Dotted Elephants

I've just returned from vacation, and have many things to share with you.  This is kind of a long post, so if you just want to look at the card below and be on your merry way, go right ahead!  I don't mind.  :o)

One thing to share is a card that is published in the Stamp It! Volume 9 issue of Paper Crafts magazine, and it's featured on page 49.

Here's my card --

I used a DeNami elephant and some Copic markers to create this little 'parade'.  A Copic blender pen helped remove some of the red ink to show pattern on the middle guy.

We were on vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a week, visiting my in-laws and just got back.  We had a good time, and I was able to finally kick this bronchitis-turned-bronchospasm problem I've had for a few weeks.  (Amen to that!)

A dock by the sound.  This is a short walk from the house, and this is where we crabbed.

Okay, so you know how most of us do laundry or grocery shop when we get home from vacation?  Well, we had to look for a car.  Hmph.  My oh-so-dependable, well-maintained mini van's transmission had a sudden death while my family and I were out getting supplies to go crabbing.  As my hubby was driving into a parking lot, the car made a loud, strange noise and I said "That doesn't sound good."  He agreed.  He drove a few more yards and it made a louder sound, combined with a lurching motion.  We decided we'd better head back to the house instead, and he tried to pull out of the parking spot when it lurched all of us quite violently.  We were now in a lane in the parking lot (in people's way) when the car stopped altogether.  The engine was still running, so my hubby wanted to push the car while in neutral to a safer spot.  No dice.  It wouldn't budge.  It was as if the emergency brake was on, but it wasn't.  My father in law came to get me and the girls, while AAA came to tow our car to a garage.  The price tag was almost $4,000 and a 3-day work time to put a different (read:  not brand new) transmission in the van.  Based on many factors, my husband decided not to fix it.  It was a 10 year old car, but the good thing was that we had owned it and there were no more car payments on it.

Our little crabber, helping her dad.

We had to leave the car down there, and donated it to a charitable organization.  Luckily, my in-laws were able to lend us a car for the ride home, otherwise we'd have to rent one one-way.

One of 15 crabs caught - and returned - in the sound.

We're leasing a 2012 Chevy Traverse, which is an SUV crossover vehicle.  I get to pick it up tomorrow.  I'm a little excited to drive something new and different, but we were just not prepared for another car payment so soon.  :/

The clouds just seem bigger down south!

We had fun on vacation, despite this unexpected event.  The kids and Daddy went on a waverunner, and they all enjoyed that.  I stayed on shore to take pictures, but they didn't turn out so good.  I'm better at photographing things that don't move too much!

This is Hazy Daisy.  She lives at the pottery shop we always visit when we are in Manteo.

We also took a Dolphin Cruise, and saw about 6-8 of them.  Again, didn't get any good shots, plus it was raining that day so every photo is gray, and shows maybe the tip of a dorsal fin.  ;-)  There were two good beach days, and the water felt so warm.  I did not find any beach glass this time 'round.

I shopped (when I still had the car), and found a scrapbook store, TJ Maxx, antiques shops and Tuesday Morning all within a short distance.  I came home with some fun 'souvenirs'.  ;)

The sun seems to dip very quickly at the end of the day.  I ran for my camera and almost missed it.  You can just barely see it above the sound.  This is the view from the deck.  It's really, really lovely.

When I came home, I was delighted to see so many comments on the posts I had scheduled this past week.  Thank you ALL for leaving love for me!  It was a good end to my trip.

I also discovered that my hydrangea card earned honors at City Crafter, CASE Study and The Shabby Tea Room.  Thank you to all the ladies at those challenge sites!

Well, that's it for me.  I hope I can do some crafting soon...I missed it a lot!  And I've missed visiting your blogs, so you will see me soon.



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Elephant - DeNami; Timeless Tags - The Craft's Meow
Paper: white - PTI; Baja Breeze - SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: white crochet lace - Simplicity; red satin ribbon - craft supply
Other: pearls; Copic markers; corner rounder punch - SU

Inspired By Stamping Inspiration Challenge #21

Hello!  I'm playing in the new Inspired By Stamping Inspiration Challenge, and here is the GORGEOUS inspiration photo --

Joanna always chooses the prettiest pictures!  This week we'd like to see a Garden Theme, using Pinks, Yellows and Greens.

I made two projects.  The first didn't 'wow' me, so then I made another.  When I showed both to my 14 YO critic, she actually liked my original project best.  I feel the opposite.  You be the judge....

Project #1 -

I've used Sweet Aviary, All Year Wishes I and Springtime Beauty II here.

Project #2 -

This one incorporates Delicate Doilies (as the sun) and Springtime Beauty II.

The paper pieced birds are dressed with My Mind's Eye 'Quite Contrary' papers, which were free with a UK crafting magazine a while back.

I love making doily suns.  Another recent post shows that, too.  :-)

I decorated the envelope, too.

Come play with us!  Just link up your creation HERE.  A new challenge begins every Thursday.  See you there!



Birds In Grass card:
Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Springtime Beauty II, Delicate Doilies - Inspired By Stamping
Paper: white - PTI; Garden Green, Pretty In Pink - SU; patterned - Quite Contrary - My Mind's Eye
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Summer Sun, Wild Wasabi, Pretty In Pink - SU
Fibers: Peapod twine - The Twinery
Other: Heart border punch - SU

Bird in Cage Thanks card:

Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Springtime Beauty II, Sweet Aviary, All Year Wishes I - Inspired By Stamping
Paper: white - PTI
Ink: Summer Sun, Wild Wasabi, Pink Pirhouette - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: pink satin picot edged ribbon - Offray
Other: pink rhinestones - Michael's; Big Shot; Labels Four die - Spellbinders; Roses embossing folder - Cuttlebug

Bunny Love

 

Hello!  It's my turn to feature a project at Creative Inspirations Paints this week.  I love these paints, and there are soooooo many ways to use them - and on various surfaces, too - but as card-making is my first love, I went with that.  SALE ALERT!  10% off these paints during the whole month of August!

These little bunnies from DeNami were stamped on ledger patterned paper and colored with Copic markers and a white gel pen for their little behinds.  :-)  The frame and long flourish under the bunnies are stamps from Inspired By Stamping.  I cut apart two Fancy Tags Three die cuts to decorate behind the label.

Can you see the Ivory shimmer paint along one of the frame's borders?

This frame is from Sweet Stamps, and it's one of my go-to stamps.  I love it.  This time, I colored in portions of it with Chocolate shimmer paint.

The sentiment comes as one long string of words.  I inked up each word separately with a black marker and used my Stamp-a-majig to place them on three lines.

Thanks so much for joining me today!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Sending You Love, Bunny Border - DeNami; Fancy Label 18 - Inspired By Stamping; Swirly Parchment Frame - Sweet Stamps
Paper: River Rock, Basic Black, Whisper White - SU; ledger paper - K & Co. Flora & Fauna Ledger
Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake - SU; Antique Linen - Ranger
Fibers: white seam binding - Zipper Stop
Other: Big Shot; Fancy Tags Three, Scalloped Circle, Labels 18 dies - Spellbinders; pearl; white gel pen; Chocolate, Ivory shimmer paints - Creative Inspirations Paints; Copic markers; black marker - SU

Two Tone Lilac

Hello everyone!  I'm popping in with a quick post today.

I made this quite a while ago, but never showed it to you all.  I had tried to get this published, but no one took me up on it.  :(   At this point, I cannot submit because this sentiment is from a retired set, and if you want to get in a magazine, you need fresh, current supplies.

It's okay -- I am just as happy to share this on my blog!

This was made with lots of hydrangea punches and rose leaf punches, all from Martha Stewart.

I've been meaning to make one of these in shades of purple/blue, but haven't had time.  (I did, however, do a hydrangea card recently)  Oh, I have LOADS of ideas, mind you...just not enough time to make 'em all reality!  LOL

Just had to share a fishtail braid I did on my 10 YO.  It's lots of fun to do, but usually she won't let me touch her hair (been that way since she was about 2 years old!), so this was a real treat for Mom.  :-)

Thanks for joining me today.  I love when you visit!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Planted with Love - Mark's Finest Papers
Paper: yellow, pink, green cardstock - DCWV
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: pearls; Rose Leaf, Hydrangea punches - Martha Stewart; Corner Rounder punch - EK Success

Hydrangea Wedding

I found a trio of challenges that were just up my alley today.  And although I am still having some trouble breathing (yes, enough already!), I really wanted to play along.

Challenges entered:

• CASE Study - 'Signature Style' - I love a clean and simple style with 'more' to it, by adding embossing, lace, and pretty details.  I also have a penchant for 'punch art', as with my flower.
• City Crafter - 'Solid As A Rock' - use solid papers, no patterns - no problem!
• Shabby Tea Room - 'Sweet Summertime' - use the photo below as inspiration - include flowers, a stamped element and colors in the photo (Hydrangeas!  How can I pass this up??)

I was also inspired by a card made by my friend, Lin, of Sending Hugs.  I liked her card so much that I pinned it on Pinterest, but wanted to make it my own.  

I punched a 1 3/4" circle out of Lavender Lace, then layered many Hydrangea punches (using craft glue) in Lovely Lilac, Lavender Lace and Almost Amethyst.  I think the colors make the perfect blossom!  The leaves are made with the Rose Leaf punch by Martha Stewart in Mellow Moss and outlined with a marker.

Finally got to ink up a stamp from Hero Arts' Best Wishes.  This card will go to the boutique, where they sell a lot of birthday and wedding gifts.  

Thanks for coming by!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Best Wishes - Hero Arts
Paper: Lovely Lilac, Lavender Lace, Mellow Moss, Almost Amethyst, Whisper White - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: flower trim - Offray
Other: 1 3/4" circle punch, Mellow Moss marker - SU; Kassi's Brocade embossing folder - Cuttlebug; pearls; Big Shot; Rose Leaf and Hydrangea punches - Martha Stewart

Seek Joy

Let me say how much I've missed being here, blogging with all of you!  I have been SO very sick these last two weeks.  I have bronchitis, and treatment upon treatment didn't seem to cut it.  My doc put me on a steroid a couple of days ago, and at long last I feel able to breathe.  Sweet relief!  It was so bad that just taking a shower or sitting at the computer winded me and I had to lay down most of the time.  Yikes.

But here I am, ready to share a card with you.  I'm so glad.  :o)

I am playing in the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday challenge, where we are to CASE one of their DT members' creations.  I found THIS beauty by Cindy Haffner, and loved the color combo and touches of lace.  Cindy's card inspired me to bring out some chocolate and pink inks and stamp on an old book page.

I'm also playing at Shopping Our Stash.  The challenge:  "What Was I Thinking??"  I bought these stamps by Inkadinkado and Hampton Art at Michael's quite a while ago 'cause the prices were too good to pass up, but they have just sat, untouched until now.  

This page tore as I removed it from the book, but I like how it looks in the corner.  Looks like a little mouse nibbled on it.  ;o)

Thank you SO much for your visit and comment -- I relish each and every one!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Carpe Diem - Hampton Arts; Floral Damask - Inkadinkado
Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake - SU; book page; patterned paper - DCWV
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pretty In Pink, Crumb Cake, Basic Gray - SU; Frayed Burlap Distress - Ranger
Fibers: crochet lace trim - Mark's Finest Papers
Other: Big Shot; Labels Four, Fleur de Lis Motifs dies - Spellbinders; Scallop Dot border punch - Martha Stewart; pearls

Play Date Cafe 142 - Twins!...and a goodbye

I am so excited about the card I made for the new Play Date Cafe challenge!

When I saw the color story, I immediately thought of babies.  Although I don't know anyone having twins, I deliver my cards to a boutique for sale, and surely there's a market for this kind of card.

The colors are Cobalt, Goldenrod and Peony.  (Love that photo of a blue garden gate on the color board!)

My blue is a bit off the shade featured, but I love how these baby clothes turned out.

A doily sun in the background....

Delicious Lemondrop Twinery twine clothesline...

...and paper-pieced baby clothes from the Inspired By Stamping set, Oh, Baby!

The Cup of the Week winner will get something fabulous from the PDCC Prize Vault.  :-)  Come link up your creation!


Sadly, this is my last post as a member of the Play Date Cafe Design Team.  Play Date Cafe was my very first design team, and I'm so grateful to Julie Ranae for giving me the opportunity when she signed me on as a Private Blend Designer in January 2011.  I've had the extreme pleasure of being part of a most unique, supportive, wonderful group of designing women, and I will miss them all!  There are other members leaving, too...and a whole bunch of AMAZING new talent being added.  I will still be playing there, because I do love the challenge, and can't wait to see what the whole team will do from week to week.  :-)


Thanks for joining me today.



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Delicate Doilies II, Oh, Baby! - Inspired By Stamping
Paper: white - PTI; patterned papers - SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Summer Sun - SU
Fibers: Lemondrop twine - The Twinery
Other: Petal Pink, White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger

Whoo Hoo Wednesday - Garden Dirt...for Dessert!

This is my second post for today.  To see my Creative Inspirations Paints 

project (it's not a card, and it's cute!), please scroll down one post.

Hello!  It's "Whoo Hoo Wednesday" at Inspired By Stamping, and it's my turn to share a fun, unique project with you.

My kids have been asking for 'Dirt Pudding' for the longest time, and I thought it would be fun to decorate the 'pots' with some pretty flowers from a cute set called Daisies.  

To begin, you will need:

• Little dishes
• Wooden craft sticks
• Chocolate pudding
• Chocolate wafer cookies
• Floral stamp set (I've used Daisies)
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Wild Wasabi (or any green) and Orchid Opulence dye inks
• Aleene's Tacky Glue (it's non-toxic)
• 1/2" circle punch
• Assorted Copic markers (I used  R20, R32, R35, V05, V09)
• White cardstock

1. Stamp flower on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black (this type of ink works very well with alcohol-based markers such as Copic).  Color in the centers of the petals with lightest pink.

2. Using next darkest shade of pink, outline each petal.  No need to color in the lines, because these get trimmed out.

3. Using a coral-red, outline one side of each petal.

4. With the pink shade from Step 2, blend lines of coral-red color with small, circular motions.

5. With a light orchid color, apply color to inner-most part of each petal.

6. With darkest orchid marker, flick strokes of color to inner edges of each petal.  Trim.

7. The Daisies set contains a polka-dotted flower center.  Stamp it in orchid ink and punch out.

8. Stamp green leaves and trim out.

9. Apply leaves, flower and flower center to wooden craft stick and let dry.  (I used a non-toxic glue since this will come in close contact with food, but I'm not so sure about those markers and dye ink!)

10. Prepare pudding and spoon into little dishes.  Crumble chocolate wafer cookies over top of pudding, and insert flower-on-a-stick.  Serve and enjoy!

Hope you enjoyed my project today!



Stamps:  Daisies - Inspired By Stamping
Paper: white - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Orchid Opulence, Wild Wasabi - SU
Other:  Copic markers (R20, R32, R35, V05, V09); Aleene's Tacky Glue; wooden sticks; pudding; chocolate wafer cookies