All Mine! (First challenge card in forever!!!)

 

It has been so very long since I’ve posted here I have pretty much had to relearn it.  So glad to pop back on here though.  I chose to jump in on a challenge at a site Paper Craft Crew I’ve not had the privilege to visit before, so a new start for me on a new site to me.  Love this sketch!   I used lots of texture with the Tim Holtz Sizzix embossing folder, the use of several die cuts and the sweet stamp from Elizabeth Crafts Designs - Love and Hearts Collection.  This card is for my sweet husband for our upcoming anniversary - sshhhh, don’t tell!  

Three Feather Birthday Card

A Very GOOD Day Card

Everyone needs to get a card like this - to focus us on the day-by-day blessings during all of the upheaval going on around us.  Not so that we ignore what is going on, but so that we encourage one another to keep us strong so that we are able to help out wherever we are able.  Often a “very good day” is the one where we are concentrating on helping others so deeply that we forget about our own problems.  Someone is always worse off than we are.

I chose to model my card after this challenge by Just Add Ink #507 as I like the angles and proportions.  I have an idea formed in my head which I can also enjoy breaking open a new kit I’ve been wanting to play with!  A huge Pink Paislee kit with all sorts of ephemera and bling to choose from.  

I layered things up - the floral is a “puffy” so it stands out above all.  My added “ink” is the sentiment, in bold black and white on a stitched die cut bit of white card stock.   

Hoping you are enjoying your day.

Coming Around Again...

Goodness me, this was certainly one of the longest hiccups in my blogging history.  Can’t explain why, just the want comes and wanes at will.  I go through periods of time where blog posts launch unasked in my thoughts and then there are the droughts where it feels like work.  I certainly always welcome a bit of effort, a bit of push to feed here, as I think of blogging as journaling of sorts.  I don’t want my posting to become something I feel obligated to do, or resent.  I’ve had this happen with art projects where I’ve turned something I love into an obligation - I will always allow it to inspire me.  I’m feeling inspired today.  I will start with a simple card I created using some scraps of paper gifted to me by a dear friend, and I’ll share a few photos of lovely things in my world.

I don’t know the identity of this paper, nor the die cut but I do believe the stamp is Simon Says Stamp.  Simple but bold, the paper being double-sided I cut 1 inch squares and embossed these with a tight chevron pattern.  I added gems for the flower centers.  

A bright and cheerful Sweet William which caught my eye today.

This little family of mushrooms, all pressing each other for space (no social distancing here!) were nestled underneath an evergreen tree.  

Just Smile Card

Just popping in to post a quick card today.  I am going with inspiration for the following challenge (#357) CAS(e) this Sketch 

I am a fan of Brian's cards - he has a keen eye for design and color, so I was thrilled he brought this sketch together.  

I chose to fill my card from top to bottom with the three sections rather than allow the strips at the top and bottom.  I used an embossed layer in deep purple.  I topped it with a subtle grey textured cardstock.  The feature of my card was a stitched circle cut of Authentique "Beauty Ten" designer paper.  I trimmed it to fit this suggested floral.  I faux embossed the blooms and added a tiny bit of bling with teeny gems.  Lastly I added the simple sentiment stamped from a Recollections set.  

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My husband and I took a little date day out yesterday, travelling just across the border into Washington State.  We drove down to Omak where we did some shopping and on the way home we stopped just north of Omak and enjoyed a 2 hour hike in the hills.  Perfect day for this as the sun was shining.  

Feels crazy to see buttercups blooming in the first few days of February - a snack for a hungry groundhog I'd say.  

Even the red ants also believe its time to emerge and get busy! 

Just little peeks of snow between the trees.  

How about YOUR little corner of the world - is your weather confusing too?  

Grow Good Memories Card

Jumping on the bandwagon to get a card in for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #418

I love the simplicity of this sketch.  I knew almost right off what I'd use.  I started with a Nina columns cardstock (I love to use this when I have white space in my background, its so crisp and sturdy.  I cut the dark oval shape out of an old file-folder, actually.  I loved the color of it and saved it from hitting the recycle pile as I saw projects unfolding in my head... 

Next, I cut this pretty botanical ephemera from a Birds and Botanicals Images and Journal Notes pad.  I wanted to bring more "oomph" to the image, so i faux embossed some of the petals by forcing the petals outward from the back of the paper using the rounded end of a paintbrush.  Then using a spellbinders stitched diecut and then another diecut from spellbinders for the scalloped edging too.  I layered these two items together and bumped them out with foam tape. 

I added some Gelly Roll star touches to the petals and glued some teeny tiny gems to the center of the blossom.  

I stamped the words "Grow" "Good" "Memories" from a Recollections acrylic stamp set onto white cardstock, trimmed them and tacked the words on.  Voila! 

I appreciate your stopping by!

Love and Prayers Card

I cannot believe how long it has been since my last post - could it truly be since October of last year?   Yikes.  Happily here to kick of 2020 with a post with a card I'm happy with.  I'm modeling it for this challenge from the Cas(e) This Sketch challenge blog challenge #354

I use a scrap of paper which was given to me, no identity on what company, the Stamp is Gina K.  I chose to stamp onto vellum and then clear embossed a section over it so that the pretty paper pattern could still shine through. I used a whole lot of layering up and finished it off with some small gold beads to add some last minute pizzazz.  

Hopefully I'll be back sooner than several months.  Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Grateful and Blessed Card

I am MAKING myself post a card today - so many made in the past few months yet sadly only a few make here so today is THE DAY I'm going to feel happy I took a moment to blog.  I was inspired by this CAS(E) this sketch challenge #344 - I had it in my mind right off what I'd use.  I can't seem to get an active link back to the challenge site so here it is in longhand in case you would like to join in: http://casethissketch.blogspot.com/2019/10/case-this-sketch-344.html

I used this lovely paisley embossing folder on white cardstock for a backdrop - by Darice.  Sentiment - Echo Park and some pretty natural wood maple leaves from our local dollar store.  

I'm hoping to blog a teeny bit more, just a bit of this and that - just for me!  I appreciate you stopping in today. 

Wow, has it really been 6 months since my last post?  My last challenge?   Yikes!

I confess I’ve ducked out of social media, pretty much, for quite a while.  Living a quiet life and taking loads of personal time.  Life is good, in general (Thank God - literally). Grabbing every chance to savour time with those I love in my life and doing things that make me happy.  There is value in slowing down and reassessing, pondering and choosing.  Glad to be back creating though and eyeing a few more new challenges too.  

I thought this simple CAS(E) this Sketch #339 appealed: 

I have been drawn to fall-ish colors and ideas now the weather is cooling so I brought together some fab designer paper along with some autumn elements and twinkles of glam and tossed in some texture as well. 

Sorry to say I don’t know who put out this gorgeous designer paper, but the stamps are Stampin’ Up, the jewels were salvaged from a makeup product I buy - they are encased in a cylinder of my eyebrow pencil!  The leaf purchased at a dollar store, a gift from a dear friend.  I ran some bronze soft metal sheeting through a WeR embossing folder.  

Thanks for stopping in if you took the time today. 

You're a STAR!

Twas such a dull day outdoors with more snow this morning so was quite content to stay indoors and fit a bit of creativeness in.  This simple sketch from CAS Colours & Sketches #312 grabbed me today: 

Now I can be a little stick in the mud when it comes to sketches, too timid to push the limits in interpretation of a sketch so today I forced myself to be liberal.  I took a discretion to use a beautiful star shape for the focal point - I mean whats an extra angle on a rectangle and then squished around a bit?  I had fun!  

I used a backdrop of kraft cardstock and added a layer of DP from DCWV atop.  I trimmed a bit of gold sparkly ribbon and fringed the bottom a bit.  I stamped this gorgeous star from Close to my Heart "Shining Star" using versamark embossing ink and then Ranger "Queens's Gold" embossing powder.  I layered it on top of white cardstock and trimmed an edge.  I stamped the "you're a star" from the same stamp set.  I twined some very fine gold thread around the star, added foam tape and tacked it onto my card.  My final touch are the three April Crystals from Studio Katina.  

I was pleased my card came together in the end - sometimes mid-card I get doubtful.  How about you, do you have a time your confidence falters while building cards?