Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Walking through Heaven's Gate ...

Hello Dear Friends!  So good of you to stop by today!
Today's design team card for the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog
was quick and easy but I think turned out beautifully!

I have found that besides birthdays, my most requested card orders are for sympathy cards.
How sad is that!
And, being a 'Baby Boomer' myself, I'm unfortunately starting to loose more and more friends ... and family.  Which also leaves me in need of more sympathy cards. 

The dies I have used today are:

My background panel was created by simply sponging the top portion of my white card stock panel with Tim Holtz blue distress ink and the lower portion with Memento 'Bamboo Leaves' green ink.
The Guilded Gate was die cut from gold metallic paper.
The paper I used was heavy enough that I could pop out the portions I wanted open and could leave the other pieces in tact for a more solid look (the end pillars/top).
I love that the 'gate doors' actually open on this die cut ...

Please be sure to pop over to the Dies R Us store to see all the amazing dies available.  Why not make it your One-Stop Shopping Headquarters for die cuts.  
The shipping rates are very reasonable and there are SO MANY wonderful companies represented, I'm sure you'll find exactly what you've been looking for!!!

And don't forget about our Dies R Us Challenge Blog.  
For each challenge, three entry designs are chosen by our talented design teams at the TOP 3 Winners and then ONE LUCKY WINNER (this could be you!!!) 
chosen by Inlinkz wins a gift voucher to our Dies R Us Store!  
COME ON! ... what are you waiting for?  Come join in the fun!!
 
Thanks again for the visit!
Hope you're having a fabulous day!
Until next time and as always . . .
 

Monday, March 30, 2015

Cardabilities Reveal #120


Good Morning Dear Friends!
Today I have my Design Team card to share for the new Sketch Reveal
at the Cardabilities Sketch Challenge Blog.  I am SO enjoying being a part
of this very talented design team!  Be sure to pop
over to the blog to see everyone's inspirational creations ...
then come join in the fun!  You will have until April 13th to participate!
 Sami StampsOur fabulous sponsor this challenge is Sami Stamps:

AND, here is the sketch we are creating with this challenge ...


I just love having these sketches to jump start my creative mojo.
Here is MY interpretation of the sketch . . .

Inside
The adorable Sami Stamps digi image I used on today's card
is called 'Single Rose Bride'.  


Here's a close up of some of the details on my card.
My 'bride' was fussy cut and popped up for added dimension.
All products used will be listed at the end of my post.

Here's an even closer look at today's homemade flowers.
I've been practicing with the various flower making dies I have 
and these are from Heartfelt Creations.
The flower on the top (left) was actually a BooBoo!
While die cutting one I had stamped, I didn't realize I had
2 pieces of cardstock stuck together ... so this
particular flower has no vein stamping on it.

BUT ... you know we crafters don't waste anything so I simply inked
the edges and continued on with the flower making process!  LOL
No two flowers are ever alike anyways ... right!

Challenges to share in:
Come and Get It Challenge - One for the Girls
Fussy and Fancy Challenge - Girly

Well that's it for me today.
I hope you'll come join in our challenges ...
But I will warn you ... they can become addicting!!  LOL!
 Have a great day and thanks for stopping!
As always . . .



Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Hot Off The Press 'Botanical Etchings' 12x12 design paper pack
Stamps:  Sami Stamps digital stamp 'Single Rose Bride', Flourishes 'sentiment', Heartfelt Creations ' Botanical Rose', Heartfelt Creations 'Classic Leaf'
Inks:  Memento 'Bamboo Leaves', Memento 'Angel Pink', Tim Holtz 'Picked Raspberry' distress ink
Dies:  Heartfelt Creations 'Botanical Wings', Heartfelt Creations 'Classic Leaf', Tattered Lace 'Kensington Corner', Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Scandinavian Collection 'Tag, Corner, Border', MaryAnne 'Tiny Love Birds,  Cheery Lynn Designs 'Fishtail Banners'
Accessories:  Fiskars swivel craft knife, dimensional tape, sponge daubers, flower making kit & forming mat, Wedding spray from JoAnn's wedding dept., Stickles diamond

Inside:  Our Daily Bread 'Wedding Blessings' Sentiment, Creative Expressions Sue Wilson 'Greek Island Collection - Santorini'

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Time to Color the Eggs . . .

Happy Palm Sunday Everyone!
Yep ... almost time to get those eggs colored!
One more week before the Easter Bunny comes hoppin', hoppin, hoppin, down the bunny trail!

Today's a new challenge at 613 Avenue Creates.
 Remember, the challenges at 613 Avenue Creates are always ANYTHING GOES ... but with a TWIST.  You can join in either way ... using the twist or not!
TODAY HOWEVER ... there is NO TWIST!

Before I share my card I want to thank Chana/Kathi and the 613 Avenue gang for a wonderful
and neighborly good time these past few months.  This will be my last card as a 613 Avenue
team member and I just want them to know how much I appreciate what they are
doing and how they treat their team members!  Keep up the good work ladies!
Thanks so much!

We have some fabulous sponsors and 
my DT card for today was created with a fun image from 

called 'Easter Artist'.



I had a lot of fun coloring this image with my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers!
And, there are 2 background panels (one vertical, one horizontal) that I created using various distress inks and sponge daubers.  My full background is 'tie die' design paper by Recollections.
And of course I just had to add a touch of sparkle, so I grabbed various colors of Stickles to adorn this beautiful Cheery Lynn Designs egg die cut.

So why not come join in the fun!
We look forward to seeing your creations!

Challenges to share in today:

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a FABULOUS day!
God Bless You All!
As always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  Recollections 'tie dye' design paper, white cs, teal blue cs, lavender cs, pink cs
Inks:  Tim Holtz distress inks, SU inks, Memento inks
Accessories:  Marianne 'LR0269' die, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Lace Light Deco Border' #B133, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Lace Egg One' #DL207, TH fine tip black marker (faux stitching), Various Stickles, dimensional tape, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Fiskars swivel craft knife (fussy cutting), large sponge daubers

Friday, March 27, 2015

Friendships . . .

Happy Friday Everyone!
Today's card was made for a friend of mine that LOVES working with her flowers and uses products from the fabulous Crafty Secrets Store.  Be sure to pop over and check out all the amazing sales going on ... Crafty Secrets is going DIGITAL and need to EMPTY the warehouse ... so you will certainly want to get in on these amazing prices and do some shopping!!


As you know if you follow my blog, I've been practicing with my flower making.
Using different dies from various companies, I must admit I am getting better.


The flowers used on today's card were created using the Spellbinder 'Bitty Blossoms' die. 
This is one of those 'roll up' type flower dies and even though many
say it's the easiest ... I'm going to need more practice!  LOL!

Crafty Secrets products used today are:

I love that there are so many extra 'do dads' on many of these printable sheets that can be used for wonderful embellishments or combined to created the focus of your creation as I have done here.


For instance ... this image is one of the smaller images on the Victorian Easter Eggs Style 2 Printable sheet and by simply cutting it out and using gold Stickles around the edge, it makes a lovely floral focus for my card today.  

Challenges to share in:
Aud Sentiments Challenge - Anything Goes + Sentiment
Scrap and Craft Inspiration Challenge #5 - Flowers
Crafty Ribbon Challenge - Anything Goes with Ribbon

Remember to stop over at our Crafty Secrets Store for some amazing buys!
Also, please come join in our Monthly Linky Party at the Blog.
NO theme to follow ... you just need to create using ANY Crafty Secrets products!

Thanks for stopping by today.
Have a fabulous weekend!
As always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  white cs, pink cs, lavender cs, mint green cs, garden green cs, DCWV 'Nana's Nursery' dp
Images:  Crafty Secrets (listed in the body of this post)
Accessories:  Cheery Lynn Designs 'Horizontal Fishtail Banners', Marianne dies, Creative Expression Sue Wilson Scandinavian Collection Tag, Border, Corner die set, Gold Stickles, Diamond Stickles, Organza ribbon

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Birthday wishes ...

Good Day Friends!
Today I have a card to share that I created for the new sketch
at Mojo Monday Challenge Blog.  I actually made it on Monday but am
just getting around to posting it.  Hope you like it!


I've had this mason jar printed & cut out ... lying on my table for
a month now and figured that would be my focus element
for today's card.  Here is the sketch we are following this time around.


If you look closely, all the elements to the sketch are there ...
I'm just getting better at going a 'step beyond' 
and adding a few additional elements to 'jazz it up a bit'.  
What do you think?

Lots going on here so I'd better get busy!
But before I go here are a few additional challenges to share in:
Crafty Gals Corner Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafting By Designs Challenge - Flowers with a Twist
Inspiration Destination Challenge - Anything Goes
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Jo's Scrap Shack Challenge - Special Birthday

Thanks for stopping by today!
As always . . .

Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, Pink Pirouette cs, Vintage Floral digital paper also iralamija etsy shop,  
Stamps:  Just For Fun, Inkadinkado
Inks:  Versafine Onyx, Memento 'bamboo leaves', Color Box 'rose coral'
Accessories:  Tattered Lace 'Ornamental Rose' die, Heartfelt Creations Botanical Rose stamp set, Heartfelt Creations Botanical Wing die set, Flower making kit and forming mat, Fiskars swivel craft knife, Diamond Stickles

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Come Fly With Me

Hello friends!
It's time once again for a new challenge at The Sisterhood of Crafters!
Diane is our hostess today and since March is noted as the 'Windy Month', she has asked us to 

COME FLY WITH ME
by creating with something that FLIES.  
(i.e. planes, birds, balloons, fairies, angels ... etc.)

 I decided on Mini Butterflies and a Fairy for my card theme.
I must admit I love how it came together!
This card could be used for any number of occasions.

 Of course, I just HAD to add some sparkle to the fairies wings!
Just helps to bring forth the 'magical' aspect.
And, as you can see, I've been practicing making my own flowers again.
These were made with the Cheery Lynn Designs 'Gardenia Small' #B433 die strip.

I hope you'll come join in our challenge fun and I look forward to see what you choose as your 'flying' theme.  The team has come up with some fun creations ... be sure to pop over to see and then come play along.  

YOU ONLY HAVE 2 MORE DAYS TO APPLY FOR OUR DT CALL!!
HURRY!!!

Challenges to share in today are:
Cheery Lynn Designs - Anything Goes
Brown Sugar Challenge - Anything Goes
Fairy Tale Challenge - Flower Power
Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything Goes
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by today and as always ...

 Recipe:
Papers:  White cs, SU lavender cs, garden green cs, DCWV 'Violet Leaf' 12x12 stack dp
Inks:  Tim Holtz 'Dusty Concord', 'Salty Ocean', 'Scattered Straw'
Dies:  Cheery Lynn Designs 'Gardenia Small' #B433 die strip, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Sm Fanciful Flourishes' Left and Right, Cheery Lynn Designs 'Lg Fanciful Flourish', Cheery Lynn Designs 'Margarita Border' #B432
Accessories:  large sponge daubers, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, dimensional tape, Diamond Stickles

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Sweet Songs of Spring . . .

Hello My Dear Friends ... Welcome Back!
As you know, last Friday (March 20) was officially the 1st Day of Spring and I know those of us who have been dealing with a very long, COLD, snowy winter are more than ready to see/hear the birdies singing in the trees and flowers blooming all around.
(I actually saw my 1st robin of Spring the other day!  YAY!~)

This is what I was thinking about when creating today's DT card sample

Dies R Us Store products used today are:


Other elements used:
Darice 'Clouds' Embossing Folder
Joy!Craft 'Grass' #6002/0137
Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers
Various distress inks & daubers
Dimensional Tape

OMG, have you checked out the long (and getting longer) list of companies available to pick from at our Dies R Us Store?  Although our primary product is DIES, we do have a variety of stamps and embossing folders available as well. 

On occasion we will run SPECIAL SALES on dies that are not routinely carried in the store but available for a limited time at great prices!!  If you want to get in on those SPECIAL SALES, you need to sign up for our NEWSLETTER on the homepage of the store.  Then you will get email notification of 
ALL Special Events and Sales!

Just a reminder that you still have a few days to participate in the current challenge going on over on our Dies R Us Challenge Blog ... the theme is a fun & easy one ... SHADES OF GREEN!

Challenges to share in:
Card Mania Challenge #66 - Spring
The Cheerful Stamp Pad Challenge - In the Garden
Crafty Boots Challenge - Spring
Crafty Cardmakers and More Challenge - Spring has Sprung!
Get Creative Challenges #11 - Must use die cut

Thanks so much for stopping in today!
I hope my card has brought a smile to your face and inspiration to your mind.
HAPPY DAY and as always ...

Monday, March 23, 2015

For the men in our lives ...

Good Monday Morning friends!
While finding a little mental solace this weekend I created a card
that would be perfect for the men in our lives.
Guy cards are probably one of the most difficult cards to make but I have found
using Stampscape Stamps and inks is one of the easiest
and most rewarding ways to create a card for the guys!


I was sharing this card creation with my friend Diane (Nellie's Nest) this morning
and she recommended I share it with the challenge going on over at Stamping Sensations 

To create the scene, I first die cut an oval out of a piece of heavy card stock to use
as my template then sponged TH blue distress ink on the top and green on the bottom.
Then leaving my template in place I stamped the Stampscapes 'Cabin with Fence' stamp using
Versafine Onyx ink and used the Stampscapes 'Sedge Filler' for the front
ground cover.
Next I colored the fence & cabin using my Spectrum Noir pencils.
Removed the template and stamped the front left corner using the Stampscapes
'Pine Row' stamp, front right corner with 'Endless Creations' birthday sentiment and
felt it needed birds in the sky so I stamped the geese ... another Stampscapes stamp.


For the inside I simply stamped my birthday greeting.
Then I thought it looked too plain ... so grabbed another Stampscapes stamp ...
this time I used the stamp simply named 'Fence'.  I thought it tied in well
with my card front scene and added a little character to the inside too.

Here are a few other challenges I found to share in:
(Stampscape scenery stamps, my GO TO for the guys)
One Stitch at a Time Challenge - Anything Goes with Nature

Thanks so much for stopping by!
I hope you enjoyed and found inspiration in my card today.
Please stop back tomorrow when I'll have a card to share with you using
more fabulous die cuts from Dies R Us.  
Till then ...

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Well Wishes . . .

Happy Sunday Evening Dear Friends!
It's been another sad weekend for me, with the passing of yet another family member.
But, today I put my mind in a happier place by joining
in the fun challenge over at Darnell's Blog.  
If you are not familiar with Darnell (djkardkreations) then you are truly
missing out on a lot of fun!  She has THE BEST, MOST UPLIFTING and FUN FILLED blog 
in blogland.  Her stories keep me in stitches!  Do check her out!

A short while back Darnell started posting a challenge to everyone to 
create something with 'never before used schtuff'! 
And I'm happy to say she has put out another challenge to us this week with

Here is my creation using a die set I've had
for a while now and never ran it through my die cutting machine.
The die is by Cheery Lynn Designs and is called "Dutch Daisy Doily".



My card is a very simple card and I was also able to use up
the scrap Crafty Secrets card stock I had printed and was left over from another project.
In fact, I didn't have enough to do an entire background
panel so simply cut it in half and spaced it equally at top & bottom.  VIOLA!

I hope you'll come join in the fun and meet Darnell ... you'll love her!!
She's a hoot!

Short & sweet tonight.  Thanks for stopping by!
As always . . .

Friday, March 20, 2015

Singing Happy Birthday . . .

Hello Dear Friends and Happy Weekend to you!
I have a fun card to share today that I've created for the Crafty Secrets Design Team.
Please be sure to pop over to our Crafty Secrets Blog
and join in our challenge the 1st Monday of every month.
EASY!  FUN!  GREAT PRIZES!!
There's no particular theme to follow ... just be sure to use ANY Crafty Secrets products on your entry to qualify for the prize.  AND if you don't have any CS products we have new freebies each month to help you join in the fun!  Check it out won't you??

I had a lot of fun with this one, and I even used one of my stencils (that I'm always forgetting about) on the background panel.  I first printed the 'woodgrain' print from the Digital Radiant Paper Collection then stenciled over top with a Memory Box 'garden vines' stencil using SU 'close to cocoa' ink.

My focus image comes for the fabulous Crafty Secrets Digital Flowers Printable sheet.
I cut and matted it using the Spellbinder 'Opulent Ovals' dies then faux stitched with a white gelly roll pen.  The other little bird image comes from the Digital Birds & Blossoms Printable sheet.

The musical score stamped in the corners is from the Artsy Banner Stamp Set.
 A little  organza ribbon bow, a bird cage charm and VIOLA!

Challenges to share in:
Aud Sentiments Challenge - Use a Two Word Sentiment
 Crafty Ribbons Challenge - Anything Goes with Ribbon

 Please be sure to pop over to our STORE to check out all the amazing items ON SALE!!

Thanks so much for stopping in today!
Wishing you a FABULOUS weekend ahead!
As always ...

 

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Just Saying "Thank You"

Hello Dear Friends!
Today I have a wonderful gift card set to share with you
that I made for my Mom.

Recently I was lucky enough to be the winner over on the My Artistic Adventures Challenge Blog and as my prize I was able to pick a collage sheet from Heather's Etsy Shop.  The collage sheet I chose was the beautiful Pink Victorian Vintage Rose Thank You Sheet.  From one of the collage sheets I was able to create this beautiful box of Thank You cards quite quickly.

 There are SIX cards in the set even though I'm only showing
you three here.  They are all equally beautiful.


 I kept the background matting simple to bring full focus
to the pretty rose thank you image.
After cutting the images from the printed sheet, I rounded the corner.
My white mat was pierced using one of the dies from the
Spellbinders 'Celebrations' Pierced Rectangles set.
And my hunter green background mat was embossed
using the OLD Swiss Dot embossing folder.


A clear box and a touch of organza
ribbon and Mom's gift pack is ready to go!!

I know what she's going to say . . .
"These are too pretty to send ... I'll just hang on to them!"
Uuugh ... really?  I can make more!! LOL

Challenge to share in:
Creative Moments Challenge - Anything Goes/Gift,Tag or Card for a Special Lady/Mom
Whimsy Stamp Challenge - Use a Die Cut

Thanks so much for stopping by!
I hope you have a wonderful day!
As always . . .

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Tea Time

Happy Wednesday Friends!
Today I have another card to share that I created for the
Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge using this sketch
as my starting point.


I have dipped into another VERY OLD paper pack for
today's card.  The design paper used is from the Basic Grey
'Porcelain Paper Pad'.   I love the pink/green color combination
and thought it went well with my image (which I found on the internet).


Inside View
 I once again used the Memory Box 'Stitched Square Layers' for my 
cutting and matting.  But instead of using a handmade flower
on this card, I decided to use some (of the MANY) store bought
premade paper flowers from my embellishment.

I like the addition of a flourish around smaller flowers to add
volume and flair.  Today I used the Cheery Lynn Designs 'TINY Fanciful
Flourish'.  I have all three sizes of their 'fanciful flourish' dies and
find that to be my 'Go To' flourish die selection.

The little 'Tea Time' sentiment stamp is from Sweet Stamps
and worked perfectly with my image and design.

Challenges to share in:
Deep Ocean Challenge - Vintage
Scrap Creations Challenge - Pastels
City Crafters Challenge - Photo Inspiration

{Pin}spiration Challenge - Photo Inspiration
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/141581982011762507/
Crafting from the Heart Challenge - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion Challenge - Anything Goes
Paper Sweeties Challenge - Waiting for Spring
papersweeties-inspiration#29
Classy Cards n Such Challenge - Going Green (scor-tape & foam pads)


Time to get busy around here!
Have a FABULOUS day and thanks for stopping by!
As always . . .