hope is pink (TAWS, CASology)

Combined two challenges.  TAWS Be Inspired #25 which is all about pink and polka dots and also CASology where the word is Hope.  Hope reminds me of the HYCCT challenges I played in last October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month so I combined pink and polka dots with hope.

Die cut some blooms from pink fabric and punched some centers from CS.  Snipped some green stems and put the blooms into a vase which I stamped on the reverse, dry embossed and then fussy cut.  A heat embossed sentiment with some hearts just for fun and voila.

Thanks for visiting.

Supplies bunches of love:

Paper: CS and PP Bringmann

Stamps:TAWS

Ink : Versamark

Tools: scissors, die PTI, sewing machine, embossing folder Sizzix, sunburst punch

Other: glue dots

easter tweeties (Neat and Tangled, ATCAS, SSS)

These little tweeties will be adorning DS and DD's Easter baskets this year.  Yep, they are well into their teenage years but they still like looking for the hidden basket on Easter morning.  Wonder where they got that (hee hee)?

Wanted to play at Little Tangles where the challenge is Shaped Cards.  I remembered that there is a free digi of an adorable little chickie and decided to fussy cut him/her into a shaped tag for the baskets.

Printed them far enough down on CS to be able to make a fold at the top before coloring with watercolors and fussy cutting.  Hid the fold with the bow or cowboy hat (a paper-pieced Kim Hughes stamp from CHF) and grounded them with a touch of green watercolored grass.  Such a sweet image, don't ya think?

Also hooking up at:
Addicted to CAS - #9 Spring (these are certainly springy and pretty CAS in my book)
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes.

Hope the Easter bunny's good to ya.

Supplies tags:

Paper: CS The Paper Co., PP Martha Stewart

Stamps: digi Neat and Tangled, hat CHF

Ink : Versafine

Tools: scissors

Other: watercolors

i'm a water girl (AEIU, SSS)

Give me a body of water and I'm a happy camper.  That's why the inspiration photo at Avery Elle inspires me - rainy weather and all.  Add a weatherbeaten whitewashed dock... I wanna be there.

Still don't own AE stamps (did you see they now have some matching dies - created by the queen of die cutting herself, JJ Bolton) but I've used a free digi stamp again for this challenge.

So much fun making the BG with Distress Inks and water splotches.  Cut the frame out of woodgrain PP and whitewashed it with some white and aqua acrylic paint and a dry brush.  Printed the sentiment in gray onto vellum and added some ink to it.  TIP:  Brads are another option when it comes to adhering vellum!

Also playing at Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes challenge.

Have a nice day.

Supplies Best Wishes:

Paper: CS & PP Bringmann, vellum Ursus

Stamps: digi Avery Elle

Ink : Distress Inks

Tools: die Spellbinders

Other: brads, acrylic paint, water

pretty pastel hi (Moxie, CREATE, CAS Sunday, SSS)

FINALLY getting a chance to play along with a relatively new challenge, CAS on Sunday, where a couple of my bloggie friends are part of the DT.  This week's theme is Flutterby.  How could I resist?

The current Tuesday Trigger at Moxie Fab World is so perfect for Easter and so spring inspiring. Only hope it might work to warm the temps up here...

Here's my CAS  pastel flutterby, fluttering by to say "Hi".

I'm also hooking up at the March challenge at Create:  and Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes. Happy Easter friends.

Supplies Hi:

Paper: CS American Crafts, PP K& Co, MME, vellum Ursus

Stamps: PTI

Ink : Jenny Bowlin

Tools: butterfly die Clearly Besotted, wonky border die MFT, heart punch, corner rounder EKS

Other: beads, Glossy Accents

happy bird-day (WPlus9, CFC, SSS, TPE)

Still inspired by the Pattern Play Online class, when I saw the mood board #7 at WPlus9 I reached for a couple 6x6 pads of PP!

Hooray for me.  There are actually five different PPs on this CAS card!

The BG.  The circle behind the doily (and the birdie is from the same PP).  Birdie's wing.  The birdhouse.  The leaves.  Whew.

And a punny sentiment from letter stickers mounted over washi.

Entering:
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
CASual Fridays - No Stamps (cuz there aren't any here and believe me, that WAS a challenge)
The Pink Elephant - #192 Clean and Simple

Thanks for looking.

Supplies happy bird-day:

Paper: cardbase Buttinette, PP Basic Grey, Making Memories

Stamps:

Ink :

Tools: die Wplus9

Other: doily Rayher, dimensional adhesive, crochet thread, washi, letter stickers KI Memories

i was born a chevron (Moxie Fab, PDCC, Passion for Papertrey)

It's been ages since I played at the Cafe... and I nearly missed the deadline... again.  So here are some lousy photos, but I'm in before the deadline.

Started with a chevron die from MFT and some Papermania CS in the PDC colors:

I had big plans for some graphic coolness, but suffice it to say my lack of spatial thinking abilities led to a need to re-work.  As in not-doable-with-chevrons.  So this happened.

A negative die cut with some peaks of the chevrons peeking out on the left, a lovely PTI sentiment and sequins.   And then this.

Some strips cut by trimming through the peaks and valleys of the chevrons, then aligned mismatched.  Born chevron, turned arrow.  And what goes better with arrows than a heart?  Heat embossed with a cool Casual Fridays sentiment.  A distressed mesh BG and sequins to top it off and I'm in under the wire.

Playing at:
The Play Date Cafe - #174
Moxie Fab World - Chevron Challenge
Moxie Fab World - Emphasize the Negative
Passion for Papertrey - Negative Die Cut

 Appreciate your visit.

Supplies to love and be loved:

Paper: CS Bringmann, Papermania

Stamps: sentiment PTI

Ink :Hero Arts

Tools:  heart dies Sizzix,chevron die MFT

Other: sequins, dimensional adhesive

Supplies yeah baby:

Paper: CS Bringmann, Papermania

Stamps: BG CHF, sentiment Casual Fridays

Ink :Distress Ink, Hero Arts, Versamark

Tools:  heart dies Sizzix,chevron die MFT

Other: embossing powder Zing, sequins, dimensional adhesive

altering PP and sequins (PTI, PP, ATCAS, SSS)

Love, love, love sequins - they're like bling's mailable cousin.  So of course I had to hop along with the Papertrey blog hop this month.

A few weeks ago, Jen R. created a card using confetti like an abacus and I told her that made me think of sequins on a line.  I put 'em on a stick pin here and finally got around to the line now!

Actually still playing with PP after the Online Class Pattern Play.  Paper piecing (stamping on PP) is really another way of altering PP like we learned on Day 4.

And I'm playing at Addicted to CAS where the theme is Spring as well as Simon Says Stamp where the theme is Easter/Spring.  Don't the lovebirds just seem to come out of the woodwork in the spring.  And these colors are definitely springy.

Happy hopping.

Supplies you're engaged:

Paper: CS Bringmann, PP MME

Stamps: PTI

Ink :Hero Arts, Versafine

Tools:  square dies Sizzix, scissors

Other: sequins, thread, glue dots, Cutter Bee

Pattern Play Day 5

Busy  weekend so I'm squeaking one in here Monday morning for Pattern Play Day 5.  Very much inspired by Kristina W.'s soft and lovely baby card...

Learned a new "quilting" technique (and I must admit it took me five times watching the video to actually get mine right - I am so not capable of thinking 3D).  But another great way to incorporate PP into a card.

And I want to share the art DD made for me for my bday.  Made my heart so happy!  She was inspired by my inspiration back in this post about my blog crush and the card I created based on it.  Isn't that cool?

Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by.  I sure appreciate it.

Supplies for BABY:

Paper:CS Bringmann, PP MME, vellum The Paper Company

Stamps:Crate Paper

Ink : Versamark 

Tools: embossing folder Cuttlebug, ruler scissors

Other: cotton crochet thread, button Sew Sweet

Pattern Play Day 2 revisited (CQC)

Here's another idea from Pattern Play, this one from Laura B., queen bee of line stamping as well as one of the first cardmakers that I remember stamping on PP for that little somethin' extra.  I didn't go with lines, but rather "baby blocks."

Die cut letters, adhered temporarily, stamped "blocks", stamped sentiment, stitched letter stickers to MORE PP and adhered.  Stitched and inked panel and adhered to cardbase.

Also playing at Color Q :

Thanks for looking.

Supplies welcome baby boy:

Paper: cardbase Buttinette, PP October Afternoon

Stamps: block Hero Arts, sentiment Paper Smooches

Ink : Hero Arts, Jenny Bowlin, Aladine, Versafine

Tools: scissors, sewing machine, alpha die Sizzix

Other:  letter stickers Bo Bunny

oh oh oh it's magic - Pattern Play Day 2

Wanna make some magic?  All you need is PP, Distress Inks and embossing powder.  Another Jennifer M. lesson over at Pattern Play.  Take those  problem PPs and make somethin' pretty out of 'em.  Artsy fartsy.

So much going on here, eh?  And yet they're basically one layer cards!  They started out as the left hand side of this:

12x12 sheet of K&Co Que Sera PP.  I love this paper but again, found it difficult to use on cards.  But ink, heat emboss, ink, remove emboss - and you've got gorgeousness.  Add a digi sentiment and be still my heart.  Two anniversary cards for my stash.

Happy weekend.  I'm gonna be celebrating the fact that I'm not 50 yet (OK, it's gettin' pretty darn close).

Supplies:

Paper: cardbase Buttinette, PP K&Co

Stamps: BG Hero Arts, digi sentiment Mama Elephant

Ink : Distress Ink Worn Lipstick and Spiced Marmelade

Tools: heat tool, iron

Other:  clear embossing powder, packing paper, bling

Pattern Play Day 3 (PC)

Day 3 of Pattern Play dealt with large patterns on PP that are difficult to use, but not if you use them in smaller amounts.  So...

 As embellies with a strip along the side.  Or...

in a big way, but chopped into strips with white showing in between them and with very little else on the card.

Long time ago I bought an 8x8 pad with these bandana prints.  I associate lotsa good things with bandanas and I still like the paper but it's harder than heck to use on a card.  Thanks to this class I've found a way.  (Online classes are TOO COOL!  Can't believe this is my first one.)

Two tips for you today.
TIP 1:  Grab a cereal box and make yourself one of these.

I used a craft knife and ruler to cut a window the size of a card front.  Use this to move around your sheet of PP to pick the best area to use for your card.

TIP 2:  You can cut your panel into even strips, or...

I looked at the chunk of PP before me and decided where there was kind of a natural spot to split up the pattern, so I cut the first strip (on the right) and then a matching-sized strip on the left.

Then I decided on a wider middle strip (again, I "saw" those mirrored black figures in the middle and opted to keep them together) which yielded the two thinner strips to the left and right of it.

Thanks for visiting today.  Have a great ol' day.

Supplies:

Paper:  white CS Bringmann, PP Martha Stewart

Stamps: checkerboard Dylusions, other PTI

Ink : Jenny Bowlin, Versafine

Tools: dies PTI, square punch for banner end

Other:  crochet thread

we've got a winner folks

Hey folks.  In celebration of my one year bloggiversary some of you shared your favorite cards of yours with me.  I hope you enjoyed the process of picking one out.  I sure enjoyed visiting you and learning more about you.

I picked my faves.

Runners-up:

Barb M.

Maria M.

I love how Barb's elements hang over the edge and I totally love enamel dots and those little sticker letters.

I love how Maria's card requires you to think about it for a minute... and then break into a smile.

But my fave and the winner of my giveaway is:

Cornelia

If you follow me you can probably guess what I love about Cornelia's card - the cascading bokeh, the white space, the vellum.  Thanks so much for sharing folks.

I'll be contacting you Cornelia to get your deets.

Pattern Play Day 1 revisited

The message on Day 1 of Pattern Play  was about combining PPs successfully on cards.  Jennifer M. was talking about how large patterns, especially on 12x12 sheets, can be very difficult to use on cards and she remarked that you could use a large pattern with an elegant bow and nothing more.  Light bulb moment for me.  I've got this pack of PP with ginormous patterns, so I pulled it out to make a dent in it.

I really truly wanted to use ribbon (I've got a stash of that too - need a class to figure out how to use it up!) but got stuck in my CAS mode and kept it just to paper.  On this last card you can see how the strip I'd cut my "m" from for the previous card caught my eye and made me change up my design a little.  The "m" is too far to the left, but oh well.  I've got me some note cards.  And actually three more purple versions...  And a teensy dent in my PP...

Thanks for looking.

Supplies notecards:

Paper: cardbase Buttinette, white CS scrap, PP Me and my Big Ideas

Stamps: none!

Ink : gold

Tools: circle punch, die Memory Box

Pattern Play Day 1

Been kinda crazy here - DH off skiing, horse that DD rides sick, multiple birthdays and publication call deadlines.  Yep, been bit by that bug...  I figure it's not such a bad deal to spend lotsa time making cards for calls cuz when they don't make it I can use them for challenges ;)

Back to today's business.  I was a lucky winner of a spot in the current Pattern Play class (thanks Jen R.)  Monday was Day 1 and of course the message is "use more patterned paper."  I've got lots.  I use it sparsely.  So, wetting my feet here, I used a wallpaper sample to mimic grass instead of coloring or stamping it like I usually would!  Hooray for me ;)

I stamped the eggs and then went over them with a wet paintbrush, trying to achieve the beloved watercolor look.  Well, it works for the PTI gals, but not for me and Jenny Bowlin dye inks.  Hmmm.  So I grabbed some watercolors and helped.

Thanks for visiting.  Tomorrow is the last day to take part in my bloggiversary giveaway if you haven't and would like to...

Happy day folks.

Supplies happy easter:

Paper:pearl white Bringmann, wallpaper scrap

Stamps: Studio g, bunny and sentiment The Paper Studio

Ink :Distress Ink, Jenny Bowlin, Versacolor

Tools: die MFT

kate spade revisited (RIC, Mama Elephant, Moxie Fab)

Kate Spade.  You may have seen my first card for the Runway Inspired Challenge #31.  In creating funky embellies to use on my card I came up with this little bloom made from sequins and bling.  (If you check out Barbie's clunker necklace in the photo you'll know where my idea to use jumbo bling originated)!  Well the bloom needed a home.  Enter my card based on this sketch at Mama Elephant.

Don't own any Mama Elephant stamps yet, but loved this free digi and thought it fit the Kate Spade mood perfectly.  Before I stamped the circles in a bokeh pattern, in a nod to the ME sketch I ghost-stamped some doilies with white pigment ink.  Adds a little interest when you look against a light source.  Check out the lower left hand corner in this photo...

And because I was over-the-moon-happy when I saw this B/W striped washi in my collection and it worked perfectly for the sketch challenge as well as Barbie's striped tee AND I love how the transparent quality of washi is really evident on the card... I'm hooking up to the Moxie Fab Washi Tape Challenge.

Appreciate your visit.

Supplies bomb diggity:

Paper: CS Neenah

Stamps: circles PTI, doilies Viva Decor, digi sentiment Mama Elephant

Ink : white pigment Adirondack, Jenny Bowlin

Tools:  scissorsl

Other: sequins, bling, crochet thread, washi

gotta love legos (Inspired by)

I stumbled across the inspiration photo at Inspired By and just think it's so cool (maybe cuz I've stepped on my share of Legos with bare feet in my lifetime).

Image Credit

Squeaking in under the wire here, but I made a card.  Quickly too when I opted to go with one stamp set.  Maybe the only furniture stamps I have.  Then again, maybe not.

Wishing a new homeowner oodles of love in their new abode.

I'm lovin' all the green on cards lately.  A nasty blizzard covered all ours up around here yesterday.  Happy Spring - someday!

Supplies new digs:

Paper: CS Bringmann, scraps

Stamps: Paper SmoochesI

Ink : Colorbox, Versafine 

Tools:  heart punch, embossing folder Cuttlebugl

Other: glue dots, washi