Retro Sketches 239 Challenge – My take!

I made my card based on this week’s Retro Sketches 239

I must say I was pleased with this card and I may make several of them (some with different sentiments) as it was easy to make and I really appreciate the white space.  The most important part of a one layer card is using a good cardstock.  I believe this is a Neenah columns.  It stamps nice and has substance to it.  I salvaged a paper scrap for the tags at the top and bottom of the card and then die cut the butterfly using both sides of the paper with the set of MemoryBox butterfly die cuts.  Adding a sprinkling of varied sizes of sequins added the perfect finishing touches!

Thank you for stopping in today.

Technorati Tags: Mrs Miles,Barb Derksen,Barbara Derksen,Memory Box,Retro Sketches

Retro Sketches Card using KimB’s Simple Pleasures Digital Kit

Wow, SO happy to be here on National Scrapbooking Day!  I am doing a major overhaul of my bedroom closet today (my big fat GOAL for the day) but in between lingerie and socks I’m taking breaks to be creative. 

Today I fell in love with the Retro Sketches challenge #163 and so am combining it with KimB’s Simple Pleasures Kit from The Digital Press.  The best of both worlds!  I love that digital scrapbooking kits contain lots of “digital stamps” (or “word art”)  I love my real rubber and acryclics, but sometimes a digi is the ticket.  Even better, I love to do combinations.

 

I used some extra bits I’d had printed when I made my Hybrid Seaside Frame using Kim’s kit last week and I’d sized all the bits to fit onto a small canvas (thinking of my 5.5 x 4.25 cards).  When I saw today’s Retro Sketches theme I jumped to make this card.

 

Don’t you love how crisp the digital stamp prints out?

This is the inside:

 

I used a small rivet in the corner of the tag and tied crochet cotton through it.  Honestly, crochet cotton is the easiest thing I’ve ever used to tie nice and tidy bows and I keep my eye out at the thrift stores.  Also, if you know someone who crochets, just ask for a snippet or two, it doesn’t take much to make tiny bows.  Much better than embroidery thread.

I sparkled the seashell up with some shimmer embossing powder and added a small Recollections gem to mimic a pearl. 

I hope y’all get some time to play on this National Scrapbook Day!

365 Photo of the Day:

Mmmmm MORELS! 

Its that time of the year again – had my first feed yesterday.  Sautee’d lightly in real butter – ah, paradise for my tastebuds I say!

Technorati Tags: National Scrapbooking Day,KimB,Retro Sketches,Osoyoos,Okanagan,Morel,Morel Mushrooms

Retro Sketches Card & 365 Photo of the Day

The Daily Grind

First take on that makes a bed feel all the more snuggly in the morning.  Ever notice that?  All of a sudden the blankets feel just right, even if you didn’t sleep well at night, the moment you have to get out of bed you feel like you could fall off the brink of consciousness again.  The “grind” has gotcha! 

But that’s not really fair in my case.  For My handsome Mr gets up even before the early birds are getting’ their worms and he gives me a two-stage alarm warning.  The first time he wakes me up he tells me the time to unglue my eyes is a’comin and he gives me an extra 15 minutes to fade off.  Ah, I seem to have all sorts of mini-dreams happen in that gap and I remember them!  But the best is yet to come for when I’m woken the second time it’s to a cup of the best ever freshly brewed just-ground coffee which has done it’s happy burble in the cafetiere. And chocolate.  Dark chocolate. 

So “grind” is not a negative thing in my house. 

But that’s just the point!  If you’re feeling like your morning routine is a grind, take steps to make it the best thing it can be.  Do something enjoyable, uplifting!  Enjoy a quality beverage.  Make sure you give yourself time to really appreciate it.  A sweet of any sort will have plenty of time to melt off with a little fitness later on in the day, and isn’t it worth it just for that? 

I like to listen to the Daily Audio Bible each morning while I sip and sup.  I ♥ the way it’s narrated and it keeps me centered in God’s Word each day.  I watch the day dawn while I lean back against my pillows and soak in the scripture and offer up my prayers before I even get thinking about what my plans may be for the day.  It brings such a peace and joyfulness to the very first important minutes of the morning. 

How do you begin your day?

Retro Sketches #155 Challenge

I enjoyed this simple sketch – it used up a few scraps I had at hand.

 

And I whipped up this:

I used a snippet of paper by Heart and Home Collectables.  The Sunshine stamp is by Imaginisce and the sentiment is from My Favorite Things.

I made a light wash of yellow and orange watercolor on well dampened watercolor paper.  I dried it and stamped the Sunshine.  Lastly I filled in the sun with Diamond Accents.

Technorati Tags: My Favorite Things,Imaginisce,coffee,Retro Sketches,Mrs Miles,Barb Derksen

Retro Sketches # 139 Challenge Card

Can’t express how happy it makes me to be creating cards again.  I DO take supplies  with me when I go away, but its not the same. 

I decided to take up the Retro Sketches 139 Challenge:

And I created the following card:

Supplies:

MME Jubilee paper - won this in a gift basket at Crafty Capers in Nanaimo when Nina and I visited and entered a draw on World Card Making Day.  I scored the accessories which go with the papers as well.  I just couldn’t make them work for this card, though I tried. 

Stamp - My Favorite Things

I think I may get the opportunity to make another card or two today - I’ve finally caught up the housework to a degree.  I do a chore, make a card and repeat.  Card making is my reward system.  Do YOU have a reward treat for yourself for doing the other mundane things in life?

I’ve been enjoying long walks each day so that I don’t fall into a habit of being indoors too much.  Other than it’s been kind of grey there is always something beautiful to see outdoors and be thankful for.  The last of the Pink Lady Apples are coming off of orchards in the area and the orchards have a deep fragrance like a sweet balsamic vinegar.  Mushrooms abound.  I visited the BC Tree Fruits packing house yesterday and tried a Salish apple - a first for me.  It is tasty.  Crisp, sweet and very juicy!  Wish I could give you a bite here on my blog.

Technorati Tags: Retro Sketches,Osoyoos BC,Apple,Salish Apple,BC Tree Fruits

Retro Sketches 133 Challenge

Retro Sketches #133

My Sistert in Law Judy visited this weekend, and after a lot of running about we settled down to take at least one challenge.  After rejecting several that just did not appeal we thought this sketch was pretty cool.

Supplies:

Cuttlebug folder, Paper Smooches stamp, “Collectable Remarkable” My Mind’s Eye Paper Pad.

Butterflies - paint chips, gems “Recollections” from Michaels.

I hope you’ll stop in and see Judy’s lovely card too!

Technorati Tags: Retro Sketches,Handmade Card,Mrs Miles

Retro Sketches 96 Challenge Card and FUNNY crafts (?) photo

I’m in my “Happy Little Place” when I create, and when I get to create with my sister Nina and my Sister in Law Judy at the same time, well its all the sweeter.  What a nice way to start the year.  Here’s the Retro Sketches #96 challenge they invited me to:

I decided to make my card like this:

SUPPLIES:

Image - Graphics Fairy

Markers - TomBow

Micron Archival Pen

Cardstock

Designer Paper - Nature Garden Collection by JoDie Lee Designs

Golden twine

Pearl accents

 

I had a set of TomBow markers on my Christmas Wish list and was so happy that my Mr “GOT IT” that these to me would be as cherished to me as a piece of new technology would be to him.  I’ve wanted these for a long long time.  So, now its getting used to them. 

I ♥ all the images at Graphics Fairy - I print them onto fine art paper and they are crisp and beautiful, then I color and “fussy cut” them with sharp scissors.  I must say the TomBow markers are beautiful - just takes some getting used to blending etc.  

Thanks a heap for visiting! 

A CHUCKLE

Seen downtown Osoyoos recently:

Ok… I consider myself an extreme crafter, but THIS?   Wow.  What can one say?  My mind begs the question - is the lovely crochet keeping the bike rack warm?  Is it to buffer a bike or pet leashed to it?  Is it just to prettify things up on our main street.  At any rate, I’m impressed haha!

Technorati Tags: Retro sketches,Challenge Card,Osoyoos