Black & Pink Thanks

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

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

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!

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

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

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.)  ;-)

Love 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

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!!

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

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!

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

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