Gold Accent One Layer card

Not the greatest photo of my card as it does nothing to display the gorgeous shine of the embossed florals and shows a blue cast to the pristine white paper.  Ah well!  This is my take on the Addicted to CAS #117 challenge:

So, one layer it IS!  One layering is not something I find easy, however today it all flowed together.  I started with a very stiff, bright white cardstock.

I stamped the florals using an Inkadinkadoo stamp and then I embossed it using some Queens Gold powder from Ranger.  It really looks beautiful!  Next I used a Sizzix floral embossing folder to create texture.  Lastly, I applied This lovely sentiment from the “eloquence” collection from Penny Black.   I was very pleased with the end result. 

Note – our smoky skies have cleared!  My prayers still going out for those who have been affected by the many fires we have had this summer. 

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Crazy Critters Post

I’ll follow my latest card post with the tales of my crazy critters week.

My take on this weeks Addicted to CAS #114– themed:

I’m not sure exactly which die cut used for my card as a friend did random cuts for me from her own collection.  We often do swaps like that – do YOU have a crafting friend you swap/trade with?  Like “The Grass is Greener” my friends stashes and supplies always seem more appealing, inspiring.  I used a very heavy bright white cardstock to give my card depth.  I used rectangle stitched dies from Simon Says to trim the die cut.  Next I bumped it out and then added the simple ‘best wishes’ sentiment from Paper Smooches.

Now, the crazy critters of this week involve a random bird, a baby chipmunk and an angry robin.

Random Bird

- decides to make a nest in our dryer vent.  I’m down in my laundry area and I hear something scritching around.  Ack, thinking a mouse I pause and listen harder – there are a few ‘peeps’ which I immediately know its something feathered, not furred.  I then pause and listen, listen and pause until finally I realize said creature is in the vent hose to the dryer!!! Turns out this bird (I believe a Northern Flicker) tried to nest in our vent and pushed a little too far.  My husband and I quickly take the tape off the hose in an attempt to free and release the poor thing but by the time we get to it, it is too late, bird has perished.  So sad!  DO check your hoses periodically – they can not only be bird and critter creatures, but fire hazards as well if they get filled with dust and lint.

Cute Baby Chipmunk

- I’m in the kitchen when something small and quick streaks in a furry blur across the floor, heading for the front room.  I instantly track it to a corner where it cowers in a tiny ball, eyes closed, pretending its invisible.  The most adorable baby chipmunk one ever did see.  Husband called up from downstairs again and we capture it in a plastic tub and set it loose on the lawn.

Angry Mumma Robin

- I’m pruning back a severely overgrown grape arbour, pea sized unripe grapes, debris and leaves raining down upon me (thank gracious I wore a hat) – all falling down the front of my scoop necked tshirt and going all the way down into every nook and cranny and driving me crazy LOL!  I’m balanced on a sawhorse for lack of a ladder so its a bit precarious but I’m ok, I’m OK, until I hear flappings behind me and see a fluttery dark shadow happening closer and closer.  Then there is angry chirpings and Mumma Robin is dive bombing me, her claws grazing me because I assume my pruning is coming into the area where she has a nest.  Man, she was scary!  Thankfully I was able to prune up quick and leave her in peace. 

Have YOU any stories of angry critters?  I’d love to know. 

A “delicate” card for Addicted to CAS

I’ve created this card to join in the Addicted to CAS #84 Challenge – the theme being “Delicate”  

My photography is bolder than the actual card, i took it using my ipad and its hard to get the colors to balance properly – for it is indeed much more “delicate” in natural light.  I used a designer paper from Basic Grey  for the backdrop – enhancing the feature floral by painting with an aqua pen using a versamark ink in “grape”.  I added a dot for the floral center and then a few gems in lesser flowers.  I stamped the sentiment – Stampin’ Up right onto the paper. 

I appreciate you coming to my blog day.  I’m including a few pics of my “Date Day” with my most handsome Mr today because my blog is also a journal of sorts where I can come back and visit happy memories too.  You get to come along!

First came the Chicken… not an egg for us!  We stopped in for our fave chicken at Hughes grocery store in Oroville, Washington – and had a HUGE apple fritter too.  They certainly know how to deep fry things in the USA! 

Then we meandered backroads down there and wound up driving up through Molson where they still have some snow -

I love this scene with the red willows tucked amongst the white barked trees and the snowy mountains in the background. 

Hope you enjoyed our little tour day too.

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Addicted to CAS 79 Card - and a good tip!

How could one resist making a card with a CAKE theme?  January is such a dull month here (weather wise) that I jump at the chance to celebrate ... anything!  I chose this challenge to perk me up:

Addicted to CAS #79 Card "CAKE" theme - 

I got an idea for CAKE, right off the bat:

Oh I had such fun!  I had some cardboard sitting about and I thought it was the ideal shade and texture for cake, so I cut it to what I felt resembles a generous wedge.  

The next step in is where the good tip comes in - 

This "icing" is actually a mix I dreamed up mixing a small amount (tablespoon or two) of spackle (I used DryDex from the dollar store) and mix it with about 1/2 tsp or more of craft glue (I use Aleene's Tacky glue) and there you have it!  You may have to experiment to get it to the consistency you're happy with and is flexible as well.   I smear that on and let it dry.  Though I did add a goodly sprinkle of Twinkle Dust into the top layer before it dried.  The glue keeps the spackle flexible enough so it does not crack.  So inexpensive and gives me loads of ideas. 

I created the tiny candle out of a snippet of designer paper, a little crochet cotton and the flame is sparkle paper.  I punched a circle out, the trimmed it so that the bottom would be nicely rounded.  I hope this was helpful for you today!

The background is simple - just a bit of  "Flea Market" 6 x 6 by Crate Paper - and I chose the teeniest "Celebrate" stamp by Stampin' Up.

Addicted to CAS Challenge Card

still sick, tail end with the coughing, however I managed one card today.  I decided to go with something simple therefore this was an easy choice:

Addicted to CAS #77

And I made this:

I created a simple snow feel background using a cuttlebug embossing folder

I added a few dots of Star Jelly Roller on a few bumps for “snow”

I know it’s difficult to see here but I bumped this cute lil feller up using foam tap and I used some clear glitter and glue to make swirls of “fleece” too.  I painted the face and feet a soft pink hue (hard to capture with my camera as it seems to put a blue cast on everything)

The stamps are from Lawn Fawn.

Lots of prize opportunities and a DT call over at Addicted to CAS as they celebrate their 3rd birthday – you should try your hand at a simple card too!

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Summer Adventures and Addicted to CAS #43

How has YOUR summer been so far? 

Mine has been an adventure for sure.  I enjoyed almost a month away at the coast spending time with family.  The coast is so different from Osoyoos - I revel in what each of our location offers.  I also enjoy being with my kin, you know? 

The first bit of family I was blessed to share three whole entire days with was my sister in law Michelle. She and I and my beautiful nieces spent our time poking around thrift stores, cooking, hanging out and even doing crafts.  I got to see what life is like in Surrey.  I was certainly pampered!

I don’t have photos, however my Mr and I attended the 1st birthday of our handsome little nephew who turned 1 - and got to see more and more family!

Then I had a nice time with my sister in law Maggie.  She took me out for  a day out in Mission, lunching at the Blackberry Kitchen (Num!)  and then we caught explored the local thrift stores hitting many sales.  I found some pretty things (clothing items) for next to nothing (which is good as my hero husband is on strike in his school district) 

And then my one and only sister Nina scooped me from the coast, brought me home and we drove up and spent an overnight with my daughter Melanie and met Fancy, the closest thing to a grandchild as I’m likely to get anytime soon.  At least this little puppy is cute as a button - smart and playful.  So much fun I would have liked to sneak her home in my purse.  She’s that small! 

So, I feel all filled up in my heart for now.  A person should have a good dose of summer family connects to make it memorable.  Thank you to each of you who made my time very special.

And now that I’m home and settled in again…

I decided to attempt a challenge card for fear I would not remember how  

Addicted to CAS #43 - code word CELEBRATE!

I tried to keep it simple -

SUPPLIES

“Light Bright” designer paper by Colorbok, stamp - Basic Grey 

The stamp was actually a little boy figure, but I turned it into a girl because this card is going to a girl.  I created the “CELEBRATE” using layers of vinyl and cardstock cut on my Silhouette Cameo.

My today’s 1 small THING is this inspiring bit written oh so long ago by Robert Louis Stevenson (though entirely relevant today)

My Task

To be honest, to be kind;

To earn a little and to spend less;

To make upon the whole a family happier for his presence;

To renounce when that shall be necessary and not to be embittered;

To keep a few friends, but those without capitulation -

Above all, on the same grim conditions, to keep friends with himself -

Here is a task for all that a man has of fortitude and delicacy.

Thanks for Visiting!

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ATCAS #41 Challenge Card and a FREE Cutting File for YOU!

I’m feeling rebellious this fine Monday Morning so I am going to post my finished card first then the challenge graphic.  Perhaps I will do this in the future too. Its my blog and I can do what I want ha-ha!  Oh my, aren't I a piece of work this morning. 

Awww - isn’t this feller so sweet?  OK, might be a girl sun, you COULD add some false eyelashes… This is my take on:

Addicted to CAS #41 SUN

I used paper I chanced upon at a garage sale this past weekend - the cardstock did not have any way of identifying it - but the argyle is from a Ki Paper Pad called… Argyle! 

I built this fun FREE smiling sun Cut  in two pieces so you can pop the face up a bit using foam tape.  I would normally use “googly eyes” - you know, the kind you buy in the crafts section… but I was not crafting at home and so had to be resourceful.  I used a couple of sequins that color - coordinated with the cardstock of the face of the card, then added two tiny black pearl gems for the eye”ball”s.  I rather like the effect.  You may notice, if you look closely at the “rays” cut - I made it so you could actually cut your background in a square or rectangle to line up with the actual “rays” on the left side (right down the middle of the face) so half the sun face would hang over onto the backdrop… I hope you know what I mean.  I may build an alternative version of this in the future.

DOWNLOAD

Please enjoy my FREE Sunshine Smile .studio Cut for your personal or commercial use, but I ask simply you credit me when using and link to my blog.  Please do not directly share this download link but have others visit here to download.  Please consider “faming” my blog and FREEBIES on all and any social media, this helps me a lot and I appreciate it. 

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Addicted to CAS #37 - Grunge (card) & a FREE “nested” Music Note

Finally!  Life is so full I’ve not time to blog so much.  I hope everyone had a good Easter.  Mine was lovely, time with family. 

I enjoyed taking part in a card challenge today -

Addicted to CAS 37

And here is a card I made for someone I know who is musical:

Wow, there is a lot going on with this card in the way of stamps.  I used:

Stampin’ Up - Oh so Lovely

American Crafts - Jared (chevron)

My Mind’s Eye - Indie Chic (watch)

Recollections - Lettering (2 U)

Studio G - Lettering (letter stamps) 

And then I designed a “nested” set of music notes, which I hope might be of use to you (and the cut-out notes come in handy as well!) 

Nested Music Notes

.studio file for your Silhouette cutting machine

DOWNLOAD

I have these sized to fit on the front of a quarter fold card.  Enjoy!

Blossoms and Blooms

Its full-on Spring here in Osoyoos.  I don’t think one can ever get enough pictures of blooms.  These pretty Pink Lady apple blossoms are just emerging!

So lovely!

I wish I could put this bouquet on YOUR table…

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Addicted to CAS No. 33 - Baby!

Just popping up a quick post as I managed to sqeak in a card today for:

Addicted to CAS No. 33 - Baby (Card Challenge)

And guess what?  I managed to actually keep it “CAS” - that is, Clean and Simple! 

Some good solid cardstock (nicely textured), a bit of really thick handmade paper, a cute Studio G Stamp and my Tombow markers and voila.  I slapped my hands after I got it to this point and said “enough!” 

I appreciate your visit!

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Addicted to CAS Challenge No 32 Card

I found a small gap of time to fit in a few creative moments this weekend and paired up with Judy to make a card for the:

Addicted to Clean and Simple Challenge No. 32

And so, keeping this (fairly) simple.  I know, I know - I’m really having to work hard on this idea for simple - but I’ll get it yet.  At any rate, here’s my take on this challenge, even if it might be a bit too fussy.

If I were to re-attempt this in a more simple manner I would not have gotten carried away with the layers, the stitching - but I just could not resist.  I think I got carried away haha!

and perhaps I would have slapped my own hands when it came to the embossing, the shading in the corners with Tombow markers and even adding the pearls. 

But still…

Today’s “one small thing” is - backlighting.

I caught this orchid yesterday morning all lit up for a brief time in the sun’s first early morning rays.

There is something so very evocative about backlighting. The definition of backlighting, according to Wikipedia, is the process of illuminating from the back.  In other words, the light source  and the viewer are facing each other and the subject is in between.  This causes the subject to appear lighter in some areas and darker in others - and can be quite dramatic.  It causes you to appreciate your subject in a whole new way.

I often think of this in a spiritual context.  You are the viewer, Jesus is the light, while I hope to be the subject, but so see-through from His light that I might just be a trick of the eye  -  my desire is to be “less of me”

‘He must become greater; I must become less.’

John 3:30

So that, as I walk closer to Him, any beauty and goodness you see in me, is just me being “back-lit” by the light of the Lord. 

I found this poem today which I hope inspires you, as it did me:

 

The Beauty Of Jesus In Me

 

my life touched yours for a very brief space,

And what, oh, what did you see?

A hurried, a worried and anxious face,

Or the beauty of Jesus in me?

 

Was I steeped so deep in the ways of the world

That you couldn’t detect one thing

That would set me apart and show that my heart

Belonged to the Heavenly King?

 

Did I carry no banner for Jesus my Lord,

Not one thing at all that could show

Whose side I am on in this glorious fight?

I am His! But you wouldn’t know.

 

Forgive me! And if we should e’er meet again

Upon earth, oh, I pray you will see

No mark of this world, but His banner unfurled,

And the beauty of Jesus in me!

 

~  Alice Hansche Mertenson

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