Missed opportunity...

I certainly miss creating for PaperCrafts Magazine...  Their calls for submissions always helped me think outside the box and let's be honest, gave me an excuse to shirk my household duties...at least for a few hours...  I went online the other day, visiting some of my old haunts, only to find many of them gone.  Ah, such is life!  However, some of the old standbys were there for me, Papertrey Ink, My Favorite things, and lots of bloggers I liked to follow.  It was like visiting a friend you haven't seen in a  few years, but its like you were never apart!  I love that feeling....  They helped me on Wednesday revisit my creative side with their challenge, its a great feeling to get those creative juices flowing!

 I originally wanted to submit this for the Paper Trey Ink contest, but after putting the girls to bed for the night, I forgot to do it.  They put up this image as inspiration for your creation:

I used the water color look and the grey outlined letters as the starting point and went from there.  Not my favorite creation of all time, but it will work for Lily's teacher for next week's last day.

Christmas in May

 Hello All!

Just a quick one from  my crafting session yesterday...so much fun!...    As I was pursuing the blogosphere yesterday, I came across a Christmas card challenge site called Muse: Christmas Visions.  I thought I'd give it a try since John wants to make our holiday cards this year.  Yes ladies, you read that right...HE WANTS TO MAKE CARDS FOR CHRISTMAS!  Not only is he cute, funny, and the love of my life, he's embracing my creative side! ...I've got a keeper!...  I certainly hope you are all equally as blessed as I am!

I whipped up this quick card using my favorite holiday color combo: robin egg blue, soft green and  yellow...in this case gold...  I've had these crazy glitter deers for years sitting in a drawer just waiting for an excuse to be used.  Since the inspiration photo had a deer, I went for it.  And, if it didn't work, off to the donation pile for the move!  I kept with the same layout...deer on one side, square background, sentiment in the right corner...but added some pizzazz! I kinda like how it came out, so soft and pretty.  However, this would be a very expensive card to ship!  Perhaps we could do this for our cards for neighbors this year and hand deliver them?  Time will tell....  Well, off to pack up a few more things!

Hello, goodbyes and a new life

Hello strangers!  Actually, I'm the stranger, because I am shocked to see it has been over 3 years since I last posted!  SO much has happened in since I was last in my crafting space.  My girls and I have a joyous new life and part of that includes moving back to my home town to be with my new husband John...well, 11 months new...  We are incredibly excited about this adventure we are embarking on!  But it's now time to say goodbye to the house, neighbors and school friends that have supported us these last 3 years.

John and I are busy beavers prepping the house to be sold, including painting, purging and updating.  After spending the weekend cleaning out my craftin space, I realized how much I miss this creative outlet!  Party planning has been fun, but I need a less stressful way to channel my creative tendencies.  I decided to take a break today from the hustle and bustle of moving, and before I have to pack up all my wonderful things for their new home, I took time to create a few things for the girls teachers.

This first card is for Elizabeth's 1st grade teacher Ms. Doody...yup, that's her name...  Elizabeth absolutely LOVES her and she is the most patient woman in the world!  I decided to start back off where I left off 3 years ago, with Paper Smooches and the May Rainbow Challenge.  I was honored and loved being a guest designer with them Feb 2013...which was my last post, YIKES!....and adore all Kim's images!  Once I get set up in my new space, I will have to re-invest in some updated sets...  This is from the 'I Heart Art' set.  It's super adorable and makes me smile.  

I also made a book mark for Elizabeth to match, she loves to read and hopefully when she uses it, she will think of her favorite teacher.  I kept it simple and thin, so I could laminate it to be more durable.

I've really enjoyed being in my space again...I certainly hope I can get my new space up and running soon in our new house!  Until then, I may leave packing up my happy place till last....

It's Magically Delicious!

.....I'm an old jingle kind of girl....  Well, here it is, my last post as the February Guest Designer for Paper Smooches!....*tear*....  It has been wonderful!  Kim is SO amazing and her stamps are equally as awesome!....!!!can you tell I like them?!!!....  I'll stop squealing now.

As soon as I saw the 'A Magical Spring' stamp set I knew I had to pull out gold foil chocolate coins.  They hold a very special place in my girls hearts.  When they were both potty training, they would get a yellow M&M for piddles and a gold chocolate coin for brownies....I'm telling you it works.....  When ever they see those coins they always mention I would give them for their potty accomplishments.

I've made 2 of these cute leprechauns for the girls for St. Patty's day.  I little bit of magic for them when they get home from school....don't want to sugar them up before....

My original plan was to make a little black cauldron....which I may still do.....but car accident issues put that project aside on Monday.  I thought the jar was a good second choice, that way they can see all the shamrock coins!  I covered the lid with Gold Glitter Zing embossing powder that I picked up from my stand by product site, Simon Says Stamp!  Who knew it would work so well on metal?  AND that it would cover so well?  I'm also adding this to today's SSS challenge, Anything Goes.  They're using Tim Holtz items for their creations, but I only have his distressing ink, and it really didn't work for this project.  Perhaps I'll ignore the dishes and go create some more!

Now - GO GET THIS SET!!!  It's so darn adorable!!!!

29 Again?

Yep...29, again!  And to mark this historic occasion, I thought I'd spend some time in the craftin' spot!  I've been sporadic with my creating time lately.  I definitely make time for my Paper Smooches Guest Designer work....that post is tomorrow....but not much time is given for having fun down in the craftin' spot.  Since it was my birthday this week....actually the 22nd....I gave myself permission to put off some other things for some personal fun!

Here is the card I made today.  I decided to mix 2 challenges into one with this card.  First up, the  Simon Says Stamp! Use an Arrow challenge.  I've had these chipboard arrows in my bin for about 5 years now.  I always forget to check my chipboard bin for fun bits, I found all kinds of interesting things!

I also followed the Play Date Cafe color challenge this week.  I LOVE these colors, not only because they are preppy....got to love Izod & Polo....but maize and blue are the colors of my favorite college football team! ....sorry scarlet & gray hubby....  I had to use some preppy patterns hence the houndstooth and stripes.  I also wanted to add some baker's twine for this, but am only limited to green and baby blue at the moment.  I did try to make my own, but it didn't work out this time.

Hope all you bleeps are having a great week this far, visit me tomorrow for my final guest designer post for Paper Smooches!  It's going to be magical!....that's a hint.....

I Heart Art

I'm so glad it's Wednesday!  I'm back home, all the clothes from our trip has been washed and almost put away.  The house is a disaster, but that always plays second fiddle to my craftin'!....admit it, it does for you too, right?....

This is my 3rd week as the Guest Designer over at Paper Smooches and we're focusing on the new I Heart Art set!  This is the perfect set for the crafty, artsy people in your lives, and even the not so crafty.  It's really versatile, let me show you!

First up, an artsy card for those crafty people checking me out!

This easel image is so stinkin' cute and I love how all the sentiments in this set fit inside the frame.  As I look at it now, I probably should have added some copics to the frame part.....hummm....  The background is just a rainbow assortment of  re-inkers and water on some water color paper.  I adore how that came out.  I also LOVE the art pallet and they even have a new die of the paint pallette as well!!!  I think I may have to add that to my birthday list!

Next up, an artsy card for the non-artsy people in your life.  HOWEVER, it perfectly represents the crafty person giving this card!....that would be me.....

That's it for today!  I'll have another card later this week made with a sentiment from this set too.

Wsh BIG!!

Well, I'm still in the land of Magic....aka Disney World....I'm so lucky!

This card is for my second post as the February Gust Designer for Paper Smooches!  I loved this little bird from the 'A Magical Spring' set.  It's so cute and I thought that this little guy would want to make a big sound with his singing....hence the 'wish big' sentiment....with the music paper background.  I can't wait for next week's post for Paper Smooches - I've got more on tap for this stamp set!

*SORRY THIS IS LATE - I SCHEDULED IT FOR 7 AM, BUT WHEN I CHECK IT, IT HAD 7PM.  I'M BACK NOW SO THINGS WILL BE MORE REGULAR AND BETTER PLANNED!

Excitement all around!

I know it's been about a week since I last posted.  There have been some exciting things going on around here!

First up, Today is my first post as the February Guest Designer for Paper Smooches!  Kim has been *AWESOME* to work with!  My stamps arrived here literally 1 shipping day from when she put it in the mail....from Arizona....I live in Ohio....that. is. FAST!  The stamps debuting this month are so adorable, I was swooning the moment I opened the package!  This card is from one of those sets.  I was inspired to make this card as my hubby and his football were watching the Super Bowl....you see my inspiration.....

This frothy mug from a Perfect Spring was perfect for this manly card!  I added a little shimmer spray in granite to take it from cutesy to grunge.  It's hard to tell from the photo, but I stamped a mug stripe all across the bottom third of the card.  I think net time I would use a darker ink instead of the coordinating color.  The sentiment is from the new Birthday Sampler.  I great set for any occasion!


Second up, I'm in DISNEY WORLD!!!  So my posts this week will be sparse.  I'll have to share the excitement of how we told the girls later, my phone is having a hard tome sharing the large video file.

A sweet goodbye

I had great news this week, I got kudos from he Mona and the ladies over at CR84FN with this card!  It's always an honor when  my creations are given some attention.  I loved this little card for my beloved Lily.

I am sad that CR84FN is going to be taking and indefinite hiatus from creating challenges. They always have fantastic inspiration photos and color stories for challenges so it is a loss for us crafters.  Mona has some exciting things going on in her life and needs to take a break.  I hope she has lots of success and fun!

Pomegranate Pink Prayers

Howdy ho!  I've made another card for the Moxie Fab:75 Creative Card Challenge - Make your own background....say that 5x fast....  But f irst, how cool are those vellum leaves?  I made them with PTI Leaf Prints and heat embossed them.  I love how that came out.


I was playing around and created this background on white glossy paper.  I first stamped and embossed the leaf veining with white EP.  I then sprayed the paper with a little water then sprayed pomegranate and vintage pink shimmer sprays.  I let them pool around some of the embossing to give it a little more dimension. 

I think I may have gone a little too monochromatic and added too many embellies with this one.  I think I like how it came out.  Or, at least it's growing on me. 

I get to spend a few hours in my craftin' spot tomorrow instead a a few minutes here and there.  I can't wait!

Dude...

Hi ya!  It's been another crazy week here.  Event preparations and girl scout cookie sales with my little Brownie have added to our already busy lives.  I'm sure you can all relate.

I made this card for the Paper Crafts call and had Moxie Fab's 75 Creative Card Challenges, Create Your Own Background in mind when I was creating it.  I love how the background came out!  I sprayed a piece of cardstock with water, stood it up on end and dropped refill inks along the top edge.  The ink would run about 1/2 way down, so I had to'help' it along down the paper.  When the background was dried, I took out my granite shimmer spray and flicked the spray stem on the paper.

It's kind of a grunge look.  Perfect for an older teen I think. 

I'll be back soon with another background card I made.  Hope you come back!

Bee HAPPY!!!

I got the most exciting news today!  I was picked as the Guest Designer for February for Paper Smooches!!!!  WOO HOO!!!  I again, not only scared my 4 yr old with my whooping....like I did earlier last week with this post....my poor cat flew off my lap and hasn't come out from under the couch for the last 30 minutes.  I think I may need to purchase a lottery ticket, I'm on a super lucky streak!

This is the card that Kim Hughes thought was the winner:

and this is the original post for the card.  Not to pat myself on the back, but I really did love this card!  I'm so EXCITED!! I hope you al come back and visit me during the month of February....I hope I make cute cards that justify this honor!....

Bummer...

Hello again!  Well, I worked really hard last week on creations for the last Paper Crafts Magazine call and didn't have any accepted....bummer....  So now I get to show you all what I made!  I really love how this one turned out.  I think I'll have to ship it off to someone special....

I thought it was a really cute sun!  However, now that I look at it, I guess someone could think it's a flower.  Oh well, better luck next time!

WOO HOO!!

Holy moley, guacamole!  I'm SOOOO excited to post that I was the winner for the January CARDS Blog challenge for January!  I am so honored and humbled to have won, there were so many awesome entries.   This is my winning creation.  

 I really excited that I won some awesome Paper Smooches product!  How cool is that?

Just Because

I am in LOVE with this weeks CR84FN color challenge!  They are my favorite colors and match my house perfectly....if you add a touch of pear green....  I could make cards with these colors every day!  Since I was having so much fun adding pretties to this, I decided to do it with gusto and put 10 embellies on it for Cath's 75 Creative Cards Challenge; 10 Different Embellishments over at Moxie Fab.  I adore how this came out and I plan on using it for my little Lily.  Although, she's not so little anymore, she'll be 9 in a few months.  She loves all things 'magical', fairies, princesses, Santa, you know what I mean.  I loved this little fairy on the turtle from Webster's Pages Lullaby collection.  I fussy cut it....my aching hand....and it was completely worth it!

Here is the list of all the embellies I used:
1. little pearl on the ear of the fairy
2. small yellow button with string
3.aqua button with hemp twine
4. large yellow button with string
5. aqua and brown scallop strip sticker
6. aqua and white pointed sticker
7. scalloped sticker behind the buttons
8. bow
9. doily
10. fussy cut fairy and turtle

Who'da thunk so many embellies would be so darn adorable?

Joy & Happiness

After my "Cream in our Coffee" kudos last week....Thanks ladies!.... over at the Play Date Cafe I knew I needed to get back there to play some more!  This has been a crazy few days and I just now was able to sit down to create for this great color challenge!  I was hoping to be able to make an awesome card like this one I had published in Paper Crafts last year,

but alas, I just couldn't make it work.  Here's what I came up with instead with the color story they gave us.  I think it's a pretty good card for the men in my life.

 Hope you had a great day!

Out of this world

Today I spent some time in the craftin' spot with my little one.  To say that I got stuff done would be a stretch.  Here's our process.

Me: "What do you want to make honey?"
Elizabeth: "I wanna stamp."
Which stamp set would you like?
The snowman one.
I hand her the stamp set.
Which ink do you want?
Pink (of course)
She heads off to her table for about a minute.  Stamps one image and rubs it on a baby wipe.
Is this clean momma?
Yes, honey.
30 seconds go by.  Stamps another image, rubs on baby wipe.
Is this clean momma?

This goes on for about 2 hours as she goes from stamp set, to drawing, to Playdough, to stamping again.  When she was little and I tried to put her in a pack-n-play while I crafted, she lasted about 7 minutes....tops.  I was pleased with the 2 hours of highly interrupted time in the craftin' spot.  I shared it with my baby!

Here's something I was able to get done today.

It's for one of the Moxie Fab 75 Creative Card Challenges going on there right now.  Can you guess which one?

Ain't it cute?  SO itty bitty.  I had to put the life savers candy next to it so you could see how small it was.  I'm still working on my COPIC coloring skills, but I was pleased with the moon.  I made it myself!  A little sparkle and shine....that I can NEVER get to photograph well, but I promise it's there.... and I consider it done.   Join Cath at Moxie Fab for the rest of the challenges!

Itty Bitty Sunshine

Have you been working on all the challenges that Cath at Moxie Fab World has been posting this week?  They are next on my creation schedule....I don't really have one, just finishing my Disney books before I do them.....  Any hoo, as I was creating last night for the Paper Smooches Guest Designer call, I made a cute little 3x3 card with one of their free digi stamps.  Lucky for me, it fits perfectly into today's 75 Creative Card Challenges, Make an Itty Bitty Card!....I'm so lucky!....  I had already planned on posting it today on the PS blog, and now I've already started on my challenge list!  1 down, 4 to go....

I thought this little sun was cute.  Since I could use a little sunshine, I decided to make my own!  Are you challenging yourself today?  You should.....

*Whew*!

I've been a busy beaver!  It's been so much fun creating, I'm starting to feel like the old me again.  It's nice.

I started the long....and pricey....process of acquiring all that PaperTrey Ink has to offer, but they just keep coming out with more.  That's a good problem to have I guess, 'cause that just means I get more goodies!  I purchased this set months ago...during my hiatus....and they are just now seeing ink.  So the season is off, but I really wanted to use these stamps.  So, I did.

The ladies at PTI are hosting their weekly Make It Monday series.  I missed last weeks....I was sooo bummed....but jumped right in with both feet for this challenge!  You are to use one of the 6 provided rainbow collections with repeated stamping.  Thus the Repeat and Rainbows name for this week!  I chose to use #5, 'cause I thought it was the only collection that went well with this set.

The larger card is stamped on a natural paper that has flecks in it.  In the photo is looks almost like smudges - they're not....just so you know....

 The leaves are stamped in a rainbow down the page.  I then went back and stamped the veining with white ink and embossed it with white embossing powder.  I tried it the other way, but it didn't look as good and the ink on the embossed parts just kept smearing everywhere.

 I do think I may like the smaller one better.  It only took 3 minutes to make.  

Short and sweet and to the point!