Paper Crafts magazine presents Card Creations:Get Inspired Blog Hop

Happy Holidays Blog Hop Peeps!  I can't believe it's already December!....where does the time go?....  It's an exciting month isn't it?  Card Creations: Get Inspired, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years....Did I mention Card Creations: Get Inspired?  That's the news I've been waiting to tell you about!

It's an all new publication from Paper Crafts based on their very popular Get Inspired column featuring cards inspired by everyday things.  Like shoes, throw pillows, shoes, sweaters, mirrors, shoes, plates and cups, jewelry....did I mention shoes?....the list goes on.  I bet you didn't realize there's so much around you to inspire fantastic paper creations?  I had SO much fun creating for this issue....photos are my favorite things to inspire my creative side.... They gave us 40 different photos of typical things you'd find, well, anywhere, and asked for literal and interpretive creations inspired by them.  I tried to make 2 for each all the photos....80 total.....BUT..... I only got 35 done....tee hee....  It was SO much fun!  Some were really easy to create from, but others were really hard.  I found the literal creations the easiest to make on most of them, however my favorite creations were the ones I took creative licence with.

Now here we are today!  I was one of the lucky ones invited to participate in Paper Crafts, Card Creations: Get Inspired blog hop!  Our challenge today was to take a photo of something from our own home to inspire a new creation.  Since I am a decorator and have loads of homes I help out for the holidays, I decided I HAD to use my holiday mantle as my inspiration for my creation for this....its so glittery and sparkly....I love it!  There is NOTHING I love more than to over-stuff my mantle with fabulous ornaments, each sparkly and gorgeous....*yum*....

I don't use tradtional color combos for my holiday decor, and have used it to inspire other paper creations....check out my 2010 Stampin Royalty card here.....  My favorite time in this room is at night, a fire roaring, lights twinkling, spiked caramel apple cider in my mega mug....*aahhhh*....Keeping to the parameters of the original challenge they gave us, I choose to make 2 creations, one literal and one interpretive!....since I'm currently bed-ridden with a kidney stone, I had time....

This is the literal creation....can't you tell?....  I've had these fabulous holiday words for a year now and am excited to be finally using them.  I didn't have 'believe' so I used 'Christmas' instead.  Wanna know how I made the lush 'ornament' garland along the bottom?


1. Gather up your items.  Large and small glue dots (Zots), glitter (Martha Stewart), buttons, pearls or rhinestones and your card..  FYI - I used the Cuttlebug houndstooth folder for the top panel of my card.

2.  Cut your strip of large glue dots to separate each one (this makes it easier to place them where you want).

3.  Adhere 3 glue dots in a random pattern (not to close together).  Sprinkle with same color glitter.  Repeat 3 times.   If wanted - Add small glue dots and add dazzling diamonds glitter.   *TIP* when adhering the glue dots, plan on clustering 1 of each color in a loose group.

4.  Embellish with buttons, pearls and rhinestones.

Lush and lovely!  I did the happy dance when it was finished - *LOVE it*

Now, on to the interpretive one....and my favorite....a little shabby chic creation with lots of whites and I've added in the glitter and sparkle with the sentiment and the pin.  See that fan-tab-ulous shimmer paper?  Sorry, I picked it up on my recent trip to Copenhagen, but it's made by Annie P Paperie.  I think there may be a place in New York....for those of us on this side of the pond....check out her fabulous things here.

Have you been inspired?  I certainly hope so!  As a thank you for joining me today, leave a comment below and you'll name will be entered into a drawing for a copy of this fabulous issue!  THEN visit the Paper Crafts Connection blog and be entered to win an AWESOME new Martha Steward tool, the Craft Station!  The Craft Station includes a 12”x12” LED light table and glass cutting mat, a cutting shuttle and movable ruler arm, three cutting blades and cartridge, a metal stencil, a stylus, five 12”x12” tracing templates, a cutting knife and an alignment guide. Retail price is $165 - AWESOME!!

Now head off to Lorena's blog and check out all her inspiration!  If you got lost, here is the list of the ladies on the blog hop:

• Chan Vuong
• Kalyn Kepner
• Kim Hughes
• Carly Robertson
• Kristin Tierney
• Lorena Canto
• Lynn Mangan
• Sarah Moerman
• Teri Anderson

Don't forget you can find inspiration in anything around you.  Don't believe me?  Check out the Card Creations: Get Inspired and you'll see how easy it is.

Lice-a-Poolza

Howdy ladies!  I have a little reprieve from work today, not because I want to though, my oldest has Lice....*eck*!....  After 3 hours of pickin' hair like a monkey, I needed a little creative break.  I've begun working on my Etsy site, so that's what most of my time went to, however, I wanted to show you something I made a little bit ago.  Just a little something inspired by....well, I can't tell you that yet....but I promise to let you know what that's about as soon as I can!
 

I've also started posting new things on my Etsy account!  Lots of my creations from publications will be on there too...  Since you're a special friend of mine, mention BLOGPEEPS in the buyers comments and receive FREE shipping!  I'll be posting new supplies and holiday kits later this week, all are packaged and ready to go.  Just you wait until you see it all....

How are all you bleeps out there?  I know I've been MIA, but for good reason.  My decorating and event planning activities have been keeping me VERY busy.  I've been burning the candle at both ends....and a bit in the middle for good measure!....  I just returned from Florida, decorating  a home down there....with a short 3 hour visit to the beach....busy shopping for furniture and accessories.  Starting this week, I will begin working 60-70 hours a week from now until after Christmas, decorating people's homes for the holidays and several holiday and wedding events! 

So what does this mean?  Well, I am planning on taking a short hiatus from Our Creative Corner. Only until after my last big event that is the last week of February.  The last event is a bit self-serving....it's my 4-0 birthday party....but the rest are for clients.  I will be back on the DT starting March 1st.  I will continue to post my creations as I go....I have some exciting ones from publications to show you....but with balancing my work schedule, family and home demands, I've been unable to full fill my comments and creations at OCC.  This hasn't been fair to you lovely ladies that support and visit me every week, the AMAZING ladies on the design team, and to those of you that participate in our challenges....since I haven't been able to make time to visit you all and give you some love....  SO, be patient with me, I'll still be around, just not consistently on Saturday's.  I'll pop in with creations and party photos as they happen....I'm hoping at least weekly....  and of course keep you informed on any exciting news that may happen.  Make sure you continue to visit the VERY talented OCC design team every week for inspiration. 

This is my last creation until March 1st.  It's for the current Pumpkin Pie challenge.  It was to have a pumpkin image or use SU!'s Pumpkin Pie color in your creation.  I used the latter to make this flower which I LOVE!  This card was inspired by an upcoming special issue from Paper Crafts I just got in the mail on Thursday.  It's AWESOME!!  You'll have to get your hands on it.  Now, be sure to join me in our little corner!

Fancy Folds

Hi Ladies!
Who likes to fold?....no not your laundry.....  Are you into origami, or creating 3D items with paper?  Then the ladies at Our Creative Corner want to see your creations!  The ultra talented Tui is our hostess this week and she is putting us to the test.  Here is my creation for this challenge.  Tf you've checked out my tutorial, then you have seen the step-by-step for a basket like this.  After much nagging, I had to make one just like Lily's for my youngest daughter that turned 3 this month....she had to have one like her big sister.... I thought this was the perfect chance to get it done.

This basket is put together by folding 4 little boxes and putting them together.  It's easy, but time consuming and totally worth the effort!  She's been hopping around with it 'like a bunny' all day....she's so darn cute....

We are having a Halloween birthday party for her today so I'll share the photos with you later this week.  As always I've gone overboard, but hey, it's my sweet little bebe, so I couldn't resist!

Sweet baby face

Hola chickas!....the girls have been watching Dora all day....  Hows your face?  Mine's looking a little more wrinkled than it used to.  I still think I look like I did when I was in high school, but who am I kiddin'?....except for myself.....  Since my face isn't up to par, I thought I'd use a different one for this week's Our Creative Corner Fabulous Face challenge hosted again by Marjie, our super artsy DT member....check out her stuff, you'll know I ain't fibbin....

This is a sweet little frame I made for a friend of mine that had a baby girl.  It had to have some bling and since I'm not much of a scrapbooker, I did this.  Is that not the most adorable child you've ever seen?  Look at those cheeks!  I don't think she's real, it's a vintage drawing, *hello* but adorable!!!  I just want to nibble on them.  Ok enough of that, no go and make a creation using some fabulous faces in your life!

My new mantra....

This is it!  The new reason I'm giving my hubby when he asks "Why do you do this again?"

Transparency Theory

Hello Ladies!  It's that time again, Our Creative Corner Challenge time!  This week our hostess is fabulous Marjie Kemper and she is challenging us to use transparencies in your creations this week.  I had a hard time getting back into the craftin' groove this week, recovering from the vaca, Rug Doctoring my area rugs on the first floor....I'll give you a hint why, it rhymes with 'bat' and may be sleeping with the fishes when I'm done with him....  But now that it's all done, I'm 1 rug short....uugghhh....and have thoroughly enjoyed spending a few hours in the craftin' spot....*aaahhhhh*......

You all know I love using window sheets for card bases, but decided to spice it up a bit for this one.  I was really able to sit down and enjoy the crafting process this time and brought back my 'shabby' side.  The transparency is from Hambly Studios, its the dress maker forms.  I placed that over a stitched sheet I made with scraps.  I'm LOVIN' how this came out and that life is slowin' down, if only for a few weeks!

Now be sure you head over to the OCC and check out all that the DT has made this week, I've been swooning over each and every one!

Goodbye sweet World....

I'm leaving Disney as you read this....*tear*....  It was so nice to get away with just my hubby for some fun and relaxation.  Back to reality....

I prepared this card before I left for my break from life for this week's challenge at Our Creative Corner.  It's a color challenge and it has some really great colors!

Our hostess Lori really came up a fun fall combo.  I made this card for my in-laws, they took care of the kids for us while we were away.  What a blessing!

Be sure to head over the Our Creative Corner for some great inspiration from our DT!

OOPS!

Apparently you can't check you posts with your cell, otherwise they publish.  So my prescheduled OCC post for Sat. posted today!  I don't know how to take it off with my phone, so I apologize that its early.  I'm still here at Disney and will be back to my post here on the 9th.  Sorry for the mixup!

Say Wi, Merci!

Greeting from EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival!    In honor of World Card Making Day, the challenge this week at Our Creative Corner is to create a card inspired by another country!  I chose France...since I have the fabu 'Merci' stamp from PTI....  It's kind of appropriate that I'm here in EPCOT for this challenge, I'm strolling along, sampling the tasty treats from over 20 countries!...YUMMM....  I think I've gained 5 pounds, and I've only been here 3.5 days!

I made this card before I left this week, and while it's inspired by France, it's not at all Belle Epoche.  Another CAS creation made in my limited time.  I pulled out my old stand by, window sheets to create the card.  I think it's kind of fun!  Now be sure to visit the other ladies on the DT for some inspiration!

Wedding teaser

I had many of you ladies wanting to see some photos of the fabulous wedding I did last weekend.  Well, I have video I took on my phone...that I can't get off.  I've tried sending it to my email account, to YouTube, to Picasa, on the web, off the web.  Nothing seems to work, and of course we can't seem to find the doo-hickey that you put your SIM card into for the computer to download.  *sigh*
Tomorrow I leave for my 10 day vaca....without kids, YIPPIE!!!....I will have my hubby make it happen when I get back.  Until then, here are just a few photos from the event this weekend, as well as some photos I hadn't shared yet from the event I coordinated in Copenhagen.
Here are 3 photos of some details from this weekends event.  The DECORATING budget for this event was over $45,000...that includes lighting, furniture, flowers, linens, rentals, etc....that doesn't include food, rental space, band, booze, dress, cars, etc.  The grand total was over $100,000...probably more like $125k.... I think from this teaser, you can tell it's over the top!

The bouquet, garden roses, lily of the valley, lady slipper orchids, scabiosa, white hyacinth and gardenias.  It smelled divine!

 

 The cake - hello GORGEOUS!!!

The chairs for the bride and groom, just a special little touch.

NEXT - The Copenhagen event was held in a badminton hall....yes badminton.  Apparently it's all the rage in Denmark.  This is the other end of the spectrum, my decorating budget for this event was less than $500.  That included the kid's room.

The tables - looked FABULOUS when the sun went down, which summer in Denmark? - 9:30 pm.

The place cards, fresh green apples!  Yes I wrote them....  And the logo napkin wrap...yes, I made that too!

The menu cards, you guessed  it....

I'll still have my creations for Our Creative Corner for the next 2 Saturdays' posted, but please forgive me for not commenting on any of your blogs for the next 10 days, I will be enjoying the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT!!!

Short and sweet

Hi ladies!
I'm pooped.  I've been working on a wedding this week for 380 with a budget of about $100,000.  I planned ahead with my creation for this weeks Our Creative Corner sample, but didn't plan the post ahead of time.  I'll post some of the photos so you can see how fab-u-lous it is, but until then....short and sweet. 

This is my card for the Numbers challenge hosted by Sharon.  I hope you'll join us!

I don't know why all my cards lately have been CAS....perhaps 'cause they're fast and I haven't had much time lately?

Go See Do...

Is it getting cooler where you're at?  It is here!  I love fall....chunky sweaters, football games, hot stews, warm bread, the colors....all of it.  Hopefully fall will stay...

It's that time again at Our Creative Corner, Challenge time!  Sharon is our hostess this week with a great challenge.  This week's challenge is titled:  'Not Big on Pink' .  So, for this paper craft challenge, you need to use any shade of blue, and just a touch of pink.  If you need a number, think 1/5 or less in pink.  You must also incorporate some texture, (ie: fabric, ribbon, floss, etc) and a metal piece (ie: brad, push pin, charm, etc.).

I decided to go with something more simple.  I had stamped this airplane image in a repeated pattern to make a chevron background a while back.  I didn't know what to do with it after I made it.  It's been sitting around for about a month now.  I loved the effect, but wasn't sure how I wanted to use it.  Since Sharon's challenge said to use lots of blue,  not a lot of pink, I made a CAS card with this.  The grid panel is actually a Studio Calico fabric strip that I stamped the sentiments on.  I added the buttons for a simple touch and thought I was done...oopps....I forgot one element - the metal!  I had to go back and add some eyelets in black to match....instead of a metal color....

I love this sentiment.  It reminds me of a dear BFF that is a major jet-setter.  She is ALWAYS goin', seein' and doin' AMAZING things!....She's quite fabulous....  Now, she's a bit young to be retiring, but I thought its a great sentiment for someone starting a new part of their lives.

Baby's rejected...

I've finally been able to participate in a magazine call, although I was only able to get 3 done for it.  I had such a hard time getting my creative juices flowin' again....being creative only 1x per week is taking its toll.....Good news is that 2 of my submissions were accepted!....yea!!!.....  AND now that school is back in session, I'm able to get into my craftin' spot more!!....good news all around....

....Nobody puts baby in a corner....This was my attempt for a Cameo Baby card for Paper Craft's Magazine's last call.  I don't really have any cameo stamps except for the little one from PTI's PostMark but I thought the 'fragile' and the 'Handle with Care' sentiments gave it a baby theme....a stretch for a baby card, I know.....   I also had this sketch from Moxie Fab's Horizontal Sketch Challenge in mind when I made it.  I thought I'd enter this in the Just Add Ink - Just Add Baby challenge as well!

I think I'll be craftin' some more this weekend, I've been having so much fun!  Have a great weekend!

God Bless 911

God Bless the families that lost a loved one 10 years ago today.

God Bless the innocent victims on the airplanes and in the buildings attacked.

God Bless the police officers and fire fighters in New York city and the people on United Airlines flight 93, that they gave their lives to save others.

God Bless the families that are still involved in the protection of our country and our freedoms.

God Bless the leaders of our country, give them the strength, knowledge and integrity so that they may make choices in our countries best interest.

God Bless you, your families and your loved ones, that you may all cherish each other, every second of every minute of every day.

OCC Windows Challenge?

OK, now I know this isn't a traditional window's item, but here is my thinking...  The challenge that Holly put forward this week at Our Creative Corner, is to make a window on your project with something showing thru it....like a window....I couldn't decide on just one, so I made 2....I'm an over achiever ;)....  I also wanted to be sure I was doing the challenge right!

So this first one has numbers die cut from a panel of kraft cardstock and I added different colored cardstock behind those numbers....it's the idea of a window, just not a literal interpretation.

My second card is a bit more literal, but it's not a window into the inside of the card.  I made a framed 'window' around my burlap and sequin panel.  Pretty splashie, eh?

 I like them both, but really want to see what you come up with for this challenge.  Are you ready?

School struggles and the OCC challenge

Hello Ladies!

It's another challenge at Our Creative Corner.  This week the challenge is hosted by Holly, one of our new DT members and it's a fun one!  The challenge is to make a creation with stamping on pre-patterned paper.  This is a technique I need to do more often, I love the look.

This creation I used patterned paper scraps to make a base like Betsy Veldman did here.  I stamped the circle with white pigment and heat embossed it on my scrap paper and die cut it out.  I didn't think the stamped image stood out enough so I gently rubbed some Soft Suede on it to help it stand out.  I also stamped the apple image on the background paper just to make it  more "school-y". 

I made this for my oldest daughter....This is her the morning of her first day of school....  She started 2nd grade this year at a new private school.  She's really having a hard time with the change.  I know it's what's best for her education, but watching her struggle is heart-breaking.  She's making friends, but doesn't feel like she belongs....perhaps its the uniforms?.....  Having moved several times as a child, I can relate to her fears.  So, my only solace is that I turned out o.k....didn't I?... each time we left our comfort zone.  I'm hoping the little notes I've been sneaking into her lunchboxes gives her a pick-me-up during the day.  All of you that know us, send her happy thoughts over the next few weeks.  Every little good thought will help!

Boo!

It's another challenge at Our Creative Corner!  The fabulous Vicki is our hostess again this week with a color challenge.  I decided to create a Halloween card, I had these fabulous ghosts with gray book print on it and just had to use it for this challenge. 

I stamped the concave die cut  with Going Grey and antiqued it to match the ghost.  The letter are stickers I had to paint, since I didn't have any red letters and I wanted then to stand out.  The background is wood grain embossed with white craft rubbed along the edges with red stitching around it.  I love halloween, you get to pretend to be someone else for a night.  It's like being onstage again...

Head over to the OCC and check out what the rest of the DT team came up with, then get your craft on and join us!

OCC Sketch challenge

*Please excuse the quality of these photos.  My camera is on strike and my back-up one is on vacation with my in-laws, so I had to use my phone.*

Hello ladies!  It's Our Creative Corner challenge time again and the lovely Vicki is hosting this challenge this week.  She has created this sketch for us to use.  I have to say, it's a layout I LOVE to use....of course every time I've done it, it's on the horizontal....one of my first cards accepted for publication was almost this exact layout!....and I have another one with it coming out soon...

This week I decided to use this DCWC paper I've had laying around for a while.  I love the color combinations in this pad; yellow, green, tan, silver, black and lots of glitter!  The only thing I didn't like about this card is the stitching.  Next time I think I'd do a silver thread instead.  The black is too much and seems to throw it off the balance....hummm.....
Anyhoo - go check out what the amazing OCC team has come up with, Jen's is a knock out!

It's Juicy!!!

Hello again ladies, I'm the hostess again this week at Our Creative Corner!  This time, I thought I'd take it easy on you....no tricks up my sleeve....  I have another inspiration photo from my trip to the Green Market in Copenhagen.  

Imagine if you will - a Walmart sized building FILLED with fresh produce, ONLY fresh produce.  Boxes of cherries, nectarines, peaches, elder berries, mini watermelons, strawberries, fruit I had never seen before, the colors, the smells....amazing!  I took a few photos of the gorgeous fruit boxes, each little piece of juiciness just waiting to be baked into a danish....hee, hee....  

 

I had so many options for this, so many in fact, I think I'll end up making another creation for this challenge!  But for now, I wanted to make another CAS type card.  

 

I started with a clear window sheet and wanted the card to have a little surprise to it, like this one I made last week.  The doily has the sentiment stamped on it and it is adhered to the inside of the card.

On the outside of the card, I used my new PTI Melon fruit die and stamps for the watermelon.  It's hard to tell from the photos, for the seeds I used black Stickles for a little shimmer.  I added a little shabby bow and it's as cute as can be!  I think I'm going to make cookies to match these...now I just need to make them for someone 'cause lordy  knows I don't need to eat them.  Now, please join us for our challenge - it's juicy!

I'm hosting the challenge again this week at Our Creative Corner, and again I'm using my trips as the inspiration for this challenge.

When I was there, I had the most amazing opportunity to go to the Green Flower Market.  A HUGE warehouse with lots of vendors selling my favorite thing....flowers!  Think 2 Walmarts put together and you'll get the idea of the amount of space they had....amazing.....  It's a shame they don't have something like that here in Ohio, on second thought, I think I would spend all my money of flowers instead of paper. 

I took a ton of photos of my visit there and of all the lovely flowers I saw blooming around the city.  Those photos are the inspiration for this weeks challenge, HOWEVER, you cannot use any flowers in your creation....I know, I'm a stinker....  

I used 6 different patterned papers to create the background for The Shabby Tea Room  Mix and Match challenge this week. It was harder than I thought, but I like how it came out.  

This is for my dear sweet BFF Cristy.  Thursday was her birthday and I made a surprise visit to see her and take her out for lunch with some of her other friends.   We always have the most amazing time together, even if its just hangin' out watching Amazing Race.  We have been friends for over 20 years and will have many more years of fun, tears and sharing to come!

Thanks type

This is a fun little creation I made a while back that I just realized I hadn't shared with you yet!  Isn't it a fun one?  It was really easy to make, perhaps I'm turning into a CAS crafter instead of shabby-cutesy....hum.....