Celebrating you!

I'm playing along in a card challenge today.  Yes, finally!

It's the City Crafter Challenge Blog Birthday CASE #4 (week 359) and we're casing a beautiful card created by Marina.

It's so feminine and pretty, isn't it?  I immediately thought of lace when I looked at the cake image on Marina's card.  So that's the direction I took, as you'll see below.

Marina's colors are soft and subtle, but I decided to go a bit bolder with my color choices.  This card has lots of dimension!  I cut white card stock for each of the cake layers; covered each with teal felt, then over that I wrapped lace and ribbon trim.  The cake "plate" is a piece of gold foil paper.  After stamping the candle flame I added some Stickles to give it a little sparkle and shine.

It was fun to finally get back to my blog and play along with a challenge.
Thanks for stopping by!

Colorful Birthday Wishes

Well, hello!  It's been months since I've shared a card on this blog of mine.
I still love creating and I do so whenever I can.  This time I'm finally taking the time to play along in a challenge.  I'm so excited!  So, let's get to it.

The challenge is Color Throwdown #437.  Here's out inspiration photo.

Oh, how I love tulips.  One of the first signs of Spring, here in Illinois.
But.  I didn't go with florals on my card.  You see...my husband has a birthday coming up in a couple of weeks, so I needed to make a card for him.  I really didn't think he would fully appreciate a "floral-y" card.  Anyway, here's what I created with the inspiration colors.

I used a light aqua, yellow and a medium green to create the ink blended sky background.  The trees were diecut and layered over that, along with the two little birds (I'm thinking they're Cardinals!).  I finished my card with a simple sentiment stamped onto yellow cardstock.  All done!
This was fun.  I should do this more often.  :)

Ink: peacock feather, squeezed lemonade, bundled sage (Ranger distress inks) onyx black (Versafine)
Cardstock: whisper white, garden green, real red, so saffron (SU)
Stamps: phrase play #6 (Papertrey Ink)
Dies: tree line (Tim Holtz Alterations), in the meadow (PTI)

Window Panel Cards

It's been way too long since I spent an afternoon at my craft table.  So, this rainy Sunday afternoon was the perfect time to get crafty.  Several of my friends have birthday's this month, so I needed to create a few cards.  I recently watched a video tutorial on Jennifer McGuire's blog for window panel cards, so I already knew what technique I wanted to use for my cards.
HERE is a link to Jennifer's blog post.

The technique is really very easy and so much fun!  Here are the two cards I created.

I used a pink and gold patterned paper on this card, then die cut gold foil paper for the sentiment.

For this second card I stamped and die cut flowers and leaves, then stamped leaves inside the card so that they're visible through the window panel.

I don't have time now to list my supplies.  But if you have questions, please ask and I'll get the info to you.  Either leave a comment or use the "Contact Me" option in the side bar of my blog.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

A Shaker Card for Virginia's View

I've just recently ventured into creating a few shaker cards.  Yup, I was a little intimidated by them for a while.  After watching a couple of video tutorials, I decided it was time to give it a try.

This one, that I created for Virginia's View Challenge #12 - Shaker Cards...is my favorite, so far.
Here's the challenge graphic...lots of inspiration here. :)

My card.

Click on a photo to enlarge it.

This card came together so much easier than my first 2 attempts.  I found this piece of MME patterned paper under a tote full of stamp sets.  I've probably had it for 4 or 5 years, but love it still.

I'll list my supplies below.



It feels good to be stamping again.  I think that crafting day with my friends last Saturday, was just what my crafty "mojo" needed. :)  You can read about it in THIS blog post.

Supply list ~
card stock: cajun craze (SU), white (Recollections)
patterned paper: My Mind's Eye
ink: cajun craze
stamps: wonderful words additions (PTI)
die: phrase play #5 (PTI)
other: sequins (CCartwrights), foam tape (3M)

Seize The Birthday Challenge - Washi tape!

Our new 2 week challenge at Seize The Birthday has a Toppings option of Washi Tape.   I'm so glad, because it forced me to dig into my stash of washi and actually USE some of it. Lol!

You don't have to use our Toppings option, if washi isn't your "cup of tea".  Anything goes, as long as it's a birthday card!

Here's what I created, using washi on my die-cut Happy sentiment.

I simply covered a piece of white card stock with strips of washi tape, placed the die on top and ran it through my Big Kick a couple of times to make sure the die was cutting through both layers.

I carried the circle theme over to the piece of navy cardstock, which is dry embossed with a circle designed cuttlebug folder.   This card will be going out to one of our nephews, who has a birthday in a few days.  I hope he likes it!

Ok, now click on over to the Seize The Birthday challenge blog to see what my team mates have created for your inspiration!

Thanks for stopping in!

Supply list ~
card stock: white (Recollections), pumpkin pie, night of navy (SU)
stamps: phrase play #5 (PTI)
ink: night of navy (SU)
dies: tipped tops (PTI)
other: circles embossing folder (Cuttlebug), circle print washi (from my stash)

Seize The Birthday - Watercolors

Yes, it's time for a new challenge at Seize The Birthday!  As always, anything goes...as long as it's a Birthday theme.  No Toppings option this time.

Oh, the possibilities are endless, right?!  I decided to use a technique that I saw Julie Ebersole use recently in a video.  I've done a few watercolor cards in the past, but this technique was a little different.  HERE is the link, if you're interested.

You can click on any photo to enlarge it.

Wow.  It was fun to play around with distress inks and my aqua painter.  There's just something relaxing and therapeutic about it.  If you've never tried it, you might want to!

I used watercolor paper for my card front, but mounted it onto cardstock.  Instead of putting water in my aqua painter, I just put a bit of water in a plastic lid.   For some reason, I always end up with too much water on my project otherwise.  I swished and swirled on 3 colors, then dried them with my heat tool (instead of waiting for them to dry).  Then I stamped my images and sentiment.

Next, I spattered some Mister Huey's and Color Shine onto the card.  Then, to add a bit more shine, I adhered 3 sequins.  That's it!

I hope you'll play along with me and the rest of the Design Team.  We love to see what you create for each challenge!

Supply List ~
Cardstock: white (PTI), watercolor paper (Canson)
Ink: onyx black, delicata golden glitz (Tsukineko), peacock feathers, mowed lawn, spiced marmalade (distress inks by Ranger)
Stamps: happy trails, beautiful butterflies (PTI)
Other: aqua painter (SU), mister huey's color mist in gold (Studio Calico), heidi swapp color shine in teal (Pink Paislee), sequin mix crystals opaque (C Cartwright), water

Happy Birthday Anne Marie!!!

It's a surprise Happy Birthday Link Up for Anne Marie Hile!  My 6 month term as a design team member at the Dynamic Duos challenge blog ended recently.  Anne Marie is the DT and blog coordinator...and all around "go to" person for any questions or "help!".   She's a sweetheart!  So, I couldn't miss the opportunity to participate in this link-up and wish her a very Happy Birthday!

I hope your day is fantastic and fun!  Since I know you love animals and your fave color is pink...this card is for you, Anne Marie. :)

I know that your pets and foster-pets adore you and flourish under your care.  So, I just had to pull out some Lawn Fawn critters for your birthday card.  I used my Prismacolor pencils to color these two pets.  The puppy is sporting a little bling on her collar - pink Stickles and a pink gem.

I added a little polka dot valance to my window (thanks to my seldom-used paper crimper).  The sentiment is stamped on vellum...so as not to obstruct the view from the window. Ha!  Yes, this pair agrees that Girly...you rock!

Hugs and Happy Birthday Wishes to you Anne Marie,

Suppy list ~

card stock: white (PTI), vellum (The Paper Studio)

patterned paper: lost & found/madison avenue (MME)

ink: basic black (SU), jet black (Staz-On)

stamps: critters in the 'burbs, a birdie told me (Lawn Fawn), signature greetings (PTI)

other: woodgrain impression plate (PTI), classic square dies (Spellbinders), pink gem (SSS), pink stickles (Ranger), prismacolor pencils, paper crimper

Dynamic Duos #72 - Chalkboard Card

Hi!  It's time for a new challenge at Dynamic Duos.  DD #72 features some very pretty colors!  Ummm, maybe I say that every week, huh?  That's because I truly enjoy these challenges. So much!
Take a look at our duo, then I'll show you my card.

Have  you ever seen a papercrafting trend that you like a lot, but when you try it...well you can't quite get it right?  Please tell me you have.  I hope I'm not the only one!  Anyway, I've tried the Chalkboard style a couple of times before and didn't really like my results.
But...........it worked this time.  Yay!!!

I had so much fun with this card.  :o)

The "frame" of my chalkboard is Primrose Petals card stock with a woodgrain texture (from a PTI impression plate). I attached the pieces directly to my black card base, then rounded all four corners.
I used two embossing powders - pink and white - for the sentiments, the 18 and the pointer (with the U inside).  The dots and the lines were created with the Stampin' Up Chalk Marker. The M.W. is the only cardstock piece that I added to my layout.  Then, lastly, I sponged a bit of white ink over the black portion of the card.

Now that you've visited here, click on over to Dynamic Duos to see what my team mates have created for your inspiration.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supply list ~
cardstock: basic black, primrose petals
stamps: birthdays by the numbers, boutique borders: birthdays (PTI), designer typeset (SU)
ink: versamark, white stampin marker, unicorn white, onyx black
other: woodgrain impression plate (PTI), white embossing powder (SU), blushing pink embossing powder (Stampendous)

Happy Birthday - Dynamic Duos #58

Hey, it's Saturday...finally!  It's time for Dynamic Duos #58 color challenge.  Take a look at the colors Lesley chose for us this week.

I have to admit, when I first saw this combo I thought of autumn.  Very rich, warm earth tones.  But since summer just arrived, I'm not ready for autumn yet!  So I used the colors with a nice bright white cardstock for a light summery feel.

I was happy to get the chance to use my Stampin' Up! tangerine tango embossing powder.  For so long I had only neutral embossing powders - what was I thinking?  When SU introduced these fun bright colors, I had to snap them up!
Anyway, I colored in just a few hearts and loops with my cajun craze marker.  The sentiment is embossed in white. Then I added a few pearls and popped up the sentiment panel with foam tape.
I hope you'll play along with us this week.  Each week I'm so amazed at all of the beautiful entries in our challenges.  I would love to see what you create!
Thanks for taking a look today.

Supplies list ~
Card stock: white (PTI), cajun craze (SU)
Ink: cajun craze (SU), versamark (Tsukineko)
Stamps: quilled elegance (PTI)
Other: tangerine tango & white embossing powder (SU), white pearls (Recollections)

Tuesday Trigger: Feather Weather

I'm sharing a quick post today, with a card I created for the Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger: Feather Weather.  I love the photo inspirations that Cath provides.  They're always fabulous!  I just wish I had more time to play along.
I was inspired by the neutral background with the tiny white flowers AND that single white feather.  Also, the golden yellow spray of beads.  Take a look at the inspiration Cath provided.

Beautiful, right?

Although I started out in a different direction...this is what I created.

I started with the white feather, which is a free download from Lia Griffith Handcraft Your Life. After stamping the leaves and berries in white ink, I colored each berry with a yellow marker.  Then the card was spritzed with Mister Huey Gold mist.  The sentiment is embossed in gold.  Then I added several gold sequins to my card.  This card continually changed as it progressed.  I won't even tell you the direction I intended, but it was SO different than what you see!  Anyway, I'm pleased with the result.  I'd love to know what you think.
Thanks so much for taking a look!

Supplies:
Cardstock: going gray, whisper white (SU)
Ink: unicorn white (Memories), summer sun marker (SU), versamark
Stamps: lovely leaves, signature greetings (PTI)
Other: gold EP (SU), mister huey gold mist (Studio Calico), paper feather template (Lia Griffith), gold sequins (CCartwrights), tombow multi glue, scor-tape, glossy accents

Kraft, bling & embossing - A CASual Friday's card

I managed to squeeze in a bit of crafting time today, between laundry and meeting friends for lunch.  A busy day, but very good day!

This card is going into CASual Fridays CFC100: Top 10 Tic Tac Toe Challenge.  It's their 100th challenge already (and their 2nd birthday).  AND they're celebrating...so you might want to check it out!

I chose the column in down the middle.  Kraft, bling and emboss.  Here's what I came up with.

I used kraft cardstock for my base and for the 2 panels I popped up with foam tape.  I used white embossing powder for my stamped images, then colored using my Prismacolor pencils.  Easy, but it took a while.  Then, I used a few sequins for my bling.  Yes, I finally ordered some sequins...and they arrived just yesterday.  Couldn't wait to play with them!
Thanks for taking a look today!

Supplies:
Cardstock: kraft (PTI)
Ink: versamark
Stamps: quilled elegance (PTI)
Other: light aqua, true green, green grass Prismacolor pencils, white EP (SU), crystal opaque mix sequins (Cartwrights), glossy accents (Ranger)