Trendy Girl!

I absolutely love the vintage products out there, and that includes the wonderful tweed patterns and retro patent leather look!

The sketch I used was from Skipping Stones Design, as were the stamps on this card!  Aren't they fantastic!  Love that sentiment!

I heat embossed a large surface with clear on bright red textured Bazzill cardstock, then stamped the purse image onto that. Then I stamped the image again and heat embossed the black bow. Fussy cutting that little begger was fun!  LOL!

The red belt was done the same way.  It looks exactly like patent leather!

The sketch:

Don't you love that purse and belt?  I want one IRL!

Inside sentiment:

Sorry, it didn't show up very well in the photo,

but the little gold designer label is SOOO cute!

This card was so much fun to make. I was up till after midnight working on it, and then Blogger went out and I couldn't post...Yikes! 

I laid awake forever worrying about the cards for today!

Supplies used:

Paper: DCWV, Lady Couture

Stamps;  Skipping Stones Designs

Bow; Offray

Ribbon; JoAnn's

Ink; StazOn

Embossing powder;  Stampendous!



Hey, Soul Sister!

I love this sentiment from My Favorite Things! It really says it all.  I'm all caught up in the while "vintage" look, and these doilies and sewing icons really make card making fun!
The sketch I used was from MFT, Wednesday Stamp Club, and with a bit of help from Cath over at Moxie Fab World with her Trigger Tuesday image,  I took the vintage doily with the Retro patterned paper and made this card with a heartfelt message!

 Tuesday Trigger Card from Moxie Fab

A peek at my card:

My version, flipped, of course!

Now that Blogger's back to letting me have access, I can relax and have my morning tea.

Will come back after and list my supplies!

Proudly entered in the challenges at My Favorite Things and Moxie Fab World!

Supplies:

Paper;  DCWV, Mod Retro pad

Dies; MFT, Dainty Doily Dies

Sentiment; MFT, Clearly Sentimental about Friendship

Punch; Martha Stewart

RicRac; Bazzill Basics

Paper Doily; Wilton

Scissors charm; Ebay

Final Cardabilities Reveal!

This will be my final post for Cardabilities.   I have had a great time and I've become acquainted with the work of some really nice fellow Design Team members, but I have decided to increase my efforts in another direction.  I am finding myself too "restricted" by following another's sketches, and would prefer to venture out with my own card layout ideas.  Oh, I'll still enter the occasional sketch challenge at some of my favorite manufacturers! 

I appreciate the chance to have worked with Karan and the rest of the team, and wish them all the absolute best!

Cardabilities Sketch #34

 Banners! Yeah!  Can you ever tire of seeing more banners?

I think not...  Looks like they are here to stay. 

I guess you figured it out by now that this challenge I chose to make an altered framed project.  My husband's soon-to-be 7 year old grandson started playing t-ball this year and he wanted to be able to take the picture to work to show it off.   What better way than to make a cute little framed piece that everyone will see on his desk!

I heat embossed the adorable dotted frame from Waltzing Mouse, Vintage Layers #14, and crackle finished the chipboard piece for the stamped title.  The papers were all DCWV, Grade School.

Dream...

This card I made purely because my good friend (Blog-wise) Rhonda Van Ginkel, over at Quick Quotes Design Team had the honor of being the sketch designer this go-around!  Yeah, Rhonda!  Great job and I loved the sketch.  Hope you do, too!  Join in for a chance to win some Quick Quotes goodies!

Here's my take on Rhonda's sketch!

Close up of heat embossed chipboard pieces:

This is the first time I tried painting the chipboard with acrylic paints, then inking with a pigment ink pad, and sprinkling the clear powder over. When it melts, it tends to "sink into" the paint. Cool effect! Not as brash as simply applying the embossing ink and then powder.

So, here's my challenge entry over at Quick Quotes!

Wish me luck! I love their products, but don't own any as of yet!

Also entered at:

Easy Crafts Projects (Gold)

Saturday Challenge (Embossing)

In my corner...

Who can't use a few cards that demonstrate to your freind that you appreicate their support every now and then?  I can even use this one for a family member that expresses support in the future.  I love the simplicity of it.  I had these huge colored photo corners from years ago stuck in a box and immediately thought of them when I saw the sketch challenge at Waltzing Mouse this week!

My version of this wonderful sketch!

For the sentiment, I used one of the  stamps from "Rescue Remiedies Additions".

I absolutely love that font!

And the inside:

I figured the simpler, the better.  With a card like this,

you need to leave plenty of room for a heartfelt greeting.

Like I mentioned above, this card was made for the sketch challenge at :

Waltzing Mouse.

Check them out!  Claire has the absolute best stamps!

Key to my heart....

My favorite colors, red and black!

Supplies:

Paper; DCWV, "La Creme" matstack;

Key stamp, Stampin' Up; 

Sentiment, Paper Inspirations

Pearl; Zva Creations



This card was made for and entered into the challenge at

Sassy Lil Card Sketches .



Summer Solstice Greetings!

With Summers being so miserable here in Arizona,

we have to look to something to celebrate!!

Today, on the First Day of Summer, it reached 110 degrees

with the high being 114 by the weekend! 

 The only thing that gets me through this heat is the

fact that we never have to shovel snow or put chains on our tires... 

Pattern background stamped and heat embossed by me!  Yep, getting to where I emboss anything that stands still long enough!  Watch out, Lizzy!

Challenges entered:

Easy Crafts Projects (Photo inspiration, Colors)

Moxie Fab World (Tuesday Trigger, Polka Dots)

Waltzing Mouse Designs ("Year of Sketches" challenge,  Clare's sketch) )

I used my new stamp from "Vintage Labels 18"!

I truly love the way these stamps heat emboss!

I do hope everyone is enjoying their very first day of Summer!

Time's fun...

Here we are with a second post for the Jillibean Soup's sketch challenge!  Wow, Jillbean, Part Two! I love this old stamp from Close To My Heart! It always cracks me up!  When I realized that the last few remnants of Jillibean Soup paper I had left in my stash was the frog from Talk Soup, I knew exactly what this card would have to say!

Funny, eh? Come on, you smiled!

I flipped the sketch from my last card. And used my new die from MFT.  I thought the green doily somewhat looked like a lily pad. 

I'll save this one for that special someone who needs a big lift!

Supplies:

PAPER: Jillibean Soup; Talk Soup

DIE: My Favorite Things, Duo Doilies

STAMP:  Sentiment CTMH, Fun Times and Dotted line; October Afternoon,        Hometown; Bee, Studio 18

BLING: Want2Scrap

Also entered in Sketch challenge at Jillibean Soup's Blog, Bean Talk

Whoo- whoo!

I wanted to make a card for a friend's little boy who has just started talking, and I DO mean talking!  Up a blue streak!  It's always funny when you look back later and say, "Do you remember when we WISHED he could talk?" Now you just sit back and wait for them to stop! LOL! 

I had some older Jillibean papers that I knew would be perfect for this occasion.  I had actually been waiting a while to have a good reason to use it. 

Supplies: 

PAPERS:  Jillibean; Talk Soup, Split Pea, and Cold Raspberry

STAMP: October Afternoon; Hometown

TEXTILE: Jute twine

This card will be entered in the sketch challenge at:  Bean Talk.



Sketch Reveal

Sorry, my "scheduled" post for today apparently decided to go up without me earlier this week.!

Here is the Cardabilities #33 sketch for this challenge and reveal.

I actually went back and checked my post and I HAD the scheduling post-dated. Oh well, as they say, Stuff happens...  no one died. (Well, an old supervisor used to say that...)

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Sometimes a "Sista" just needs a shoulder...

In this case, it is actually my sister.  She is having some medical tests run just to eliminate anything serious, so we are all keeping a positive attitude. At the same time, it is easy to allow yourself to get depressed and feel sorry even before anything is known...  I just want her to know I'm here for her, whatever the outcome (which I'm sure will be fine)

I refrained from using bling or pearls, since she does not like either on her clothes or cards!  But I thought the vintage laces and buttons would add a certain element of time having passed....lots of time...lol!
I actually" repurposed" a greeting card I had received from a friend.  Shhh - don't tell.
I love the layers of colors with the cepia photo!  These two girls could have been us, they look so much like the "Garber girls". I hope this brings a little smile ot her face over the next few days while she waits to hear from the dr.

The sketch I used for inspiration was from Skipping Stone Designs.

Various laces, ribbons, papers and embellishments were used, most from my stash pile.  The main item used was the sentiment stamp "To Cheer You" from

 the Skipping Stones set "Always Here".

Please keep your fingers crossed. I would really love to win Heartsong!

Sketch Challenge:  Skipping Stones Designs

Happy Birthday, USA!

Thought I would join in over at the Mouse this week with a card that follows the sketch AND the Blog Waltz. Still trying to figure out how to do both since one deadline ends the same day the other begins...Oh well...

Waltzing Mouse Sketch challenge

My July 4th card:

The best part of making this card was the heat embossing of the graphics on the background! I poured red and blue each over half of the stamped image. Then set it. I really like the way it came out...  Then I proceeded to heat emboss the star, and then the silver border frame around the card! Yes, a monster has been created here. For several years, I have hardly touched my heat gun, not I have a renewed interest in it. The little pinwheel reminded me of being back in the kinder classroom again! FUN!

The stamp I used in order to make it qualify for the WALTZING MOUSE sketch challenge was the word " Birthday" from the Bountiful Baskets additions. I'm so very patiently waiting for my order from across the pond. 

Supplies:  Bazzill cardstocks

                  Pattern paper; unknown

                  Star stamp: Unity Stamps

                  Birthday stamp: WM, Bountiful Baskets Addition

                  Brad: JoAnn's

                  Ribbon: stock

Don't forget to check out the Blog Waltz on

Friday, the 17th

 to see more July 4th cards!

Out now!

If you have a subscription, check out the newest issue of
Scrapbook News and Review!

This issue is their biggest issue ever and I am proud to be a part of it !
If you don't have a current subscription, I would suggest checking it out!  It has tons of ideas and tutorials, along with  hints and tips on so many products!

And I guess, most importantly, this issue has one of my cards published in it!

Enjoy the Journey!

The Hero Arts blog had a wonderful tutorial regarding watercoloring with Distress Paints. I have never tried actually "painting" with them... spritzing, stamping, and antiquing with them, yes...but to actually use a brush to paint an image, no.  So, I decided to go one step further, and try to make a stained glass effect on vellum with them. It worked pretty well!

Here's the Skipping Stones sketch for this week!

Skipping Stones also makes the perfect dragonfly image for me to practice with!  I stamped onto vellum with Staz-On and let it dry thoroughly. Then I simply applied a tiny bit of Distress Ink to the wings, and took my finger and spread it around a bit.  ( Yes, my fingers are 3 shades of reds, blues, and greens now!)  But I really like the effect! Oh, and I also spritzed the final result with the tiniest amount of gold Glimmer Mist.
   It made the wings curl just slightly, and added the delicate look to the wings of the dragonfly.

Join Hero Arts for their monthly challenges! 

 I am going to be entering this one for sure!

Supplies:
Cardstock; Bazzill
Paper: DCWV, Doodlin'
Stamps:  Skipping Stones,  and Hero Arts (Travel Journal)
Distress Inks; Tim Holtz
French Velvet ribbon

Button Boutique!

I love these dies and stamps!  When Papertrey Ink revealed these several months ago, I went completely mad for them! And my good friend, Liz,who is a real sweetie, decided to get them for me!  We have BIG future plans for these little babies... (sorry, details down the road).  But in the meantime, I am having the time of my life playing with them! I have always been a seamstress, of sorts. I loved Clothing 101 in school, and made many of my kids clothes when they were young.  Halloween was just another excuse for me to get out the Singer! 
Anything to do with the hobby of sewing interests me. But at this point in time, the small projects are much more appealing to me!

Between the great retro papers that are out there, and all the cool trims available, these projects are bound to be a favorite with cardmakers! 

To start with, I wanted to try the "Make it Monday" technique at Papertrey Ink's blog, Capture the Moment.  This week it was tissue texturing...very reminescent of the old tissue paper layering with the Mod Podge. And surprisingly, after trying several types of adhesive, that's what actually worked best!  I love the way it softens the colors of your papers.  I HAD to use my pattern paper with and without tissue so that the card would reflect both contrasting versions.  I even tissued the sentiment tag...and pulled out the old sewing machine to stitch around the edge.

Then I used the button card and the button dies from the Button Boutique Collection. Too easy! 

Lastly, I dug into my sewing stash for some mini ric-rak. I topped it off with an actual OLD safety pin.

                   I LOVE THIS TECHNIQUE!

Supplies:
Paper: DCWV, Lady Couture
Stamps and Dies: Papertrey Ink, Button Boutique
Ric-Rac from my stash
Mod Podge Matte Adhesive
Helmar 450 Quick Dry

Challenges:
Papertrey Ink, (Make it Monday)
Moxie Fab World (Sewing)



Grow where you are planted...

---Scroll down to read about the great
Blog Hop that Elmer's and X-Acto
are sponsoring tomorrow!---

I know you see this quote often and everywhere, and it does have a sweet ring to it. But, I have to say, I disagree with the belief that you grow best where you are "planted".  I think you have to "uproot"  yourself from familiar settings and experience many different places and many various things in order to reach your full potential. Of course, in that regard, I should be a friggin' genius!

But I willingly admit that I'm no philosopher...so here's my take on it.

I was totally inspired by the Stamping Background Color Trends Challenge at     Embellish.  

I loved what the Design Team did with the vivid teal and red.

My little card:

Not only did I stamp the background mesh fence, but I heat embossed it in silver to look just like wire.  I really love the way it turned out!
And I was able to practice with my Copics a bit on the veggies!  Sorry about the shadows. It is really hard to take pictures this late at night, even with the best of lighting in my "studio". (Otherwise known as my converted bathroom corner vanity! LOL!)

Can't wait to make more of those little folded seed packets! 


Supplies:
Bazzill Cardstock
Chicken Wire Stamp: Stampin' Up
Seed Packets and Tomatoes: TPC, Victory Garden Stamps
Copics Markers
Spellbinders, Nestie:  Large Deckled Rectangle
Stock teal ribbon
Zutter Distrezz-It-All

                   Join the Blog hop !
Click here to go to  Elmer’s {Craft & Tell} on
June 11th & 12th!!!   Check out how you can win a huge prize from Elmer's and X-Acto!
There's a great line-up of designers with some terrific projects!  I can't wait to see the fantastic ideas!

Thank You "berry" much!

I love these cute fruit and veggie papers that are so popular right now!  I may have made this card for a challenge or two, but I had so much fun working with the cherry print!

  A shaped card just seemed right for this sentiment and image....

Supplies:
Paper:  DCWV, Farmers Market
Dies: Papertrey Ink, Danity Doily and Button Boutique
Stamp:  Papertrey Ink, Think Big #1
White paper doily, Wilton

Challenges:
Simon Says (Go Fruity!)