challenge over at Moxie Fab World, and to 52 Card Pickup.

I've had such a busy week! My 10 YO is a Girl Scout for the first time ever, and we just began Cookie Selling Season. Each Girl Scout is given 100 boxes of cookies to sell, and in two days we've sold 66 boxes!! So excited. :) Just by going to the bank yesterday to change a $20 dollar bill into ones, I sold 7 boxes to the women who work there! Made me feel so happy. My daughter and I sold cookies at a table in front of her school yesterday, and I accompanied her with a wagon full of cookies, going door to door on our street in the freezing cold. (Numb fingers make it hard to count back change.)

Another thing keeping me busy: making cards for submission to two different magazines. I wish I could say the ideas are just pouring forth, but no. If I make one every couple of days, I'm lucky.

Add in a major housecleaning these past few days, and I'm bushed!!

Yesterday I had errands to run, too, and while out I found this Anna Griffin kit of papers and embellishments for $7.99 at Tuesday Morning:

I also scored on big deals at AC Moore, one of the big box craft stores in my area. I don't have a picture of that stuff to show, but I did get a Spellbinders set for 40% off, a Fiskars stamp set for 50% off, some Hambly Screen Prints, pearls, and canvas circles. Oh! And at TJ Maxx, I found this Inkadinkado Circles & Dots stamp set for ONE DOLLAR. (it sells for $7.49 on their website)

One more thing before I end this very long post (my apologies!): my Paris Collage card earned a shout-out at Just Us Girls the other day. Yay!

If you've made it this far, THANK you for visiting me today!

Colleen

Stamps: Nature Medallions - Blockheads Paper Arts
Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla - Stampin' Up!
Ink: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain Distress Inks - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Punch: Heart to Heart - SU
Other: pearls - Queen & Co.; Fleur de Lis Square die - Spellbinders; Florentine Gold Tinsel Glitter - Martha Stewart; glue pen

Play Date Cafe 115 - Framed Bird

2012-01-19T07:30:00.000-05:00

Slate, Moss, Bark, Burlap...I LOVE the sound and look of these colors! They remind me of a Pottery Barn catalog. :) These are the colors for this week's Play Date Cafe challenge, and boy, did I have fun making my card.

I used the Bird In Nest stamp from Blockheads, and stamped it with Memento ink (best for coloring with Copic markers). It was cut out with a Large Deckled Rectangle die (Spellbinders), and I inked the edges while it was still in the die.

I added Crystal glitter from Martha Stewart to the flowers, and Brownstone glitter to the nest. It doesn't show up too well in my picture; it looks like the nest has a worm infestation. ;)

Distressing the edges of the patterned paper was fun. I actually own a distressing tool now (Tim Holtz brand), instead of using my fingernail. I tore the paper in a few places, and inked the edges with Distress Inks.

Show us your earth-toned beauties this week by linking up at The Play Date Cafe. Hope to see you there!

You could win some of the Twinery's luscious twine. :)

Colleen

Stamps: Bird In Nest - Blockheads Paper Arts
Paper: Wassail - Basic Grey; Julianne, Elegance - K & Co; Very Vanilla, Early Espresso cardstock - SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap Distress inks - Ranger
Punch: floral punch - Martha Stewart
Other: Large Deckled Rectangle die - Spellbinders; pearls; Copic markers; Crystal and Brownstone glitters - Martha Stewart; gray satin ribbon - Offray; twine - Creative Impressions

Amour

2012-01-17T10:35:00.000-05:00

Here I go with a French theme again!

This card is currently featured in the January / February issue of Paper Crafts magazine, in the Quick and Easy Valentines section on page 65:

Right now there is a submissions call for Paper Crafts' Stamp It! issue. I am busily working on several projects for that. Sure does take a lot of time to come up with unique ideas, using only current products (I have LOTS of retired products!). I have four things made so far, and hope to make more, as long as my brain comes up with good stuff. ;)

Colleen

Paris Collage

2012-01-15T14:05:00.000-05:00

At Just Us Girls, the challenge this week is a Technique: to create a collage with stamps.

I had a leg up, so to speak, because a long while ago, I created my own patterned paper using a text stamp and a flourished stamp. This sat unused until now, and I was able to add a couple more stamps to make it more complete.

5 stamps were used to create this collage:

En Francais background - Stampin' Up!
Bella Toile background - Stampin' Up!
Anna Griffin border
Eiffel Tower from Vintage Traveler - Our Craft Lounge
Steampunk Balloon Guys - Lost Coast Designs

I punched the edge on top, mounted on black cardstock, then on River Rock card base, added a bow and buttons and -- voila!

One other challenge that inspired me: The Shabby Tea Room's "Vintage Boudoir". Here is their inspiration pic:

For the challenge, we are to be inspired by the colors in the photo (I honed in on the cream tones, and black from the words on the sign) AND use a sewing-themed embellishment (I have buttons and ribbon).

Thanks so much for joining me today! It's finally cold here in the Northeast; really feels like January now. :)

Colleen

Stamps: En Francais background - Stampin' Up!; Bella Toile background - Stampin' Up!; Anna Griffin border; Eiffel Tower from Vintage Traveler - Our Craft Lounge; Steampunk Balloon Guys - Lost Coast Designs
Paper: River Rock, Basic Black - SU; white - PTI
Ink: Sahara Sand - SU; Antique Linen Distress - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Punch: scalloped border - SU
Other: buttons; black satin ribbon - Michael's

Butterfly Trio

2012-01-13T15:42:00.002-05:00

I'm hopping into the CASE Study challenge this week, a challenge I don't play in often enough.
The muse is Jennifer Rzasa, and our inspiration is this card by Jennifer --

Here is my take on that:

I stamped the butterflies on different pieces of cardstock, then trimmed.
The antennae are hard to trim without losing 'em,
so I hand-drew those on after attaching butterflies to card.

These beautiful butterflies are by Lost Coast Designs, available at Blockheads Paper Arts:

Lost Coast Butterflies

I punched the bottom of my card base with the Scallop Dot border punch by Martha Stewart, and added some twine - that's all there is to this clean and simple card!

Good news! Yesterday I found out that I will have a card published in Paper Crafts Magazine - the July/August issue! The card they picked (I submitted 7 things) is in the "Stamp It: Markers" category. Apparently they picked only 6 cards for that category (and one is mine!), out of 167 submissions. :o)

Thanks for joining me today!

Colleen

Stamps: Butterflies - Lost Coast Designs
Paper: cream card/envelope set; blue, orange and green cardstock samples from California Paper Goods (they used to include some in my orders)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch: Scallop Dot border - Martha Stewart
Other: twine - Creative Impressions; foam dimensional stickers; black journaling pen - SU

Viva La Verve - January

2012-01-12T15:00:00.000-05:00

We owe my sister-in-law a thank you card for the terrific Christmas gifts she gave us. I began with the new Viva La Verve sketch for January:

Then I picked some patterned papers from Stampin' Up! (retired) and K & Company and began fitting the pieces together.

The colors are quite muted, more so than I like. Or maybe it's the sketch that I'm not comfortable with. Either way, a lot of time went into this and it was all worth it for my sister-in-law. She's a great girl!

Colleen

Stamps: Fairy Tales - Verve
Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, patterned paper - SU; K & Co Julianne Tag Pad
Ink: Walnut Stain Distress - Ranger; Chocolate Chip - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch: Vine Trim double edge - Martha Stewart
Other: Big Shot; circle die cuts - Spellbinders; pearls; ribbon - Stamp Simply Ribbon Store; lace

Play Date Cafe 114 - Ornate Blossom

2012-01-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

Burgundy, gold and plum...the deliciously rich colors for this week's Play Date Cafe challenge!

I used a stamp from Stampin' Up!, Ornate Blossom, to create my card. It was one of my freebies from last year's Sale-A-Bration, and it never saw ink until now. Yay!

My intent was to do a flat card, easy to mail, but I HAD to add pearls! These have a champagne hue to them, from Recollections.

Can you see the gold shimmery cardstock? It's from SU, too. There was a very large piece in one of those $1.00 Scrap Bags from my SU demo. That's a good thing...'cause I'm too cheap to buy this stuff! LOL

Our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp, a huge store that sells all things paper crafting. Whoever wins this week's Cup of the Week has LOTS of things to choose from!

Hope you come and play with us this week at The Cafe. Can't wait to see the goodness you all dream up!

Colleen

Stamps: Ornate Blossom - SU; Celebration of Thanks - Verve; Madeline - K & Co
Paper: white - PTI; Purely Pomegranate, Perfect Plum, gold - SU
Ink: Perfect Plum, Purely Pomegranate - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: champagne pearls - Recollections; foam dimensionals; gold Smooch Paint

Rose Topiary

2012-01-11T13:44:00.000-05:00

The Timeless Tuesday challenge from Flourishes is an inspiration challenge this week, using this photo to be inspired by:

I have a topiary stamp set by Close To My Heart (my only one, found on eBay a few years ago) called Topiaries, and pulled it out. This way, I can play in the Heart 2 Heart challenge - use a stamp that hasn't seen ink yet (must be a CTMH stamp).

This card came together pretty quickly:

I already had the image stamped and colored, just waiting to be used someday
The background paper is a frame from the Susan Winget Spring Blossom (K & Co.) Frame & Journaling pad; simply trimmed it and mounted on a white card base

I used Crystal Effects on the flower pot - I'm pretending it's glazed terracotta!

Sure was nice to have a bit of time to play. Thanks so much for joining me! See you tomorrow with a new Play Date Cafe challenge.

Colleen

Stamps: Topiaries - CTMH; Small Phrases - Verve

Paper: white - PTI; Susan Winget Spring Blossom Photo Frame & Journaling pad - K & Co

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress - Ranger

Other: twine - Creative Impressions; pearls; Copic markers; Venise lace; Pumpkin Pie rick rack, Crystal Effects - SU; Big Shot; Labels Four die cut - Spellbinders; foam dimensionals

Best Wishes

2012-01-09T18:30:00.000-05:00

We had such a fun time at my cousin's wedding this past weekend. I have a few pictures to share with you from that, but first I want you to see my wedding card that was published in Paper Crafts' Card Ideas for Paper Crafters in August 2011. (I had two cards in that issue, and you can see the other HERE)

The papers are from Anna Griffin (bought on eBay a couple of years ago) and the sentiment is from Stampin' Up!'s Vintage Labels.

As for the wedding we attended, I have a cute story to share. My cousin's new husband is a HUGE Phillies baseball team fan. And, HE is a bigger scrapbooker than SHE is, and the scrapbooks are all about sports.

As a wedding surprise, the bride arranged for the Phillies team mascot, the Philly Phanatic, to come to the reception. It was a BLAST!

The groom was completely surprised and overwhelmed with emotion when the Phanatic walked in. His new wife started off their marriage in a very wonderful way!

I'm sorry I don't have time to post a supply list for this card; dinner is almost ready and I'm in the midst of un-decorating the Christmas tree (a job I detest).

Thanks for joining me today!

Colleen

Out-of-the-Box Poppy

2012-01-06T15:41:00.000-05:00

Hi! I'm really proud of this card, because I've FINALLY tried the Out-of-the-Box Technique. Yess!!! And it wasn't difficult, which I had always thought it would be.

Blockheads Challenge: Out of the Box Die Cutting Technique Blog Hop

Out of the Box die cutting can create some really interesting looks when the stamp image you want to cut around is larger than the die cut. Join us by submitting your examples.

The top of the poppy is 'out of the box', as you can see in the top photo above. And I created the lacy die cut goodness using two Fancy Tags Two die cuts, plus one Fleur de Lis Motif, from Spellbinders. And OF COURSE I had to add pearls! My 13 YO thinks I 'over-do' pearls; I think not. ;) I love 'em!

Thanks for joining me today! Hope you get to play in this technique challenge. :o)

Colleen

Stamps: Flower Garden - Blockheads
Paper: white - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Other: R01, R30, R32, R35, R37, E25, E29, YG11, YG13, YG17, YG67, YG63, C1, C3 markers - Copic; pearls; Big Shot; Fancy Tags Two, Oval die cuts - Spellbinders; Diamonds and Dots embossing folder - Lifestyle Crafts

Play Date Cafe 113 - A Windy Hello

2012-01-05T00:01:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone! Are you rested from the holidays yet? I'm gettin' there. It usually takes me until mid-January to feel normal again after the After-Christmas Crash. :o)

This week at the Play Date Cafe, the colors are pale and frosty:

Juniper, mint and vanilla look very beautiful together, don't they? I combed through my paper stash for just the right colors, and wound up using packaging from K & Co. for my "mint" paper. The sketch is a fave I saved from Gretchen Barron's "Inspiration in Action", loosely interpreted:

Our sponsor this week is the fun and spunky Sweet Stamp Shop, (who, by the way, is holding a Design Team call) and each of us on the Design Team got to play with stamps received from SSS. I have "Hello Beautiful":

See the "spray" near the hairspray stamp? I thought it would make perfect wintry air, too!

The two punched borders are subtle;
had to get a close up to show you.

Come join us this week, and get that creative mojo going again after the holidays! Head over to the Play Date Cafe for full details.

Thanks for joining me!

Colleen

Stamps: Hello Beautiful - Sweet Stamp Shop
Paper: white - PTI; patterned paper - Elegance - K & Co; packaging from stickers; Very Vanilla - SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Punches: Arctic Snowflake - Martha Stewart; Dotted Scallop - EK Success; Scallops - SU
Other: glitter; light green bling - Queen & Co.; vanilla ribbon scraps; silver cord; distressing tool

Brown Paper Package

2012-01-04T18:20:00.000-05:00

I've got only a matter of hours until the CAS-ual Fridays challenge closes, and made a card in under an hour so I could play (quick by my standards!).

I took the challenge name literally, and created what looks like a package tied with string:

I used Our Craft Lounge's Vintage Traveler to stamp everything you see. Love that set! The twine is 'Cappuccino' from The Twinery. I cut a tiny slit at the top of the card, on the backside, and fed the twine through there.

Another angle...

...and that's it! I'll see you tomorrow with another Play Date Cafe post. :o) Have a great night!

Colleen

Stamps: Vintage Traveler - Our Craft Lounge
Paper: kraft - SU
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Crumb Cake - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: Cappuccino twine - The Twinery

Wedding Wishes

2012-01-03T16:55:00.000-05:00

My cousin is getting married this weekend, so I created a card for the happy couple. She's been so busy with the preparation of the wedding, she's had no time to read my blog. Hopefully, she won't decide to start reading it today. ;)

The bride loves black and white damask as much as I do, hence the paper choices:

The papers are from DCWV La Creme Matstack, which I've had for quite a while. The center panel is flocked.

The stamps (both frame and sentiment, as well as the die for the frame) are new, from Verve. Got these goodies with my Christmas money.

The punched frame is made with Martha Stewart's Deco Fan corner and border punches. I tied a slim bit of ribbon through the holes at the top.

Challenges entered:
Paper Sundaes - 'Out with the Old, In with the New'
Ribbon Carousel - 'Anything Goes' (so helpful right after the holidays!)
Tuesday Throwdown - 'Shiny New Year' (my shine comes from pearls and satin ribbon)

Thanks for joining me here today! Don't forget to check out the new Play Date Cafe challenge, bright and early Thursday morning (1/5/12). We've got a rich color combo you don't want to miss!

Colleen

Stamps: Love Story, Vintage Oval Frame - Verve
Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Black - SU; patterned paper La Creme Matstack - DCWV
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch: Deco Fan corner and border - Martha Stewart; Dotted Scallop - EK Success; corner rounder - SU
Other: black satin ribbon; pearls; Big Shot; Vintage Oval Frame die - Verve

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T12:26:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! Happy New Year! Did you stay up until midnight to see 2012 come in? I did, which amazed me, because I did not feel well yesterday. We were supposed to have company in the afternoon, and had been invited to a friend's house for the evening, but we dropped both plans because of me. :o(

Today is a new day, though, and a new year. I want to say thank you to all of you who subscribe to my blog, are a Follower, or who just pop by now and then. Your kind comments add sparkle to my days, and make me so happy. :o) When my daughter was sick with anorexia last year, and I was having my surgery, your prayers and positive thoughts truly, truly helped get me by.

I continue to be amazed by the boundless kindness and warmth this online crafting community offers. Each and every one of you is so special!

I've been visiting several blogs today, and see that folks are showing their favorite creations for the past year. It's a fun feature that I enjoy. I'd like to show mine, too!

Here they are, in no particular order except for the first one: my absolute fave! (click on the captions beneath the photos to go to the original posts)

Artful Frame

Thistles

Embossed Nature

Celebrating My Daughter

CAS Butterfly

'God Is Our Refuge'

Inspired by Rosy Gloves

Kindness In Pink

Single Snowflake

Christmas Tulips

Viva La Verve - Sketch #3

I went back as far as August to choose some favorites to show. I'm sure there are others, but these will do!

I found out this morning that the two cards below were chosen by crafters at Splitcoast as FAVORITES: The Best of 2011. What a complete honor!

Baby Blossoms

Inspired by a Poppy

Cheers to all of you, and here's to a fabulous 2012!!

Colleen

Mojo Monday 221 - 'Amour'

2011-12-29T11:32:00.000-05:00

Are you enjoying this holiday week, everyone? I sure am. I've been relaxing a lot, with a little entertaining mixed in. While Christmas is my favorite time of year, it absolutely kicks my butt. I am the total 'Santa' package in my house: shopping, wrapping, cards, baking, decorating (I leave the outside to my husband, though)...it leaves me drained of energy when it's all over. I still love it, though!

This week I made 5 projects to submit to the Paper Crafts Submission Call, all in one day. You should give it a try!

And yesterday I found time to play in the Mojo Monday challenge. Here's the sketch:

I used two stamp sets: SU's Artistic Etchings (the Eiffel Tower and 'Amour') and Girls' Paperie Paper Girl (clock, crown, bird) and the My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Union Square paper pad (BIG bargain at the craft store before Christmas) to create this 4.25" square card.

I experimented with these paper Prima Wildflowers:

I wanted to create black flowers for my card. First, I used a Basic Black ink refill (16 drops) in a small amount of water, and let them steep. They looked too gray to me (top flower in photo).

Then on another white flower, I sponged on Basic Black ink, and got a richer tone (bottom flower). I combined the two with a button for my flower cluster:

I'd like to say a special hello to my new email subscribers and followers - thank you SO much for finding me. :o) I hope you enjoy what you see, and I'm glad you are here!

Colleen

Stamps: Artistic Etchings - SU; Paper Girl - Girls' Paperie
Paper: white base - PTI; Lost & Found Union Square - My Mind's Eye
Ink: Versafine Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand - SU
Other: Prima Wildflowers - white; twine - SU; button

Inspired by a Poppy

2011-12-26T17:59:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas, everyone! Did you all enjoy your holiday? Did you get any crafting goodies under the tree? I bought crafting supplies before Christmas, with gift money I received early. That makes me happy. But my favorite gift of all was getting my wedding band/engagement ring set re-sized to fit me once again. It's been much too long since I resorted to wearing a fake diamond ring from Target ($15, but hey, it's really pretty, and fooled everyone I met!) since my rings didn't fit over my knuckle. :o) The jeweler told me he didn't think he'd have it ready in time for the holiday, but I got a call near closing time on Christmas Eve! What a nice present.

On to card talk.....
My neighbor grows the prettiest pink poppies in early summer. They always catch my eye when I am pulling out of my driveway, and I'd love to grow some in my own yard. Here's a stock photo from the internet of a pink poppy like my neighbor's:

Photo credit

I made this birthday card for someone special (the birthday sentiment is inside):

I used my set from Blockheads Paper Arts, which stamps so beautifully:

Flower Garden Full Sheet

After coloring the poppy image, I mounted it on a Fleur de Lis rectangle die cut, and added pearls (loooove my pearls!):

When I matched my Regal Rose cardstock with the Copic markers I used, it looked like a great pairing in real life. The camera tells a different story, however, and they don't look at all alike. Oh well.

I am entering this card at Tuesday Throwdown (challenge: make a card for someone special), and also at Splitcoast's Inspiration challenge. The online store to be inspired by is Urban Loft Art. I chose this poppy image as my inspiration:

Thanks for joining me today! Enjoy your holidays. :)

Colleen

Stamps: Flower Garden - Blockheads Paper Arts
Paper: white - PTI; Basic Black, Regal Rose - Stampin' Up!
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Other: Big Shot; Fleur de Lis rectangle die - Spellbinders; Copic markers; pearls

Tuesday Trigger Double Inspiration

2011-12-23T16:11:00.000-05:00

I am all ready for Christmas, all bought and wrapped and everything else (please don't hate me). There's some easy baking to do tonight, so that's no pressure. Now I actually have leisure time to craft. I love it!

I am playing in the Tuesday Trigger challenge at Moxie Fab World today. Here's the inspiration photo:

And I was highly inspired by a photo Cath Edvalson (of Moxie Fab World) showed in a post on 12/20/11:

Photo credit

I like the staggered effect of these woolen balls, and came up with this idea:

I followed the order of the colored stripes, from the Tuesday Trigger photo. The hearts were punched out and cut in half, then re-matched with their neighbors.

My fave color combo on here:

It's fun, fresh and modern...and not what you usually see on my blog! I like breaking out once in a while and trying something different. :o)

Colleen

Paper: Blush Blossom, Baja Breeze, Night of Navy, Kiwi Kiss - Stampin' Up!; white - PTI
Punch: Heart to Heart - SU
Other: pearls

Joyeux Noel

2011-12-22T13:34:00.000-05:00

If you are looking for today's Play Date Cafe post, please see HERE.

This will be a short post, as I am off to see my 10 YO sing in her elementary school Christmas concert. :o)
I am playing in the Mojo Monday challenge (sketch), as well as the City Crafter challenge ('Winter White'):

And here is my creation, destined for my hubby for Christmas:

I played with a new-to-me stamp set by Verve, called Glad Tidings. Be still, my heart! I love the images and sentiments (19 in all).

I colored the leaves of this wreath with cool gray tones of Copic markers, then dabbed the berries with silver Liquid Pearls. The crochet trim is from Wal-Mart. (I just can't believe how lucky I got one day at Wal-Mart, with their affordable laces and trims!)

It's hard to capture the shimmery papers I used (retired specialty paper from Stampin' Up!), but this card looks really wintry in real life, thanks to the shimmer.

Time to run to school now. I am not sure if this will be my last post before Christmas, so I will wish you all a Merry one now, and a Happy Hanukkah to you as well!

Colleen

Stamps: Glad Tidings - Verve
Paper: white - PTI; specialty designer paper - SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: crochet trim - Wal-Mart; white ribbon scrap; silver Liquid Pearls; Copic markers; Big Shot; circle and Floral Doily Motifs die cuts - Spellbinders

Play Date Cafe 112 - Vanilla Snowflake

2011-12-22T00:01:00.003-05:00

Oooo, it's almost Christmas! We are mere days away, and the Play Date Cafe is ready to ring in the holiday with this gorgeous color combo:

Deep red, lime, pine and eggnog...aren't they gorgeous colors?

I've got a clean-and-simple card to show you, using a Flower Fringe Die from Lil' Inker Designs, our fabulous sponsor this week:

My patterned papers come from DCWV Christmas Combo mini pack. I'm so happy they matched our challenge colors perfectly!

It's fun playing with the Fringe Flower die (thank you, Laura!), sent to me by Lil' Inker Designs. It's the sweetest flower! I used eco-friendly felt, found at JoAnn's. It's a polyester made with recycled post-consumer plastic bottles. I followed the clear directions on the tutorial provided by LID, and voila! A little flower was born. The snowflake you see behind it is from the Martha Stewart Himalayan Snowflake punch (I am really getting my money's worth from that), adorned with pearls.

My touch of lime green comes from this ribbon, found in a $1 Scrap Bag from my Stampin' Up! demo.

Our challenge will last for TWO weeks, to give our design team some vacation time to spend with loved ones. And this will give YOU a chance to play with us, too, during the holiday festivities. For more details, head over to the Play Date Cafe.

I wish you all a blessed, peaceful, joyful Christmas!

Colleen

Paper: white - PTI; Very Vanilla - SU; patterned paper - Christmas Combo - DCWV
Punches: Doily Lace Edge, Himalayan Snowflake - Martha Stewart; corner rounder - SU
Other: vanilla felt; pearls; ribbon scrap

Christmas Card In A Tin

2011-12-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

Are you ready for a photo-heavy post? I want to show you some Christmas cards made from tins, which I bought at a Stampin' Up! sale a year or so ago. I hung onto them for the longest time, not knowing what to do with 'em.

These each became different because of the glittery accent pieces. I have a bag of glittered die cuts (K & Co., I believe), but no two are alike.

Some exterior details:

The snowflakes are from the Martha Stewart
'Himalayan Snowflake' extra large punch, with a smaller 'Glacial Snowflake' on top. I glittered each one, then glued together with craft glue. The rhinestones also had to be glued on.

Let me show you the insides:

Each tin contains magnets, made with layered cardstock and the Lovely Letters alphabet stamps from Stampin' Up!.

These tins were mailed in padded envelopes to the recipients, and I think most of them have by now received them, so it seemed safe to post about it. :o)

Thanks for joining me today! I will see you on Thursday with a new Play Date Cafe creation.

Colleen

Stamps: Lovely Letters - SU; Bright Spirits - Verve; Tinsel & Twig - Girls' Paperie
Paper: white - PTI; Always Artichoke, Cranberry Crisp - SU; glitter paper - Target; patterned paper - Our Holiday Traditions - Me & My Big Ideas
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punches: corner rounder - EK Success; Himalayan Snowflake, Glacial Snowflake, Doily Lace Trim - Martha Stewart; 1 1/4", 1 3/8" circles - SU
Other: glittered die cuts - K & Co.; ribbon scraps; bling; magnet-on-a-roll

Inspired by a Houndstooth Jacket

2011-12-19T09:31:00.000-05:00

I am playing in the Moxie Fab World "Get Inspired by Fashion Challenge".
This is the inspiration pic they offer:

I love this jacket! In the late 80s, when I was a Working Woman in an advertising office, I would DEFINITELY have worn this jacket with these brooches on it. Now, I'm Mom, and not working at the moment, and the garments I wear are most certainly COMFY above all else.

I do love to be inspired by all sorts of things (those of you following my blog for a while know that) to make cards, so this challenge is perfect for me.

I picked up details from the jacket....

....the rounded lapels...

...the houndstooth pattern, and the aqua/green hue...

...the touchability of fabric, with a button...

...ivory touches, just like the lining of the jacket.
Note how I wove a piece of felt through the lace.

The felt I used (from JoAnn's) is a polyester made from recycled post-consumer plastic bottles. How cool is that? I love to recycle. :o)
The sentiment and flourishes are from Verve's Celebrating You, on a Spellbinders Labels Ten die cut. The paper is new to me: K & Company's Elegance paper pad. I got it for half price at JoAnn's, because the bottom of the paper pad seems to have been sitting in some kind of liquid and was a bit warped. The damage is minimal, and there's still so much gorgeous paper to use. Doin' a happy dance!!

I'll be back tomorrow with a Christmas Card In A Tin. Can't wait to show it to you! Thanks for joining me here today. :o)

Colleen

Stamps: Celebrating You - Verve
Paper: white - PTI; Very Vanilla - SU; Elegance - K & Co.
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: Big Shot; Square Lattice embossing folder, Blossom Party Bigz Die- SU; Labels Ten die - Spellbinders; lace - Walmart; ivory felt - Rainbow Classic Felt/The Kunin Group; pearls; button

Play Date Cafe 111 - Single Snowflake

2011-12-15T00:01:00.001-05:00

Isn't this the neatest graphic? We have a COLOR SPLASH week at The Play Date Cafe, and this time 'round, the splash is AQUA.

I grabbed a beautiful paper from my new Teresa Collins' Christmas Home paper pad and some felt snowflakes from my Stampin' Up! Felt Flurries stash, and I was on my way!

I CASE'd a layout from my friend and fellow Play Date Cafe teammate, Andrea, for this card. She gave me some of her beautiful cards and I hang on to them, treasure them, and get inspired by them. Thanks, my friend!

A closeup of the star of the show.

Little gems adorn the Acanthus Leaf punch.

We have a Guest Designer with us this week: the incomparable Cindy Coutts! To check out her creation and those of our talented designers, head over to The Play Date Cafe. Hope you can play with us this week. :)

ETA: I would like to enter this card at CASE Study, where Amy Sheffer is the showcase talent this week. Look at her gorgeous card:

It kind of reminds me of mine today!

Colleen

Stamps: none
Paper: white - PTI; Basic Black - SU; patterned - Christmas Home - Teresa Collins
Ink: none
Punches: Acanthus Leaf - EK Success
Other: Big Shot; Fleur de Lis Motifs die cut - Spellbinders; Felt Flurries, Finial Press embossing folder - SU; rhinestones; rick rack - Offray

Deck The Halls

2011-12-14T16:31:00.000-05:00

Last year I received a gift in a pretty Christmas toile gift bag, but it got kind of wrinkled during the hustle and bustle of Christmas Day. I saved it so I could repurpose it for cards (what else?!):

I mounted a piece of the bag on Cherry Cobbler cardstock, then on a kraft base. I wrapped a piece of gold-thread crochet trim and dark red twine around the layers.

The sentiment is from Tinsel & Twig by Girls' Paperie (found at a deep discount at Tuesday Morning in NC over Thanksgiving). I stamped it on a Decorative Label Punch (SU), then edged with gold tinsel glitter. I added a button from my stash and a punched heart.

I'm entering this at Ribbon Carousel, where the challenge is to use twine. I've got two kinds!

Thanks for looking, and I'll be back tomorrow with a new Play Date Cafe challenge. I can't wait for you to see my card!

Colleen

Stamps: Tinsel & Twig - Girls' Paperie
Paper: kraft, Cherry Cobbler - SU; repurposed gift bag
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Frayed Burlap Distress - Ranger
Punch: Decorative Label, Heart to Heart - SU
Other: twine; button; lace; Gold Tinsel Glitter - Martha Stewart

Marigold Happiness

2011-12-13T15:34:00.000-05:00

I wanted to play along with the clean & simple sketch challenge this week:

And I kept things clean and white, with the exception of these gorgeous marigolds (otherwise known as calendula officinalis) from this Blockheads Paper Arts set:

Flower Garden Full Stamp Sheet

I stamped the marigold three times, used Copic markers (Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17, Y19, YR02, YR07, YR09, E08) to color, then cut each one out. I used two different sizes of foam dimensional stickers, and propped each one up, with the middle one being the highest. Maybe you can see that here:

I embossed a smaller white panel with Cuttlebug's Victoria folder for textural interest. The daisy flower trim looks good with the marigolds, I think. The clear sticker sentiment is from Heidi Grace.

Did I tell you Santa came down our street on a fire truck the other night? I can prove it with these pictures:

And we put up our tree over the weekend, too:

It's a slim tree for a small house, but it gets the job done! Hubby puts the tree up, and the garland. My kids helped decorate about half the tree, and I finished up. It's so nice to have helpers!

Thanks for popping by today!

Colleen

Stamps: Flower Garden - Blockheads Paper Arts
Paper: white - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Other: daisy ribbon - Offray; Big Shot; Victoria embossing folder - Cuttlebug; Copic markers - Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17, Y19, YR02, YR07, YR09, E08; sticker - Quotes & Phrases/Happiness - Heidi Grace

Ribbon Candy

2011-12-12T14:40:00.000-05:00

At the Ribbon Carousel, the challenge is "Peppermint Twist". I've got a card that looks like candy ribbons, using Infinite Loops Trim punch by Martha Stewart:

The sparkly green tree is a gift tag attached to one of my presents last Christmas. I saved it (and others like it) to use on cards. Just don't look on the back! ;)

The "ho ho's" are stickers from a DCWV alphabet pack. I think the stickers are getting past their prime, because they were hard to extract from their page. There are some fuzzy edges on the letters...and this teaches me a lesson: GO BUY NEW STICKERS!

I made two of these cards, but only had one piece of the ribbon you see above. My solution?

Use the back side of a polka dot ribbon, which I had PLENTY of!

This is such a busy season, and I appreciate the gift of your visit! Thanks for coming by. :o)

Colleen

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red - SU
Punch: Infinite Loops Trim - Martha Stewart
Other: ribbon scrap; tree gift tag; rhinestones - Queen & Co.

Snowy Wonderland

2011-12-11T10:46:00.000-05:00

My friend Sue at Splitcoast is the hostess for the December 11 Virtual Stamp Night. You have to create a card in 45 minutes or less, and Sue chose A Blue Christmas as her challenge.

This card came together easily --

I bought the new Martha Stewart Himalayan Snowflake punch at Mike's last week - 40% off! Whoo hoo!

I'm entering this at The Ribbon Reel, where the challenge is "Anything Goes" (long as you're using ribbon!).

There's my ribbon trio: little white pom pom trim, a fluffy blue fringe (Michael's $1 bin), and silver cording.

By the way, if you haven't picked up your copy of the Paper Crafts January/February 2012 issue yet, look for me on page 65.

I found out on Friday that Paper Crafts accepted one of my projects for Card Creations: Volume 10 (hits newsstands May 8, 2012)! That made my weekend. :)

Well, we've got company coming, so I've got to scoot.

Thanks for visiting, and hope you have a great day!

Colleen

Stamps: Sleigh Ride - Flourishes
Paper: white - PTI; navy patterned paper - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch: Himalayan Snowflake - Martha Stewart; corner rounder - SU
Other: silver cording, blue fringe ribbon - Michael's; pom pom trim - Offray; rhinestones; Big Shot; Fancy Tags die cut - Spellbinders

Christmas Greetings

2011-12-09T13:17:00.001-05:00

Hey, everyone! I want to show you a card of mine that was published in this Paper Crafts special edition this past fall:

Here is my card:

The patterned paper is Anna Griffin, the sentiment from Flourishes' Sleigh Ride, and the trees from Stampin' Up!'s Patterned Pines.

I'm entering this over at Create: cards blog, and the Splitcoast Clean and Simple challenge #147, to use twine.

I've got a couple of new Christmas projects to show soon, but they're not quite ready to blog about.
We're putting up our tree tomorrow and have visitors on Sunday, so it looks like a fun weekend!

Take care and thanks for coming by. :)

Colleen

Stamps: Patterned Pines - SU; Sleigh Ride - Flourishes
Paper: kraft; Anna Griffin patterned paper
Ink: Versamark, Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Old Olive, Always Artichoke - SU
Other: twill, twine, gold embossing powder - SU

Play Date Cafe 110 - Gift Tag

2011-12-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

Welcome to a new week at The Play Date Cafe! These bright colors just said "Christmas" to me. With stamps I received from our sponsor, DRS Designs (thank you!)

I created a gift tag:

I stamped the image of "I Scene A Stocking" and colored it with Copics. I tried to stick closely to the colors in the challenge, but needed to add some neutrals or my floor and mantel would look weird, not to mention the dog.

The ornaments on the tree were dabbed with Ruby Red Liquid Pearls (thanks, Andrea!), and the candle flames and star on the tree have gold Smooch Ink on them.

The cuff of the stocking has a texture you can feel thanks to DecoArt Snow-Tex. I applied it with a popsicle stick, and while it was still wet, I sprinkled glitter on top. Love it!

On the back of the tag, I used a DRS Filigree Star and sentiment.

I know it's a super busy time of year with Christmas approaching, but we hope you will play with us this week. There's a great prize being offered by DRS Designs; go check it out at The Play Date Cafe.

Thanks so much for your visit!

Colleen

Stamps: I Scene A Stocking, Merry Christmas, Filigree Star - DRS Designs
Paper: Real Red - SU; white - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Tempting Turquoise - SU
Other: Big Shot; oval dies - Spellbinders; ribbon; Copic markers; Snow-Tex - DecoArt; glitter; Ruby Red Liquid Pearls - Ranger

Christmas Tulips

2011-12-04T11:40:00.000-05:00

These Christmas tulips are for my mother, who lives very far from me. I can't wait for her to see this card, enclosed with her holiday gifts. She truly appreciates my craft/addiction, and like most moms, she thinks her kid's artwork is just terrific! Even if her kid is, well, let's just say, "middle-aged". ;)

This tulip stamp is from Blockhead Paper Arts, and I have the pleasure of designing for them now. Before owner Stacey Dunning and I met, I had never heard of her company before. When I visited her webstore, I found myself making a LONG list of all the stamps that made me ooh and aah. This full sheet of stamps I worked with today, Flower Garden, was at the top of my list:

Poppies, marigolds (also known as Calendula) and tulips - they're such gorgeous images to color!

I used a sheer ribbon, so I did not completely cover the beauty of these tulips:

I used Copic markers R14, R24, R29 and R39 for the blossoms, and G40, YG63 and G85 for the stems. What a pleasant break from the busy-ness of Christmastime, to just color. It soothes me.

I used Spellbinders' Classic Frame die. In one stroke, it cuts a frame and a center. I stamped the tulips on the center, colored, then mounted on the card base. The frame is popped up on foam dimensionals right over the image. You can see it best here:

Thanks so much for joining me today. I know you are busy, so I really appreciate your visit!

Colleen

Stamps: Flower Garden - Blockheads Paper Arts
Paper: white - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Other: Copic markers - G40, YG63, G85, R14, R24, R29, R39; Big Shot; Classic Frame die - Spellbinders; Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder - SU; white sheer ribbon - Stamp Simply Ribbon Store; pearls

Wish Big Birthday

2011-12-02T12:06:00.000-05:00

I imagine you've all been looking at Christmas cards almost non-stop lately. How 'bout something different?
I need a birthday card for someone special this month, and I chose the sketch from Mojo Monday to help me out. I picked the square version.

The papers I used are from DCWV's Lemon Flower stack. It's happy to be taken off the shelf!

The sentiment panels were made from Floral Doily Motif, circle and Beaded Circle dies (Spellbinders). The stamp is Verve's Birthday Phrases. I stamped the word "wish" first, then "big" underneath.

Amidst all these holiday cards, it's nice to see a butterfly - even if it's a paper one:

There is some shimmer to a few of the flowers on this paper. This photo does not quite do it justice, as we all know how hard it is to photograph shiny things.

I'm off to do some Christmas shopping, online. That's my FAVORITE way to shop. I get to shop in my comfy clothes, with no crowds to battle. Ahhhh....

Colleen

Stamps: Birthday Phrases - Verve
Paper: white - PTI; Basic Gray - SU; patterned - Lemon Flower - DCWV
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch: Dotted Scallop - EK Success; Monarch Butterfly - Martha Stewart
Other: Big Shot; Floral Doily Motif, circle and Beaded Circle dies - Spellbinders; daisy lace - Walmart; pearls; gray velvet ribbon - SU? can't remember

Play Date Cafe 109 - Girly Gift Enclosures

2011-12-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Smoky purple, blush and champagne - these are the new colors this week for The Play Date Cafe! I love how soft they are.

Our sponsor, Sweet Stamp Shop, gifted each of us on the design team with a cute set. Thank you, Nicole!! I received "Hello Beautiful" -

I used the nail polish bottle stamp and created some mini gift enclosures. My 13 YO used one of them to include with a friend's birthday gift recently. She gave her friend two Essie nail polishes, Beach Bum Blu and Power Clutch:

Here's the gift enclosure duo --

The card stock base is Blush Blossom from Stampin' Up!, the patterned paper from DCWV's Once Upon A Time. It had just the right smoky purple swirls on there.

You can see the purple swirls better in this close shot, as well as the shiny layer on the bottles, made with Crystal Effects (SU). And I just LOOOOVE pearls, so I threw a few on there, too!

Check out the creations made by the rest of our design team at The Play Date Cafe. They've got lots of Sweet Stamp Shop inspiration brewing for you!

Thanks for coming by today. :) I always appreciate your visit!

Colleen

Stamps: Hello Beautiful - Sweet Stamp Shop
Paper: Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Blush Blossom - SU; Once Upon A Time patterned - DCWV
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Dusty Concord Distress - Ranger
Other: Classic Scalloped Ovals, Floral Doily Motif dies - Spellbinders; Copic markers; Crystal Effects - SU; pearls

Viva La Verve - Sketch #4

2011-11-29T09:46:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! Can you believe we are just days away from December?? Wow. My kids keep reminding me how many days are left until Christmas, just like the little girl on the Hallmark ornament commercial. ;) Apparently there's an "app" for that on the iPod.

Photo Credit

We went to see my in-laws in North Carolina for Thanksgiving, and stayed four days. We had a good time, except for someone breaking into my car (while it was parked in their driveway). My husband forgot to lock the car because it was raining while he unpacked the car on Wednesday. Sometime in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day, a guy robbed another neighbor's car and mine as well. Apparently, he was spooked away by my sister-in-law as she went down to her car for something, and he left in a hurry. The neighbor was missing some DVD players and a GPS, and then called the police. My car had two DVD players and two GPS units, but he left them! Amazing. He took my emergency car kit, the one that holds flares, jumper cables, etc. Weird, huh? And he took my husband's golf shoe bag, but not the contents inside (guess he was going to fill that bag like the Grinch Who Stole Christmas). A funny note - the thief left behind his Bail Bond receipt, with his name and other info on it. Something of an inadvertent calling card, wouldn't you say? LOL Hope the cops catch him. I am thankful he only took those few replaceable things.

Okay, on to my card. This is the fourth and final sketch for Viva La Verve in November. Here is the layout:

I thought this was the hardest of the four. (Check out my versions of #1, #2 and #3, if you want) I decided to combine this with The Shabby Tea Room challenge, to make things 'easier' on myself. We are to use whites, creams, silver and glitter, as in the inspiration pic:

When faced with a difficult challenge, I often resort to using lots of 'white space'. In this case, the whole card is covered in shades of white and cream, with some dashes of silver thrown in.

I could NOT get a really good shot of this, and believe me, I tried. So here are some close-ups for you to appreciate it better:

This little clear die cut corner from K & Company is actually gold.
I turned it over to find a silver side...just what I needed!

This beautiful little charm is new to me.
Isn't the green stone pretty?
I shopped at Tuesday Morning in North Carolina
and found AMAZING steals on Girls' Paperie kits.
They usually go for $55. I got mine for $19.99!
It's got ALL kinds of goodies inside. :)

I'm also entering this at 4 Crafty Chicks, where the theme is "snowflakes". My friend Victoria Lavender is the guest designer there. :)

Thanks a bunch for coming by today. Let me know what you think of my card today!

Colleen

Stamps: none
Paper: white - PTI; patterned - Lost & Found Blush - My Mind's Eye; patterned - SU specialty wedding pack;
Ink: Antique Linen Distress - Ranger
Other: Big Shot; Floral Doily Motifs, Fleur De Lis Motifs dies - Spellbinders; Diamonds and Dots embossing folder - Lifestyle Crafts (formerly Quick Kutz); tinsel glitter - Martha Stewart; clear glitter - SU; charm, crochet trim - Girls' Paperie; pearls; silver corner clear die cut - K & Co; lace - Walmart; snowflake die - SU; silver twine - Michael's

Viva La Verve - Sketch #3

2011-11-20T16:53:00.000-05:00

I'm back with the third card of the day, completing my Viva La Verve challenge cards....until the fourth and final sketch is released this coming week. Each month, there are 4 sketches, one per week. If you complete all four, you are eligible to win a $100 gift certificate to the Verve store. I really wanted to give it a try!

If you haven't seen my other posts today for this VLV challenge, you can see them HERE and HERE.

This is Sketch #3:

And here is my card:

I stamped my background with a floral spray from Elements of Style (SU). The smaller panel with text was stamped with Old French Script (Hero Arts).

I used the same flowers as the background to adorn the circle die cut, and used a Verve sentiment from Joy For The Journey. The roses were colored with Copic markers.

The cotton lace is from Wal-Mart, of all places! (Great prices in the ribbon department)

I can't wait to see what the final November sketch will be. :o)

On Friday, I discovered one of my cards has been published in the Dec/Jan/Feb 2012 Take Ten magazine, a Stampington & Company publication! I'm on page 75 with a clean and simple Christmas card. The Stampington Company lets you know if you've been published by sending you a copy of their magazine with your creation in it. I had submitted about 5 cards to them in the summer (you actually have to mail them, and you never get them back), and just crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. So, this made me happy. :o)

Thanks for visiting me today, and for letting me know what you think of my creations. I always appreciate it!

Colleen

Stamps: Elements of Style - SU; Joy For The Journey - Verve; Old French Script - Hero Arts
Paper: Basic Black - SU: white - PTI
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Punch: Scallop Dot border - Martha Stewart
Other: Big Shot; circle die - Spellbinders; Copic markers; pearls - Recollections; black ribbon (recycled); white cotton crochet lace - WalMart

Viva La Verve - Sketch #2

2011-11-20T11:49:00.001-05:00

I'm back with Sketch #2 of the Viva La Verve challenge over at Splitcoast. As I had mentioned in my earlier post today, I am participating in this challenge for the first time. You have to upload a creation for each of the four sketches in a given month to be considered for a $100 gift certificate to the Verve store. Yummy!

My entry for Sketch #1 can be seen HERE.

I adore this sketch. I guess it's the traditionalist in me, liking things to be balanced. So.....I made two cards.
I am also entering these at Just Us Girls, where the challenge is to use Red, Green, and White.

This was my first creation --

You know how I buy those $1 Scrap Bags from my Stampin' Up! demo? All of the papers you see here, minus the pine cone die cut (from K & Co.) and green paper, came from those bags. That kraft panel was already embossed and distressed, too. It sure made this card come together quickly.

To fit the rustic feel of this card, I used three different ribbons to make my bow. There's some bona fide bakery twine on there, too.

Even though I was pleased with the result, I felt I could kick it up a notch, and created this:

I like this one better, because I don't feel comfortable doing rustic cards. Many of the same elements are used here, but I added Doily Lace Trim punching in ivory to coordinate with a more feminine ivory bow. I also added a Verve sentiment from Bright Spirits.

The poinsettia and holly leaves die cuts are from K & Co.

I need to do a bit of tweaking on my card for Sketch #3, then I'll be back here to post it.

Oh, a quick note -- THIS card earned me a Top Spool from Ribbon Carousel. Thanks, gals!

Thanks for joining me! I am always grateful for your visit.

Colleen

Card #1
Paper: Crumb Cake cardstock, patterned papers - SU
Other: pine cone die cut - K & Co; bakery twine; lace - SU; gingham ribbon - Really Reasonable Ribbon; pearls; Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder - SU

Card #2
Stamps: Bright Spirits - Verve
Paper: Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, patterned papers - SU
Ink: Walnut Stain Distress - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch: Doily Lace - Martha Stewart
Other: die cut tag - SU; poinsettia and holly die cut stickers - K & Co; ivory ribbon - Stamp Simply Ribbon; pearls

Viva La Verve

2011-11-20T11:10:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow marks four weeks since my hysterectomy, and I'm grateful to have come such a long way in my recuperation. This past week, with some help from my girls, I cleaned the house top to bottom, did some laundry, and put away the Halloween decorations (they were driving me crazy this late into the year). After looking at what I did, in print, it really WAS too much. And now, I am paying for it.

They say that when you have any kind of major surgery to "take it easy" and "don't do too much". Well, when I felt so good, I wanted to get my normal routine back in place. And I didn't realize I was doing too much until my body said, "WHOA!" I've spent a good many hours lying down this weekend, to rest up.

I did manage to fit in some crafting for a challenge I've never done before. It's Viva La Verve, over at Splitcoast. They offer a sketch per week in a given month, and you have to do all four sketches to be entered for a $100 gift certificate at the Verve store. That sounds reaaaallly good to me! I'm entering late in the game, so bear with me while I throw several individual VLV posts your way.

First up, Week 1:

I've hoarded this Stampin' Up! patterned paper for a couple of years, but finally cut into it for this challenge. You know how you pull out your best china, silver and crystal for a special guest? That's how I feel about the Verve challenges. They can be intimidating, for sure, so I am using things that haven't seen daylight in a while.

More hoarded stuff: Little Felt Flurries by SU. They came in a pack with red, Baja Blue, and white. Well, the white didn't exactly look clean and white to me, rather a bit grayish and dirty. So I took the snowflakes down to a workbench in the cellar and wanted to use spray adhesive and glitter to dress them up. Guess what? The can of spray adhesive was empty! So I used Clear Acrylic Matte Sealer instead, then sprinkled the glitter on top. Worked perfectly. When the snowflakes were dry, I glued on pearls.

This sentiment comes from Bright Spirits, the set I won from Verve last week. And the blue ribbon comes from a Baby Gap shopping bag, which had ribbon handles.

I'm off to write my second Viva La Verve post now. See you soon!

Colleen

Stamps: Bright Spirits - SU
Paper: white - PTI; Sahara Sand, patterned paper - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch: Double Link Trim - Martha Stewart
Other: ribbon - Baby Gap bag; Little Felt Flurries - SU; pearls; glitter

Pastel Sleigh Ride

2011-11-17T16:07:00.002-05:00

Although I love the outcome of this card, it was a BEAR to produce! LOL Took me a day and a half to iron out the details.

Last night I began thinking of ways to use this sketch from Mojo Monday -

I decided to combine it with a challenge from The Shabby Tea Room. This is their inspiration photo:

And here is my card:

The music note background paper is Prima Madeline, the sleigh stamp is from Sleigh Ride and pine boughs from All That Glitters (Flourishes), and the sentiment is my NEW Verve set, Bright Spirits.

Last week I won a $25.00 gift certificate to the Verve store during their Release Party over at Splitcoast. Whoo hoo! I chose Bright Spirits because it's positively packed with sentiments and images. And they shipped it to me lightning-fast, too. :o)

These pretty snowflakes came in a $1.00 Scrap Bag from my Stampin' Up! demo. I glitzed them up with SU clear glitter.

The sleigh is paper-pieced with another find from that Scrap Bag, Baja Breeze Designer Paper. I added a dusting of glitter and a strip of pearls to the runners and a piece of lace to the side of the carriage.

I hope you enjoyed my fancy creation today. Can you believe I've done a cute sock and a fancy sleigh in one day? They're both so different! I never know where my crafting hands will take me next.

Thanks for dropping by!

Colleen

Stamps: sleigh - Sleigh Ride, pine bough - All That Glitters - both Flourishes; sentiment - Bright Spirits - Verve
Paper: Madeline - Prima; white - PTI; Blushing Bride cardstock, Baja Breeze DSP - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Mellow Moss - SU
Punch: Lattice Edge - Martha Stewart
Other: snowflake die cuts, clear glitter - SU; doily; lace trim - Offray; pearls

Play Date Cafe 108 - Sock It To Me

2011-11-17T00:01:00.001-05:00

Maroon, copper and turmeric are the colors for this week's Play Date Cafe challenge. Pretty exotic, huh?
Well, my creation is not at all exotic, but instead features an item we all use at one time or another: a sock!

Isn't it cute?? My mind went blank at first when I saw that I had to combine these colors with a stamp set I have from our sponsor, Lawn Fawn, a set I love, by the way. It's called My Silly Valentine.
I looked at the pair o' socks and thought, "Aha! A gym sock, with glittery bands of our challenge colors!"

I sketched a sock free-hand, based on the shape of the socks in the stamp set. I set the template over a 4.25" x 5.5" card and began trimming away the excess. Easy peasy!

Here's a better look at those shimmery bands:

I used Martha Stewart glitter in Fire Opal, Carnelian and Cinnabar and some strips of Scor-Tape double-sided adhesive to create the lines. My kids adored this little sock!

Feeling inspired by these colors? Link up your creation in our gallery at The Cafe HERE. Because of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday (here in the US), this challenge will last for TWO WEEKS! Go to the Play Date Cafe for more details.

Thanks so much for coming by today!

Colleen

Stamps: My Silly Valentine - Lawn Fawn
Paper: white - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Other: black journaling pen - SU; Martha Stewart glitter - Fire Opal, Carnelian, Cinnabar; Scor-Tape

Quick and Easy Christmas, Part 2

2011-11-14T11:58:00.000-05:00

Hello! I wanted to share another quick and easy Christmas card with you.
At Christmas Card Challenges, we are to be inspired by this picture:

Working with the colors from the inspiration pic, I made this with spare parts from my scrap box. The flower was already stamped and assembled for another project a few years back. It's Stampin' Up!'s Vintage Vogue. The die cut is Elegant Flourishes by Sizzix/Tim Holtz. This went together in a jiffy!

I've linked this card up to the monthly Christmas Card Challenge on Splitcoast, and also the Ways To Use It challenge there, which is SPACE (filling in the space around your card with something 3D).

I just finished wrapping up my card for Thursday's new challenge at The Play Date Cafe. I can't wait for you to see it! It's just too darn cute, if I say so myself. :o)

Thanks for popping by!

Colleen

Stamps: sentiment - Time To Chill - MFP; Vintage Vogue - SU
Paper: Garden Green - SU; white - PTI
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black - SU
Other: Big Shot; Elegant Flourishes die - Sizzix/Tim Holtz; bling

Candy Boxes

2011-11-13T14:47:00.000-05:00

Every year, my girls love to make Candy Boxes for their friends as little Christmas gifts. My Stampin' Up demo, Gail Murray, taught me how to do these several years ago. I created a tutorial for you, in case you want to make them too. Warning: lots of pictures in this post!

Finished boxes:

You will need for each box:

3 assorted patterned papers
3 coordinating scraps of cardstock
Stamps of your choice: small image for Belly Band, greeting for inside
Ink
Circle punches: 1 1/4", 1 3/8", 1 3/4"
Adhesive
Paper trimmer & scoring tool

For this tutorial, I have used plain computer paper. I have also drawn lines for demonstration purposes only. Blue lines are for scoring, red dashed lines are for cutting.

For box bottom:

Cut a piece of cardstock or patterned paper into a 6 7/8" square.
Score each side 1 7/8" from edges.

Trim off each corner, shown by the red dashes.

I use my paper trimmer to cut off the corners by lining up edges of scored lines in the trimmer's 'gutter' or channel.

This is what your box bottom should look like.

Stamp sentiment or image inside square.

Pinch corners of box bottom as shown above and below.

Choose to leave corners as they are, or secure with adhesive (even Scotch tape).

For box top:

Cut a piece of patterned paper into a 5 1/8" square.
Score each side 15/16" from edges.

Cut each corner as shown, making sure that
cuts all run in the same direction.

Flip paper over to the side you want as the inside of the lid.
Place double-sided adhesive on corners marked with an "x".

Assemble corners as shown and place lid on box bottom.

For Belly Band:

Punches needed for label.

Stamp image, then punch circles in coordinating cardstocks; assemble with double-sided adhesive.

Cut 11" x 1" strip of patterned paper.
Adhere label to center of paper strip.

Lay strip and label over box lid,
centering label. Do not secure.

Flip box and belly band over.
Place adhesive on one end of band, as shown.
Secure ends to each other.

Completed box.

The belly band slips off box easily, and helps hold lid and box together in a pretty way.

Our projects, mid-way through assembly.
We need quite a few more!

I am entering this project at Tuesday Throwdown, where the challenge is to use our favorite color combo. I LOVE red and green together for Christmas, especially this olive shade of green.

I do hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and want to give these a try. They are easy to make, otherwise, my kids wouldn't want to do them! LOL

Colleen

Black & Pink Thanks

2011-11-11T16:33:00.001-05:00

Sorry for the wholly uninteresting blog post title. ;-) I just couldn't think of anything snazzy, even after a good nap today.

I wanted to play in the CR84FN challenge, and used a sketch from Paper Crafts' Card Ideas for Paper Crafters, Vol. 1, (page 138) to help get me jump-started.

Happened to notice AFTER the card was made that my pink is not exactly pale, as the challenge calls for. I'm hoping the gals at CR84FN will take pity on me and let my entry stay. :o)
I made this 'thank you' for all of our veterans, past, present and future, for defending our country.

The sentiment is one of my new Verve stamps from Celebration of Thanks. I admit, I'm becoming kind of a convert to Verve stuff. Those fonts that Julee Tilman uses are gorgeous and unique.

The glittery chipboard frame is from a 99 cent pack found at Target (aah, gotta love Target!), and the black and pink paper inside is a recycled tag from my 13 YO's new shirt. As I lay in bed, recovering from my surgery, Haley modeled her new shirt for me. As I looked at the shirt, my eyes went to the tag. Haley said, before I could even utter a word, "Yes, Mom, you can have my tag." My kids know me well. ;o)

Thanks for your visit today. I ALWAYS appreciate it!

Colleen

Stamps: Celebration of Thanks - Verve
Paper: white - PTI; Basic Black - SU; patterned paper unknown
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch: Scallop Border - SU
Other: chipboard frame - Target; glitter heart chipboard - Recollections; clothing tag

Christmas Blessings Mojo Style

2011-11-10T14:39:00.001-05:00

Boy, now that I'm feeling better after surgery, the ideas for cards keep comin'! I'm listening to those ideas and making up for lost time. ;-)

I was inspired by the Mojo Monday sketch this week -- and it was truly a bit of a challenge for me. I'm not sure if I love the outcome, but I'd like for you to be the judge:

I grabbed some old papers from my scrap box and threw them together. The dots are SU, the Christmas stamps from DCWV. I did some faux stitching with a marker around the edge. My 13 YO thinks I did a stinky job! Hey, I can't lift my sewing machine yet to bring it up to the craft area, 'kay?? This was the next best thing. Sheesh.

I used a new-to-me Verve stamp, Christmas Blessings. Beautiful font! I think it gives an old-fashioned feel, perfect with that postage stamp paper. Notice the postage amount? 5 cents! That's pretty old-fashioned, too. ;-)

I used some glittery brads from SU to secure my label die cut. Can't quite see the shimmer, thanks to my poor lighting today.

I was also inspired by Pals Paper Arts - here's their inspiration pic:

I've captured the shimmer of the lady's scarf in the gold scalloped circle, and the colors of her vest, too.

Oh, I really enjoyed reading your comments about the experiences you've had with Volkswagen Beetles! They made me smile. Thanks for sharing them!

Colleen

Stamps: Christmas Blessings - Verve
Paper: kraft, Whisper White, dotted pattern - SU; postage pattern - DCWV
Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch: Lattice Edge - Martha Stewart
Other: Big Shot; scalloped circle die, Grommet Tags die - Spellbinders; doily - Wilton; gold glitter circle - Recollections; poinsettia sticker - K & Co.; glitter brads, black journaling pen- SU

Play Date Cafe 107 - Splash of Orange

2011-11-10T00:01:00.006-05:00

When I see this picture of a Volkswagen Beetle with the word "Splash", it brings back a funny memory from my childhood.
I was about 12 or 13 years old, visiting my dad and stepmother for summer vacation. My stepmom owned a baby blue Beetle, which I found to be a fascinating car, with its engine in the back where a trunk should be.

One clear evening after a day of heavy rain, my younger brother and sister and I piled into the Beetle with my stepmom, out to do some shopping. She drove down the highway, and we were all having a good time laughing about something. The windows were open, so we could feel the cool air better in the back seat. My stepmom had driven through a deep puddle - probably not realizing just how deep - and the resulting spray reached all the way up to the windows and into the car, drenching all of us. There was a puddle by my feet! Oh, how we laughed. It still makes me smile to think of it. :0)

The Play Date Cafe wants you to use a SPLASH of orange - not a tidal wave of rainwater's worth! - on your black and white card this week. I made a card for my sister-in-law, who lives near Charleston, South Carolina.

The scrollwork stamp is Flourish Grids by Hero Arts. It SO reminds me of the beautiful garden gates you see all over Charleston. The flower is by Stampin' Up! - Touch of Nature, and the sentiment is from Something To Celebrate. I used a pop of orange to include a Halloween color, since the birthday girl was born on that holiday.

I liked this card so much, I made four.

Now it's YOUR turn! I'm back in the challenge again, after a couple weeks off for surgery and recuperation. Can't wait to see what you do! Our sponsor this week is

Thanks for joining me today. Have a wonderful day!

Colleen

Stamps: Something to Celebrate, Touch of Nature - SU; Flourish Grids - Hero Arts
Paper: white - PTI
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Other: orange bling - Queen & Co; Copic markers

I'm Back!

2011-11-09T10:36:00.000-05:00

Hello friends - I am happy to be blogging again! My hysterectomy went well, but the recovery took longer than I anticipated. Before surgery, I actually thought that I could probably begin painting the bathroom during recuperation. Ha! I had grandiose ideas of what I would do. Instead, I felt like a zombie for a week and a half. Now I feel pretty terrific and actually got to make a card last night.

You know my friend, Andrea Ewen, right? She's recently been accepted to several Design Teams, including Ribbon Carousel. She issued her first challenge with them and I wanted to play, no matter what! Her challenge is Pillow Talk with Andrea and here's the inspiration pic --

I pounced on the ruffly details and made this:

It's so girly, I love it!! I used papers from Lost & Found by My Mind's Eye (thank you, Emily!), and a sentiment from Verve's Fairy Tales. The daisy lace is from Wal-Mart - really and truly. And of course, it was a great price. ;) The bit of venise lace at the bottom of the card was bought on eBay a while back.

The pleated pink ribbon is retired Stampin' Up!, and really helped make this challenge easy for me.

If you don't mind hanging in there a bit more, I want to share pix of my very first craft fair with you, which was just a few days ago:

My sister-in-law and 10 YO help get the knitted items on display.

A sampling of my cards.

I printed out my blog header and website address and framed it.

My sister-in-law's knit display.

My Punkin mans (or is that wo-man's?) the table.

My sister-in-law, the fabulous knitter, and I shared a table in the basement of a local church. There were about 30 vendors there, and we had a primo spot by the entrance. (pure luck) We each were pleased with our first fair, and plan to do others. Of course, this was a learning experience, and got a better feel for what to do next time. One major thing I've got to do is get business cards made for myself. I was so absorbed by my looming surgery, that I didn't have time to investigate that bit.

I was curious what people would ask for, to get to know the general public better. I noted that some wanted congratulations, graduation, and - for one woman - French themed cards. Well, I do love the French stuff too, so that was no problem! I am lacking in the other departments though. Good to know for next time.

Before I go, I am pleased to say that my anniversary card for my hubby won a Spotlight Artist spot over at City Crafter. Yay!

Thank you all SO MUCH for waiting for me. I'm sorry to be gone so long. It's good to be back!!

Colleen

Stamps: Fairy Tales - Verve
Paper: white - PTI; Lost & Found dp - My Mind's Eye
Ink: Antique Linen, Walnut Stain distress - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch: Swirl border - EK Success
Other: Big Shot; Fancy Tags die - Spellbinders; lace; pink and kraft ribbons - SU; pearls - Queen & Co; pearl brad - Bride's

Home Recuperating

2011-10-29T21:10:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone! I just wanted to pop in and let you know that my surgery went well on Monday. I am currently a 'prisoner' of my second floor, since the only bathroom is on that floor. I'm not allowed to do steps yet, and not for another week. No driving either, for two weeks. I am seriously blessed with a wonderful husband. He's got the housework under control, and is juggling his job, our kids and their schedules, and my care, too. What a great guy!

This was my first time for general anesthesia. I had thought I'd be sore, of course, but that my mind would be sharp and I'd be doing all this reading in bed. Nope! I've been doing a lot of sleeping and 'zoning out.' Someone usually brings me the laptop once or twice a day, so I have limited computer access.

Remember that 'Artful Frame' I had entered in a challenge, and asked for your votes? Unfortunately, I did not place at all. :( HUGE disappointment. Thanks to those of you who did vote for me. I really appreciated it.

One happy piece of crafting news for me though -- 'Happy Birthday, Punkin' made it as a Spotlight Artist at City Crafter. It was nice to find that waiting for me after coming home from the hospital.

It's going to be a little while longer until I can have crafting time again, and visit all of you at your blogs. I miss you!

Hugs to you,
Colleen

Play Date Cafe 105 - A Little Bandage

2011-10-27T00:01:00.001-04:00

It's Thursday, so it must be time for another Play Date Cafe challenge! (I'm so glad for the 'Scheduled Post' option of Blogger.) ;-)

Yum....just look at those creamy drinks. Jaclyn took this photo, and loved the colors for our challenge: cadet blue...taupe...kraft/flesh.

Some of those colors reminded me of Band-Aids, so I used Wellness Wishes from Stampin' Up!. I've never inked up this little bandage guy -- he's THE CUTEST!

Other first-aid touches: twill, which reminds me of gauze tape....

...and Creamy Caramel cardstock, embossed with Perfect Polka Dots and reversed. (basically, it's de-bossed) This is a dead-ringer for a Band-Aid color.

Our sponsor this week is

Go have some fun with our colors, and you just might win the Cup of the Week prize!

Thanks for joining me today. :)

Colleen

Stamps: Wellness Wishes - Stampin' Up!
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Antique Linen Distress - Ranger
Paper: Creamy Caramel, Bordering Blue - SU; white - PTI
Other: twill tape, antique brass buckle slide, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder - SU; Copic markers; ovals and scalloped ovals - Spellbinders

Elegant Get Well

2011-10-22T00:01:00.001-04:00

I've got a get well card to show you today. It is for my husband's college friend. We recently found out that he was injured very badly in a farming accident. It involved a large machine that helps roll up those huge, round hay bales you sometimes see dotted on farmland. It has a very pointy arm on it, which helps lift those round bales.

The point impaled this man through his shoulders, completely missing his heart and lungs, but damaging a lot in the process. He's been in the hospital for weeks now.

I thought this card might cheer him up a little.

I stamped a flourished square three times across the bottom of the card. It's from a new-to-me set by American Crafts called Majestic. I got it from TJ Maxx for $1.99. To be honest, it's a little hard to stamp with. The images don't come out real crisp and clean, as they should. Well, at least it was only $2 that I shelled out!

The bow was made with two loops of ribbon, each secured on the ends with Scor-Tape. Then I attached Scor-Tape to the bottom of each loop, and mounted them together. Sorry I didn't take any pics to show you.

For those of you who voted for me at Market Street Stamps *Special Edition* Block Party challenge, THANK YOU! You can vote again today (Saturday October 22) and then tomorrow (Sunday, October 23rd) before voting closes. (click on logo for link)

My "Artful Frame" wooden frame/home decor piece is in the Top Ten Finalists. I'd sooooo love to win the top prize - $600 in free stamps spaced over a year!! That sounds so good to me. :-)

This will be my last post before I have my surgery. I have to see how I'm feeling post-op. Maybe I can come back to play sooner than I expect. Wish me luck - on the surgery and on the Market Street Stamps contest!! (Monday is when MSS announces its top three winners; I hope they post early, because I'll be in the hospital before noon)

Thanks for joining me!

Colleen

Stamps: Majestic - American Crafts; Wellness Wishes - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Paper: white - PTI
Other: blue bling - Michael's; ribbon - sample from Really Reasonable Ribbon

Please Vote For Me!!

2011-10-21T08:36:00.001-04:00

Hooray! I am one of the 10 *SPECIAL EDITION* Market Street Stamps Block Party Finalists!! Please click here to vote!

I hope you find my entry worthy of a vote. :) Here is what I created:

If you click on the picture, it'll take you to the post where I show close-up details of the frame.

You may vote for up to 3 finalists each day, one vote per finalist thru Sunday, October 23rd - 11:59 CDT.

Thank you so much for your support! I am very excited!

Colleen

Play Date Cafe 104 - Beautiful You

2011-10-20T00:01:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the 2nd Anniversary of the Play Date Cafe! We've got some very special prizes for our challenge this week. The goodies are going to make several winners really happy! Our sponsors this week: Layers of Color, Sweet Stamp Shop and The Twinery.

As soon as Jaclyn put up this color story, I knew right away what I could do with it.

The focal point is a sticker from K & Co. that I've had since the summer. I think it's so beautiful! I set it upon a piece of white cardstock, stamped with script and then punched.

The sentiment is from Verve's Celebrating You. The background paper is Anna Griffin. The green strip is a Stampin' Up! sticker - and of course, it's retired (so many of my SU things are).

I hope you get a chance to play with us for this extra-wonderful week at The Cafe!

Colleen

Stamps: Celebrating You - Verve; Old French Script - Hero Arts
Paper: Barely Banana, Whisper White - SU; pale yellow pattern - Anna Griffin
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Frayed Burlap Distress - Ranger
Punch: Deco Fan - Martha Stewart
Other: K & Co sticker; pearls; gold twine; green border sticker - SU

Happy Birthday, Punkin!

2011-10-19T09:50:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone! Thanks for all of your wonderful comments on my Artful Frame yesterday. I am happy you liked the project as much as I did. :-)

Today is my Punkin's 10th birthday. I love that she has an October birthday. Fall is my favorite time of year, and our wedding anniversary passed just days ago. We have a whole slew of birthdays this month too, in our extended families.

This card is entered at City Crafter, where the challenge is Harvest Festival - fruits or vegetables.

Kerry opened her gifts before going off to school today, and she loved her card. We have a magnet of this pumpkin image on the fridge, so she thought I might've photocopied it from there. I actually downloaded the image from The Ephemera Society, through Pinterest.

The patterned paper is from DCWV Four Seasons stack, which I picked up for $5.99 at TJ Maxx recently. The black cardstock is mounted on a white card base.

I seem to use white card bases ALL the time, and I do love Papertrey Ink's version - bright white, thick and sturdy. When I was new to paper crafting, all I had was Stampin' Up!'s white cardstock. Now I think it's rather flimsy, compared to other brands. However, it comes in handy for a couple of things: border punching (it's tough using PTI cardstock for that; I've broken punches) and sending it through my home printer. I used the SU stuff to print this pumpkin.

Tomorrow is The Play Date Cafe's 2nd Anniversary! Whoo hoo! We've got awesome prizes from The Twinery, Layers of Color and Sweet Stamp Shop. Be sure to stop by and see what we've cooked up for you. :-)

Well, thanks so much for joining me today!

Colleen

Stamps: none
Paper: white - PTI; Basic Black, Wild Wasabi, Crumb Cake - SU; DCWV Four Seasons
Ink: Antique Linen, Walnut Stain Distress - Ranger
Punch: Dotted Scallop - EK Success; Lattice Edge - Martha Stewart
Other: safety pin, brad - SU; twine; black ribbon - Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

Artful Frame

2011-10-18T10:09:00.002-04:00

ETA: This home decor wooden frame, 7 1/2" square, was chosen as a Top Ten Finalist at Market Street Stamps! Please vote for me HERE. :) My creation is #4. Thank you so much!!

I have a good friend named Linda. My 9 YO is best friends with one of her daughters. Linda often has my daughter for playdates, takes her on excursions, and is a leader in our Girl Scout troop. She picked up my child's Girl Scout uniform and other supplies for me, sewed the patches on the vest, and brought it to the meeting. Linda took great care of my kid while she attended her first camping trip ever last weekend, with the troop. Linda is funny, compassionate, thoughtful and always willing to help. She was the first person to commission a card from me, too - the "Inspired by an Anthropologie Mug" card.

I owe her so much, and wanted to make something extra special for her upcoming birthday.
Now, at the same time, I heard about a challenge at Market Street Stamps. They're having the most wonderful Anniversary fiesta. If you use their stamps and enter your creation, they will narrow down the entries to a few finalists. Then on Thursday October 20th, everyone will be able to vote for their favorite creation. The prize? $600 in free stamps!! How awesome! I want to be the winner. ;-)

I used Market Street's Vintage Wallpaper background. LOVE it! I stamped it four times in Sahara Sand ink on white cardstock to create my own designer paper. I left some areas uninked on purpose for a distressed look.

I used a wood frame ($2.99) from a local craft store as my base.

I had only a vague idea in mind when I began. It took me hours and hours, and much of that time was spent 'auditioning' different die cuts, punches and stickers on the frame. I asked my kids over and over, "How does this look? Or how 'bout this?" They were very helpful. :)

One of the first additions to the frame: Infinite Loops double edge trim punch in white, and Dotted Scallop in black. The venise lace is from eBay. These things I was sure about adding. After that, much pondering took place!

The next additions were die cuts - a Parisian motifs large circle, cut down, and a flourish from Fleur De Lis Motifs.

Then I thought of making a frame with Iron Gate corner and edge punches. I used a square die to cut out the center.
Next came a portion of a K & Company die cut border.

And more K & Company die cut borders make an appearance. I trimmed only what I needed - one butterfly and a bit of fern.

I am also entering this at Moxie Fab's Textured To Perfection challenge. This frame is full of texture, with the lace, the pearls, the die cuts, with so much dimension.

I am SO proud of this creation. I think it is my best work yet, in the papercrafting phase of my life.
My 9 YO thinks I should make more of these to sell at an upcoming craft fair (my first!). While this is a wonderful idea, it is very time-consuming. I may have time to make one or two before the early November date.

Early next week I go in for surgery, and there's soooo much I want/need to do before then. Making more of these frames are not on the list! LOL

On Thursday, there'll be a new challenge for The Play Date Cafe. You don't want to miss this one! It's our Two Year Anniversary, and there are some AWESOME prizes to be had for SEVERAL lucky crafters!
Thanks for visiting me today. I know it was a very long post.

Colleen

Stamps: Vintage Wallpaper - Market Street Stamps
Paper: Basic Black, Sahara Sand, Whisper White - SU; white - PTI; patterned paper - SU (a French set, can't remember the name)
Ink: Antique Linen, Walnut Stain Distress - Ranger; Sahara Sand - SU
Punches: Infinite Loops double edge, Iron Gate corner & edge - Martha Stewart; Dotted Scallop - EK Success
Other: Die cut decorative borders - K & Co; venise lace; pearls; Big Shot; Parisian motifs, Fleur De Lis motifs die cuts - Spellbinders

Love You Anniversary

2011-10-14T16:07:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow marks my 17th wedding anniversary. My husband and I met in high school. We dated a little during school, then went off our separate ways for colleges. When we were 22 years old, we got together again, and have been together since (that's 23 years!).

Last night, I made an anniversary card for my Bri. Sure, it's got some feminine elements on there, but overall I think it can be considered masculine. Guy cards are soooooo not my thing....(and he knows this)

The fleur-de-lis paper is from the DCWV Mariposa stack. The Eiffel Tower is by Our Craft Lounge (Vintage Traveler), the frame Notably Ornate by SU, and the sentiment a combo of stamps ("Love") from Squarely Sentimental by Fiskars and Carpe Diem ("You") by Hampton Arts.

Those butterflies are from an old SU set, Botanicals, which I got cheaply on eBay not that long ago. Love the set!!

This card is entered at the City Crafter challenge, using primarily black and cream. My friend Stella Schenkel is the guest artist this week over there, and I'm so glad for her! She is one of the most delightful people I have met, and has some utterly gorgeous creations on her blog.

I also entered at Ribbon Carousel, with my 'sparkle and bling' (gold papers, pearls).

October is a busy month for us, with many birthdays and of course our anniversary. We have another anniversary to add to it now: it's been one year since our beloved Smoat kitty died. Although I am so fond of Cristabel, the black cat we adopted in January 2011, nothing can replace that good ol' orange boy of mine. He was simply the best.

Miss you, Smoat!

Changing the tempo now.....
I wanted to acknowledge Linda B of Hands to Work...Heart to Love. She bestowed upon me the Butterfly Award for my blog:

I'm supposed to answer some questions about myself and pass this award on to 10 other crafters. Linda, I hope you won't be mad at me for holding off on that end of the bargain. I have so much on my plate right now and just can't get to it yet! Thank you for thinking of me and putting me in a crowd of super-talented crafters - that alone is an honor to me. :)

At the Paper Players, my French Flair card won Headliner for last week's challenge. :-)

Okay, that's quite a long enough post! Thanks for reading if you've made it this far. ;)

Colleen

Stamps: Carpe Diem - Hampton Arts; Botanicals, Notably Ornate - SU; Squarely Sentimental - Fiskars; Vintage Traveler - Our Craft Lounge
Paper: white, cream - PTI; Basic Black, Sahara Sand, gold - SU; pattern - DCWV Mariposa stack
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Walnut Stain, Antique Linen Distress - Ranger
Other: Big Shot; Fleur De Lis Motifs die cuts - Spellbinders; Copic markers; pearls; black ribbon - Offray

Spellbinders Die Cut Storage

2011-10-14T10:17:00.000-04:00

Good morning! Many of you know I do not have a craft room. I use my dining room table, which is the only table in the house. My supplies have to be tucked away, as out of sight as possible so no one trips over the stuff during our daily lives.

I recently read about someone using magnetic vent covers for Spellbinders Die Cut storage, and thought that would work for me too.

My craft cabinet is our former TV/entertainment armoire, now located in the dining room. The inside of the doors were transformed last night into die cut heaven!

My husband bought me a 3 pack of magnetic vent covers like these, available at hardware stores or even Amazon.com:

I added this double-sided adhesive to stick them to the doors:

Unfortunately, that 3-pack of vent covers didn't create enough storage for me, so I thought of something else.
You know those advertising magnets you get in the mail, from realtors and restaurants, or even can find on your Yellow Pages book? These.....

I just put that adhesive on 'em and hung those up too - virtually free storage! (except for the tape)

It might not be fancy, but it beats keeping these in a box. I like looking at everything! And because I LOOOVE organization, I keep all of the original Spellbinders package fronts in my Big Binder like this:

That same binder holds pictures of all my stamps and punched-out pieces from all of my punches, too.
I couldn't get along without that Big Binder!

I've got another post to share later, so I'll see you soon! Thanks for joining me. :)

Colleen