third rock (SSS, Paper Smooches)

So there was a submission call for cards based on songs.  A theme right up my alley.  Had a blast making - oh about five - cards.  Here's one that was not published but I totally dig it.

If the name Joe Diffie means anything to you then you probably "get" this card.  I had a great time making it, although my earth is a bit wonky ;)) Had to do some research first too to see what the other "rocks" looked like between here and there ;))

Here's the refrain:

Cause and effect, chain of events

All of the chaos makes perfect sense

When you're spinning round, things come undone

Welcome to Earth, third rock from the sun.

Where am I going with this card?
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Let's have a laugh (hope ya did!)
Paper Smooches Sparks - Designer Drafts

Thanks for visiting.  Hope your week's a good one so far... not too much chaos.

Supplies for 3rd rock:

Paper:  creme CS Bringmann, PP American Crafts

Stamps: sun Avery Elle, stars Technique Tuesday, sentiment Paper Smooches

Ink : Adirondack, Distress, Versafine

Tools: circles MFT, rectangle Lil Inker

Other: crochet thread

you are my happy (STAMPlorations, ATCAS, RIC)

What would you come up with for this sketch?  There's still time to play along with Sketch Challenge #4 at STAMPlorations.  Here's what I did with my new Trendy Feathers stamp set.  I love how "real" this feather looks - hailing from Lake Huron's shores I've seen a lotta feathers in my time ;)

Got me some new washi tape.  Yes, I do have enough.  But five coordinating rolls to a pack?   Don't ya love the teensy floral print? I got two packs.  I'm bad.

Put washi strips down on CS and die cut the alphas.  Knew where I wanted to place the alphas, so I put a strip of washi down making sure the patterns would line up when I adhered the alphas.  Been doubling or tripling the die cuts lately to give 'em more umph. A tiny heat embossed sentiment and voila!

Playing at:

Runway Inspired Challenge #52 cuz at first glance the splashes of color on her dress reminded me of cascading feathers.
Addicted to CAS #30 cuz my washi's brand-spanking new.

Thanks for visiting.  Case you're interested, here's a recent shot of Miss Ellie.  Going on seven months.

Supplies for you make me happy

Paper:  cardbase The Paper Studio

Stamps: STAMPlorations

Ink : Hero Arts, Versamark

Tools: die PTI

Other: washi, Zing embossing powder

simply create too 53 (valentine's day or hearts)

It's time for another round of fun at Simply Create Too where our Challenge #53 theme is "Valentine's Day or Hearts".  I don't have need for tons of valentines, so I went with the heart here.  And some crochet thread art.

Used the Kesi Art "Coeur Evide" die (my graphic-loving heart loves this heart) to cut the shape from scrap.  I used the scrap as a pattern and punched holes into the card at all intersections then stitched.  My sentiment is an oldie but goodie from Hero Arts. A super glittery brown "U" and some coolio PP from Studio Calico's Print Shop - it's the best shade of greige - and voila!

Working on something heart-y?  Doesn't have to be a card. Join us and Simply Create Too!

Supplies for you touch my heart:

Paper:  cardbase Bringmann, PP Studio Calico, black scrap

Stamps: sentiment Hero Arts

Ink : Versamark

Tools: die Kesi Art

Other: chipboard letter, white embossing powder, crochet thread, washi

just. do. it.

image source

So, was Jessica over at Design Seeds talking to me or what?

You may recall my last post of 2013 and "Dream it. Do it."  Yep, I'm real good at lying awake all night with a gazillion ideas running through my head.  Not just card designs ;))) So many things I need to/could do. But how to get over the "innere Schweinehund" (literally, the pig inside us?!?!)...

So maybe the folks at Nike were right.  Just do it.

happy 50 (STAMPlorations)

Is it a CHA thang or what?  Challenges and stamp companies just disappear. But before you know it new ones have popped up to keep us engaged.

Well, there's a new kid on the block in the challenge AND product category and there are stamps to be won, folks.  Sound good?  Check out STAMPlorations shop here.  How would you describe Shery's designs? Kinda artsy, kinda graphic.  Kinda cool.  Can't wait for my first sets to arrive.

As for the challenges... there's a themed challenge every month (prize = 2 stamp sets) as well as sketch challenges every two weeks (prize = 3 digi products).  And if you participate in all three for the month you're in the running for a grand prize.  This is January's grand prize - did ya see those Luxe rub-ons - yum :)))

This month's challenge is about stamping and feathers.  How's that for trendy?!?  Shery R. has designed an artsy feather set, VIGNETTE: Trendy Feathers -

but you don't have to use STAMPlorations stamps to be eligible to win the challenges!  And here's a peek at the current sketch challenge -

Me likey.  You can keep it CAS or take it up a notch.  Banners.  Washi.  Masked stamping. Hmmm... probably doesn't surprise you that I went CAS with it...

Some heat embossing, masking, inking - using the "I've got your number" stamp set from The Craft's Meow (which is one of the companies disappearing this year)! Even some PP on the inside in a nod to my buddy, Kelly G.  You see it in the small photo up top.

This is the year of the big "five-oh".  For me and many friends.  So my card stash begins.

Join us in our STAMPlorations. Check out the deets for the Stamps and Feather challenge here. And for the current sketch challenge here.

Supplies happy 50.:

Paper: cardbase The Paper Studio, PP Scrapbook Werkstatt

Stamps:  TCM

Ink:  Distress Ink, Versafine

Tools: circle die MFT

Other: post-it for masking, clear embossing powder

cool. congrats. (SSS, CASology)

I would love to share a page from the February 2014 issue of Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking with you... but I can't figure out how to do it.  (I was so excited to be sharing p. 52 with Asty P., a new pal from WCMD 2013).  So I'll just have to share my card.

I LOVE this card.  Why? It's all about the UNEXPECTED, folks.

Of course when I was creating the front panel I was working with straight lines.  Punched squares, halved them on the diagonal and then glued them down.  But when playing around with the finished piece of paper with the squares/triangles on it (it was larger than the card front) I skewed it a bit and fell in LOVE.  The UNEXPECTED, ya know?!?!? And because I had skewed it,  the design didn't cover the entire card but that was my next eureka moment!  I just trimmed along the CS triangles and love the bit of white card left to peek out.

I hadn't really known exactly where I was going with this card (I seldom do), but when the eurekas were over it became apparent (to me!) that it was an iceberg.  So... enter the sentiment. Which BTW is computer-generated for those of you who don't own a Dymo.  Here's the font.

I'm joining these challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Anything Goes
CASology - #77 Bubbly

Bubbly? you ask.  Here's the deal.  We drink carbonated mineral water in our house.  And refer to it as "bubble water".  Bubbly... bubble... water... iceberg... see?

Check out the mag if you haven't.  In case you're still looking for ideas using hexagons, there's lotsa inspiration.

Appreciate your visit.  Have a fantastic week.

Supplies cool. congrats.:

Paper: cardbase Bringmann, other DCWV+

Stamps:  none

Ink:  

Tools: square punch

Other: free font for sentiment

hello 2014 (STAMPlorations, SCT, CFC, ATCAS)

It's a new year (yes, I'm just emerging from the fog of Christmas holidays as the kids go back to school today) so HAPPY 2014 to you all.  Hope it's off to a great start!

I'm sending warm thoughts to those of you stuck in the deep freeze.  We are and have been quite balmy over here for awhile.  I may regret saying this, but I'd prefer the cold!

Well  I wanted to hook up at STAMPlorations where I'm so thrilled to be joining the talented DT next month.  This month's challenge is "Stamps and Feathers".  Since I don't have my Trendy Feathers yet, I reverted to this design, deciding to call it a feather!

So I got myself a new Cat's Eye Queue - Rain Forest.  Probably influenced by the "emerald" and "mint" of 2013.  Just in time for the "orchid" of 2014.  Whatever.

Stamped the little squares with those green hues and a couple Delicata gold ones.  Gold structure paste through the old stencil again and then a die cut.  Or two. (And therefore I'm joining the fun at Addicted to CAS where the challenge is "Die Cuts".

Now I don't know if this is my word of the year for the new year, but it certainly stands for something I'm hoping to get more of in 2014 - face time.  As in, "Hello girlfriend, glad to sit here and drink a glass of wine with you."  So I'm joining the fun at CASual Fridays CFC#125.

And since the theme is "Anything Goes" over at Simply Create Too for Challenge #52, I'm joining my teamies over there with this card too.  It's a happy 2nd birthday to Diane and her just-for-fun challenge and this time there are even prizes to celebrate!  Join us for the fun.

Whew!  Thanks for visiting today.

Supplies hello:

Paper: cardbase TPC, Neenah white, aqua DCWV

Stamps:  PTI

Ink:  Cat's Eye pigments, gold Delicata

Tools: stencil, die PTI

Other: gold structure paste Goya