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Monday, December 26, 2011

For My Nephew

I made a third bookmark for my nephew for his birthday. That's all of them now, 2 nieces and his. I used this tutorial here to make a corner bookmark. Red is his favorite color. The striped paper came from Making Memories twinkle papers. The top paper came from the Stack 5, I wanted something that looked like ice and this did the trick. I distressed the edges of both papers and used red grosgrain ribbon to divide the 2. The hockey player was a Silhouette image. The letters Making Memories 7/16" Funky Black letter stickers. I used the word goal this time instead of read, but I think goal has an educational context as well as a hockey context, so it worked for me. For the back triangle I just used black cardstock.
My lessons learned: I was shocked at how little red and white patterned paper I had. I had more red, white and blue papers than red and white. And I really wanted to use Canadian colors. Going to have to fix that. I wanted to put the 'ice' colored paper on the bottom but I have found that it really looks better to have the darker color on the bottom. It just seems to anchor things better.
I would like to share my bookmark at:
Do You Stack Up stripes, closes Dec. 28,
MelJen's Designs no rectangle cards, closes Dec. 28,
Stampin' for the Weekend anything goes, closes Dec. 30,
Incy Wincy Designs winter wonderland, closes Jan. 1,
Crafty Sentiments bookmarks, closes Jan. 3,
Charisma Cardz anything goes, closes Jan. 4,
Digital Tuesday Challenge winter wonderland, closes Jan. 10

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Abby's Christmas Ornaments, Part 2

I also made these marshmallow snowmen for the tree as part of Abby's birthday theme of Hot Chocolate. I started with 3 very old and slightly hard marshmallows. I cut about 1/3 off of one (and this became the middle). I cut about 1/2 off of another (and this became the head). I pushed a toothpick up through all of them and used a little hot glue between the layers as well. I cut a toothpick in half and colored it brown for the arms. Cut the end off of another toothpick and colored it orange for the nose. For the eyes and buttons I used black glamrocks and set them with my iRock. Used my hot glue gun to glue my ribbon onto the top of the marshmallow head. Then a half a mini Oreo, without frosting, gets glue gunned on top of that. Used the glue gun again to add a chocolate drop on top of the mini Oreo. Next glued the whole works onto 2/3s of a graham cracker and my snowman was complete.
My lessons learned: It would be best to use sprinkles or candies for the eyes and buttons but I didn't have any so I improvised. Probably also best to use frosting to attach the chocolate drop to the mini Oreo. I didn't have any of that either so I used hot glue. It melted the bottom of my chocolate of course so I put my ornaments in the fridge for awhile afterwards. I also think they need a smile, but I got outvoted that they were fine just the way they were. They should also probably be sprayed with a shellac but since I don't plan on keeping mine past this Christmas and that spray makes them smell very stinky I opted just to hang them on the tree as is.
I would like to share my ornaments at:
City Crafter Challenge winter white, closes Dec. 27

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Abby's Christmas Ornaments

Every year for Abby's birthday, she turns 2 soon, I make some ornaments to match her birthday theme. We have to have the tree up, it's a live tree, so I try to incorporate it into the party decorations. This years theme is Hot Chocolate. I made these mugs as decorations. I saw the idea here. I bought some small mugs at Winners/HomeSense. I used watered down brown craft paint to coat the insides. I used kraft paper for the insides and painted the top of it with the same brown craft paint. I glue gunned some white pom poms to the top. I didn't want to completely cover the top in 'marshmallows' because I wanted you to be able to see the 'hot chocolate' inside. I added a small candy cane and some red grosgrain ribbon as ties.
My lessons learned: My mugs were still too heavy even though they were small. I think they would have to be plastic but I searched high and low and couldn't find plastic mugs. I even considered the plastic tea cups in little girls play sets but none of them were clear. Plastic punch bowl glasses would be ideal. Didn't find any of those either. The paint also softened the kraft paper so maybe a light cardboard or a brown cardstock would work better. They look really great, but they are hung so far back on the tree branch (because they are so heavy) that they are hard to see on the tree.
 
I would like to share my ornaments at:
The Sisterhood of Crafters Christmas challenge, closes Dec. 25,
Try it on Tuesday anything goes, closes Dec. 26,
Sparkles Forum Challenges anything but a Christmas card, closes Jan. 15

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

It's Official, I Have Completely Lost My Mind, Day 12

I DID IT! All 12 days! Day 12 at Bugaboo Stamps 12 days of Christmas challenge was to use a Christmas song as an inspiration. Think, think, think, which one will I chose? Oh, right.
I chose an image that represents the "true" meaning of Christmas for me and my faith. I embossed the white background cardstock. I added a cloud image from Silhouette around my stamp and then printed and cut. I did the same for the sentiment. For the 2 little clouds I offset the images, cut the offsets out, then printed the smaller images onto them using my printer. I edged the edges of all of my clouds with Tim Holtz distress ink in broken china. That worked really well. Used pop dots on the sentiment and little clouds. I wanted to keep this as clean and white as possible. And I like the way it turned out. Actually I wanted to ring it in Christmas lights and find the flashiest gold sparkle paper and a neon sign with an arrow saying "I did it!", but I went with clean and white ;o)
My lessons learned: for whatever reason I have to cut out my image using my Silhouette and then run it through the printer to print on it. I can not print then cut, it doesn't work. Don't know why but it doesn't.
And now for the Big Reveal (and the reason I had to crop all of my pictures so closely)...
I made a mini album ~ well 2 actually. I put the first 6 days in/on one album and the last 6 days in/on the other. Now you know why I had to have so many common elements and so little dimension. My lessons learned: I wish I had not chosen a theme because I bought stamps to match my theme, not necessarily because they were my favorites. I was also limited by size. My album squares are 4" x 4". I really could have used the extra inches that a regular card would have given. And I did miss adding dimension. And the time of year...don't even get me started. But my friend Vicky said, "being creative is never a waste of time". I like that. I LOVED the challenge of having to come up with a new idea/technique everyday for 12 days. And what I loved most of all was that I think I did. It felt really good. I felt really creative. But now I'm putting away my scrapping supplies (we'll need the dining room table) and getting to work on the 2 big days coming up. My Abby turns 2 on Dec. 23rd and Jesus turns 2011ish on Dec. 25th. A BIG, BIG thank-you to my followers for indulging in this splurge of creativity with me!!! Merry Christmas to you all!
 
 
  


I May Have Lost My Mind, Days 10 and 11

Day 10 at Bugaboo Stamps 12 days of Christmas challenge was to make a masculine card. I chose Deacon the elf because that was the only one I thought looked like he was in motion, best for 10 lords a-leaping, or swinging in this case ;o) I used blue argyle background paper from the Stack 5. I cut out a tag using my Silhouette. I used Tim Holtz distress ink in broken china and my ColorBox silver ink to color the tag. Then I used the top of a plastic water bottle to make the rings. I like that coffee cup ring stained look but I knew I needed it on a smaller scale for my tag, so the water bottle worked perfectly. I attached my tag to turquoise ribbon and then used 2 snowflake brads to attach my ribbon to the background paper. Used print and cut on the Silhouette for Deacon, colored him in, ran him through my Xyron and added him to the card too.
My lessons learned: I'm getting much more comfortable using patterned papers on my cards. I wasn't sure whether Deacon should have some blue on him or not. I opted not because all the colors do go together, but still not 100% sure...
Day 11 at Bugaboo Stamps 12 days of Christmas challenge was to use plaid. I really like plaid. I know I said no more birds but this little penguin just sings to me ~ I'll be there with bells on! Really suited the 11 pipers piping. I printed and cut him out using my Silhouette. I used 2 plaid papers that I had, cut them both out into a square, cut the green in half and glued it onto the red. Then I made a snowflake border to run diagonally between the 2. I first used my silver sketch pen to draw the snowflake border using my Silhouette then used the cut edge feature to cut it out. I also used the offset feature on my Silhouette to create the white mat for my musical penguin. I just felt he needed it with such a dark, patterned background paper. I used my Silhouette to cut out the tag, ran it through the printer to put the sentiment on it, then used my gold glitter glue to add the accent.
My lessons learned: move your glitter glued tag further away to dry when coloring, otherwise you end up with glitter glue in your hair as you are leaned over your coloring.


Sunday, December 11, 2011

I May Have Lost My Mind, Days 7, 8, and 9

I figured out how to do this without clogging up everyones newsfeed. Just do one post for all 3 cards. Learning! So, Day 7 at Bugaboo Stamps 12 days of Christmas challenge was a photo challenge.
Here's the little trick, Bugaboo doesn't have any swan images. I'm pretty literal when it comes to photo challenges so that threw me. Anyways I picked a penguin (both birds) and followed the color scheme. Also used my evergreen background paper, the same as Day 1, kind of a nice tie in. Printed my sentiment and birdies right onto the background paper. Printed out my image and colored and paper pieced him. Added some faux stitching around both to complete Day 7.
My lessons learned: I am so glad to see the end of these birds!!! Things were getting kind of squishy trying to fit everything on one page. I made a mistake trying to have some continuity amongst all 12 cards because by Day 7 that can be rather limiting...and squishy.
I would like to share my card at:
Creative Craft Challenges stitching, closes Dec. 20th


Day 8 at Bugaboo Stamps 12 days of Christmas challenge was milk and cookies. I picked the gingerbread man in the measuring cup because I figured he was a good match with my just add milk sentiment. Printed my sentiments out on the gingham background paper. I think gingham just has country kitchen written all over it. Well actually my gingham has the 8th day of Christmas verse written all over it, but I digress ;o) I used the print and cut feature on my Silhouette for my image. Then I paper pieced his hat and apron. Colored the rest with my Zig markers. I printed the measuring cup out on vellum, cut it out, ran it through my Xyron and placed that on top. Love the way it turned out!
My lessons learned: I need to buy a light brown marker. The only one I had has poor gingerbread man looking a little overbaked.
 
I would like to share my card at:
digistamps4joy no animals, closes Dec. 27th.


Day 9 at Bugaboo Stamps was for a feminine card. I picked this little Christmas girl because her dress reminded me of the Irish step dance dresses, perfect for 9 ladies dancing. Used my Silhouette print and cut again. I colored her using my EK Success pencil crayons. I used the purple, pink, teal and lime green colors that are the "in" non-traditional Christmas colors right now, and they do look really sharp together. I added 2 Imaginisce flowers and a snowflake brad. Background paper from the Martha Stewart playful pink paper pad.
My lessons learned: I really need to put small(er) flowers on my Christmas list. I like using flowers on things but most of mine are too big, especially for card making. I have so many decorative brads just screaming to become flower centers, but I really need some smaller flowers.

I would like to share my card at:
For Your Inspiration photo, closes Dec. 14th,
The Stamping Boutique no tradtional Christmas colors, closes Dec. 18th
 


I May Have Lost My Mind, Day 6

Ok, I've been working like a busy little beaver this weekend, so I will apologise now to my lovely followers for the onslaught of posts. I promise I'll take a holiday break :o) Day 6 at Bugaboo Stamps 12 days of Christmas challenge and the theme was humor. Not hard to do with all the hilarious stamps they have but I've been kind of working on a theme with all my cards so I had to be original. I had some cool sandy, sea foamy type background paper on which I printed my sentiment, birdies, pop can and sun. Then I used my Silhouette to print and cut my sunbathing goose.She of course HAD to have a teeny, weeny, yellow polka dot bikini. Added some glossy accents to her shades.
My lessons learned: I really didn't know whether to put 6 birdies up top and my goose or 5 birdies + mine. Went with 5+. This image printed with grey lines instead of black and I kind of liked that better I think, at least for coloring.

Friday, December 9, 2011

I Told You I Know Several

And my brother-in-law Lawrence, his birthday is today, is another of the Gus' I know. He just bought a new, red, Dodge Ram truck with a Hemi engine and a dirt bike. And they live in the city. Can you say mid-life crisis?!? Don't tell him I told you that! So I used both background papers from the Stack 2, cut out the pieces using my Silhouette, and paper pieced the truck. Used glossy accents for his eyes and metal brads for the hubcaps. Shiny metal paper for the 'chrome' bumpers. Sorry for the rushed post but we're off to the husbands staff party tonight and I'd better not still be sitting at the computer when he's ready to go!
Ok, I'm back. For his staff party they all met at a pub at 4:30pm. No planned activities. So by 9pm everyone was basically ready to leave. Not much fun really. But, shouldn't complain, could always host...no thank-you. I would like to share my card at:
Divas by Design anything goes, closes Dec. 13th,
Totally Paper Crafts anything but Christmas, closes Dec. 15th.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

I May Have Lost My Mind, Day 5

For Day 5 at Bugaboo Stamps 12 days of Christmas challenge we were to use gold. Considering my current glitter addiction I really, really had to restrain myself. I chose this dapper snowman holding 5 snowballs which I converted to rings by adding 5 very small circles inside the snowballs using my Silhouette. I cut out the gold frame, also using my Silhouette, and my girl Kaylee helped me thread it with green ribbon. I tied a pretty great bow in the corner too. Bows are not usually one of my strengths. I cut my white background paper out using my Silhouette the ran it through the printer adding both the image and text. I colored him using my Zig markers added some red Stickles to his cheeks and DecoArt snow to his cuffs and hat brim. I used Diamond Sparkles on the snow below. The 5 golden rings were blinged out using my iRock and some iRock gems. I couldn't resist adding some "ice" ;o)
My lessons learned: When you're feeling sick (I am feeling sick, but Mommies don't get sick) all those time saving tricks you've come up with in the past backfire because you forget details. I had been printing my rough copy with a colored background so I knew exactly where to place my cut out pieces before running through the printer. Really ingenious. However you have to turn your colored background back to white before printing the good copy. You know, details.

I would like to share my card at:
Pixie Dust Studio glitter and bling, closes Dec. 14


I May Have Lost My Mind, Day 4

This was the hardest yet, I even moved on I was so stumped on this one, not sure why. Anyways Day 4 at Bugaboo Stamps 12 days of Christmas challenge was to use a bird. Maybe because I'd already used so many penguins I had such a hard time with this one. I picked a marshmallow snowman with 2 birdie friends and added 2 more. I used a vines and berries patterned background from the Silhouette store. I used the pan pattern feature in the advanced options to best line up the patterned background with my image. Then I used the print and cut feature. I know a marshmallow snowman works because both are white but I just couldn't resist coloring him the colors of mini marshmallows. I like that it adds some non-traditional colors to the mix. His green and white scarf is in the same colors as our CFL football team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders. If you're from Saskatchewan you know that everyone owns something in those colors. I printed and cut the tag with sentiment and added a green glam rock with my iRock. Some DecoArt snow finished the job.
My lessons learned: I had not used a background pattern in the Silhouette before and I realized it only added pattern to the background and kept my image white. Before I was cutting a printed background paper and then had to cut out my image separately and put it on top. Or if I printed the whole image on patterned paper I then had to paper piece the images I needed colored. This was much, much easier. The only downside is that it doesn't add any dimension. But that did allow me to use a more graphic background.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

I May Have Lost My Mind, Day 3

The 3rd day of Christmas challenge at Bugaboo Stamps is to use an animal. I know penguins aren't technically an animal, but the design team used them on their example cards and this was another past freebie so I'm pretty sure these guys will work. Most of the work for this one came in arranging the image itself. I imported it into my Silhouette program then replicated it twice more (and then there were 3). I used the eraser tool to erase some of the snow between the 2 penguins before putting them next to each other. The 3rd one I flipped horizontally, made a little smaller, and set on top. I printed everything onto my background paper. I printed another copy on white cardstock and colored the hats, feet and noses. Then I cut out the pieces, this time by hand, and glued them onto the background paper. Added some DecoArt Snow Writer for the snow at their feet and we have 3 cutey penguins for the 3rd day of Christmas.
My lessons learned: that my markers, even the red, will not color over polka dotty paper. That's the reason for the paper piecing.
I would like to share my card at:
Creative Craft Challenges free for all, closes Dec. 6th,
Simon Says anything goes, closes Dec. 7th,
Charisma Cardz spots, closes Dec. 7th, 
Card Makin' Mamas sentiments, closes Dec. 8th,
Sweet Stampin' Challenge snow, closes Dec. 9th.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

I May Have Lost My Mind, Day 2

So far so good, 2 down, 10 to go. Day 2 at the Bugaboo Stamps 12 days of Christmas challenge is love. Background paper from The Stack 5. I cut it out using my Silhouette and ran it through the printer for the sentiment. I colored my image using my Zig markers, glitter pens, and used diamond Sparkles on the snow. I used my chalks to add the glow around the star and to add the blue to the sky. Used a Silhouette frame for my image.
My lessons learned: that my chalk applicator can smear the printer ink if I press too hard. I thought I had heat set my printer ink but either that doesn't work or I forgot. And since I may have lost my mind, I'm going to go with forgot. I love the way the frame makes the image look like a family photo. I was very tempted to leave the image uncolored (like a black and white photo) it really stood out nicely but the husband said it need some color ~ which of course means glitter ;o)
I would also like to share my card at:
Creative Craft Challenges free for all, closes Dec. 7th,
Delightful Challenges let it snow, closes Dec. 7th,
Simon Says anything goes, closes Dec. 7th,
Card Makin Mamas sentiments, closes Dec. 8th,
Meljen's Designs holiday song, closes Dec. 8th,
Sweet Stampin' snow, closes Dec. 9th,
Designed 2 Delight snow, closes Dec. 10th,
Divas by Design anything goes, closes Dec. 14th.


Friday, December 2, 2011

I May Have Lost My Mind

Not really worried, it wasn't really there to begin with. So Bugaboo Stamps is having a 12 days of Christmas challenge on their blog. A new card everyday based on the song the 12 Days of Christmas with the new theme released each day. And you must use a Bugaboo stamp, makes sense. Really, it's not like I'm doing anything else for the next 2 weeks. Course the little one turns 2 on Dec. 23rd, and then there's that other big birthday celebration on the 25th. I may have lost my mind, but I so love Bugaboo Stamps. They have a new freebie every Friday and it is always a fantastic stamp just as cute as all the others in their store. Oh and they are having a 50% off sale for all of December, so the argument that I might have to buy stamps to participate kinda lost some steam with the sale on too. So here we go! (I may have lost my mind).
Today's challenge was to use a tree. I used my Silhouette to cut out the background frame and then ran it through the printer to put the sentiment on it. It was from Deja Views the Sharon Ann collection. I cut out the little frame for my Old World Santa (a past freebie) and ran it through the printer to put him on it. I colored him with a combination of my Zig markers, EK Success pencil crayons, Martha Stewart glitter markers and a white gel pen. I used Diamond Sparkles for his beard and DecoArt Snow Writer for his cape. I LOVE the snow writer, it adds such texture!
My lessons learned: the girls and I have all been sitting down at the dining room table after supper to color (Daddy too, he just doesn't color). It's great for all of us to "craft" together. The only downside? The table gets bumped A LOT. I save my really detailed coloring for when they go for snack ;o)
I would like to share my card at:
Digital Tuesday Challenge go green, closes Dec. 5th,
Aud Sentiments any Winter holiday sentiment, closes Dec. 6th,
Simon Says anything goes, closes Dec. 7th,
Cute Card Thursday a number, closes Dec. 8th.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

For Someone Very Special

My niece Taylor is turning 14 tomorrow. She has 5 year old triplets for siblings. She is the best babysitter in the whole world. She stays overnight and because we live on a farm we love that we don't have to drive her back to town when we get home! And she can handle my 2 with one arm tied behind her back. We LOVE her!
Did I mention she has a 94% average so far this year in Grade 9, her first year of High School? Are you kidding me? Could we have asked for a better Big Cousin for our girls?!?
I made her a bookmark. I am making one for all of my 3 tween/teen nieces and nephew. This is 2 down, 1 to go. See my previous post for a link on how to make a bookmark. I used Silver Fairy from Wee Stamps as my digi stamp. I used the trace and detach function on my Silhouette, flipped her horizontally, then used print and cut. The Silhouette did a fantastic job of cutting her out. I was afraid I would lose her bell or her tendrils of hair but I didn't. I colored her with a combination of glitter markers and regular markers. For her hair I used my EK Success pencil crayons and then highlighted it with a glitter marker. For the books and the snowflake border (both Silhouette images) I used the silver sketch pen to draw them instead of cutting them. I used the cut edge function to just cut around the outside of both images. I printed the sentiment out on my purple background paper. I distressed the paper edges and inked them with silver. Ran everything through my Xyron and assembled. Really pleased with the way it turned out, I hope T.T. is too!
My lessons learned: I borrowed my Mom's Ott Lite to take pictures after dark. It worked really, really well. I took several pictures of my project and had a hard time choosing which one to use. That never happens! Am putting an Ott Lite on my Christmas list!
I would like to share my bookmark at:
Digital Tuesday Challenge sparkle and shine,
Flutterby Wednesday's open with an Angel, butterfly or fairy,
Charisma Cardz snowflakes,
Crafty Purple Challenge for someone special,
Creative Challenges free for all.

Friday, November 18, 2011

This is Pretty Cute

Bugaboo Stamps challenge this week was a pocket challenge. When I saw this pop-up Santa in the Silhouette store I knew he would be perfect. I cut out all the pieces using my Silhouette and paper pieced him together. My daughter colored the Popsicle stick black for me. At The ABC challenge this week they chose D for Dazzle. I added Diamond Sparkles to his 'fur'. I added red Stickles to the berries. I used my ColorBox black ink to soot up the chimney, I just couldn't bring myself to soot up his suit though. If you look really closely you'll see some cookie crumbs around his mustache! Added some faux stitching around the chimney and bricks. Used doubled sided tape to attach the Popsicle stick to the back of Santa and Voila! A little time consuming cutting and assembling Santa's pieces, but overall very easy and cute, cute, cute.
My lessons learned: use paint to color a Popsicle stick, the marker just kept coming off on our hands once we got enough on it, and we had to put a lot on it. I loved having my daughter Kaylee (just turned 4) help me out with my crafting, made me feel less guilty for crafting while they were awake ;o) And they can play with him now that I'm done (as long as they don't touch the stick, ROFL).

I would also like to share my Santa at:
Fussy and Fancy Challenge anything but a card,


Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Remembrance Day

We just celebrated Remembrance Day here in Canada on November 11th. I have a hard time describing my feelings about Remembrance Day because it is such a solemn day/time for all Canadians. It's easier to describe my card. I created this card to be part of a Remembrance Day display. I was inspired by Sheri Gilson's centre step easel card. She provided a link {here} with instructions/templates. My digital poppies were a free image from Birds Cards. I paper pieced the poppies with red cardstock and colored the greens with my Zig markers. I used MME's So Sophie houndstooth cardstock for my mats. I created the headstones myself in my Silhouette program and cut them and the maple leaves and crosses out using it. On the actual overseas gravestones, the cross and maple leaf are etched into the stones, that's why I opted to keep mine all white. I placed the first row along the bottom border of my card and then used popdots to lift the front row off the page to give them some dimension. I used my Silhouette to cut out the tag, used black and white twine to attach it, and a pop dot to lift it off the page. I chose the "We Remember" sentiment because it just sounds so positive of all the Remembrance Day sentiments. I used Recollections decorative metal star brads for the sides. I wanted to give them a military medals kind of feel.
My lessons learned: a nice surprise was how once I got the headstone border on the front of the card it looked as if the poppies were growing right up behind them. I love the look. This card is such a great 'display' card and I will definitely use this technique again.
I would like to share my card at:
Divas by Design use metal,
For Fun Challenges honoring Vets,
Simon Says Stamp photo inspiration, field of poppies,
Cute Card Thursday red for Remembrance,
Totally Stampalicious 3D,
The Stamping Boutique home of the brave,
Stamp and Create easel or centre step card.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

I Love Gus...and I Know Several

I made this birthday card using Gus from Bugaboo Stamps for their anything goes challenge. Gus and Margaret are my faves, I think because they remind me of so many people I know, lol! I used 2 different patterned papers, the asphalt and the road signs paper, both from the photo stack 2. I used my Silhouette to print and cut Gus. I paper pieced the truck and used my shiny mirror paper for the bumpers and horn for the Pixie Dust Studio Challenge (paper piecing). I colored Gus and used Glossy Accents on his glasses. I used silver brads as hubcaps for the Meljens challenge (to use brads) and  Divas by Design Challenge (to use metal).  I cut several cloud shapes from grey cardstock using my Silhouette to use as exhaust and then ran them through the printer for my sentiments. Popped them and the truck off the page with pop dots. As you may have guessed this is for our friend Vern's birthday on Nov. 7th, which also happens to be election day here in Saskatchewan. Coincidence -- well, yeah. I should probably add that he was a mechanic for years and is now a shop/mechanics teacher at one of the high schools in town. He has several vehicles and it is completely possible that he would "trade" for another!
My lessons learned: do NOT ask your husband to hold your card for you before the Glossy Accents have completely hardened. He not only got his fingerprint on one of Gus' lenses but squished the other one flat. I did manage to fix them, but I was pretty steamed, I think because it was as much my fault as his (maybe more), lol!
I would like to share my card at:
Stamps R Us masculine,
The Poodles Parlour lets hear it for the boys,
For Fun Challenges a special birthday,
Aud Sentiments make us laugh,
Fab'n'Funky Challenges planes, trains and automobiles,
The Paper Variety laughter is the best medicine.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Cute Little Notecards

I participated in a cardswap on Scrapbook Steals and received a really unique style card from Kristy M. It was a 4"x4" piece of cardstock with a 2 1/2" x 7" (but folded in half to 3 1/2") piece of cardstock as the card. I followed the sketch at Sweet Sketch Wednesday and made my card 3" x 7" on a 4"x4" piece of cardstock. I thought that allowed me a little more room to play with my images. Totally Stampalicious asked for a set of at least 3 notecards. For all 3 cards I used Colorbok red sorbet pearlescent paper as my 4"x4" cardstock. I added a quilted fall patterned paper as my background. I used green, orange, and yellow patterned paper for my 'cards' because the insides were white and that would let me add my sentiments/messages. I added two strips of fall ribbon behind each image. I inked the edges of my circles using amber ColorBox ink.
My ladybug image was a facebook freebie from Little Scraps of Heaven Designs.

My tree was from the Designed2Delight progressive challenge. I 'quilted' the hearts on the tree to match my 'quilted' background. I added a Silhouette heart bench image (cut with my Silhouette). I used my pine needles distress ink to add some grass.

My harvest raggedy was a GSD file from My Scrap Chick that I cut out with my Silhouette and paper pieced together.
I added a BoBunny button tied with yellow twinery twine to each card with a popdot. The button acts like a little doorknob to open the 'card' part of the card. Here's a picture of one of them open.

And here's a picture of all 3 together.
My lessons learned: I wish I had outlined my pieces of my scarecrow so that they stood out more but it was tricky working with such small pieces. I think I will only use full card sizes for those paper piecings in the future.  I think if I was to make notecards again I would choose 3 images from the same stamp company. I just felt these were a little too different from each other. Of course I'm probably not giving the same person all 3 cards so it doesn't really matter if the images are different. I like that I left the fronts without a sentiment so that I can use them as all occasion giftcards. Well, Fall all occasion giftcards ;o)

Sunday, October 23, 2011

This Was A HARD Challenge

I absolutely LOVE Bugaboo Stamps and they are sponsoring the challenge at For Fun Challenges this week. Well the challenge was to create a Halloween card without using black, orange or purple. I thought this sounded like a great challenge, until I tried to do it, lol! I used a free image from Sassy Studio Designs who are also hosting a Halloween challenge this week. I used some wonderful metallic green embossed paper for the background and some grey with foil embossed silver skulls paper for the border for the embossing challenge at Charisma Cardz. I printed my sentiment, a freebie from Whimsie Doodles, on grey paper (in navy blue, no black remember) to enter at Sentimental Sundays Halloween (with a sentiment) Challenge. I used some blue sparkle thickers as 'brads'. I used pop dots to float my witch in front of the moon.
My lessons learned: I used watercolor paper for my image. Because I color with markers, I had hoped it would hold the color better. It was the opposite. It did not take the color well at all. It left white spots where it didn't take the color well and splotches where it took it too well. Will not try that again! This was a really good 'challenge' but the image I chose sure made it tricky (hehehe). Happy Halloween!
I would also like to share my card at:
Divas By Design (is that not the best name?!?) something spooky,
Sweet Stampin' (also being sponsored by Bugaboo this week, woohoo!) Halloween,


Saturday, October 22, 2011

There Are No Words

Lori Boyd over at The Pink Elephant Challenge Blog posted that they were accepting donations for Katie Renz. She has stage 4 gastric cancer and 3 boys. You can read Katie's blog here, her husband Kevin has been updating it. When I made a donation, Lori sent me the digital stamp she created for Katie of her 3 boys called 'We Love You Mommy'. I made a card and will send it to them. With Christmas coming I just wanted to help. I really can't say anymore because there are no words for a family going through what they are. I will just share my card and hope that helps in some small way.
I  know that in Bellingham, Washington where they are from there is a lot of rain. So I decided an umbrella with Katie's name on it, above the boys, would be very appropriate. I added Daddy and the boys names on the heart, printed it off on red cardstock, and then added glossy accents to it. I used my Silhouette for the umbrella and border behind the boys. Colored the boys with a combination of Zig markers and EK Success pencil crayons. The sentiment reads, "Mommys are like umbrellas" and inside it reads, "always above us, protecting us, sheltering us". These were my own words and I hope they will be a comfort.
I would like to share my card at:
CAS-ual Fridays just add color
Southern Girls Challenge stripes and polka dots
Make It Monday linky party

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

This One Felt Like Work

I'm sure we've all had those days where you see it in your head but it is sooo much work to put it on paper?!? That was this card for me. I think I just over-thought it and it ended up feeling like work. I wanted to use my Designed2Delight free image and I wanted to include apples for Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge. I had this great pumpkin cart Silhouette image that I had been wanting to use so I downloaded a print and cut apple basket and decided to combine them with a little bale image I had to make my harvest scene. I printed the pumpkins on 2 different colored orange papers and cut them out. The Silhouette cut out the wagon pieces. I tried to print and cut the apple basket but it didn't work. To be fair that is the first time that feature didn't work but I had made the image smaller too. I used the Silhouette to cut out each apple and the apple leaves and arranged them in the basket. (That was some small gluing let me tell you). I tried to get the Silhouette to cut out my bale but because it was not a Silhouette image I couldn't get that to work either. (I won't tell you how long I played around with it until I gave up and cut it out myself). I used 3/4" strips of patterned paper to make my background. I used my Sew Easy to pierce the holes for my hand stitching. That didn't work either. That was also the first time I'd tried using it.
My lessons learned: I think I'll save the fine paper pieced scenes for my scrapbook pages and not for cards. And the Sew Easy is not.
I would like to share my card at:
Stamps R Us nature's gifts,
Delightful Challenges colors of fall,
Charisma Cardz in stitches,
My Sheri Crafts pumpkins,
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge you choose,
City Crafter Challenge harvest festival.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Getting in the Halloween Spirit

This was a picture my husband took of the girls and I last Halloween at the end of our lane. My Dad does a display every year using his own pumpkins which he also carves himself and corn stalks from the garden. We had a little snow. It's always harder for us to pick costumes because we have to be able to fit some layers underneath! Kaylee was a pilot, Abby was a zebra, and I was a nurse. I carved the girls' pumpkins. Kaylee wanted a spooky one and Abby's had two bottom teeth, just like her!
For my card I followed a sketch at Crafty Sentiments. I found the most awesome ribbon and cut the 'moon' out of cardstock using my Silhouette. I used a free image from Whimsie Doodles and colored her using my Zig markers and EK Success pencil crayons. I used the trace and detach feature on my Silhouette to trace the image (this is the first time this actually worked for me), then printed it, then cut it with my Silhouette. It worked pretty well. Used some pop dots to lift her off the page a bit, I think it helped to make her hair and cape look like they are really blowing in the breeze.
My lesson learned: it was very hard for me not to put a sentiment on this card, but I really think it didn't need it. You can tell it's for Halloween and we're going to write Happy Halloween inside so I left it without one. Still it felt strange not putting one on it.
I would like to share my card at:
Simon Says Stamp Challenge Halloween,
MelJen's Designs use ribbon,
Sassy Studio Designs use black, orange, purple and green,
Card Makin' Mamas Halloween
Designed2Delight Halloween



Saturday, October 15, 2011

For My Brother

My brother Rob's birthday is Oct. 8th and it frequently falls on Thanksgiving weekend. He lives in Alberta but he always makes sure to come home for Thanksgiving. I think he secretly loves the double celebration, and the food, who can blame him right? He has his hunting and fishing guiding course and is an amazing photographer so this outdoor card was made for him. The fisherman is a Silhouette image and I used a one pennant from a pennant banner to make the happy birthday sentiment. For the background I was inspired by the photo at For Your Inspiration. The way the reds, oranges, yellows and blues all flow so seamlessly together is just beautiful. I used my Tim Holtz distress inks in broken china for the water, a little walnut stain for the ground, and pine needles for the trees. I used my Color Box stamps for the sunset and sky.
My lessons learned: this time I created my card on a piece of white cardstock 1/2" smaller than my actual card and attached it to the card when I was finished. I know a lot of card makers do this because it allows them to attach ribbon and brads without changing the inside of the card but for me it took all the stress out of making a mistake. I was able to experiment with my inks and not worry that I would be wasting a card if I didn't like the look. Luckily I really like the look. I think I created a really peaceful scene. Most fisherman will tell you fishing is only partly about catching fish and partly about being out on the water. My brother liked it too.
I would like to share my card at:
Sentimental Sundays anything goes (plus a sentiment),
Pollycraft Monday Challenge boys, boys, boys,
Make It Monday linky party
Southern Girls Challenge slugs and snails and puppydog's tails
The Stamping Boutique someone special (just don't tell my brother that, you know cause he's my brother, hehe)



Monday, October 10, 2011

Hope

I followed this sketch at Some Odd Girl.


First I cut my shaped card using my Silhouette. Then I used my gold Silhouette sketch pen to draw the circle and used my copper sketch pen to draw the Hero Arts tall scroll tree. I used a small scallop border and Segoe Script font for "Hope" and cut them out using my Silhouette as well. I took the Hope Butterfly from Designed2Delight, made it much smaller and printed it on pink vellum. I had the idea to make the butterflies look like leaves on the tree. I colored the ribbon on the butterflies pink, so it stood out a bit then attached them to my tree. I added some pink bling with my iRock and a pink square insert inside the card just to set off the shape of the card better.
My Grandma is a breast cancer survivor and will turn 97 on Oct. 12. She still lives in her own apartment and does the "seniors" visiting for the Church. She is a remarkable woman and so I appreciate all the awareness challenges and think it is especially appropriate that October is breast cancer awareness month! Here is my Grandma with my Abby and myself at Easter this year.
I would also like to share my card at:
Digistamps4Joy think pink challenge,
Simon Says sparkle and bling challenge,
The Secret Crafter anything goes as long as it sparkles challenge,
Sassy Studio Designs lots of pink,
My Sheri Crafts think pink,


The Stamping Boutique think pink monthly challenge.
I also received the most wonderful invitation to Link Up For Pink linking party, do go check them out, it's amazing what they are doing for awareness!

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's that time of year again where we get together with family to eat ourselves ridiculously full and thank God for all our blessings! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! It is also a long week-end, which means my husband is home for an extra day, which means extra craft time for me, wooohoo!
Bugaboo Stamps has a Halloween Anything But a Card challenge this week.  At Crafty Purple Frog they asked for lots of layers and Delightful Challenges asked for us to make it dimensional. I had the award ribbon pinwheel Silhouette image that I really wanted to give a try. The picture looks so beautiful (famous last words). I thought it would look really sharp in Halloween colors. Meljen's Designs, The Pink Elephant, and the Fussy and Fancy Challenge all asked for Halloween.
I cut the strips, which have perforated marks for the fan folds (very helpful) using my Silhouette. I wanted 4 layers of color and the image only comes with two so I adjusted the widths down a 1/4" on each of the two it came with. I used black, orange, purple and lime green. Then I printed and cut the images onto a white circle, colored them in. Next came assembly. This was the part that made these the first and last award pinwheels I have made (at least for quite awhile...until I forget...probably later this month). You fold the strips of paper like a fan and tape the ends together. It is supposed to lay flat. Instead they like to pop up. And again, what adhesive do you use on a pinwheel? I ended up using a combination of double sided tape and a glue gun. Also the layering, trying to fit all those little folds together is a trick in itself. The final step was to add my circle with the image and a lollipop stick.
You may notice a few less Reece's Pieces as the pictures go on.
My lessons learned: my battle to find an adhesive that is safe for scrapbooking and yet still "adheres" things together is fast becoming right up there with my battle against dandelions. They all sort of work and yet none of them really work. Arrgh. And I do like the way they turned out :o)