Born Lucky

I was born lucky:  my birthday is on St. Patrick's Day, as many of you know.  I also feel lucky and blessed because of the many wonderful friends I've made since I began blogging last May.  My mailbox has been stuffed full these last couple of weeks with gorgeous, heartfelt handmade creations....and even some presents! 

Each of these cards 'wowed' me, and I appreciate every one.  I thought you might like to see them too!  Thanks to everyone who sent birthday wishes....you're all the best!!  {{Big Hugs}}  All of this happy mail has helped lighten my spirit.  Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

From Tracey Kuzniak

From Deborah Forbes

From Brenda O'Rear aka Benzi

From Audrey Hiltke

From Pam Lawver

From Sue Titolo

From Karen Saalfield

From Nancy Williams

From Ruby McGuire

From Emily Keaton

Also from Emily Keaton

From Carol Hurlock - THIS is the ENVELOPE!  Can you believe it??

From Carol Hurlock -- and THIS is the card!

From Vicki Dutcher

From Savannah O'Gwynn

From Jaclyn Miller

Hugs,
Colleen

Mark's Finest Papers Challenge #47 - Round and Scalloped

Hi everyone!  I've missed you all so much.  I'm having a terrible time with my creative mojo lately.  One of my children is going through something very troubling and serious, and it has sapped all of my creative energy.  I hope you'll pardon the fewer-and-farther-between posts I am able to do each week.  Any positive thoughts and prayers you can send our way is much appreciated. 

On to my card.

The new Speedy's Friends challenge from Mark's Finest Papers this week is to make a round card with 3 pastel colors, 3 bling and 1 image.  Our hostess is Karen Knegten. 

I finally used my Stampin' Up! Scallop Bigz Die (I've only had it forever) and cut two pieces from cardstock.  I attached the back piece with a strip or two of Scor-Tape (very strong adhesive) and scored the paper so it would open properly, without wrinkling.

The patterned paper was also sent through the Big Shot with the Scallop die, then cut in half.  I used two patterns from K & Company's K-ology "Hannah" paper pad. 

My focal point is the butterfly from Mark's Finest Papers Just Dandy March release.  I stamped it with Crumb Cake ink and mounted it onto several die cuts from Spellbinders:  scalloped oval, oval, and Labels Four.  Blue ric-rac and white picot-edged ribbon hide my patterned paper edges.  The white ribbon was from my grandmother.

I assembled flowers from Prima's White Wildflower Mix with brads, and sponged each fleurette first with Crumb Cake ink.

We hope you get to play along with us!  Check out the other rounded creations by:

Vicki Dutcher -- Joanne Grezlak -- Geri Utterback --

Harriet Skelly -- Susan Raihala -- Karen Knegten

Just link up your creation by March 25th at 3:00 pm EST here.

Thanks for joining me!

Colleen

Stamps:  Just Dandy by Mark's Finest Papers
Paper:  white cardstock (MFP), K & Company K-ology Hannah patterned paper, Ruby Red, Certainly Celery, Soft Sky cardstock (SU)
Ink:  Crumb Cake dye
Other:  Big Shot, SU Scallop Bigz Die, blue ric-rac (SU), ivory picot-edged ribbon from stash, dimensionals, Spellbinders:  scalloped oval, oval, Labels Four, Prima Wildflower Mix, brads from Joann's, blue bling from Queen & Co.

Play Date Cafe 73 - Love You Tons!

Before I get to my card today for the Play Date Cafe's new color challenge, I need to give a birthday shout-out to a few friends around the world.

Happy Birthday / St. Patrick's Day to Chris R from Iowa, Loli from Spain, and Heather from Canada!  'Tis my birthday today, as well.  :)

Onto our challenge!

This week's sponsor is DeNami Design -- they have the cutest stamps!  I've got several now, and love 'em all.  See my posts HERE, HERE and HERE for cards made with cute DeNami stuff. 

I've got elephants to show you today...

I used a large "love" heart from DeNami as well, and you can see it all over the card.  I paper-pieced the elephants with it, and made it my background. 

I needed a sentiment (DeNami has one to go with the elephant, but I don't own that one) so I computer-generated it onto More Mustard cardstock, then punched it out.

Check out the wide variety of cards my teammates have for you:
  

 Ruby -- Tracey -- Jaclyn -- Jinny -- Julie -- Michele --

Fiona -- Andrea -- Libby -- Savannah
....and our special Guest Designer this week:  Paulina Nakamura!

The winner this week gets money to spend at DeNami!!

The DeNami team also has cooked up some terrific inspiration for you this week.  Head over there by clicking HERE. 

Please follow THE PLAY DATE CAFE RULES carefully to enter.

Deadline for prizes is 11:59pm EST on Tuesday

The 'Cup of the Week' will be announced during the next challenge.

ALL SKILL LEVELS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PLAY! 
We want you to enjoy this challenge. 

Interpret the colors the way you see them. 

We do not use specific card stock color names or brands.

Break out of the box and have fun! 

The main requirement is:

PDCC COLORS BE THE 

FOCUS OF YOUR SUBMISSION

When using additional colors, please limit them to neutrals. 

You are welcome to combine challenges, 
but we do ask that:
 1. The PDCC name and/or photo is used

2. OUR colors are the focus of the card.

If you're ready to play, we can't wait to see what you come up with!

Thanks for joining me!

Colleen

Stamps:  elephant, Love heart - DeNami Designs
Paper:  Perfect Plum, More Mustard, Ruby Red cardstock - Stampin' Up!
Ink:  Perfect Plum, More Mustard, Ruby Red
Punches:  Modern Label (SU), corner rounder, (SU), scallop border (SU), Embossed Curves (EK Success)
Other:  Big Shot, Finial Press Embossing Folder, rhinestones from Queen & Co., ribbon from SU, dimensionals, computer-generated sentiment

DeNami Blog Hop

I'm thrilled to be part of DeNami Designs "Floral Frenzy" Blog Hop!

My card features a flowery whale, diving among doily waves. 

All of the designer paper is from my $1.00 Scrap Bags from my Stampin' Up! demo, Gail Murray.  I believe it was all from the same designer series, but don't know the name of it.

I paper pieced the whale and added a flower and rhinestone to her head.

The inside of the card includes some more decoration and a sentiment.

Details of the Blog Hop:

When:  It starts March 13 at 6 AM, PST.  You have until March 14, 2011 11:59 pm PST to leave comments on all the blogs (to be eligible for a prize).

Why:  To be inspired by beautiful creations featuring DeNami Design stamps and also the chance to win mini shopping sprees on the DeNami Design website!

Prizes:  DeNami is giving away THREE $20 gift certificates to our website!  They'll be giving away one gift certificate to a random participant (DT members not eligible) and also be giving away TWO gift certificates to TWO people who comment along the hop!

Blog Hop Participants:


If you want to start the Blog Hop from the beginning, head over to DeNami Designs!

Colleen

Stamps:  whale, sentiment by DeNami Design
Paper:  Crushed Curry cardstock, designer paper from Stampin' Up!
Ink:  Basic Black
Punch:  Doily Lace border by Martha Stewart
Other:  vintage doily, felt flowers by SU, rhinestones by Queen & Co., ribbon

1. Paulina Nakamura http://prettypinkposh.blogspot.com/
2. Ayana Posadas http://ayanaposadas.typepad.com/
3. Wendy Elliot http://wendyelliot.blogspot.com
4. Michele Gross http://studiomsg.blogspot.com/
5. Andrea Matthews http://workinprogress-am.blogspot.com/
6. Lisa Petrella http://bellalistona.blogspot.com/
7. Laurie Willison http://www.soapboxcreations.blogspot.com/
8. Kristy Smith http://kbsmith34.blogspot.com/
9. Pattie Goldman http://pattie-g.blogspot.com/
10. Jinny Newlin http://jinnynewlin.blogspot.com/
11. Tammy Hobbs http://somewhereunderthesune.blogspot.com/
12. Sue Lelli  http://suelelli.blogspot.com/
13. Ruby McGuire http://www.ruby2shoesdesign.blogspot.com/
14. Libby Hickson http://stampinlibby.blogspot.com/
15. Nicki Scheck http://idreamcreateinspire.blogspot.com/
16. Julie Ranae  http://juliesopenwindow.blogspot.com/
17. Colleen Dietrich  YOU ARE HERE!
18. Dana Seymour http://kismetartlife.blogspot.com/
19. Jaclyn Miller http://designsbyjax.blogspot.com/
20. Christina Maclaren http://christinamaclaren.blogspot.com/
21. Karen Baker http://thebalddragonfly.blogspot.com/
22. Tracey Kuznak http://trace44.blogspot.com/
23. Ruza Rebel http://ruzascraftcorner.blogspot.com/
24. Linda Nomura http://www.scraphappylin.blogspot.com/
25. Katie Brooks http://www.kbstamps.blogspot.com/
26. Tina Covington http://www.livelovenstamp.blogspot.com/
27. Debbie Marcinkiewicz http://www.debssimpletreasures.blogspot.com/
28. Carol Hartery http://www.carolhartery.blogspot.com/
29. Karen Larkin http://karenspersonalblog.blogspot.com/
30. Tenia Nelson http://jazzypaper.blogspot.com/

Mark's Finest Papers Challenge #46 - Fabulous!

The new Mark's Finest Papers Speedy's Friends challenge is to use lime and gray on a One Layer Card.  Our challenge hostess is Susan Raihala, who is a master at OLC's. 

I chose a piece of cardstock whose origins I do not remember.  It is light gray with a 'heathered' look to it.  I stamped the large dandelion image from Just Dandy and heat embossed it with black embossing powder.  Anyone else have trouble with Stampin' Up!s black embossing powder?  Mine does not cover evenly and disappears in some areas.

With white craft ink (Stampin' Up!), I sponged around the edges of the card, and a little around the dandelions as well.  Hardly noticeable; oh well.

I punched a hole with my paper piercer and threaded through some AWESOME satin ribbon from Marks' Finest Papers.  This is nice stuff to work with.

Check out my teammates' creations, too:

Vicki Dutcher -- Joanne Grezlak -- Geri Utterback --

Harriet Skelly -- Susan Raihala -- Karen Knegten

We'd love for you to come play with us!  Link up your card by March 18th 3:00 pm EST HERE.  Can't wait to see your One Layer Wonder!

Colleen

Stamps:  Just Dandy by MFP
Paper:  light gray
Ink:  Versamark, Basic Black, Whisper White craft
Punch:  corner rounder (SU)
Other:  paper piercing tool, green bling by Queen & Co., ribbon from MFP, sponge

Play Date Cafe 72 - Happy Flowers

It's a week of bright, happy colors once again at the Play Date Cafe!  

These colors remind me of big, bold flowers, so I came up with this:

The big flower heads actually remind me more of lollipops.   :)

I used a Stampin' Up! set called Artistic Etchings, plus circle punches (1 3/4", 1 1/4" and 1") to create my flowers.  The stems and leaves are from another SU set called Time Well Spent, and the orange polka dots on my card base - Polka Dot background stamp. 

I tied my bouquet together with Pink Sorbet twine from The Twinery. 

After punching out my flowers, I had some leftovers.  With those, I made another similar card:

Which card do you like better?  I'm curious!

Enough about my cards, it's time for you to see what my teamies at the Cafe have come up with:

Julie Day of J. Day Designs is our Guest Designer!

Julie has been a regular player with The Play Date Cafe and her fresh, unique style has gotten lots of attention lately.  We're so happy to have you as our guest, Julie!

Please follow THE PLAY DATE CAFE RULES carefully to enter.

Deadline for prizes is 11:59pm EST on Tuesday

The 'Cup of the Week' will be announced during the next challenge.

ALL SKILL LEVELS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PLAY! 
We want you to enjoy this challenge. 

Interpret the colors the way you see them. 

We do not use specific card stock color names or brands.

Break out of the box and have fun! 

The main requirement is:

PDCC COLORS BE THE 

FOCUS OF YOUR SUBMISSION

When using additional colors, please limit them to neutrals. 

You are welcome to combine challenges, 
but we do ask that:
 1. The PDCC name and/or photo is used

2. OUR colors are the focus of the card.

Thanks to each of you who plays with us at the Play Date Cafe.  I truly appreciate it!

Colleen

Stamps:  Artistic Etchings, Polka Dot Background, Time Well Spent (SU)
Paper:  Pink Passion, Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie, white by PTI
Ink:  Pink Passion, Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black
Punches:  1 3/4", 1 1/4", 1" circles, Punched Scallop border - all SU
Other:  bling from Queen & Co. and Recollections, Pink Sorbet twine by The Twinery, dimensionals, Big Shot, Finial Press embossing folder

Sarah -- Ruby -- Tracey -- Jaclyn -- Jinny -- Julie -- Michele --

Fiona -- Andrea -- Libby -- Savannah

Washing O' The Green

It looks like I've hung these shamrocks on a laundry line, doesn't it? 
This card took a long time to make, even though it's relatively simple in design.  Stamping, fussy-cutting, tying onto the laundry line....it took a couple of hours.  I usually send my Irish relatives a card for this holiday, but I'm sorry folks:  this is not the one that you'll find in your mailbox!  LOL

My birthday is on St. Patrick's Day, so this holiday has always been a super special day to me.  With a name like Colleen, you can bet I'm Irish, too (half Irish)!

The stamps are both from Studio G (no name on each small set, though).  I picked up 3 sets at $1.00 each at my local AC Moore craft store.  The twine is Peapod from The Twinery.

Challenges entered:

• The Shabby Tea Room - The Luck O' The Irish
• EtsyInspired - featured shop is Desired Things, and I've used this photo (look at the green beads:  they look like shamrocks!)

• Really Reasonable Ribbons Ramblings - Green Theme, with ribbon
• Penny's Challenges #48 - Going for the Green
• PaperCraft Planet blog spotting
• CARDS challenge gallery

Thanks for joining me today!  

Colleen

Stamps:  Studio G

Paper:  Not Quite Navy, Wild Wasabi, white by PTI

Ink:  Not Quite Navy, Wild Wasabi

Other:  dimensionals, pearls by Recollections, Peapod twine by The Twinery 

Paper Crafts, Here I Come!

Eeeeek!  Two of my four submissions to the Paper Crafts "Go-To Sketches For Card Makers" call were picked up!  This special issue will hit newsstands August 9, 2011.

I had never submitted anything for publication before and am AMAZED that I got picked up on my first try.  Still in happy shock, that's me.  :)  I spent ALL morning filling out the papers for Paper Crafts, and taking the time to write out the detailed supply lists and instructions.  I've boxed up my creations and am heading for the post office now!

I also want to take a moment to accept an award from a fellow blogger named Tara Bilbao, of Tara Bee Ink.  Thank you so much, Tara!  Check out some of my faves of her cards here and here.

The rules of accepting this award:I want to pass this on to:

1-Creating a post where I blog about the Liebster award & reveal my 3-5 blog picks

2-Let the honorees know that I selected them

3-Copy & paste the blog award on my blog

Danielle Therese Greenwood - Au Claire de Lune
Tammy Hobbs - Creating Somewhere Under the Sun
Julie Day - J. Day Designs


I will be back with a new card soon - promise!  I've also got to accept another award from two different ladies, but I'm running out of time today.  :)

Thanks for joining me -- I always appreciate your visits!

Colleen

(PS - Blogger is being goofy today, and I cannot get that green background out of my Liebster award badge!  I'm so sorry.  If you are accepting this badge from me today, check out my sidebar:  there is a Liebster badge there that looks 'normal')

I'm Joining The Team!

I was honored when Vicki Dutcher, Blog Team Coordinator for Mark's Finest Papers, tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I would be a part of the weekly challenges there. 

Since today is my big debut,  I got to choose the challenge for this week.  :0)

My challenge:  using Bleached Images.  Here is a tutorial link at Splitcoaststampers to see how it's done. 

Here is my card with a Bleached Butterfly:

I used the new March release set, Just Dandy.  The butterfly image from it is just perfect for the bleaching technique.  I stamped it in Versamark on a scrap of Really Rust cardstock, then heat-embossed it with Rubber Stampede's Gold Embossing Powder.

For the bleaching part of the process, I laid my embossed butterfly scrap on several layers of paper towels.  I poured a small amount of regular household liquid bleach into a clean baby food container.  Using a children's fine tipped paint brush, I painted the bleach inside the embossed image.  It changed the rust cardstock to a beautiful, golden yellow.

You may have to do some trial and error with your cardstock color choices.  For instance, black turns muddy brown when painted with bleach.  Yuck.  Not what I wanted. 

Most of my supplies are from Mark's Finest Paper store, with a few exceptions.  I took a page from my "Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior" book to use as designer paper.  There was a time I enjoyed reading the proper way to do things...but now I don't care nearly as much.  :) 

Now go visit my other teammates' blogs to see what they've done with the bleach technique:

Vicki Dutcher -- Joanne Grezlak -- Geri Utterback --

Harriet Skelly -- Susan Raihala -- Karen Knegten

Hope you've gotten plenty of inspiration to try out this technique, and we can't wait to see what you do!  Just link up your card to Speedy The Cat's Challenge HERE by Friday, March 11th at 3 pm EST.
Thanks for joining me today.  I always appreciate your visits!

Colleen

Stamps:  Just Dandy by Mark's Finest Papers
Paper:  Basic Black/Soft Suede/Really Rust by Stampin' Up; designer papers and tobacco colored cardbase from MFP; page from old book
Ink:  Versamark
Punch:  Vine Trim double edge by Martha Stewart
Other:  chocolate pearls from Recollections, brad and satin ribbon from MFP

Play Date Cafe 71 - Color Splash of Your Choice

Welcome to a new twist on an old favorite at the Play Date Cafe...Color Splash Week! 

This week the challenge involves a black and white creation -- with a splash of ONE color of YOUR choice.  My Player's Choice splash of color is Caribbean Blue.....

I used a Lizzie Anne birdcage stamp from "The Monthly Mix - May 2010 Dream Big".  
Isn't it adorable?   LoVe this stamp!  The bird and cage were colored with Stampin' Up! markers, decorated with aqua bling from Michael's, and 'hung' with Caribbean twine from The Twinery.

The Twinery is our sponsor this week at the Play Date Cafe.  And our very own Julie Ranae is the "Guest Designer"!  Julie is on the Design Team at the Twinery, too. 

Some lucky duck is going to win this gorgeous assortment of twine, which includes three brand new colors --

First, go check out what the other Play Date gals have dreamed up for you this week:

Tracey -- Jaclyn -- Savannah -- Julie -- Michele --

Fiona -- Andrea -- Sarah -- Jinny -- Ruby -- Libby

Ready to play with us?

Please follow THE PLAY DATE CAFE RULES carefully to enter.

Deadline for prizes is 11:59pm EST on Tuesday

The 'Cup of the Week' will be announced during the next challenge.

ALL SKILL LEVELS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PLAY! 
We want you to enjoy this challenge. 

Interpret the colors the way you see them. 

We do not use specific card stock color names or brands.

Break out of the box and have fun! 

The main requirement is:

PDCC COLORS BE THE 

FOCUS OF YOUR SUBMISSION

When using additional colors, please limit them to neutrals. 

You are welcome to combine challenges, 
but we do ask that:
 1. The PDCC name and/or photo is used

2. OUR colors are the focus of the card.

I can't wait to see what YOUR splash of color will be! 

Colleen

Stamps:  Lizzie Anne Designs - Monthly Mix May 2010 "Dream Big"
Paper:  Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, white by PTI
Ink:  Stazon Black
Punch:  corner rounder (SU)
Other:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder (SU), Caribbean twine from the Twinery, button and rub-on (on button) from SU, SU markers, dimensionals, bling from $1 bin at Michael's

Just a Quick Note & an Award

Hi everyone!  I've missed being here with you this past week.  I just wanted to pop in and say 'hello' and tell you what I've been up to.

My days have been filled with card-making, but unfortunately nothing that I can show you right now.  I made several submissions to PaperCrafts magazine over the last week.  The deadline was yesterday, and I managed to sneak in one more.  I absolutely love how the cards turned out, and if they are not picked up by a magazine, at least I will be able to eventually share them with you all here.  :)

I've also been working on a card that I can finally reveal this Saturday, March 5th.  It's a big day for me, so stay tuned!

I've received two blog awards recently.  One is from Pauline, and one from Tara; two lovely, classy ladies who do beautiful work.  I need to make time to properly accept the awards soon.  Thank you, Pauline and Tara!

My "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" card made it into the Top 3 last week at CASE Study.  I'm proudly wearing my badge!

And, of course, there's always Life going on around a cardmaker, too.  My 12 YO daughter is going through some stuff right now.  It's been an emotional time for me, and that drains away a lot of my energy.  Please send positive vibes to us.  :)

My sister-in-law and I have decided to try being vendors at a spring craft fair in our region.  We have never done this before, and there's a lot of prep work involved.  She is a knitter who makes gorgeous, trendy items and I'll have my cards to sell.  We are both working on our crafts now so we have an ample supply for the fair.  If any of you have done craft fairs before and can offer any helpful tips, I'm all ears!  Please drop me an email (on my sidebar) or comment.

This Thursday morning, there is a new Play Date Cafe challenge.  It's an 'old' challenge, but with a really cool twist.  Can't wait for you to see both the challenge AND my card. 

That's it for me for now.  I miss you all! 

Colleen