“Bees” Stamps Family Challenge

Last time I was in Houston and at my favorite art store there I came upon Some stamps by Dare2B Artzy Clear Stamps and I scooped a trio of the BEEutiful ones for sharing with my sister Nina and sister in law Judy so that I could make a challenge for us to do at the same time using the same stamps set.  We are lucky to be able to connect sometimes to create up a storm and I love this creativeness we can share.  I love how each of us has a unique take on challenges and how we all use supplies and sketches differently. 

I had picked up this slice of designer paper at an earlier date at Michaels, its a Recollections, and as I have several bee and honey themed stamp sets I scooped it up while it was on special.  I used some Simon Says rectangular stitched die cuts for some layers, backing them with black cardstock I stamped both senrtiments.  I bumped both layers out with foam tape.  I used my Wink of Stella gold to paint in the lined letters on BEEautiful and BUMBLE BEE.  I used some sparkly gold thread I have to accent.  I stamped the bee onto white cardstock using a fine gold embossing powder and cooking it good.  I added a gold sequin to the back of the bee, added a twist of the gold thread to imitate the bee’s wings.  I used two levels of foam tape to give the bee the place of honour on my cards. 

I still have two card sized slices of paper left, who knows what I’ll make next! 

Technorati Tags: Dare2B Artzy,Simon Says Stamp,Wink of Stella,Barb Derksen,Barbara Derksen,Mrs Miles,Handmade Card,Homemade Card,Osoyoos,Osoyoos BC

Family Challenge card (YAY!)

Family Challenge – STITCHING

I love this time with my family members, my sister Nina who was the person who got me into making cards and my sister in law Judy who is always game to jump into creative time with us and its almost like a big family visit – and Judy is featuring my niece Samantha’s card on her blog too as Samantha does not have time to post!  Bonus is we each walk away with something pretty and useful.  I think I especially appreciate that we all have our own unique styles and I hugely enjoy seeing what everyone else comes up with. 

For me, I went with simple with my card choice:

I am making myself use a set of Tim Holtz distress inks which I bought recently (in the feast part of my feast and famine existence) and so I layered and blended two blues (tumbled glass, faded jeans) and pumice stone to create a night sky feel.

I used a pin and a stampin up piercing and stitching set to line up holes which I threaded with a sparkly blue and silver thread.  Believe it or not, I free-handed the stars onto double sided foam tape and then dipped one side into glitter and affixed to the bottoms of the stitching.  The final touch?  The lovely peace script stamp by Stampin’ Up.

Can’t wait to see what Nina  Judy and Samantha made! 

Technorati Tags: Tim Holtz Distress Inks,Tim Holtz,Stampin' Up,Mrs Miles,paper piercing,Family Challenge

Family Challenge for Feb 2015–theme “Scrappy Background”

Ah, the gauntlet was tossed out by Nina for a “Scrappy Background” themed card.  Yeahhhhh Yay I truly do love a good challenge with my happy crafty fambily members. 

You can find the inspiration post by Gina K Designs by clicking HERE. If you need to see, that is. It was basically to ‘piece’ bits of paper together to look like a quilt pattern.  This is what I came out with in the end:

 

 

Designer Paper by Craft Smith “Natural Luxury”

Black Card stock

Die Cuts – Memory Box “Pippi Butterfly” and “Isabella Butterfly”

Stamp by Paper Smooches

I hope you’ll stop in to see what Nina, Judy and Sam created for this good theme!

Family Challenge Card #13 - Paint Chip!

Sigh sigh sigh, I blogged only once in August, how very sad   - lets hope September is better.

So I’m kicking this month off with a Family Challenge.  Seeing how I keep picking up paint chips here and there on my travels (mainly because I find they somehow magically have “that shade” I need on some projects) - I figured to intentionally challenge myself and family members Nina and Judy to come up with something nifty too.  The only perimeter I set is we incorporate a paint chip into the mix.

 

I chose this feather cut (from the Silhouette Store’s “feathers” set) and a paint chip from Behr - 420F- 4 (Sagey) is the top colour and it has three other shades below.  Next I trimmed my paint chip into it’s coloured sections because originally there  was white space in between each hue.  I used some scotch tape to hold the pieces together.  I created an offset in my Silhouette software and then plunked the feather atop. 

I wanted my card to reflect the entire spectrum of my chosen paint chip so I kept my background cardstock very simple.   I used the same cardstock and embossed it to add interest to the front, and left a strip open on the card face so I could stamp a sentiment.  I embossed the sentiment to include some texture into this area of my card. I used some foam tape to bump out the feather as the feature of my creation.

I thought I was done.  Something missing.

Ahhhh - used a small strip leftover from my feather cut, reversed the color sequence and tacked it to the bottom panel, this seemed to have grounded it. 

Be sure to check out Nina and Judy’s cards as well!

Technorati Tags: family challenge,handmade cards,feather,Mrs Miles

Family Challenge 12 - debossing!

It was time to toss out another family challenge with Nina and Judy and I thought the following technique might be fun:

Its called debossing and basically it means the opposite of EMbossing… so the idea is to create a card which has lines carved INTO the cardstock instead of having it ‘puff out’.  You will see watching the video.

Being as I don’t have dies, I used two alternates.  I used an embossing folder from the back side and I also used a small tool and carved around the heart on my card.

I used a shimmery piece of gold paper, embossed  it with a Cuttlebug “foulard’ pattern by Anna Griffin. Then I stamped and embossed the heart.

I embossed it with a gold, then used my tool to carve into the edges and then traced other areas with Wink of Stella in gold before adding some small gems, ribbons.  Voila!

 

The cherries are READY! 

Sorry, I know that's painful to some of you haha!

Technorati Tags: card challenges,family challenge,handmade greeting cards,Barbara Derksen,Barb Derksen,Osoyoos,Osoyoos BC,Okanagan,Mrs Miles

Family Challenge #11 - Partial Embossing

Oh my… I am definitely (or if I’ve been given grace I still should be) a black sheep today because its our Family Challenge day and I was the one to initiate it and yet here I am posting late because I totally forgot - buahahaha!  Yeah, right about the time I had my head in the toilet bowl cleaning my sister let me know she got her post up.  Ahhh!  (smacking my forehead)  Well, it’s been a super busy couple of days. 

So I suggested this challenge which features Partial Embossing:

 

I’ve not attempted this before and it was a bit tricky in my head to make it happen all lined up and such.  Here’s my card:

 

 

Supplies include:

Cardstock, Stamps - Inkadinkadoo (cupcake) and Bo Bunny (birthday sentiment) Crochet twine, Gems, Pearl accents,  Embossing Powder, Embossing Folder  and scraps of designer paper.

I thank you for stopping by today and encourage you to sneak on over to Nina and Judy’s blogs to see how they approached this fun challenge.

Technorati Tags: Mrs Miles,Barb Derksen,Barbara Derksen,Handmade Greeting Cards,Handmade Cards,Family Challenge,Inkadinkadoo,Bo Bunny

Family Challenge 10 - Whitewash Technique

Yayyyy - another family challenge - this time Nina inivited Judy and I to join her to try this:

 

 

What a unique and interesting technique, really had me thinking.  Here’s what I built:

 

 

I used white inks and clear embossing powder - I’m not such a steady hand at embossing EXACTLY over a stamped image, but there you go, it still makes for an interesting look which I’ve never attempted before. 

Supplies used: Embossing Powder, White Ink, Cardstock, Stamp (Studio G), Button, crochet twine.

 

 

I especially like the milky look of the white ink when it’s “painted” across the surface. 

If this intrigued you, why not hop over to Nina and Judy’s blogs to see how they employed this technique?

Today’s “1 small THING” is… FAMILY

It seems so fitting to post about family right on the day of our “Family Challenge”.  This is so timely because my daughter Melanie and I got to enjoy a Mother-Daughter day this past weekend.  Though we live not so far apart (couple of hours) we really don’t get to spend much time together due to our busy schedules and … well, LIFE.  We natter all the time via technology, but face to face, not so much. 

My Mr. is busy through Spring Break in recording (much more about this in the future) with a severe time-line in place so I took the opportunity to catch a ride north with a friend who was heading up for a conference.  When I asked Melanie if she was “free for a day” she, without hesitation, not only cleared her schedule but between she and her man, Jared, set out planning a lavish and fun “Mom and Daughter Day” for me.  Wow. 

 

Mel getting her “pedi”

 

Our first stop was at Kelowna’s O Spa for my (seriously) first ever pedicure.

 

My FIRST ever pedicure!

 

Being as this was something I’d never done before, which being as I’m 55… is like, WOW!  Some who I mentioned to that I’d never had one ever, made me realize the significance of this occasion - that I got to experience it with my daughter and beside her too! 

I am sure I gave my gracious manicurist (or nail tech, according to google) a good workout because I am a runner and work out a lot and so she had to deal with feet which told the story of hard workouts.  But she transformed my feet from hooves to delicate limbs by the time our session was done.  Not only that, she lavished me with lotion to my poor winter dry skin even on my arms.  I floated out of there on new feet!

I need to say here the staff of O Spa were amazing and I’d recommend it to anyone.  If you’re reading this and you have a Mom - treat her today, if not to a high end, even if you do her nails yourself.  Its something that really brings you together.  I will think of Mel every time I look at my toes (which, because of the nude pearly color I chose look like little pinkish tinged sea-shells I think)

 

 

And then we went driving driving - Jared being the chauffer for the first part of the day to…

 

 

Eat Sushi!

We chose the BLUETAIL Sushi in Kelowna (where by the way, they have a tremendous deal on right now through GROUPON, check it HERE)

 

 

Hmmm, what to order? 

 

Gyoza

Spider Roll

 

I can’t list it all here - we practically DID order it ALL!  What a great way to try some new things.  It was incredible, both the food and service. 

 

Pickled Ginger “moustaches”

And we had fun too.  We always have fun.

Just hanging out -

or in the thrift store where Mel met a “new friend”  A real MAN-equin.  (she sent this pic to her Mr but he said “Pshaw!” He knows there is nobody like himself body for her!  I wish I could remember the funny reply he sent back - it was tooooo funny!

This is something that my daughter and I have in common, pure silliness.  I get joy out of Mel’s ability to let go and just be silly with me.  Life is too short to go around all sober and serious.  Specially when you have time with the somebodies you love more than everything in the world! 

 

“I don't think quantity time is as special

as quality time with your family.”

Reba McEntire

 

Thanks for visiting today!

 

Technorati Tags: Mrs Miles,Kelowna,O Spa,O Spa Kelowna,Bluetail Sushi,Bluetail Sushi Kelowna,Family Challenge,Barbara Derksen,Barb Derksen

Family Challenge No. 9 - Masking Tape Technique

FIRSTLY - if you arrived here hoping to download some of my FREE files, and they do not work, please be patient.  Seems the service I was using (Ge.tt) got up and went (I did recall something about them selling)  Well it has kind of created a nightmare for me.  I need to re-upload the files (I will use my Google Drive) but it will take some time.  If there is a file you particularly need or want, please send me an email request at lalalime(at)hotmail{dot}com  Thank you!

Thanks Nina, for stepping up to the plate to invite us (me & Judy) to create another card for our very own Family Challenge. 

Nina chose to go with this Magical Masking Tape technique from Split Coast Stampers. 

Here’s my take on it;

I did’nt have any ink pads that are water based so I used my Tombow markers.   I shaded with the side of the marker onto a resistant surface, lifted the color via masking tape and transferred it to the glossy cardstock.  Then I stamped using this sweet set from Studio G.  After all was stamped and dry, I gave a good shot of GooseBumps clear texture spray, to protect the images.  I find sometimes stamping on glossy, there is the risk of smearage (my own word - when all your hard stamping work gets wiped out!)   I let that dry too.

I added texture with an embossing folder, Then I added a bit of shiny in the center of the sun, more yellow rays on the sun, some yellow glitter and a gem to top it off.

A bit of bright yellow floss and lastly, one must never forget to dot one’s i’s *wink* 

Be sure to visit Nina and Judy to see their interpretation of this fun technique!

My one small thing is…

SPRING!

It has arrived here in Osoyoos:

first buttercup and greenery of the new season!

Family Challenge 8 & a FREE . Layered Flower cutting file for YOU!

I offered to create a new Family Challenge with my sister in law Judy and my sister Nina so they held me to it today.  I tossed out this theme - BUTTON!  Basically a card with anything goes but must contain a button. 

So, since I had an idea in my head I decided to make this a .studio cutting file too so that you might create your own card or project. 

This is a bit of an odd-sized card - I created it to fit inside of a #8 sized envelope (3 5/8 “ x 6 1/2”)  The card face I made is 3 1/2 inches wide by 6 1/2 inches tall - so you need to cut your inside cardstock to 7 inches wide, 6 1/2 inches tall and fold it in half on the 7 inch side.  If you’ve made cards before you will figure it out.  I’m also including the same card face cut for a standard quarter-fold card (4 1/4 inch wide by 5 1/2 inches tall)  Its just that I always pick up odd sized envelopes at thrifts, garage sales and I have 100 of the #8 and wanted to use some up.  I think its striking being tall with the flower too. 

SUPPLIES:

Cutting file - Layered Flower by Barb Derksen

Basic cardstock (I used white, but trimmed and glued a piece of dark green behind the area where the flower cut out is.

Embossing folder - you don’t need one but I think it makes it nicer.

Designer Paper - your call, this is a great chance to use up scraps, by layering! 

Gel pen - I used silver and ‘free-handed’ the sentiment inside the leaf.

Gem

Button - I used a sweet little button made of seashell

Crochet cotton - something you can find at any thrift for like 50 cents a ball.

 

 

METHOD:

First, trim your basic cardstock to the size you want your card to be and fold. Next, cut out your card face and then you can choose to emboss it - or not.  Once you have done this you can select a foliage colored cardstock and stick it onto your card base where it will show through where the flower stem and leaf cut is.

Now, apply glue runner, or double sided tape, glue to the front of your card base and foliage colored cardstock, being careful to not apply either of these in the area where you see the stem or leaf cut opening.

Now, choose your designer paper and cut the flower layers out.  Once they are cut, take them and ball them up in your hand and squinch them around until they are soft, supple, crinkly and worn.  Layer them one atop each other, pick a button, crochet cotton and using a larger size needle (mine says its for candle wicking - another thrift buy) and then sew all the layers together, through the button, leaving lots of room at the beginning with which to tie a cute bow. 

Lastly, using a marker of a light or gel color, write in your sentiment - or you can leave this blank if you wish.  Voila!

I hope you enjoy this personal-use cutting file as well and make some beautiful things for someone you care about. If you enjoy my FREE files (which take a bit of time to put together, package etc) would you please consider any of the following: follow me, re-blog me, comment, PINterest me, Twitter, instagram or Facebook this post. Thanks so much!

Don’t forget to visit Nina and Judy’s blogs to see what they made using a “BUTTON” theme!

DOWNLOAD

Technorati Tags: Free Cutting File,Mrs Miles Freebie,.studio cutting file,Silhouette Cameo,Silhouette Cutting File

CAS(E) Card challenge - my 1st card of 2014!

HAPPY NEW YEAR - everyone!

My Sister and Sister in Law just so happen to be online with me this very first day of 2014 and how very fitting to all have the opportunity to create our first card of the year sort of together even!  We are attempting this challenge:

CAS(E) Challenge #58

Thank goodness this challenge does not have to be along the strictly festive theme for I am pretty festived out (just one look at my expanded waistline will tell you that *snort*!)  I ate far too much but would not have it any other way. Hopefully I can shrink it as rapidly as I expanded it. 

Ok, so here’s my take on the challenge:

SUPPLIES:

Strathmore Pastel Paper

Cupcake (sorry, cut from DP but don’t recall which)

Pearl accent

ribbon

Stamp: Studio G

Tombow Marker (for shading)

Glitter

Glossy Accents

Cuttlebug embossing folder

 

METHOD:

I ran the Strathmore paper through the Cuttlebug.  I stamped the sentiment and cut it to size and then glued it onto the Strathmore.

I trimmed out the cupcake, added the ribbon.  I did some shading using a grey Tombow marker.  Next I tacked it all to the card base using double sided foam tape to lift it out a bit.  I added glossy accents and sprinkled generously with multi colored fine glitter.  I topped it off with a pearl accent.

Technorati Tags: Family Challenge

Family Challenge - Soot Stamping

Judy picked out this very cool technique for our latest family challenge:

She makes it look SO easy - haha!

Hmmm, I’ve invested time in the past to making my candles NOT spew forth ribbons of black soot. This challenge had me working hard to get that candle to billow extra soot.  What I learned is that if I held the glass jar on a great angle, allowing the flame to lick up the side then I was rewarded with enough lovely soot for this project. 

 

 

SUPPLIES:

Candle

Fixative Spray

Stamps

Cardstock

Stick on Letters

 

I chose to use a few new stamps I treated myself to last weekend - a Lost and Found Acrylic of an old time camera

and an Imaginisce Acrylic stamp of… a sunshine - but I just used some of the “rays” to create the effect of a flash going off. 

 

And added these Teeny Alphas letters by Glitz for the sentiment! 

I don’t know about you but I’m clearly excited to hop on over to my sister Nina’s and sister in law Judy’s blogs to see what creative ways they came up with for this uber-cool technique.

Technorati Tags: Stamp,card making,handmade card,greeting card,Mrs Miles,soot,soot stamping