Feeling Fuzzy...

So, now I have the ear pounding cold that Rob and the girls gave me. Ahh...the joys of parenthood. I've been trying for a few days to get down to my crafting area to create something for Moxie Fab's Tuesday Trigger. I love the chairs in the inspiration photo. They remind me of visiting my grandmother's house during the rainy season. I would spend the rainy days reading in a chair similar to these, except hers were a rusty orange velour (teehee).  Feeling the way I do, my creating mojo is surpressed by decongestants.  Here is what I came up with.

Lovely

I wanted to creat a simple yet 'french' inspired card, but this one got away from me.  It's much busier than I wanted it to be.

Stamp set:  I'll have to look that up for you...

Cardstock:  SU! Always Artichoke, Whisper White and Certainly Celery, old book paper

Inks:  SU! Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Craft White

Accessories:  white and green buttons, Kaiser pearls, SU! Pretties pearl, MS border punch, white embossing powder

French Congratulations
This is a much simpler card than the previous one.  I did however want to use the book paper to pay homage to Grandma, but couldn't get it to look right here.
Stamp Set:  see above
Cardstock:  SU! Old Olive
Inks:  SU Old Olive, Craft White
Accessories:  Kaiser green and white pearls, white embossing powder

Oops! I'm late!

Well, not in the 'traditional' sense of the word.  It's been a crazy weekend, Lily started off sick, then me, then the baby, now Rob, mostly low-grade fevers and head colds, but enough to make us unproductive this weekend.  I really didn't get any major creating done this weekend, so I'll show you what I created for the PaperCrafting Magazine call for this fall.  We'll see if they get approved.  Halloween is my favorite holiday - tied with Christmas.  It's the one time of the year I can get dressed up, act like a fool and no one thinks any less of me.  My creation is for that wonderous Holiday.  Isn't it spooky?  

 Catstooth Kitty

Card Stock:  Basic Black
Inks: Craft Basic Black
Stamp set:  Houndstooth
Accessories: green buttons, orange heart button, sewing, black sequins, rhinestones

I'm a Gold Olympian!

WOW!!!  I can now brag to my uber-awesome-sport-talented sister that I am an Olympic Gold Medalist!!!  I entered 4 cards in the Moxie Fab Olympics of Stamping challenge, and my Season's Greetings card won the gold.  I'd like to thank my agent, the producers (aka Cath), my mom and dad, the little people (Lily and Elizabeth) that kept me from my creating space and my hubby that gives me crafting time on his days off.  Wait...thank you speeches are only at the Oscars, not the Olympics?  Oh well!  Thanks to you all!!!  Here is the card and the original post for the card.

Doin' it Doily

The hottest trend right now in paper crafting is vintage, lace, doilies, and images.   This style reminds me of trips to the antique stores in my home town.  Vintage lace tablecloths, dresses and aprons were always oohhed over, but never purchased.  That may be a good thing, as I would probably be hacking them up for my cards!

Moxie Fab this month is hosting the Diggin' On Doilies and Lace challenge, and I can't pass up a challenge Cath puts out!  I wanted to make the doily image more graphic, instead of soft and pretty.  Cath suggested to use contrasting colors, but with this creation, I decided to use blues and greens with different hue values to create the contrast.  I started by cuting out a large doily with my Cricut and used it as a mask on Soft Sky, then brayered and sponged Always Artichoke over it.  That's when the confusion set in.  The look it created was bold and left me debating on how to continue on with it.  It was beautiful plain, not at all vinage, and it needed something else.  My new obession is silk ribbon for my cards, so I paired white silk up with a strip of light blue velvet ribbon for contrast.  I then cut a much smaller doily out of vellum and stamped French Script in Soft Sky on it.  After seeing Scrapping Mommy's crochet flowers last week, I re-taught myself how to make them and added a white one to this card.  I struggled

with the layout for even more time, debating between  fussier and more complicated ones.  The layout I choose I felt honored the graphic nature of the background while highlighting the natural vintage-ness of a doily.  WHEW!!  That may have been a bit more technical than we all needed.

Yummy Yellow!

Isn't the color yellow yummy?  It just makes me happy all around.  Sunshine, jelly beans, baby chicks, daisies, lemonade...all things yellow that just make everyone happy!  I loved the colors Sarah picked out for this weeks Play Date Cafe color challenge, PDCC19.  I decided to finish up my mother's day cards for Rob's grandmother's and thought this would be a great one for Grandma Pud.  She reminds me of yellow.

Yummy Yellow

All items listed are Stampin' Up unless noted
Card stock: Summer Sun, Barely Banana, whisper white
Inks: Summer Sun, Barely Banana
Stamp set: Embrace life
Accessories: Cricut Mother's day 2010, Cuttlebug Swiss Polka-dot, non-su! polka-dot yellow ribbon, Pretties kit pearls, non-su pearls, non-su button, SU! tool kit and corner rounder punch.

Waiting to the last minute

Typical me, I'm waiting to the last minute to get my things done!  I spent the week in 'spring cleaning' mode, preparing for visitors and the new season.  I only had one chance to get into my creatin' space all week, and it took me over 2.5 hours to make a card!!!  Crazy I know!!!  I'll be posting that one later.  I was able to whip up these this evening, with many problems arrising.  Probably because I'm under a time crunch to get done and I hate to miss a challenge at Moxie Fab!  So here is 1 of the 3 cards I was able to do for the Olympic Stamping Challenge.

Vintage Love

I'm not a vintage person, but I just received a whole box of great vintage items and they inspired me!  I used a page out of an old book that I happend to have 2 of on my shelf, and cut out a page with a poem about Danish women.  It caught my eye, since one of my BFF's lives in Denmark, so Anne, this one's for you!  I embossed the Pirouette Pink background with my Cuttlebug and herringbone folder then lightly rubbed it with white craft ink and framed it with Kiwi Kiss.  The poem is inked with So Saffron along the edges and Regal Rose along the right edge.  I stamped the cherry blossom image from Embrace life in Close to Cocoa and filled in the blossoms with my Uniball white gel pen.  The sentiment is from Love Matters and is stamped with Chocolate Chip on vellum and backed with the same cotton blend ivory paper the card body is.  I stamped the cherry blossom image on the back and again colored the blossoms white, then lightly dabbed some Regal Rose in the center.  The flower blossom is also stamped on the

 cotton paper with Close to Cocoa and is colored in using a blender pen with the pinks and also with white.  I highlighted the stemen of the flower with mini pearls.  The lace and the velvet ribbon are May Arts.  WHEW!!!  What a day!

Going for the Gold!

One of my FAVORITE holiday's is Christmas.  Being a former Florist and Special Events Designer I like to think outside of the box when it comes to decorating my home for the holiday's.  I NEVER use red and green for my decorations.  My house is decorated with yellows, whites, blues and greens and that is the pallete I choose to use when I prepare for the season.  I love using oppulent textures and accessories, shiny glass bulbs, glittery snowflakes, lime green crystals, strings of pearls, satin and silk ribbons, Waterford Crystal ornaments hanging from the chandeliers...ahhh makes me want winter back - almost!  I decided to use those colors for this Season's greetings card for the Olympics of Stamping challenge at Moxie Fab, to pay homage to my yearly celebration indulgement.

Yellow Snow

Now there is a reason they tell you NOT to eat the yellow snow.  (I could resist the using this name)  I used an Autumn Leaves stamp set for the swirls on the White Pearlized Shimmer Paper and embossed them with Ranger Pearl Silver EP.  I them stamped SU's Snowflakes (I need a new set) with Certainly Velery and Soft Sky, then embossed with Ranger Pearl Gold the smaller flakes.  Lastly I stamped the larger flake again and used SU! Heat and Stick Powder and Dazzling Diamonds to highlight them.  The sentiment is from Holiday's & Wishes and is also embossed with the same gold EP.  It is stamped on Whisper White and layered on Kiwi Kiss paper.  The ribbon is May Arts Silk ribbon and is adorned with an SU! felt snowflake that I added a green pearl and glitter to.  This is a pretty good representation of what my house looks like, lots of shine and glimmer!

EDIT:  This photo was removed for publication.  Stay tuned for new on when and where you can see it again!

Fall Thanks

This is my least favorite card I made tonight.  Again, this is for the Moxie Fab Olympics of Stamping.  I used the Autumn Leaves stamp set and stamped it on more of that old book paper with Close to Cocoa.  I then used my aqua painter to add color to the leaves.  The copper leaf I found in my accessories drawer (who knows how long I've had it) and I liked the shine it added to the leaves.  I stamped the 'thanks' sentiment from teh Autumn Leaves set with StayzOn.  The Shakespeare sentament is from Sage Advice - by far my favorite verbage stamp set!  I added a cold embossed herringbone panel along the bottom for some added texture.  I didn't stamp it because I wanted it to be a subtle addition to the card.  The fabulous twill tape is May Arts and I shredded the edges up a bit.  I also added copper cording to the buttons to carry over the copper.

Try it! SvS03

It's another addition of Simple vs Sophisticated here at LilyBeth Boutique!  This is a weekly challenge to recreate a card you made this week in a different style.  I generally use many layers, lots of stamping and papers in my creations.  This I call Sophisticated (only because I couldn't think of an 'S' word for fussy).  My not typical creations have little or no layers, lots of negative space and limited papers.  These I call the Simple cards. 

The card I made to recreate was for the Tuesday Trigger at Moxie Fab inspired by this photo.  Isn't it FABULOUS!!!  I love everything in this photo.  

Here is the card I made for the challenge.  I stamped the papers with Spring Solitude, then sliced them up and paper pieced the background.  I really like the effect.  I then used SU! chipboard letters and covered them with old retired SU! glitter (which I love and hoard)  I stanped the whitr tag with the flowers from Spring Solitude and used 2 different staps from For a Friend to get the 'appy' and 'rthday' for the sentiment.  I'n not too thrilled with the tag, but it's still cute.

The recreation is the Simple card, but it really looks complicated.  I made the flowers out of some DP I found to match and another flower with Cameo Coral and topped them with buttons.  The card is Cuttlebugged with Swiss Dots and the banner is stamped with 'wonderful' from Warm Words.  The end of the banner is dipped in more of that fabulous retired SU! glitter.  I really liked how this one came out. 

Trigger Tuesday Triumph!

I am LOVING the Trigger Tuesday inspiration photo!  Cath at Moxie Fab  picked a great one, I love the colors, the candy, the cake, the shoes, all of it!  This is the first card I made inspired by this photo, I made 4.  The crystal and bead border to reflect the rock candy in the photo, delicious!  It reminds me of 7th grade, when we used to race to the little country candy store after school, buy our treats, then race back to the bus before it left us behind.  I've also decided to enter this in the Olympics of Stamping challenge at Moxie Fab as well, since it's mostly stamped as well!

Rock Candy Birthday

all items are SU! unless stated otherwise

Cardstock: Blue Bayou, Pink Pirouette, Barely Banana, non-su white pearl metallic shimmer paper

Ink: Barely banana, Pink Pirouette, Stayzon black.

Stamp Set: Blooming with Happiness, Short and Sweet

Accessories: non su! beads and rhinestones, Dazzling Diamonds, retired yellow glitter, pink and ivory grosgrain, blue velvet (retired)

Floss Fun Winner!

The results of the Moxie Fab Fun with Floss Challenge was announced this morning, and I WON!  There were so many great entries, my favorite was from Stampin Mommy, I loved her crocheted flowers!  In my original post, I expressed how hard this challenge was for me, so to be acknowledged for this just makes me shine inside!  Thanks Moxie Fab!

Over Embellished?

I created 2 of the most over worked and over embellished cards today.  This is totally NOT my style.  The first one isn't too bad, but the second....could there be anymore elements?!? 

This first one is based on the card sketch at 2Sketches4U, but I flipped it over and added the pearls at the bottom for the strip in the sketch.   I had crocheted the flower last night out of embroidery floss, thinking I would make another card for the Fun with Floss challenge at Moxie Fab, but it got late and I decided to go to bed.  I couldn't let it go to waste, so I decided to use it today, hence the vintage style of this card. 

The color scheme is from the PTI March DT Challenge, and I used lisa Johnson's color scheme.  Since I don't have PTI papers, I used my SU! Whisper White, Blush Blossom, Kraft and Chocolate Chip.  The stamps are from the Verve "Because of You" stamp set.  I think this will go to Rob's Grandmother Tierney. 

This second one...I'm not sure what I was thinking.  Perhaps Rob laced my Crystal Light with something.  I was making it for the Embellish challenge, but will have to create something else for that.  I won't even go into what I did to it, I'd be typing all night.  This one will go to Rob's mom, she'll like it.  Let me know what you think!

Floss fun

When the Fun with Floss challenge was first posted at Moxie Fab, I was a bit turned off.  My opinion of embroidery floss crafts have been 'country kitchy', I've only ever seen it used for cross-stitch.  Now don't get me wrong, there are very talented cross-stitchers that make AMAZING works of art.  I tried it when I was younger, but never really could focus long enough to make a perfect final project.  My stitches were always off or uneven resulting in a sloppy creation.

  

I must remember these challenge creators are here for a purpose: create a challenge to make us think outside the box.  I picked up a few floss colors I liked and sat on them.  Inspiration didn't hit me - until last night.  It kept me up for a while as I contimplated the way to make a non-kitchy card with floss.  This is what I came up with.  The opposite of country ktichy style (I hope).  I used my SU! tools kit paper piercer to punch the holes out first then sewed them up into little squares. 

Originally I had stamped a sentiment where the button is, but I didn't like how it turned out.  I came up with the button with french knots to cover up the mistake and reflect the pattern of the squares and unexpected circle.  A little hello from Amazing to Zany and voila!

Hoppin' Happy!

I participated in at blog hop over at No Time to Stamp, it's a great site that is not only a blog but also a retail shop.  Sharon over there creates beautiful cards that have a french vintage feel and completes them off with GORGEOUS silk and various ribbons.  I found her blog a few weeks back and decided to get some of her silk and velvet ribbons this week.  I placed my order and played in her blog hop, which is if you didn't  know, a hop thru blogs of the designers of on the particular site.  Each makes a card based on the hop's theme.  When you visit their site, you post a comment (if you'd like) and you're entered into the prize giveaway.  For each post you make, a new entry. 

The reason I'm informing you of how this works, is that I won!  Sharon is giving me this Stamp Simply Webster’s Avenue Postcards from Paris Kit!  (are you jelous yet?)  I have been coveting her ribbons and had to break down to buy some, now I have even more to create with! 

Here's all this kit contains (and is for sale at her blog store)

• 1 pad Webster’s Pages Petite Papers (6×6) - Postcards from Paris/Sweet as Cherry Pie - 36 double sided sheets (some shown)
• 1 CD type package of 18 Journaling Cards by Webster’s Pages
• 4 packages of Kaiser Pearls - Blush, Bliss, Champagne, Chocolate
• 3 yds 1.5″ Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - Burgundy/ivory
• 3 yds 3/8″ Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - Brown/ivory
• 6 yds 5/8″ Twill - 3 yds each Brown and Ivory
• 4 yds 1.25″ Crochet Lace - 2 yds each Brown and Pink
• 1 yd 3/4″ Velvet Ribbon - Brown
• 2 yds Velvet Zig Zag Ribbon - Raspberry
• 6 yds 1.25″ Silk Ribbon - 2 yds each Taupe, Pink, Moss

Since I am a paper and ribbon hoarder, she is enabling my addiction...THANK YOU!!!!

Wants vs needs

It's so hard to teach my daughter the difference between wants in needs.  It's a tough concept for a 5 year old to grasp, it's also hard for a 38 year old.  I have been introduced to the SRM stickers.  I want them.  Do I need them???  Yes.  I discovered this fact as I created this card for the Cardvarks Stuck on You challenge.  I only have stamp sentiments, no stickers.  I did happen to find a rub-on so I could at least do this challenge.  I need to order some of these fantastic stickers.  I've been drooling over some of the cards people have made with this great product, you can't even tell it's a sticker!!!!  Amazing!

Mojo hoo?

I think I like owls.  Everytime I see a new item on the market with an owl I just think 'how cute!'  I just got this new set from TPC Studio called Whimsical Birds.  I loved this owl and had to get the set.  (it also didn't hurt that it was 1/2 off!) 

This card is for this week's Mojo Monday.  I inked the stamp with Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turqoise and Regal Rose markers and cut it out.  I shimmered it up with Art Accents Pink Princess glitter - isn't it cute!!!!!  I stamped the branch with Close to Cocoa marker on Creamy Caramel paper and made flowers and leaves with the Cricut.  The circle and the scallop backgound is also made with the Cricut (I'm LOVING my new Design Studio).  Swiss dot Cuttlebug folder on the right side of the Whisper White paper and stamped 'adorable' - cause he is!!

LOVE this combo!

I love this color combo, for everything!  This color blue is all over my house and my dining room is painted entirely this color.  It's so fresh and clean, it makes me aaahhhhhh....

When I saw the Play Date Cafe #18 color challenge, I was so excited!  I had to create a card right away so here it is.  I used Soft Sky, (my stash is quickly dwindling) and played with my Cricut again with the cut panel of Whisper White.  I like how delicate it is.  The second panel is glossy paper run thru the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dot folder.  I then rubbed it with a spone dauber with Soft Sky ink.  It made the dots pop!  I used my new embossing pad for my Nestablities and make the sentiment on glossy paper and used the die as a mask and inked the center part of the piece.  I'm loving this look!  I ran the edge of my Basic Black marker along the edge of the paper to make it stand out bit.  It's finished off with black grosgrain ribbon and 3 mini black buttons - too cute!

Stuck on SvS02

Hi Ladies!

It's been a crazy week!  I planning an event called Hilliard Craft Camp for the American Cancer Society and the work has taken over my crafting time.  I'm sad to miss my time in my stampin' space, but it's all for a good cause.  Anyway, who needs sleep, or a clean house, or clean children...I guess I do.

I did get to do some work tonight, but since I'm behind, I've crammed several challenges into these cards.  First challenge is Trigger Tuesday at Moxie Fab.  It's a delightful card made by designer Kimberly Crawford and is published in the current Paper Crafts Magazine.  I made 2 cards for this challenge to go along with the challenge on this blog Simple vs Sophisticated.  I made the simple one first (surprize!) which I love!  I used my Cricut with the Calligraphy Collection cartidge to make the quatrefoil pattern out of whisper white paper.  I layered it on So Saffron and basic Black.  The main pannel is Kraft and wrapped a retired SU! ribbon around it.  I stamped the 'thank you' sentiment with black craft ink and used Black EP on it.  It's finished off with a pearl for the 'o' in you and a shite button with black bow.  Very simple - although it took me forever to figure out the Cricut part, but well worth it!

The second card I made for the Trigger Tuesday challenge is not my fave, but I still like it.  I used the layout from the Makeup 4 the Weekend #17.  It had a lot of components.  Same colors, I used some So Saffron DSP and cuttle bugged a piece with Argyle.  I used the Happy Harmony retired stamp set and a rub-on I had in a drawer I found.  I finally got an emobssing mat for my Nestabilites which I used on the sentiment pannedl.  I wish I had black silk ribbon for this card, but alas, it's not in yet.  I used my black polka-dot ribbon with a pearl for the center of the bow.  I again used the Cricut to make the 'scallop' edging at the bottom of the kraft panel and finished each point with a pearl.  WHEW!!!

Perky Pom-poms

I love pom-pm trim!  When I saw the Tuesday Trigger photo at Moxie Fab, I was inspired!  I have it all over in Lily's room and when Elizabeth grows up a bit, I'll probably put it all over her room too.  The lamp is too cute for a bright little girls room, and here's my take on it:

Party Animal

I bought this stamp set for $1, I just couldn't resist this chick!  It's got this sassy little look on it's face, like 'Yea, it's my birthday...wha'd you get me?'

Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White

Inks:  Basic Black, SU! markers: Real Red, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie

Stamp Set:  I haven't a clue!!!

Accessories:  Pom-pom trim, non-su yellow polka-dot grosgrain ribbon, Blender pen, Crystal Effects, Cuttlebug Swiss dot, corner rounder


EDIT:  WOW!!!! I'm doing the Party Animal dance!!!  I was a Trigger Target for this card at Moxie Fab this week!!!!  Have I told you how much I love creating lately....

Oops I did it again!

I apparently, somehow deleted all our drives on the computers...again.  I have no idea how I do this, but it's not my first run at it.  Thank goodness my husband is computer literate.  It's fixed and I'm here to post my creations!  This is for the Mojo Monday 126 from last monday.  nothing like waiting until the last minute!  I used my NEW Verve stamp set I won 2 weeks ago from my Love card.  I am so excited for this set, it has the best phrases for mom's.  I plan on creating something for my mon's new house with this set.

Live with Purpose

I like how this card turned out, but I would have eliminated the top and bottom scallops, it didn't really go with the style of this card, but I didn't have anything else.

Cardstock: Whisper White, Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky
Stamp Sets: Verve Because of You, SU! Simple Stripes
Accessories:  Marcella embellishment flowers, soft sky double stitched ribbon, Cutllebug embossing folder

Technical Difficulties

I have photos to download, but neither computer is reading our photo card....hummm  Mojo Monday card and Trigger Tuesday cards just waiting to be admired.   I will have to wait for my resident computer fixer to get home from work and perhaps he'll be able to solve this problem. Wish us luck!

And so it begins... SvS01

I have always said, I am two sides of one coin.  First, I love detailed, elaborate cards with lots of texture, embellishments and layers.  I also appreciate simple designs, pretty much the opposite of my general design aesthetic.  I have noticed that card design is now leaning toward the cleaner, simpler cards, something I don't excell at.
SO....  After being inspired by my win at Moxie Fab, I decided to start the Simple vs. Sophisticated Challenge!  This is how it goes...  At the end of each week, choose a card you made and create the opposite style card.  Here are my examples for the first SvS01 challenge:

I made this card for the Play Date Cafe color challenge PDCC17.  The colors to be used were Red, Brown and Linen.  I created this based on my 'It feels like Spring' card I made nearly 2 years ago.  The original one was damaged and I wanted to make another one just like it with different colors. 

Sophisticated Thanks

I don't have an ivory colored embossing powder, so I used white on this card.

Cardstock:  Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Whisper White

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, White Craft

Stamp Set: Spring Solitude

Accessories: Winter White EP, chocolate grosgrain ribbon, non-su! red velvet ribbon, red EP & red snaps

Simple Thanks

I used my Cricut to make the scalloped square set at 4".

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla

Inks: Chocolate Chip; SU! markers: Real Red

Stamp Set: Spring Solitude

Accessories: chocolate grosgrain ribbon, non-SU! red grosgrain ribbon & red rhinestones

That's it!  Join me for some fun each Saturday as I become Simply Sophisticated!!!  I will leave up Mr. Linky until Friday @ midnight.
I don't have any blog candy to entice you to play along with me, but perhaps you too need to get outside of your comfort zone!

Recycled to me!

So my cousin had a computer meltdown a couple of months ago.  She took her laptop in was told it was a lost cause.  So she bought a new and improved one.  Now to the north-end of the country...I re-organized my craft area, and didn't really have any room for the ancient computer I had.  I have been contimplating whether to get a lap top or just a flat screen monitor.
So my brilliant mom, heard Kathy's tale and asked what she was going to do with the old laptop.  Mom dumpster-dived it for me (not really) and sent it to my super computer fixer brother Mark.  Fixed in 1 day, he sent it to me just in time for my birthday on Monday!  WOW!!  So now I have a fun new toy to play with!!! I can't wait to do the Cricut design software on this!!!   

WOW!!!

So, I've been posting all month my cards inspired by Anne Tainter for the Moxie Fab Tainter-tude challenge.  These have been so fun to make, I've loved gathering the images and sassy phrases for my creations!  Wellllll...... I'm excited to share that I was one of the winners of the challenge!!!!  WOW!!!  Moxie Fab World is sponsored by Paper Crafts magazine, so to be picked by them is an incredible honor!!!  Out of all my entries, they picked this one for it's sassy phrase and sequin/rhinestone bling.  I have noticed, the designs they picked were simple in design, perhaps a new trend in card making????  Hummm....I sense a theme for the month of March coming on....Simple vs. Sophisticated.  Here are the links to the rest of my designs:
Taintor-tude 1
Taintor-tude 2
Taintor-tude 3
Taintor-tude 4

Bumps and Bruises...

I had a house full of guests this weekend.  My in-laws drove down from Petoskey, Michigan and stayed the whole weekend, and my brother & sister in-laws stopped by a couple of times too.  Gramma and Papa left this morning, but not until Papa wiped out in our driveway on the freshly fallen snow.  He's ok, but claimed there was a little ice on the driveway and to watch our step if we go out.  "A little ice" he said. 

The snow has been coming down all morning and early afternoon, so I decided to do a mid-snowfall shovel so it won't be such a chore later.  This photo is my driveway (yes its there) 5 minutes after I finished shoveling.  That's how fast it's coming down.  Anyhow, remember when Papa said we had "a little ice"?  My entire driveway is a sheet of ice, which was covered with 4 inches of snow.  This I discovered when I wiped out 4 times as I labored with the shovel.  I love snow, I love snow, I love snow, but I hate ice, I Hate ice, I HATE ICE!!! (unless its nursing my broken tail bone, as it is now...)

Tainter-tude x3

This is my third post inspired by the Moxie Fab challenge Tainter-Tude.  I have to admit...I LOVE this challenge!  I have had so much fun making these cards!  Here are 3 more to add to my mix...

Punishment

Cardstock: Taken with Teal. Pumpkin Pie, Paisley & Polka-dots DSP, Perinnial Favorites DSP

Accessories: non-su! orange, white and teal buttons, non-su! orange polka-dot ribbon

Trippin'
CardStock: Taken with Teal, Barely Banana, Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red, Ruby Red DP
Accessories: Turquoise grosgrain ribbon

Reject
Cardstock: Passion Pink, Pixie Pink, Basic Black
Ink: Passion Pink
Stamp Set: a retired su!background, I don't remember the name
Accessories: Black Sequins, rhinestones

Cardvarks Challenge

While doing some posting, I came across a challenge by Cardvarks.  If you win this challenge,  your card will be published!  Pretty cool, so I thought I'd enter.  I made this card before I read the entire challenge.  Your card is to be new and innovative, which this really isn't.  I used pretty tradional stamping supplies and layout.

After I came up with the layout, I went back and forth on how to create it, lots of layers, or lots of texture.  I did the latter.  I embossed French Script with Ranger Silver Pearl Embossing Powder on some pearlized metallic paper from Papers and More, I LOVE this look.  Tone on tone with lots of great texture!  Next I Cuttlebugged with the PolkaDot folder a piece of Whisper White paper, and then stamped the verbage on another piece with Sahara Sand and Versamarker then embossed the 'happiness' with Ranger Silver EP.  Then layered that with a piece of Silver pearlized metallic paper (from the same place).  The cherry blossom image is from 'Embrace Life' and is stamped in Sahara Sand, then I used Liquid Applique to puff those flowers up!  I cut the shape with my Cricut Accents and layered it also with the Silver pearlized metallic paper.  I added sheer ribbon for subtle texture and 3 rhinestone brads from the Pretties Kit in the corner.  Too bad I don't know anyone getting married...I really like how it came out!

Happiness
Card Stock: SU! Whisper White, Paper and More: White Pearlized Metallic cardstock and Silver Pearlized Metallic paper
Inks:  VersaMark, SU! Classic Ink Sahara Sand
Markers:  Versamarker, SU! Sahara Sand
Stamp Sets: SU! French Script Background, SU! Embrace Life, SU!, Heard from the Heard
Accessories:  Stamp-a-magig, SU! rhinstone brads from Pretties Kit, SU! Stampin Dimensionals, Organza ribbon, Liquid Applique, Ranger brand Silver Pearl Embossing Powder and Silver Embossing Powder, Cuttlebug Swiss Polkadot folder.

Makin' Mojo

I have to admit, this week's Mojo Monday sketch was a head scratcher for me, but I really love how it turned out!  I must remember: it's always good to try new things, you just might surprize yourself.  Thanks Maria!
On my bargin shopping bonanza, I purchased a Spellbinders Nestabilities tag die set, but while creating that part of this card, realized I need the nesting die to go with it.  That is the only part I would change on this card, a Chocolate Chip border around the Soft Sky on the tag. 
I orginally made a different circle but opted with a larger one with my favorite stamp from the Garden Silhouettes stamp set.  This cherry blossom stamp is so versatile, usually I use markers and hand color the rubber for a colorful image like this one, but this time opted for an actual silhouette image instead.  Then spiced it up a bit with Liquid Applique and rhinetones.  Hopefully I won't have to use this one and can list it on my Esty account instead.

Silhouette Sympathy

All items Stampin' Up! unless noted

Card Stock:  Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Soft Sky
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Soft Sky
Stamp Sets: Garden Silhouettes, Canvas, Filigree, Warm Words (I think)
Accessories: Nestablities tag die, Cricut Accents, non-su! satin ribbon, Liquid Applique, non-su! rhinestones, sponge daubers

Oh...I dared!

This is another bargin shopping result!  I choose the colors for this card from last weeks Play Date Cafe Color Challenge PDCC15.  So the bargins are:

1. The stamp set: 15+ images for $1 - that's right one dollar (I am the bargin hunting queen)!  I've seen cards made with this bird image awhile back and always loved it, so I snatched it up when I saw it. 
2. The ribbon: $1 for 4 yards.  Pretty good deal and I've been noticing tons of cards with BIG bows on them.  I thought for a buck, I'd give it a try.
3. The designer paper: a 24 page pack of Making Memories paper.  Not my favorite prints (again refer to Rob's motto) but workable for me.

So like I said, I dared...and it's FABULOUS!!!

Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip, Ballet Blue, MM DP

Inks: Versamark, More Mustard, Wild Wasabi, Ballet Blue

Stamp Set: (I'll find the package and edit this post - check back)

Accessories: satin ribbon, gold brads, gold EP, H2O pen, blender pen

Bargin Shopping

I am a firm believer, that if you can't get something at a discount, don't get it.  I love great deals!  When I shop on a clearance rack, I get the rush from finding a great deal.  With that being said, there are a few exceptions. 

My husbands motto with clearance shopping is "If it's on the clearance rack, it's there for a reason."  I largely dissagree with this motto, but sometimes it rings true.  For example this card here.  This was inspired by the MoxieFab Tuesday Trigger picture and the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge at The Sweetest Thing.

I found the FABULOUS fabric velvet ribbon on clearance at Hobby Lobby.  I bought a spool with 8 yards of this stuff for $2.97.  It was regularly $4.99 a yard!  Great deal eh?  No let's look at the image.  I found a clear rubber stamp set of 6 with cute sayings for little girls (I won't mention the name of the company) for only $1.  Now I am tradtionalist when it comes to my stamps.  I lean more toward the wood blocks as opposed to the clear block stamps.  I have continued success with the wood blocks, and hit or miss with the clear rubber for clear block stamping but I thought I'd give it a try at such a great deal. 

This stamp set was a MISS.  Not only did it not stamp the image well, I had to be Hulk Hogan to get it off the plastic sheet!  I thought I did everything right, I evenly inked, lined it up over the paper ( a bonus with the clear block), I even used a stamp pad to stamp on.  Nothing I did got it right.  Perhaps that's why it was on the clearance rack...hence Rob's motto.   Oh well.  Lily's Valentine is done and she'll love it!

HOLY'N TOLEDO!!!!

In the words of my Grandpa Ben...HOLY'N TOLEDO!!! (how convient it was for him when we moved there) I WON ON MOJO MONDAY'S!!!! I am so shocked!! I wasn't even sure if I was going to submit my card, I didn't like it that much. Since free time hasn't been my friend, and I was unable to create another, I went ahead and submitted it and I WON!!! It just goes to show you that you are your own worst critic. Make sure you always get a second opinion before you scrap something. With this win, I have been given my choice of a Verve Stamp set!  I have been coveting many of the sets there, and decided on the 'Because of You' set since Mother's day is around the corner.  Make sure you check out their stamp collection, I love 'Up, Up and Away' too (it was a tough decision). This is the card that won, and here is the orginal post.

Trapped

All snow and no school makes Kristin a trapped mom...I haven't been able to get a moment to get into my creative spot. BOTH girls will be taking a nap today so I can get some things done! Wish me luck!

New look?

Hi everyone...please be patient with me. I'm trying a new look for my blog. I've opened an ETSY site and wanted them to coordinate. It's unfortunate that I'm not very computer literate...

Spring Flower Fun

I love the snow. Nearly 8" we got here. It's so pretty and clean and white. I'm over the snow. Nearly killing the girls and I on the highway with truckers hitting patches of ice. Spring needs to come, no more death defying trips for us thank you. This is for hoping for no ice, just fun, snowman snow. Or get rid of winter completely and give us spring.

Spring Flower Fun
Cardstock: Almost Amethyst and DSP, CLose to Cocoa, Whisper White, Garden Green
Inks: Close to Cocoa, SU! markers: Almost Amethyst, Pumpkin Pie
Stamp set: Spring Solitude
Accessories: non-su! silk flower, white gorsgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch

Good Neighbors

This is a new stamp set from Sale-a-bration at SU!. It's a cute house collection. Kind of country kitchy, it's cute. It's for the SCS SC266 card sketch and I've been trying to download it on my gallery there for hours. Oh well... I did eliminate the bottom circle, it seemed too much going on for me.

Good Neighbors
Cardstock: Soft Sky, Pretty in pink, Ruby Red DSP, Certainly Celery, Close to cocoa, Garden Green
Inks: Soft Sky, Pretty in pink, Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery, SU! markers: Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red
Stamp Set: Good Neighbors, Simply Said
Accessories: Cuttlebug polka-dot strip folder, white gel pen, non-su! stiched ribbon

Camera down...

I would have posted these things sooner, but the camera was down for 2 days. So here it goes! I created this one based on the SSSC54 sketch challenge over at 'The Sweetest Thing'. I love her blog! She does amazing work! I wasn't able to post this there in time, but wanted to show off my work ;). This also goes with the SCS Thursday Limited Supply challenge LSC258, I've Been Framed. It's not exactly a frame, but it's a decor item. This is made to hang on the wall or it could sit in an easel, and I think it will go in my kitchen. I love the colors and the quote. Sweet and simple!


Love Many Things
Cardstock: So Saffron, Close to Cocoa, Soft Sky, Whisper White
Inks: Chocolate Chip, SU! markers: So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery
Stamp Sets: Garden Silhouettes, Sage Advice
Accessories: Cuttlebug embossing folder, SU! scallop edge punch, Cricut Accents cartridge, white gel pen, non-su! oragne grosgrain ribbon, 6" square wood board.

Why? They ask...

When I was in my hometown this weekend, I had several people comment on my blog (they loved it of course;)), but had many questions for me. I thought I'd take the time to answer some of the questions while my creative juices are drained.

Why do you 'craft' things? - It's called CREATE. It keeps my brain from turning to mush. I don't get much adult interaction during the day, so instead of being a couch potato, I create! It's also an outlet for me - the more I create, the better mom & wife I am. Besides, there is only so much butt wiping, laundry and toilet scrubbing a girl can take.

Do you sell your cards - Years ago, I had a fairly successful business making cards for various boutiques and invitations for people. I started doing this when my oldest child was 3 months old. I got so busy creating for other people, that it took time away from my family, so now I only do requests from old clients and friends. But...I just opened an ETSY account, it doesn't hurt to put my creations out there, right?

Do you sell your cakes? - A couple of people asked if I sold my cakes - I'm not that good of a baker (click here for evidence of that)but I make a killer cupcake and awesome cookies. I can never say no to family or friends, or if someone makes me an offer I can't refuse!

Are you getting paid? - No...my husband wishes.

Why do you blog if you're not getting paid? - This is something I can do to keep me accountable to my creative side. Life gets in the way of good intentions, this keeps my intentions a priority. Although...is cleaning a priority?

Mojo Mishap

I'm not thrilled with this Mojo attempt. I'll try again later, but I thought I'd share. It has entirely too much happening, perhaps mimicking my life!

Mojo Mishap
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Ruby Red
Inks: Basic Black, su markers: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Ruby Red
Stamp Set: Love Matters
Accessories: CriCut circle,hearts & scallop; scallop border punch, Cuttlebug folders, white gel pen

Back to therapy

We went out of town this weekend to my hometown of Perrysburg Ohio. It was a fun trip! We stayed at the French Quarter (fun Holidome) that my children loved. Reminised high school theatre and caught up with my freshman english student teacher Deb Drew and European BFF Anne Sluhan over Pomegranete Martinis (yum!). Had a pool party with dear friend Carrie Faber and her family, and visited Anne's amazing aunt and son Maryanne Sluhan & Jon Sluhan. All in all a fun filled weekend!
Now that I'm back home, I can continue my creative therapy! I had originally created this card for the Play Cafe color challenge, but realized that I forgot a color. My mind isn't back from it's trip, better luck next week!

Cherry on Top
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Orchid Oppulence, Basic Black, Rose Red, Whisper White, Rose Red DSP
Stamp Set: Goody-Goody Gumdrops
Inks: Basic Black, SU! markers, Pumpkin Pie, Orchid Oppulence, Rose Red
Accessories: non-su black polka-dot ribbon, scallop punch, 1 3/8 & 1 1/4 circle punches, black eyelets, Crystal effects, white gel pen, Cuttlebug Swirl

I just can't stop!

I'm addicted to these Taintor-tude cards! They are full of sass and fire, just like me! Here are 2 more I made last night after the girls went to bed. Now I just need to start sending these out to people so they don't collect dust in my card box!


Handle on Life
Cardstock:So Saffron, Taken with Teal, Petals & Paisley DSP,
Accessories: Cuttlebug Houndstooth, SU! orange grosgrain


Dancing Nuggets
Cardstock: Soft Sky, Bordering Blue, Ruby Red, non-su DP
Accessories: Cuttlebug polka-dot, non-SU! yellow polka-dot ribbon