Thinking of You!

Hello! 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

It's much too hot to do anything outdoors here in Phoenix in the afternoon,

so I am staying comfy in my A/C!

I was playing with my beads today and decided to make this cute little butterfly

pin for a card!

I pulled out an old Nikki Sivils paper pack,

and decided that this paper was perfect!

 I fussy cut and popped up one cloud and wrapped the sentiment

onto the flower stem with some twine!

The Unity butterfly stamp and the sentiment were both heat embossed with

Stampendous', Dark Bark detail embossing powder!

It's the best for capturing every tiny element of your stamped images!

Products that enabled me:

Unity, "Bevy of Butterflies" stamps

Nikki Sivils, "Willow Bee" papers

The Twinery, black and white twine

Stampendous Embossing Powder

Beads,  JoAnn's

This card is entered in the monthly challenge at:

Unity Stamp Company (Stripes)



Doodle Dragon Challenge time!

It's that time again,

and it's a sketch challenge!

I love the funny images Dustin Pike comes up with!

This one really felt perfect for the HOT days we've been having in Phoenix! 

The day I made this card, it was 106 degrees, 
with little sign of it getting much cooler. 
We have forest fires burning everywhere!

So, on a lighter note, here's how OUR summer Bar-B-Q usually ends up!

No, just kidding!

I colored the image with Copics, except for the apron. (which is paper pieced) Then fussy-cut and popped it up. Last, added a bit of Glossy Accents and Stickles.

The DP is Echo Park, This and That, "Charming".

I wanted some flies for the elements on the side, but didn't have anything that fit the bill.  So, I made my own... hey, I tried.

Again, I love these images and it's always fun to send these to folks!
I get the best compliments when I use a Doodle Dragon image!

Check them out here!   You can get a slew of them for very little money!

(Yes, slew is a word...LOL!)

Have a terrific weekend!

Jan

Home Sweet Home

The inspiration for this little card came from the sketch challenge at

DCWV Diary!

Here's the sketch:

Now, let me explain. I have been trying very hard to follow the sketch but NOT to use the elements that are so obvious in the sketch.  In this case, it would have been  simple to throw a large, single flower on the card with some twine.

Here's what I chose to do:

First off, I flipped the sketch on its' side.

Rather than a flower or a one-dimensional object, I used yellow netting and made a small "scrubby" like those we use in the kitchen.  For the banner pieces, or "leaves" (whatever someone may see in the sketch), I decided to place a folded kitchen "towel" over the laundry lines.

I found DCWV papers that resembled retro wallpaper for the chevron cuts.

The little clothespin was just for fun!

I love taking a sketch and making something rather UNEXPECTED with it!

Supplies:

Papers; DCWV, Celebration

Cord; Simplicity, Twisted Cord

Clothespin; Darice

Cloth; An actual cut-up kitchen towel!



DYSU Challenge #72-Landscapes!

Copic Marker Scrapbooking 6 copic ciao marker (North/South America), Martha Stewart punch (rest of the world)  Pink Cat Studio Winner’s Choice of 5 Digis The Ribbon Reel £10 Gift Voucher

I used the landscape image from Copic Marker Scrapbooking,

"Emerald City".

The glitter card base is American Crafts, and the Oz characters are Graphic 45 stamps.

I hadn't had a reason to use them yet.

Emerald City gets its' sparkle from Lime Green Stickles.

Everything is colored with Copics.

I tried to come up with a small poppy flower, and my MS punch is all I had. I wanted SOME sort of red/orange flowers for the field. 

(My first attempt at "dotting" them on ended up in the trash.)

Inside of card:

Please forgive the photo.  The card wouldn't sit up straight, and rather than grab a frog, I tried to take it "as is". The sentiment box IS stright and even...lol!

I had a good time putting this one together!

It really took me outside of my comfort zone.

Please check out the rest of the Design Team's projects!

And, as always, lots of prizes up for grabs!

Also, speaking of prizes, I am in real need for some VINTAGE "Alice" stamps!

 In an effort to win some, I've entered this card in the challenge at:

The Altered Alice (anything goes)

Join in!

Hanging 3D project!

The current challenge at JustRite Inspirations

is to create a 3D project as a home decor piece, gift, etc. 
and
Flourishes asks that we use 3 elements beginning with the same letter!  FUN!

("B", beads, bow, butterfly, brown ribbons, border stamps...)
This was made for my mother for her boudoir...in other words, her master bath.

The photo is one I've used before.  It is her 1951 high school graduation picture!

Everything was far more formal back then.

For these sweet little framed images, I used
JustRite's, "Fleur de Lis Labels Twenty"
and "Greetings from Paris",
which I stamped on dark brown cardstock and
embossed in cream powder.

This amazing, realistic looking "Lace" below was created using the

"Lace Border" stamp,

and heat embossed onto vellum!  Love this effect!

I then glued the two sections of "lace" to a strip of ribbon to hang my photo frame and stickpins from.

These stamps show so much detail and look so sharp when embossed!

The butterfly and crown are Tim Holtz' Grungeboard that has been painted brown , crackled, painted cream and then sanded to highlight the embossing.

The tiny bling is Recollections.

The stickpins I made myself.

The DP I used to cover the wooden hanger is "Lady Couture", DCWV.

Lastly, the little epoxy frames are those I picked up at Michael's when they

had them for 80 cents each! Wish I had gotten tons more!

Thanks for reading through this entire post!

I hope my mother likes this as much as I enjoyed making it!

Wheee! A DT call!

 Attention!

Do You Stack Up is having a DT call!

This call will be open until May 25^th!

DYSU is looking for *four* special girls who can Stack It Up with us! This is going to be a short & fast call, so if this is something you would be interested in...link up!!

What is required of you?

-create a project each week for our challenge using the challenge theme that week

-meet deadlines or communicate in advance if there is something preventing you from meeting your deadlines

-commenting on blogs; each DT member has blog #'s that are assigned to her, you must comment on your blog numbers. You may comment on others that you love and inspire you, but your numbers are a minimum and your responsibility to cover.

-be an active member on the DYSU Papercrafts Planet forum group

-have a wonderful positive attitude and a love to push yourself to create outside the box

What you will receive...

-first an amazing bunch of ladies to work with...these girls are so supportive in the crafty world and your personal world...This is truly a DYSU family.

-you will get free products each week (some will be digital products, some will be physical products depending on the sponsor/s that week)

             Check out the list of sponsors we have! 
                           Amazing images!

-our DYSU DT badge

-you will get to help pick the Top Three each week

-a fun, exciting experience of a lifetime :)

Your term would start on June 1st to Dec 31, 2012. If at that time you and everyone on the DT feels like you are a great fit for the team and wish to stay on for another term, you'll have that chance...:)

So what are you waiting for?

Link your project up to the DYSU blog, and we'll be visiting you!

This call will end on May 25th (as DYSU has physical product that needs to be shipped out to the new members)

Those of you who come here regularly KNOW how much I love being a DT member for DYSU!   These girls are TRULY so sweet and supportive, and you won't find a happier, nicer group!  So, if you feel you can commit a very reasonable amount of time to the team, have a desire to share your talents, and want to explore new ideas and areas, please don't hesitate! I would love to see some of my blogging friends send in their projects!

Jan

Waltzing Mouse challenge

The sketch challenge this week at

Waltzing Mouse

The brooch I used in my focal point is one that I found in a very old box of costume jewelry that I've had for 30+ years.  I have no idea whether this belonged to a family member or something I picked up along the way.

I stamped the little basket from Waltzing Mouse "Basket Additions" onto some french dictionary print patttern paper for an old, vintage look.  It also reminds me of the baskets we're seeing in the stores made of rolled printed papers!

The flocked black and white DP and the pretty little doily are both from

KaiserCraft.

Check out the Gallery on Waltzing Mouse!

This card is also entered in the challenge at

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge,

for which I have also thrown in my hat for their Design Team!

I love their sponsors and the girls always have such nice projects!

Thanks for looking at my blog today!

Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

I know I'll be seeing both of my "little ones"!  (36 and 34) 

LOL!

DYSU Challenge #71- Flowers

This week's sponsors are:

Inspired Stamps



Digi Darla

 

The Greeting Farm



Winner´s Prize
Inspired Stamps   $15 store credit
The Greeting Farm  -  Winners Choice of 1 Clear Stamp set
Digi Darla  -  Winner’s Choice of 5 Digis

Sponsor Website
Inspired Stamps   www.inspiredstamps.com
The Greeting Farm  -  http://thegreetingfarm.com/digital.html
Digi Darla  -  http://www.digidarladesigns.com/

My card this week uses the flower images from
Inspired Stamps.

I chose to stay with a CAS design and monotone coloring on the flowers.

Again,those who know me, know that red and black are my favorite combination!

The DCWV "Immortal Love" paper I used as a background is a satin photo print and gives a dimensional feel to this card that I could not have gotten otherwise.

I stamped the image repeatedly, colored with Copics, and layered,

placing a large black brad in the center. 

The twine simply "tied" it all together! 

Sorry, I was up late finishing all my cards!

All my projects should come together this easily!

Now, I see the rest of the DYSU design team has more ideas and eye candy for you!

Enter the "Flowers" challenge to win a great prize!

Also entered in the fun challenge at
Sweet Stampin' Challenge (Flowers)

Remembering Mother's Day...

Here is my card I made this year for my Mother.

I used the Cameo image from Cricut "Art Philosophy" and

papers from Cosmo Cricket, Odds and Ends.

Spellbinders and a bit of thread, button, and lace...

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Of course, this will be entered into the challenges at:

Paper Sundaes (Mother's Day)

Sentimental Sundays (For A Special Woman)

"Bob" takes a trip....

During a recent visit from a long-time high school friend, she mentioned that she had booked her flight on Travelocity.  We started joking about having a gnome (Bob) in the back yard who never gets to "come out of the bushes" and decided that she and I would take him up to Sedona on a day trip!  Yes, we get together, we get pretty silly!

So, we (she) seatbelted him into the backseat, and off we went!

He hit all the major sights up north, including the Amish Pie Restaurant,

the "Jack-in-the-Box" in Cottonwood, and most excitedly, Bell Rock in Sedona.

I have to tell you, I haven't laughed that hard in a while.
Ducking down and hiding poor Bob every time a car drove by, and asking him if he needed to stop and pee...

Why, yes, we DID graduate in the early 70's...why do you ask?  LOL!

Because Bob has never demonstrated any ability to swim, he was not able to join us to the bottom of Oak Creek Canyon to Slide Rock.  I guessed he would float, should the situation arise, but the sign did say "No Pets, of any kind" allowed.  Maybe if we dress him in a little onsie, he can go next year! LOL!

I assume this is just the beginning of Bob's escapades!

What fun!

Lizard Love...

The challenge at Dustin Pike's Doodle Dragon Blog this week is a color one!

RED

ORANGE and YELLOW

This image in the Blogaversary Collection was perfect! I absolutely adore lizards and all amphibians!  Before moving to the desert, I had a 4 foot iquana that I had raised since half that size. "Ziggy Stardust" was very special and used to intimidate my afghan hound, who was huge! Ziggy stayed back in Illinois when I moved since 4 days traveling in a moving truck and lizards don't generally mix.

So, in honor of Ziggy, here is my card.

(of course, Ziggy was green, and well, an iquana....)

I wanted a paper that wouldn't be too strong for the image to sit in front of.
This My Mind's Eye pattern was perfect.   With the step card pattern, this left the ideal area for my lizard to be fussy cut and showcased against.  I also carefully cut the flowers from the pattern paper.

Copics made it easy to color him., and pop him out for dimension.

The little bee charm is from my stash.

I know I will have plenty of opportunity to send this card to someone soon.

Thanks for looking at our projects this week.

Join in by sending in your own creation! Just make sure you use a Doodle Dragon image and the colors we have chosen!

Leave a message if you ejoy this!

Better yet, become a follower!

This card is entered into the challenges at :

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge (Flowers)
ScrapFIT (Fussy cut)
Creative Craft Challenges2 (Anything Goes)

Hellooooo.....

Just a quick CAS card for the Craft's Meow sketch challenge!

The bird cage in the "Fly Away" stamp set is one of my absolute favorites! It heat embosses so beautifully.

I added the stick pin with the little silver-blue and pink acrylic beads to add some bling,

I played a bit with the card shape by rounding the top INSIDE corner of the card base.

The scallop was made by cutting a section of the Spellbinders, Labels Six
three times and layering down the left side.  The butterflies were stamped, embossed, and supplemented with brown cardstock cut with a Fiskars punch.
The background is embossed with the Cuttlebug, "Wicker Weave" folder.

I like to keep a few "No Special Occasion" cards on hand.

Entered into challenge the challenge at
PaperPlay challenges (stamps with pins and pearls)

Time for a Skipping Stones Sketch again!

The Skipping Stones Designs sketch this week is :

 My take:

This is the first time I've chosen to work with these girly colors combined. The pink, lilac, lime, and cream are gorgeous!  I'm actually considering painting my scrapbook room these colors!  (Maybe won't include the Stickles glittery sparkle..hee hee...)

I have a friend waiting to hear on her second mammagram results.

Always so nerve racking. Perhaps this will give her a chuckle.

I used the SSD stamps from Bras Volume 1

and DCWV Chateau Lavender papers.

Thanks for letting me share today!

Shared and entered at chellenge :
Creative Craft Challenges (Anything Goes)

Sweet Greetings, Friend....

I made this card for the

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge

this week!

I felt that I needed something to really stand out, different, attention-getting...

I thought this was adorable and I know my "homemaker" friends will appreciate it!

I love this retro October Afternoon paper, and it goes perfectly with the

embossed Waltzing Mouse label stamp from "Rescue Remedies"!

I cut a section from a Dollar Store dish towel

and "clipped" it up with the tiny clothespins.

Ric-rac added an additional 50's feel. And, with most of my friends being coffee drinkers, the little doily and cups topped it off!

Have a great day!

DYSU Challenge...Circles!

 

  Crafty Sentiments - Winner's Choice of 4 Images

 

Folded Paper - Winner's Choice of 3 Digital Stamps 

This week I am posting a card I made a while back and didn't post. 

The papers are entirely Graphic 45 and the dies are Tim Holtz. 

After assembling and shaping, the layered flower was lightly spritzed with
Tsukineko, Goosebumps.

Thanks for looking!

Go check out the rest of the Design Team and enter to win!

This card is entered at the challenge at:
By the Cute and Girly (Spring is All Around)

Creative Craft Challenges2 (Anything Goes)