Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Photo layout gift

This project is posted at Crafty Soiree.

Just a quick post to share a gift that I made last weekend, for a relative who just celebrated her 1st birthday.
I've been seeing so much stitching on cards, so I finally gave it a try on this layout.  I stitched the yellow and dotted background papers.  Straight stitching on the yellow, and zig-zag on the dotted.  I really like the result, so I'm sure you'll be seeing some on my cards!

By the way, if you click on the photo you'll get a larger version.  If you click on it again, you should get an even larger view.  If you scroll, you'll be able to read the quote that I printed on the yellow paper.

Thanks for taking a look!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Cherish card - 3 challenges

April 22, 2011

This card is going into 3 of my favorite challenges!
Paper Player Challenge #43 - a sketch challenge from Jaydee

Card Patterns Sketch Challenge #111


The Play Date Cafe Challenge #78
And, here is my card.

I've noticed in my photos, that my satin rosettes look a lot darker pink than the pink in the DSP.  They're a much closer match IRL.  Honest.  These are some of the Stampin' Up! vanilla rosettes, that I colored with a Pink Pirouette marker.  I love these!  Remind me to order more...ok?

Thanks for taking a look at my card.  I hope you'll leave a comment!







Recipe:
Card stock: pretty in pink, whisper white, cherry cobbler (SU)
DSP: english garden (Making Memories)
Ink: cherry cobbler, pink pirouette (SU)
Stamp: warm words (SU)
Other: vanilla rosettes (SU), gel glue (MS), border punch (SU), corner rounder, edge distressing tool

Thursday, April 21, 2011

One Layer Wednesday #50 - Thank You card

April 21, 2011

Hi...I'm back.  Finally!  Our weekends have been so busy, that I haven't had time to blog :(
I've missed it so much.
I've got a CAS card for you today.  This card is going into the OLW#50 challenge on Susan's blog, Simplicity.
Susan challenged us to pull out an old stamp that hasn't seen ink in a while...and to create a thank you card.  This image from Stampin' Up!'s Summer By The Sea certainly qualifies.  It's a set from 2004, that I haven't used in a long time, even though I still like this set!
I stamped the image in Close To Cocoa (a discontinued color from SU).  I also used the same color marker to add a border.  The sentiment is from Because I Care, also from SU.   Its' stamped in Tangerine Tango.   I added a few accents of Spiced Marmalade stickles to the ribbon on her hat, and to the 2 butterflies.  The card stock is SU's Naturals White.

I apologize for the poor lighting in my photos.  The weather turned cloudy this afternoon, so I missed out on the sunny morning light we had!
Thanks so much for stopping in.  I hope you'll leave a comment!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Easter Blessings - 3 Challenges

Sunday, April 3, 2011

There are SO many great challenges that I really wanted to join in.  But, I had to narrow it down to 3.  There just aren't enough hours in this day!
I've combined these challenges in my card today:

Just Us Girls Challenge #78 - here is the great sketch that Kathryn has provided.
The Shabby Tea Room Challenge week #55 - a color challenge (such pretty colors, too).
Paper Players Challenge #41 - Recycling!
I love to combine challenges...and, believe me...this turned out to be a challenge!  I'm so pleased with my card, but it literally took me most of the afternoon to make this card.  Yes.  Really.  I know, it doesn't look too complicated, does it?  It was just one of those days, when it was hard to decide on embellishments, what colors to use where...well, you get the idea.
Anyway, on to my card.

Ohhhh...I love vintage style cards :)
That's the look I'm going for here.  Did I succeed?  I hope so...
I've been wanting to use my new Parisian Doily die from Papertrey Ink.  So, when I saw the JUGS sketch, it was the perfect opportunity.  And, since I was going vintage, the colors at The Shabby Tea Room fit right in.  Then when saw that LeAnne was challenging us to recycle...well...it fit into the card that I wanted to create.  Don't you love it when a plan comes together?  I know, it took several hours, but it did FINALLY come together...lol...
The white heart is cut from a recycled piece of packing material.  I sponged the edges with ink, then sprinkled on some glass glitter. The white lace near the bottom of the card, and all 3 of the buttons (I got a jar full!) are from  estate auctions.  I added a little glass glitter to the center of the white button.  Up at the top of the card, over the pink tulle, I wrapped some vintage ribbon, that is also from an estate auction.  I just have to show you a picture of the spool.  I love the graphics.  Take a look...
You never know what you'll find at auctions.  I always look for bits and pieces that can be used in my papercrafting.  Such fun.

Thanks so much for taking a look at my art.  I hope you'll stop in again!

********
Supplies:
Card stock: naturals white, certainly celery, bashful blue (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: certainly celery, pretty in pink, marina mist (SU)
DSP: botanical gazette (SU)
Stamps: abundant hope (SU)
Other: parisian doily die (PTI), heart (recycled packing material), pink tulle (from an assortment of item I won on a blog giveaway), vintage pink ribbon (Visray Textile - from an estate auction), white lace (from an estate auction), vanilla rosette (colored with a pretty in pink SU marker - SU), baja breeze seam binding tied through the green button (SU), silver glass glitter (SU)

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Yes...spring has finally returned to northern Illinois!

Saturday, April 2, 2010

I finally had some time today, to spend cleaning up the flower beds.  And the weather was beautiful!  We actually had sunshine on a weekend.  Well, at least for one day.  The forecast for tomorrow says rain.  That's ok...today was gorgeous!  It felt so good to be working outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine.
I even had some volunteer help from a 10 year old neighbor.  A very talkative young girl.  Having her help (and company) made the time go fast.  And, it was fun :o)

Here are a few pics I snapped this afternoon.  Just in case you want proof that spring is really here!

This first pic is of some of our Surprise Lilies.  The leaves come up in the early spring, then die back.  The ground is bare through most of the summer.  I almost forget about them.  Then...late summer...all of a sudden...stems appear.  No leaves on them.  They grow very quickly.  In less than a week there are pretty pink blooms at the tops of those stems.  Surprise!



Purple and green are my 2 favorite colors, so I just love these sweet little crocus'.  They're always the first blooms I see in the spring.  Aren't they beautiful?
Ahh....I love SPRING.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Hey...take a look!

There’s a new challenge blog in town with articles, swaps, interviews, videos, challenges, great prizes and MORE! Check out Lily Pad Cards! [Link: http://www.lilypad.inlinkz.com/]

With Sympathy - Color Hues Challenge

 I'm playing along in the current challenge at Color Hues #83 Cream and Blue challenge.  The inspiration provided by the design team we...