Waltzing into Fall!

I am trying so very hard to get into the spirit of  Fall and "Trick or Treat", but when the temperatures here are looming way over 100, it's really difficult. But I'm also reading that most of the country is experiencing above average temperatures, so I feel a bit better as I sit here in Phoenix sweating my you-know-what off!

I loved the sketch over at Waltzing Mouse this week, and had to make it a Fall card! I've been dying to use these little pumpkins that come with the

"Bountiful Baskets Additions" set, but decided to go without the basket this time.

Feeling cooler already.....

OK, now I think I'm really ready for Halloween and pumpkin pie, and candy corn....

I love that the Spellbinders Labels Eighteen and the coordinating

Vintage Labels 18 from Waltzing Mouse are so easy to work with!

I used my new Cosmo Cricket, "Odds and Ends" paper pack,

a bit of embossing and inking, a few black pearls from Recollections,

and some jute twine and done!  I wanted to add some natural texture that the "garden" could be growing in...and it was so much easier to stamp the pumpkins onto

pattern paper than to color with the Copics today (hands just not cooporating).

Thanks for looking today! It would REALLY make my day if you left a comment!

This card has been entered in the challenge at

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge

Waltzing Mouse, "Tag, you're it!"

I don't make tags very often. The canvas just seems so very small. What can you possibly do on a tag? Well, I have been cruising through some of my favorite designers and they do some magnificent things on a tiny little 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 tag! I'm thinking, I can do this... The only thing that seems even more difficult would be ATC cards (no, I don't get that at all!)

Waltzing Mouse threw this challenge out there this week, so I felt obligated to at least try!

So, I pulled out the few sentiments I have from WM, and decided to go with a TAG ON A card that I needed to make anyway. Sometimes friends go way above and beyond to be there for you when all they probably want to say is, "Get over it!"   This is for one of those times when my friend should have said, "Chill-ax, man, Life's way too short".  I don't deserve such great friends!

The pattern paper is 7 Gypsies, Avignon pack, the "post card' was cut from the Cosmo Cricket, " Love Notes" Journaling cards.  My tiny little bike stamp is MME, Lost and Found, Portabella Road. And the Eiffle Tower image is TPC, Travel World. I don't think I left a stone unturned in my scrap room!  The sentiment is from "Rescue Remedies Additions".  I've really gotten my use out of that one!

I recently picked up some fantastic ruffles and trims when I went to California for my brief vacay. That wholesale store was amazing!  The epoxy flowers are my newest Ebay find.  A bit of machine stitching and seam binding, and done!  For someone who doesn't do tags, I kind of like it!

I could sure use some more Waltzing Mouse stamps, especially more sentiments. I'm really limited when it comes to WORDS! So wish me luck!

This is to be entered in the Waltzing Mouse sketch challenge this week!

I love Taylored Expressions!

The entire shelf is popped out so it sits away from the card.

I also popped out oneof the little drawers to make it appear to be open and added

eyelet rings for the pulls.  I have a prettier piece of gold chain or tiny pearls that I will add for the "jewelry".

This is to be entered at the challenge for Taylored Expressions, for their birthday celebration!  It is actually going to be my mom's birthday card in October.

Great friends....

For a gal who I've known for almost 30 years....

I black heat-embossed the stamped background pattern behind the shoes...

...a little Stickles and rhinestones made the poms "pop"!  And the shoes were stamped on and the circles cut from SEI glitter paper.  The DCWV Mod-Retro pattern paper was perfect for two old friends!

I used the sketch from Skipping Stones Designs this week:

To old times...

Check this guy out!

I just stumbled upon Drew's blog today, and if you haven't seen what this young man is up to, you need to!

http://www.scrappyhappiness.com/
He has created a business out of his love and admiration for the Cricut machine and all things scrappy!  He has an Etsy shop (well, two actually) and stays on top of what's hot in the scrapbook world!  His projects are amazing, and puts some of us (I'm talking about me, you know) to shame with his knowledge and creativity!
On top of that, he's generous!  He is having a blog candy giveaway to celebrate his getting over 1,000 followers!  1,ooo!  I was thrilled when I hit 50 last month! He's on several Design Teams and has started a blog for Kids & Teenagers.  Ok, so I am going on a bit.  But, come on...this kid's got what it takes to be a huge success in the business world!  So check out his blog.  Enter for the candy, and maybe buy a kit or two to help finance his way to Paris for a school trip.  Since I've got more time than money right now, I figured I could best help by passing the word along!

Wouldn't it be great if all of our youth were spending their time doing things like this?
Way to go, Drew!

"Fairy" big thanks!

I have made and posted this card in several colors now, and always get a great response! I think everyone loves this darling little fairy image! She's been a redhead, a brunette, and now a blonde!

She's adorable, and it gives an excuse to get out my Stickles for her wings!
This one I made for the challenge over at Do You Stack Up? ( A Thank You card)

Sew many projects....-

sew little time!

Seems I go from nothing to do and bored, to "when am I going to fit all this in?!"  But now that the Summer is in full swing here in Arizona, there's nothing to do outside but watch the catcus sweat in the heat!

I was recently "gifted" some luscious little Doodlebug kits, and am in the process of putting some projects together.

Here's my little card I want to send to a friend who really needs to go on a shopping spree with me. 

The stamping on the paper doily was easy and fun! I simply cut out a circle that fit inside the center of the doily, and used that to mask the outside.  Since these are somewhat "waxy", they also tend to not take the ink very well. So after stamping my image, I clear heat-embossed it to insure it doesn't smear. It made the image shine a bit and has the appearance of magazine print. 
What a fun and simple little card. It was made much easier by the fact that the kit came with so many cute embellies and pretty paper.  There will be more projects coming out of those kits, for sure!

This adorable card will be entered in challenges at:
Sassy Lil' Sketches (Sketch challenge , August Week 3)
Fab n Funky (Stitch'in time)
StampsRus Challenge (Anything Goes)

Skipping Stones- Down to the wire!

I was cruising through my emails and going back through my favorite blog spots and found the Skipping Stones challenge that I had missed while on vacation!  Well, with only a few hours to go, I had to sit down and put together a card.  Now what to do....hmmm...

I have a dear friend who loves dragonflies.  I will save this card for her for when she needs a comforting word.
The Skipping Stones #89 sketch is:

I changed it up so that the frame-in-frames weren't mere squares.  I used a mat from the DCWV stack, Immortal Love. 
Check out the challenge and their wonderful stamps! Love them!  They are also celebrating the tail end of their Blog for Boobies.  Great cause and a sale!

Butterflies !

I love all of the butterfly stamps, papers, buttons, and other embellishments that are popular now!  I especially love these little lacey ones that you can get for almost nothing! They go on a card or layout so easily!  I always keep a stash of cards made up to send out "just because" and this is a version of one of my favorites.

It now incorporates all of the elements that I like. Lace, ribbon, buttons, bling... The two patterned papers are some old stash that I've had around, so I can't really say who's it is. 

And because this card is being entered in the Flourishes and Paperplay challenges, I need to explain that the large rhinestone "bling" on the flower is indeed a button. It is an old vintage one that I cut from an old garment and saved. I included a picture so that you can see the back of the metal button.  Cool, eh?  They don't make buttons like this anymore! 

Wish I had a hundred more! 

Challenges entered:

Timeless Tuesday Challenge - Flourishes

(Include a button, lace, and ribbon)

Card Makin' Mamas (PINK)

Paperplay Challenges

Have a great rest of the weekend!

FLASHBACKS!

This week we have TWO flashback challenges! I love this because it forces you to go back through all of those good and BAD projects that you've created over the past, and take a really honest look at them. I resisted the temptation to delete a few because of challenges like this one at Flashback Fridays blog site to post your FIRST gift card holder.

Had it not been for keeping this photo of a gift card holder that I was not thrilled with, I would have had no entry at all!   I don't send many gift cards, so the need simply isn't there. 

I DID, on this occasion however, have no idea what to get this friend and his wife for his birthday, so this was the solution. Not one of my "prettiest" cards, but it got the job done.   I made this back in February of this year.  I haven't been cardmaking all that long, so my collection isn't very extensive!  I see these gals who have been at it for 20 years and admire their talent and persistance!

The second "flashback  challenge" is at Moving Along With the Times.

They ask that you choose a project from the past that means something to YOU. Maybe your favorite, or the first, or just one that you especially recall

making for whatever reason.

I chose my New Year's Resolution calender.







This, I have always said, was my most prized project! I put this together back in December of 2009, and it took me the better part of a weekend to assemble the Kaisercraft shadow box.  The fun part was deciding on my theme and decorating it! Everyone had done the Christmas Advent thing, so I wanted to be different.

I really wanted it to reflect how I felt about some changes that were going on, or about to go on, in my life. We were moving out of my dream house that I had spent several years decorating and making it perfect, I was not working, and I had started on hormone therapy (I know, too much information! LOL!)  Let's just say that I had no idea, really, what direction things were going. But I had grand plans.

Things have gone well. We are very happy and my health has improved in some areas. Still working on others.... getting old ... well, just leave it to say, sucks.

So, these are my flashback moments. Both positive and not. But they caused me to pause, which is what these things are designed to do.

Thanks to "Moving Along" and "Flashback Fridays" for encouraging us to do so.



2 Precious!

My little "Yorkie/shih tzu is so adorable, I look at her and think, "How can SO much cute be in such a little package?" She is my constant companion when I'm here at home.

Lizzy turned 5 this year, and I can still recall the day we brought her home at only 5 weeks! She weighed just over a pound! 

Like I said, just too darn precious!

This layout will be entered over at Quick Quotes, Use a Number Challenge!

Thanks, Rhonda, for the heads up! 

Today I aspire to be....

Tara Orr!

As some of you know, I occasionally like to post about someone I admire in the scrap world. I have tooted the horn many times for Sarah Parker and Ashley Newell, among others. Today I HAVE to throw a word out there for Tara! If you aren't familiar with her magnificant scrapbook pages, you are in for a treat!

Tara layers so much goodness onto one sheet of cardstock, you can almost FEEL the textures and goodness coming over the screen!  Just look!

This picture was lifted from the Graphic 45 Gallery, so the quality isn't perfect. If you want to see all of Tara's projects, go to her website at:

http://eachmoment-onlyonce.blogspot.com/

I promise you, you won't be disappointed!  And even better, Tara is having a giveaway on her blog!  So many goodies!  One of us could end up being able to scrap with those scrumptious embellies and stamps that she uses!  And you all know how much I love the bling and the flowers, and the stamps, and the labels, and...well, it goes on and on...

Go check her out!

Yee-Haw, Cowboy!

This next Thursday is my husband's birthday.  Yea, another one!  At our age, they seem to roll around more often than every twleve months! Of course, my advantage is that he'll always be so much older!  LOL! 
Being a cowboy at heart, I know he always appreciates anything with a western flair!  When I get a few moments, I will post the little wedding album I finally put together from our small, fairly private ceremony 9 years ago. The few pictures that were taken were saved onto a slide show on disc and I never found out how to pull them off, or if you even can! So, the ones I did salvage were those taken with a second camera and not the best quality...but, I digress...
Here is the card I made for the DH, taking my inspiration from the sketch this week at Waltzing Mouse!  I am determined to win a stamp set because my wish list grows increasingly longer!!!

  First, the wonderful sketch....

My card:

Someone recently asked on the Waltzing Mouse FB page if others prefer taking pictures of just their card alone, or adding a prop of some sort...well, as you can see, I enjoy adding a bit of personality to my posts on occasion! 
Not always, sometimes the card is quite enough.

     For this card, I used some old denim I had saved from a pair of capris that no longer fit. I cut out and sewed the edges of a pocket.  Then added the tops from thumb tacks for the grommets. The little silver concho has been in my stash forever! And the last time I used jute on a card as rope, my husband loved it.

Wierd colors because the ink on the large tag matches the denim perfectly! Funny how the lights and camera can make them look so odd!  I also hand cut the big tag, but am due to pick up my new Nestie Labels 18 die next week!!!  Yea!!! 

I absolutely LOVE the way these labels are made to work with

Spellbinders so perfectly!

Inside of card:

Since he leaves on the morning OF his birthday for a 4 day historical rendevous in Williams, Arizona, I will put together a "goodie basket" for him to take along.  I know what treats he likes to eat while he's out and away. (All the ones we normally don't keep here at the house due to the poor nutritional value!  LOL!)

Products used:

Dies:  Spellbinders Nesties, Labels 4

Stamps: Waltzing Mouse; Vintage Labels 4, Vintage Labels 18, and Rescue Remedies Additions.

Inside sentiment: Fiskars; "Make a Wish Quotes".

Entered, of course, at the challenge at:

Waltzing Mouse!

Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge

I love this sketch! I don't know what it is.  Maybe it's the little row of elements, or that it's so perfectly balanced.  I like balance and symmetry in my life.  It's not always there, but I love it when it works out that way!

I also love these stamps by Waltzing Mouse!   There's very few stamps I DON'T love from them!  I constantly wish they were closer or the dollar would be worth more! LOL!  Those money conversions and shipping make it so difficult sometimes! But, I have to give in to my "desires" every now and then!  And "Rescue Remedies" was definately one of my "have-to-haves"!  My list does go on and on....
Well, maybe I should show you the sketch for this week!

Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge

I'm off to measure and move furniture in my scrap space!  The wheels keep turning as to how I can utilize my large room better. And get all this "stuff" organized and put away!  I may be too stiff and sore to move tomorrow or post anything!

 Wish me luck! I'm goin' in!...  LMAO!

Every Cloud....

has a silver lining.

I know it sounds corny, but who doesn't need a reminder that things will get better with a bit of time. 

This background was stamped first and then the sentiment and clouds added after.
This card was made for the Stamp-a-faire challenge #10 at "Capture the Moment", Papertrey's blog.  The challenge was to stamp the background in a lighter color than your focal point! What a simple concept, yet one we often forget and we just go grab that pattern paper.

I stamped the sentiment in a black contrasting ink, and then chose to go with the hand-cut WHITE clouds and ric rac to show up against the stamped background. So....a little black and a little white. This challenge DID prompt me to get out my retired larger stamp and make my own pattern background!  I like the results, simple.

Supplies:
Stamps;  Cornish Heritage Farms, SL-3162WUM
               Papertrey Ink, "Up Up and Away Sentiments"
Cardstock; Bazzill

Enjoy!

I will make this brief. I had a crown pop off my molar this weekend and had to go get it temporarily "glued" back in this morning.... my jaw is a bit sore.  I go back Thursday for my new bridgework...fun.
This is the sketch from Skipping Stones that prompted this card:

And my take, including the NEWSPAPER and COLOR challenges below:

I love the way the thick, textured yarn and the BOLD, heat embossed Tim Holtz sentiment looks against the delicate Skipping Stones butterfly stamps!

Ok, 'nuff said...my tummy's not feeling the best!  Better try and eat something.

Supplies:
Paper: Scenic Route; Stamps, Skipping Stones and Tim Holtz; Stock yarns and ribbon; Helmar 450 adhesive.

Challenges:
Skipping Stones Design (Sketch #65)
Embellish! (Color)
Simon Says Stamps (Newpaper pattern)

Thanks for looking and have a great week! 

Botanical Part Three, a Lily Tea Cup!

Ok, I keep saying the last one was my LAST one...but I have really, truly enjoyed working with these botanical stamps so much that I can't STOP! Each card has been so different, and the message so varied, that I feel like each one has a personality of it's own!  These are the ones I have a hard time parting with...LOL. But when I started making cards, I told myself that they are not for me to look at for years to come, but to bring joy and happiness to someone, even if only for a day. 

Between the sparkle green background paper and the heat embossed tea cup, this card really looks terrific IRL!  I am getting my use out of my Copics these days, and really think I am ready to take some serious classes.  It's hard to see in the photo, but even the wires are shaded slightly to appear more 3D.  This cup stamp is one of my favorite purchases this summer, so far....  Of course, the Stampin' Up botanical stamps that I picked up at a yard sale for almost nothing is WAAAY up there, too!

Supplies:
Paper:  DCWV, "Songbird" and "All About Girls"
Stamps:  Stampin' Up, "Lilies"; October Afternoon, "Vintage Labels"; and Verve, "Kindred Spirits"; Layers of Color, "Chicken Wire Tea Cup"
Copics Markers
Zva pearls

So, once again, this card is for the Moxie Fab World "Fanatical about Botanicals" challenge.

Also entered at : Crafty Catz (No Pink or Blue)
Paper Cutz (Anything Goes)

More at Four, Botanicals, that is.....

I simply keep thinking of just "one more idea" for these fantastic floral stamps!  I think Stampin 'Up only made a dozen or so. If that's the case, I'm almost halfway there! LOL!

Hard to see in the photo, but the stamens have just a touch of gold stickles to make them stand out and match the gold rhinestones.  All I know is that I have quite a collection of cards for any occasion all made up and ready to go!

Supplies:
Cardstock; Core'dinations
Embossing Folder; Cuttlebug "Textile"
Die cut; Spellbinders Nestie, Lg Deckled Rectangle
Stickles; Copics markers; Studio 18 rhinestones

You know the drill...
Entered into challenges at:
 Moxie Fab World, Fanatical about Botanical
 Simon Says Stamps (Newspaper)
Kaboodle Doodle (Embossing)
Paper Cutz (Anything Goes)

Botanical Part Two, A Rose!

I absolutely love these vintage botanical stamps!  They are so much like the old etchings that were used in the original botanical books.

Thanks, Cath, at Moxie Fab World for bringing the July/August issue of Paper Crafts to my attention!  I am loving coloring these stamp images with my Copics!

A little modern paper from 7Gypsies, a simple paper doily, and a Die-namics cut doily from My Favorite Things, a bow here, a vintage button there...and you have a fairly pretty card for someone who really loves flowers.  I think I know just who will love this....

This card was made for the 

Moxie Fab World, Fanatical about Botanical Challenge.

Birthday Wishes!

My DIL loves dogs (they have three) and she likes nothing more than birthday cards with any kind of animal on them.  This card is cute, but what makes it better is the sentiment inside.

She works long, hard hours and I think a reminder to "slow down" is a very reasonable and helpful birthday tip!

And it seems that "Animals" are very popular this week with some of the challenges, which works wonderfully well for me! Also, this week's Verve Stamp challenge is to use a paper you have been "hoarding" saving for a while. The background paper is Cosmo Cricket paper that already has these wonderful inked and stamped images on it. For the flower shape behind the colored image, I simply ran the die cut flower shape through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots, and it added some needed texture.  I used Verve's "Elegant Leaves" die cut along with one of the the "Bloom and Grow" stamps!  I love this set. It makes lining up the die with the stamped image SO easy!  And the leaves look so nice heat embossed!  POP!

Entered in:
Verve Stamps July Dive Dare (Sentimental about Paper)
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge (Animal Antics)
Creative Card Crew (Animal Antics again)
Fab n Funky Challeges (Animal Magic)
Crafting for all Seasons (Furry Friends)

I haven't been chosen for a challenge win is some time, so perhaps the little dog will bring me luck!  Unfortunately, I can't even give the digital artist credit. This image has been on my computer for a long time with no label...Sorry!  But I do take credit for coloring him!