~Feathers to Celebrate~

My order from Two Peas came just in time!

I was blessed to win a gift card from Jenny Chesnick to spend there.

Thank you Jenny! ;)

 Amy Tangerine's Lovestruck set from American Crafts has a FEATHER, people.

You know what that means???

I can participate in  

The Fascination with Feathers Challenge in the Moxie Fab World!

That feather was perfect for the card I wanted to make for my dear husband.

I paired it with a sentiment from Clear and Simple's Circus Fun.

*American Crafts Amy Tangerine Lovestruck feather,Clear and Simple Circus Fun,Bazzill kraft cardstock,DCWV natural stack,American crafts cardstock,Papertrey ink Hawaiian Shores perfect match ink,Memento ink rich cocoa*

This wasn't a card for a birthday or anything like that...but a well-deserved recognition.

So, balloons would have been nice, but I think these feathers being tossed  says sophistication.

Yes, I CAN be sophisticated at times. ;)

He's been working his tail feathers off (HA! this IS an appropriate card!!!).

Love ya hon.

I pray God continues to bless you and your hard work.

~Retro Colors and Hello~

70's chick born and bred.

That's me.

I owe a hello to another chickie who I haven't called in way too long.

*American Crafts Amy Tangerine Lovestruck~Basic Grey Wander DP~Ranger Tim Holtz embossing powder spiced marmalade~Creative Memories oval cutter~MS Twine~MS border punch~Georgia Pacific white cardstock~American crafts cardstock~Versamark ink~Memento ink rich cocoa to swipe the edges*

I went with retro colors (specifically orange,olive,brown) from the trigger photo:

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger: Happy Happy Joy Joy

These colors take me back to lil' girl times and fill me with a smile. ;)

~Peace Is Flowing Like a River~

Peace is flowing like a river.

Flowing out through you and me.

Spreading out into the desert.

Setting all the captives free.

*Our Craft Lounge Shades of Fall,Papertrey Ink true black,Memento ink rich cocoa,Georgia Pacific white cardstock,MS twine,Crop-A-Dile hole punch,paper piercer*

I can hear grandma singing it now. ;)

This song, meandering in my brain, is perfect for

CAS-ual Fridays:CFC46 Name that Tune.

Check out the yummy colors at 

The Play Date Cafe: PDCC125.

I was blessed to win this beautiful stamp set from Our Craft Lounge called Shades of Fall.

I didn't want to wait until fall to use it.

These colors make it an everyday card, I think!

I appreciate you stopping by to visit. ;)

~FRUITY~

I paced myself to participate in all of the fun challenges at The Craft's Meow.

This is the last one for me and there is a day to spare.

*The Craft's Meow Tweet of You chain,The Craft's Meow Fruity for You,Ranger Tim Holtz distress ink (mustard seed,peeled paint,broken china),Memento ink bamboo leaves,Georgia Pacific white*

All of the stamp images used here are The Craft's Meow. 

The square image is my Tim Holtz ink pad applied directly to the cardstock.

 

As I was creating this card, memories of FRUITY events made me smile:

~driving behind a tiny car with a REAL miniature pony in the back seat 

~being asked by a group of teens at a dollar store to "mime a baseball game" with them so they could tape it on video to fulfill their church's scavenger hunt list of duties.

 I was the batter.

I hit a home-run. ;)

~having my apt searched by the authorities (in Germany)for a strange frequency that was messing up the cellphone usage in my area. 

It was my baby video monitor (American).

They agreed not to take me to court if I shut it off immediately.

I did.

I mailed it to my sister.

scawwwwwy stuff there!

Who knew?!

When I informed my husband, who was deployed at the time, of the search and what caused it...

his reply was, "I can't take you anywhere, can I."

I get that a lot.;)

Yup.

Fruity.

It happens near me, around me and many times...

 I'm it.

Here is The Craft's Meow color challenge by Julie Ranae.

 You still have time to link up your creations and join the party too!

~The Craft's Meow Birthday Celebration Challenge~

There is still time to participate in one of the many fun challenges at 

The Craft's Meow!

I made this card for my lil' niece's upcoming birthday.

 *The Craft's Meow Tweet of You, The Craft's Meow Owl Be Thinking of You,Bazzill Basics Cardstock,October Afternoon Sidewalks DP,Crop-A-Dile corner chomper,Kid's Jewelry Friendship thread,Memento ink tuxedo black,Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores ink,Scor-Tape*

I used fun, bright colors and prints for her.

I brought out my paper piercer to punch the holes which I followed with the thread.

Hope she likes the swingy, swingy aspect...the bird layer is hanging. ;)

The Craft's Meow

Thank you for stopping by!

God bless you.

~AS IF~

Live every day as if it were your last.

*Verve Beautiful You sentiment,Clear and Simple Stamps Circus Fun(tiny open dot),Papertrey Ink Year of Flowers Roses (leaf),Lawn Fawn Bon Voyage (dotted stem)Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores ink,Memento inks,Staz On Fuschia,Georgia Pacific white cardstock,Scor-Tape 1/4",Ranger Glossy Accents*

 Embellish Magazine Rosettes Color Trends Challenge

 

 

 

 

 

My rosette is made from diamond braided nylon rope I "flossed" over Staz On fuschia ink.

 

 

I say floss, because I held it like dental floss and pulled it back and forth across the ink pad as if cleaning teeth. 

 

 

 I adhered it to a cardstock circle with Scor-tape and glued it to my flower.

The flower was created with two different Dew Drop Memento inks applied directly to the cardstock in a circle.

I love making those type of flowers!

I started with the lighter pink and stamped again with plum over each petal for shading.

~Rainbow Swing~

I created this card recently, but haven't posted it on my blog yet.

*Unity Happiness Is,Copic markers,Georgia Pacific white cardstock,Creative Memories oval cutter,white ribbon,brad,acetate*

I love this image!

Look at her go.

Forgive the glare.

I don't have a rainbow of ribbons.

I used my Copics to color white ribbon,

that's been tied off on the inside of the card.

I hope you like my interactive rainbow card! ;)

I am submitting it to Paper Crafts March 2012 Gallery Challenge.

I also submitted it to Unity's Pinterest challenge here.

Thanks for stopping in!

~Word Art Wednesday and Chalk!~

Word Art Wednesday Challenge 20

Get this week's beautiful verse for free!

 

 *Word Art Wednesday sentiment,Papertrey Ink fruit fusion apple die,Georgia Pacific white cardstock,Peel n Stick Ruler tape,chalk,Prismacolor Matte Fixative,Crop-A-Dile corner chomper*

I used Removable ruler tape on this project, something that was meant to be temporary.

I was inspired by the Don't Throw it Away Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

Here's another cool discovery for me....chalk on black paper!

Yes, it works!

I used it for the cross in the apple and the tick marks on the sides.

I went outside (I say this every time because the stuff smells STRONG-be warned) and sprayed fixative on it so it won't smear.

I panicked when the chalk DISAPPEARED.

But then, like magic.

It REAPPEARED.

Very cool.

I created this card for one of my girlies' Sunday School Teachers.

She loves what she does and loves her kids.

You can tell. ;)

~Paper Towel Texture~

There is no comparison to a mother's love.

My mom is almost across a continent and in the middle of the Pacific.

I miss her.

I bought this image to use on her card.

*Unity Present in My Heart,Versamark ink,Recollections Sapphire Pearl Embossing Powder,DP,Martha Stewart border punch,Spellbinders Scalloped Ovals,Bazzill Kraft,Fiskars crimper,American Crafts AC cardstock,paper towel adhered to cardstock*

I could just cry THINKING about this image, isn't it touching?

It also has the sentiment "I Miss You" in the set.

WAAAAAAAHHHHH!

Okay, don't worry, I'm getting a grip.

I wanted to try a softer approach to the image, esp. since I wasn't going to color it.

So, I adhered a paper towel (Bounty to be exact...we have pets and it holds together for our needs!) to cardstock with temporary spray adhesive.

After inking and embossing, I cut the image out with my Spellbinder's oval.

The process sealed the towel to the cardstock, but I'm paranoid, so I gently lifted the top and bottom edge and adhered with a glue stick also.

I am submitting this to The Household Items Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

Thank you for stopping by today!

~CAS Card for a Masculine Teacher~

Nichole's Make It Monday #59

Computer Generated Sentiments on Die Cuts

is hosted by Erin.

Oh the possibilities that lead from this path!

Check out the video.

Here is my CAS card for my daughters' youth pastor.

Cool teacher,

MENTOR,

FRIEND.

*Papertrey Ink Fruit Fusion apple die,Georgia Pacific White cardstock,Zig black pen for faux stitching,Piggy Tales sticker*

I printed a black box around the text in white, big enough for the apple to fit within  (I LOVE my apple die).

I was going for the chalkboard look.

Since I created my own embellishments (except for the sticker around the apple), I am submitting this to 

DIY Embellishments Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

I count sewing as an inexpensive way to add embellishing also.

My pastel blue and variegated thread paired with the black were inspired by 

CAS-ual Fridays CFC45.

Thank you for stopping by today-always great to have company. ;)

~LIM Week 60 Recipe~

I missed the past week of Less is More - it slipped past quickly.

I'm jumping in this week!

Less Is More Week 60:Recipe

I used the following three challenges from their vault:

Week 56:Don't scrap it

Week 33:Anything goes (I figured I would use this grace card!) ;)

Week 7:Masculine (I believe it is bare enough for a guy-no frills)

*Verve Beautiful You,Memento Ink Tuxedo black,Authentique Renown DP,Basic Grey Curio DP,Oak from Summer's End/Fancy Pants,Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper,deckle scissors,Georgia Pacific white cardstock*

Paper Scraps Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

All the pieces on this card are scraps that were laying around my desk.  

I rounded the corners of the orange piece and used deckle scissors for the oak DP.

 I wrapped the thin strips around the larger piece as if they were ribbon.

It has a bit of lift and dimension.

I then stamped this wonderful sentiment that

 impacted me when I was a preteen.

There have been so many forks in the road since then!

Those less popular HAVE made all the difference.

 

I hope you have an awesome week.

~Embrace Life in Tan and Pink~

I kept my card fairly simple today.

*Flourishes Tiny Flowers and Tags,Memento ink tuxedo black,Sizzlet die,Spellbinders Label Eleven,American Crafts Cardstock,American Crafts satin ribbon,K&Company SW Nature pad,October Afternoon Sidewalks DP,Scor-Tape 1/4",Tim Holtz distress tool,Copic R02,Memento marker new sprout,Cuttlebug embossing folder*

I used the sketch from 

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #161.

My colors were drawn from 

Moxie Fab's Tuesday Trigger:Simple Elegance.

I used the neutrals and light pink flowers in my design.

I also tried to keep the lines clean (except for the slight distressing).

The sentiment is tiny...but the impact is great.

AMEN, right?!

I really love using it!

~Liebster Award~

I received the sweetest comment from Lisa at I'm in Haven, letting me know that I was nominated for the Liebster award!

This award is given to up-and-coming bloggers who inspire you and have less than 200 followers. The Liebster Award takes its name from the German word meaning "Beloved, Dearest, or Favorite."  As part of the tradition, you then pass the award on to five bloggers that have motivated and inspired you.  

 The new honorees are now asked to do the following:

1. Acknowledge the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
2. Give this award to 5 other bloggers, who must have less than 200 followers, and let them know through a comment on their blog.
3. Post the award on your blog
4. Best of all:  Bask in the glory, have fun, and SHARE THE LOVE 

      I am so touched and honored, you don't even know!!! She is so sweet and TALENTED, you have to check out her work.   I am in awe that she finds ME inspirational.  God bless you Lisa!  You have definitely blessed me!

    There are so many awesome bloggy friends that I can think of. It's hard to choose only five!  It took me a few days to narrow down the following five bloggers to pass this award on to:


1. Regina from My World My Solitude.
    She creates beautiful layouts and cards. She also blessed me with my very first comment when I started sharing on my Flickr account. It really blessed and encouraged me!

2. JJ from Ribbon Girls (Handmade Cards)
    JJ is incredible talented. I checked her blog, and I don't see that she's received this yet...but it wouldn't surprise me if she did. I am always inspired by her talent! I love the kinship we share~ we are both from Hawaii.

3.  Jocelyn Olson at Red Balloon Cards
    Her work is adorable and memorable! When she leaves you a comment, you feel like you've known her your whole life! She's such a great person.

4.  Sara Mac at The Unhurried Life. She is so genuine and true. I love her beautiful work. She is my other "bloggy sister" from Hawaii.

5. Janelle from Show and Tell. Her words, her work, her faith. They speak VOLUMES. There aren't enough words to share about Janelle and how she has touched so many hearts. In fact, I've just heard of a blog hop going on right now for her. Yes, that is how amazing she is.

Thank you ladies, for inspiring me!

   
   

~March Papertrey Blog Hop~

Papertrey Ink's March Blog Hop is today!

Here is my card, based on Nichole's photo.

*Papertrey Ink Wreath for All Seasons (lil' flower),Papertrey Ink Communique Curves sentiment,Papertrey ink Premium dye true black,MS ink,Ranger Tim Holtz distress ink mustard,American Crafts satin ribbon,Georgia Pacific white cardbase,K&Company teal*

I inked the tiny flower from Wreath for All Seasons and had fun.

I've been spotting Forsythia and it's stunning array.

It's hard to get out of my head!

Check out the inspirational photo:

I used some teal cardstock I've had for years (before I was even a cardmaker) to frame my white/yellow design.

I've got some visiting to do...have a beautiful day!

~Sugar Plum~

The party is still going on at The Craft's Meow and there are some fun challenges to pick from.

I found the perfect colors to showcase the punny sugar plum sentiment that makes me giggle.

Yes, I'm 42. 

.... I still giggle. ;)

Maybe it has to do with having my three daughters around me all the time.

Lotsa giggling goin' on.

We're kinda silly.

Either that, or we digest too much sugar.

Ask anyone that knows us. ;)

(The Craft's Meow Fruity for You,Versamark ink,Stampendous PEARLustre Rubellite embossing powder,Georgia Pacific white cardbase,Bazzill basics cardstock,DCWV Naturals Stack,Crop-A-Dile Corner chomper*

The Craft's Meow Inspiration Challenge

I was drawn to the lavender/plum,greens and browns in this picture.

Also, the clean, white tables.

There is no way you would see clean white tables if I was planting. There'd be dirt everywhere.

How is there not dirt everywhere?

Anyway, I just had to ink up sugar plum!

 Isn't he cute?

While I'm letting it all hang out there (I don't know if it's sugar or what)...

I just have to share that these stamps 

smell 

GREAT.

I don't know what it is...but I am addicted to their smell.

They smell fruity.

Not just this set...but all TCM sets I've gotten so far.

Is it just me?

Any other Craft's Meow fans appreciate the yummy smell?

 

 I figured this was the post to share my addiction.

If you have TCM stamps. 

Go smell them.

Right now.

Slight sniff.

Come back and confess. 

Don't let me think I'm the only one, ok?

~Rainbow of Copics and SPRING~

SPRING

Flowers and birds are singing SPRING.

*Papertrey Ink All Booked Up,Papertrey Ink Wreath for All Seasons sentiment,Georgia Pacific White,American Crafts black cardstock,Versamark ink,Papertrey ink Premium dye true black,Ranger super fine detail black embossing powder,Fiskars paper crimper,Spellbinders scalloped circles,Copics (Y13,V06,R27,B05,110,YR04)*

SPRING

Make It Monday #58 Graduated Backgrounds

Nichole gives us free reign to PLAY WITH COPICS.



Bring out YOUR copics (or other pens like sharpies) and play along.




I speckled and dabbed the pens letting the white show through.

Simon Says Stamp and Show Your Handmade Backrounds!

Paper Crafts March 2012 Gallery Challenge

*RAINBOWS*

 &

 Spring

Runway Inspired Challenge #8

WOW! 

I love the flowers mixed with black.

I was inspired to incorporate black and speckle my colors because of her dress.

Thank you for stopping by today and if it's beautiful where you are


STEP OUTSIDE for a minute at least! ;)

~Tweet of You!~

The Craft's Meow is celebrating their first birthday!

There are challenges and hops galore.

I made a card I based on Amy's sketch the first day, using The Craft's Meow, Tweet of You.

*The Craft's Meow Tweet of You,Versamark ink,Memento ink paris dusk,Fiskar's Paper crimper,Ranger Tim Holtz distress embossing powder spiced marmalade,Authentique Genuine,Bazzill cardstock kraft and blue,DCWV natural stack,Spellbinders classic circles,Georgia Pacific white cardbase,Scor-Tape,Copics*

Amy's sketch

I used just a wee bit of coloring on the wee bitty bird.

The sentiment banner was just snipped from a leftover strip of kraft.

Hope you are having a great week so far, thanks for stopping by!

~CAS-ual and Play Date Fox~

I am amazed I used this fox and didn't hoard it~

I think he's the cutest!

He's a canvas sticker from Imaginisce.

*JustRite Simple Blessings,Memento ink paris dusk,corner chomper,Imaginisce sticker (fall colors),BoBunny Ad Lib Vertigo DP,Papertrey Ink Mat Stack 3,Spellbinders classic circles,uniball white pen,Authentique Genuine stack,Georgia Pacific white*

Check out the awesome colors from The Play Date Cafe PDCC123

CAS-ual Fridays CFC 44

CFC44:  It's as Easy as 1-2-3  Create a Clean And Simple project using 
1. A Pattern
2.  An Image
3.  A Sentiment
Sound easy?  Remember to keep it CAS!

I free-handed my squiggles to frame the circle and Mat Stack 3.



I really enjoyed that-I almost feel like an artist! ;)

Thank you for stopping by today, I do appreciate the company. ;)

~Make It Monday #57 Grunge Deer~

Make It Monday #57 is a technique worth trying out.

Watch Heather's video to see how to do Colored Kissing with your stamps.

*Papertrey Ink In the Meadow stamps and dies,Papertrey Ink Grunge Me,Bazzill Basics cardstock,Georgia Pacific white,Martha Stewart fringe scissors,Ranger Tim Holtz (mustard seed,dusty concord,pine needles and spiced marmalade),Versamark ink,Ranger embossed antiquities weathered white*

I "kissed" my Grunge Me with my In the Meadow stamps AND

kissed the Grunge Me with the Grunge Me (the rectangular element-my fave) with the swirls.

A really fun, masculine card to put together.

There are so many ways to play with this technique. 

There is still time for you to try it and post your card at Nichole's blog!