Leafy Thank You (Moxie: Fabulous Felt Challenge, CAS FTL#155, PTI:MIM#31)

Sorry it's been a while since my last post, my health hasn't been doing very well.  If any of you have had a full historectomy and are willing to talk about it please email me.  I am in the process of considering one and doing some research.  I am only thirty five and have never had any children, so I am struggling with the emotional part of it as well.  Thanks for your support, as always.  Now for the card...

The sentiment stamp is from the retired collection of A Muse Artstamps.  The patterned paper is from the Lime Twist collection from MME, which is so adorable!  I love that collection!  The last 3 collections from MME have been so cute and I have been completely addicted!  The rest of the supplies for the card are all from PTI.  I made the felt flower for the Fabulous Felt Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.  The Turning a New Leaf stamp set from PTI is what I used to stamp the background for PTI's Make It Monday challenge on Nichole's blog.  The challenge was to create a background with non-background stamps.  How do you think I did? 

My card is based on this week's sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping.  Along with the sketch we were supposed to use a color panel from ColourQ because it is ColourQ's 100th sketch and they teamed up. 

This is the color panel I chose for my card to go along with the sketch.  I really love the colors in this panel and will probably use it again.  The neat thing about the ColourQ blog is that you can use the previous week's color panels to make projects and then link them back to the blog for fun.  The panels have so many color combos to choose from.  I hope you all have a great week!  Happy Crafting!!

Happy 50th! (ColourQ #92, CASFTL #148)

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!  I know it's been a little while since I've posted, we've been busy shopping for a mattress.  We could not seem to agree on one because I sleep on my side and my hubby is an all over sleeper, meaning he tosses and turns all night long.  We currently have a pillowtop and we both hate it.  Every mattress I liked he thought was too soft and hated and every one he liked I thought was too firm and I hated.  I found out that I couldn't get a spring mattress because I've been having hip issues, but he didn't like the feel of memory foam and I wasn't crazy about latex.  We had laid on about 30 mattresses and I was about to give up when we finally laid on one and both said at the same time, "I think I like this".  It was a miracle at this point.  Now the only thing in our way was the price.  It was almost double our budget!  We slept on it, not literally, and realized that there was no price too high to pay for a good night sleep so we took the plunge.  Our Simmons ComforPedic will be here in 4-6 weeks and we couldn't be more excited!  I just had to share what has been occupying my life for the past 2 weeks, and if you're still here we'll get on with the card....

I made this card for a friend of ours that's turning 50 today.  Happy birthday John!  The patterned paper is from the Lime Twist collection by My Mind's Eye.  I am in love with this collection!  It has become my go to patterned paper.  It's what I turn to first to choose paper.  I think I've said this before, but the last few collections by MME have been so great and have made me a true fan!  The bingo card is from Jenni Bowlin's calendar bingo cards.  I am loving them for bday cards!  The "happy" is from PTI's Inside & Out: Birthday set and the 50th is from A|S's birthday builder set.  I used a star and circle punch from Marvy Uchida as well as a circle die from Nestabilities to get the shapes on the card.  Everything but the sentiment circle is inked with A|S wheat pigment ink and the green ink is Clearsnap moss green.

My card was inspired by this week's sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping.  I chose to have the stars represent the circles on the top and bottom of the sentiment circle and decided to leave off the "line" that ran through and under all three circles.  This is the first time that I have drifted so far from the original sketch.  I still feel like it's represented and you can see what I've done without me having to explain it.  I wanted to try something different and I also wanted to make sure the recipient of this card would like it. 

The colors for my card came from this week's color story at ColourQ.  At first I thought these colors would be fairly easy, but they turned out to be harder than I thought, especially when I was trying to use them along with making a card for a 50th bday.  They seem more like kid bday colors to me.  Anyway, I figured it out and am happy with the results.  Now let's just hope John is. :)

If you're still with me I hope you enjoyed my card and are having a great weekend!  Happy Crafting!

Sorry For Your Loss (Colour Q #88, CAS FTL #143)

I hope you all had a great week!  I made this card for a dear friend of the family and her husband who lost their dog while on vacation.  They were on a European trip of a lifetime and got word that their Pomeranian had passed away.  They don't have children of their own, so Rainy was like their baby and they were/are devastated.  Those of you who have dogs or pets know exactly what I'm talking about.  I only hope this card will ease a tiny bit of their pain by knowing that I'm there for them. 

Now let's get down to the details of the card.  The layout was inspired by this week's sketch at Clean and Simple Stamping.  I turned the sketch upside down because it worked better for me and for the card. 

CAS FTL #143

The bone patterned paper is from Doodlebug Design and the brown polka dot patterned paper is from the Lime Twist collection from My Mind's Eye.  The Lime Twist collection is one of my very favorite collections!  I am just in love with it!  Lately My Mind's Eye has put out the best collections of paper.  They are just soo cute!  The dog house stamp is an old stamp from A Muse Artstamps.  The sentiment stamp is from Hero Arts.  I used the Fiskars apron lace border punch on the brown cardstock that edges the bone patterned paper.  I broke out my Nestabilities classic rectangles large to die cut and emboss the cream cardstock rectangle panel.  I tried to keep the card rather embellishment free and toned down because it's a sympathy card.  I chose the colors because of this week's challenge at ColourQ and because I didn't want any loud colors or bright colors on this sympathy card. 

I really hope this card helps ease my friends' grief in some small way.  I also hope maybe it helps you with some ideas for your sympathy cards.  If you're hurting at all today, I send you hugs.  I hope you all have a great evening!  Happy Crafting!

Elegant With Sympathy (PDCC #83, CAS FTL #141, PTI Make It Monday)

I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend so far!  The sun is just starting to come out here after a day of rain.  Here's hoping tomorrow is a day full of sun, fun, and much crafting! :) 

Today's card is a sympathy card per this week's Make It Monday challenge over on Nichole Heady's blog from PTI.  The sentiment stamp is from the PTI Mixed Messages stamp set.  I love this stamp set!  Its sentiments are perfectly worded and wonderful when you need something smaller in size.  They have the same set sized a little bigger in Mega Mixed Messages.  I love PTI stamps!  Their sentiments are always perfectly worded and are in the cutest fonts and their images are just as adorable!  I am a complete addict!  I just started using their other products too.  The black cardstock on this card is from PTI.  Their cardstock is thick and wonderful to use and your card will stand up easily. 

The patterned paper is from October Afternoon's Cherry Hill paper pad collection.  October Afternoon has to be one of my favorite manufacturers!  They make the cutest papers in the world!  I actually can't wait for their next collection to come out.   I get so excited when I get the email that their latest collection has come out that I rush to my computer and order the paper pad and embellishments to go with it.  The problem is that then I have to wait for them to arrive in my mailbox.  What are you gonna do?  The ribbon flower is from Jolee's.  I used a Fiskar's scalloped border punch on the striped paper and tied a sheer black ribbon from my craft supply around it.  The colors for the card were inspired by this week's color story from The Play Date Cafe.  The layout for the card was inspired by this week's sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping.  I hope you enjoy this card.  If you need ideas for making sympathy cards, again, check out this week's Make It Monday challenge on Nichole Heady's blog.  Have a great rest of your week!  Happy Crafting!

CAS FTL #141

Happy Mother's Day (CAS FTL #131)

I have another card for you!  Can you believe this is my third post in less than seven days?  I'm trying to post more ofte.  I can't promise I'll always have weeks like this, but when the creativity flows don't stop it, right?  Today's card is based on the sketch below from Clean and Simple Stamping.  The stamp, cardstock, and notecard are from A Muse.  The patterned paper is from the Stella and Rose collection from My Mind's Eye.  Have I told you how much I love that collection?!  The felt is from My Favorite Things and the die to make the felt flowers is from PTI.  It was the first time I used the beautiful blooms die and the first time I used my felt.  I love the way the flowers turned out!  I plan to get more felt.  I would love to use some white felt with my cloud dies.  How cute would that be? :)  The buttons are just part of my HUGE stash!  This card was fairly simple, but I like how it turned out.  I hope my mom or my MIL does too come Mom's day. :)  I hope you're all having a wonderful Monday!  Have a great week!  Happy Crafting!

CAS FTL #131

Elegantly Thinking of You (CAS FTL #130, Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger: An Idea in Yellow)

I hope you all are enjoying the last part of what I hope was a wonderful weekend for you.  Mine was productive, but not much fun.  You know how that goes.  Today's card is inspired by the Tuesday Trigger Challenge, An Idea in Yellow, in the Moxie Fab World found in the picture below and is also based on the sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping below.  I used mostly yellow and white because those were the main colors in the picture and they inspired me.  I used a pink flower, by Prima, because it reminded me of the pink flower on the table in front of the door and it was a great accent for my card.  The background stamp is by Hero Arts and I've fallen in love with it!  The sentiment stamp is from the Autumn Abundance set from PTI.  I used the Nestabilities labels four to hold the sentiment, but trimmed it and attached it under the cardstock panel.  After I was done with the card I thought it needed a little something so I added some irridescent gold shimmer mist and then it was perfect!  I love the way this card turned out and I hope you do too.  I hope you all have a great week!  Happy Crafting!

Tuesday Trigger: An Idea in Yellow

CAS FTL#130

Stylish Cameo (CAS FTL #127, Moxie Fab World: The Appearance of Cameos Challenge)

Hey there! Sorry it's been a little while, I've been making cards for a big submission but I'm back now.  I have another one coming up in a few weeks, but I've vowed to manage my time better and do both my blog and the submission.  Thanks for hanging in there with me these past couple months when my postings have been a little bare.  I really appreciate all of your comments and your support.

On to tonight's card...it's based on the sketch below from Clean and Simple Stamping and The Appearance of Cameos Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.  The beautiful silhouette cameo stamp is from Hero Arts and the sentiment is from A Muse.  The patterned paper is the Nook paper pad from Basic Grey, which I really love but don't use often.  I think I have a hoarding problem, but the first step is admitting it, right?  I used my Nestabilities beaded circles die and Marvy circle punch to surround the cameo image.  I used pop dots to attach it to the card to add just a little more interest.  The border punch is Martha Stewart, and one of my faves.  The ribbon is from A Muse and happens to be the exact same color as the patterned paper.  I added the Prima flower at the end to match the sketch and for just the right touch.  This isn't my typical style, but I really love how it turned out!  I hope you do too!  I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's weekend with someone special planned, just remember to sneak in a little crafting time too. :)  Happy Crafting!

CAS FTL #127

stamps: cameo silhouette (Hero Arts), good friends (A Muse Artstamps)
cardstock: white (A Muse Artstamps)
patterned paper: Nook paper pad (Basic Grey)
ink: Adirondack espresso dye ink (Ranger), toffee chalk ink (Clearsnap)
die: Nestabilities beaded circles (Spellbinders)
punch: doily lace border punch (Martha Stewart), circle punch (Marvy Uchida)
flowers: fairytale roses french white (Prima)
fibers: eucalyptus sheer ribbon (A Muse Artstamps)

Have an Ice Day (PDCC #58, CAS FTL #118, Moxie: Card Creations: All Occasions Challenge)

Sorry it's been a little while since my last post.  December is a very busy time for me, as I'm sure it is for all of us.  I have a lot of projects to do for Christmas, cards to finish to get in the mail, cards to complete for submissions and deadlines, shopping, shopping, and more shopping to finish, and friend and family functions to attend.  I will try to post as often as I can during this busy month.  I promise business will be back to normal in the New Year.  I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

This evening's card is based on the sketch below from Clean and Simple Stamping, the picture challenge below from The Play Date Cafe, and the Moxie challenge Card Creations: Favorite Occasions Week All Occasion Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.  Sorry about the not so great photo, it was a rainy grey day out.  The stamps and ribbon are from A Muse.  I colored the ice skates with my trusty Copic markers and then highlighted the laces with a Signo uni-ball white gel pen.  I used a Marvy Uchida scallop circle punch and October Afternoon Good Cheer paper pad to finish off the card.  It was a little difficult to only use two colors, but I really like how the card turned out.  It seems that whenever I say that the card was a little difficult or stretched my creativity a bit I end up loving how it turns out.  It's funny how that happens. :)  I hope you all have some time this holiday season to be creative and to be with your friends and family.  Happy Crafting!

CAS FTL #118

notecard, cardstock, stamps, ribbon, ink: A Muse Artstamps
Good Cheer paper pad: October Afternoon
markers: Copic
scallop circle punch: Marvy Uchida

Let it Snow Snowflakes (CAS FTL #117, Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger: It's Snowing Gingerbread)

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend, had some time with your families, and had a chance to get some creative time in as well.  I had a weekend full of family time, shopping, and relaxation.  Then Monday and Tuesday I had a migraine, so I apologize for not posting for almost a week.  I hope you can forgive me and that you'll enjoy today's card.

Today's card is based on the sketch below from Clean and Simple Stamping and the It's Snowing Gingerbread challenge based on the picture below from Moxie Fab World.  The sentiment stamp is from A Muse and I embossed it with American Crafts embossing powder.  I know it's hard to read and if I had had more time I would have redone it, but unfortunately it had to stay that way.  The red patterned paper is from the Jovial paper pad from Basic Grey.  The beautiful glittered snowflakes are from Martha Stewart.  Isn't she making some wonderful products?  I don't know about you, but I always can't wait until her next line of punches and products comes out.  The border punch on this card is from Fiskars.  I never would have thought to put brown with snowflakes and I have to say that I really like how it turned out.  I added the red for a little splash of color and I think it was the right choice.  I really  like these challenges because some of them have given me ideas that I never would have tried on my own, and some have pushed my creativity beyond my comfort zone and I have wound up creating something that I love in the end.  If you've never tried a challenge I really recommend trying at least one to stretch your creativity.  Have a great week and Happy Crafting!

CAS FTL #117

Tuesday Trigger: It's Snowing Gingerbread

cardstock, gingham patterned paper, stamp: A Muse Artstamps
Jovial paper pad: Basic Grey
white pigment ink: Clearsnap
apron lace border punch: Fiskars
white embossing powder: American Crafts
layered snowflake stickers: Martha Stewart

Thank You Paper Flower (CAS FTL #111, Moxie Fab Perfectly Placed Pleats, PDCC #52)

Tonight's card is based on the Perfectly Placed Pleats challenge in the Moxie Fab World, this color challenge from The Play Date Cafe, and this sketch challenge from Clean and Simple Stamping.  My card is very simple, but for the first time I made a pleated paper flower.  I cut a strip of patterned paper 3/4"x11", scored it every 1/2" , and then accordian folded it along the score marks.  I adhered the ends together with very strong adhesive forming a circle, gathered the folds together at the center, and then pushed the center down forming the "flower".  I punched a circle, cut the edges with scalloped scissors, and adhered it to the flower.  I tied yellow baker's twine in the button and adhered it on top of the flower as well.  I think for my first pleated paper flower it turned out pretty well.  I think I'll try it again soon.  It's fun to try something new once in a while.  I'd recommend it, you might be surprised at the outcome! :)  Happy Crafting!

all paper, stamp, ink: A Muse Artstamps
punch: EK Success
decorative edge scissors: Provo Craft
scoring board: Martha Stewart

CAS FTL #109, Embellish Magazine Challenge

I hope you all had a great weekend and were able to get some crafting time in for WCMD!  I sure had some fun!  I was able to make a couple of cards and spend some good quality time in my craft room.  I love spending time in my craft room, even if I'm just looking around at all my creations.  It just inspires me and makes me happy.  I've had my room painted several different colors and the color it is now is the perfect color for my creative energy.  It was yellow first, with painted butterflies and such all over the walls.  I know, I know, you don't even have to tell me...what in the world was I thinking?  Not so great for creating..too distracting.  Then it was medium purple with a dark purple stripe around the top.  I was able to live with this for a while, but it just didn't feel quite right.  Finally, I painted my room a light green (Christopher Robin's Swing or something) and added white shelving.  It's perfect!  I feel so creative and everyone who sees my room loves it as well.  Has this ever happened to you, where the color of the room you're working in hinders your creativity? 

Today's card, if you're still with me,  is based on the sketch below by Clean and Simple Stamping and on the challenge below from Embellish Magazine.  You still have time to play both challenges until Thursday, October 7th.  I stamped the rain stamp (by A Muse) with grey ink on a pre-made white card.  I stamped the umbrella (by Technique Tuesday) on a piece of white cardstock, matted it with black cardstock, and border punched the right edge.  I outlined the umbrella with my trusty W1 Copic marker to make it "pop".  I stamped the sentiment on yellow gingham patterned paper, trimmed it, and adhered it to the cardstock panel.  I adhered the panel to the card with pop dots and then added white glitter to the umbrella.  I think I've said this before, but when using glitter you almost always want to add it to your projects last.  This way you won't get glitter all over your entire project.  If you didn't get any crafting time in this past weekend, I hope you can find the time this week!  Happy crafting!

                                                               CAS FTL #109

all paper, Rain stamp, black dye ink: A Muse Artstamps
The Weather Report clear stamp set: Technique Tuesday
grey whale chalk ink: Clearsnap
marker: Copic
scallop border punch: Fiskars
white glitter: Doodlebug Design

CAS FTL #107 and A Muse Challenge #20

Today I have another fall card for you.  It's based off the sketch below from Clean and Simple Stamping and also for challenge #20 on the A Muse Lounge.  You still have a couple hours to play at CSS and you have until the end of the month to play over on the A Muse Lounge, and I encourage you to do so because it's really fun!  This card is fairly straight forward in it's design.  I made the card from cardstock, trimmed the white cardstock panel to fit, trimmed two brown cardstock pieces to fit, border edged punched them, adhered them to the panel, and adhered it to the card.  I stamped the leaves on patterned paper, cut them out, and adhered them to the panel with pop dots.  Lastly, I stamped the sentiment directly underneath the right-hand corner of the panel.  Easy peasy!  A FMQ (five minute quickie) as they say. I love it when that happens.  I have a confession, I'm a SLOW cardmaker.  It can sometimes take me a couple hours to make one card.  Shhh, don't tell anyone.  Now that it's Friday I hope you have a chance to get some creative and crafty time in this weekend.  If you do, I recommend trying one of these challenges, if you haven't already, they're a ton of fun!  Have a great weekend and happy crafting!

all paper, stamps, black dye ink: A Muse Artstamps
espresso dye ink: Ranger
apron lace border punch: Fiskars

CAS FTL #108

Hi there again!  I've had a lot of cards to share with you so I've been posting a lot, sometimes twice a day, like today.  I hope you're not getting sick of me. :)  This card was based on the sketch below from Clean and Simple Stamping, which you still have time to play.  I used the large scalloped circle die from Nestablilities to make the card.  I used the large circle die from Nestabilities and the leaves embossing folder from Quickutz to make the green cardstock panel.  I lightly sanded the green panel before adhering it to the card.  I trimmed a white cardstock piece to fit the green circle, stamped the sentiment, and adhered it.  I punched a couple of leaves from different colored cardstock and adhered them with pop dots.  I've never made a circle card before and I really like how it turned out.  I think I'll probably make more of them in the future.  They are really cute and a nice change of pace.  Why don't you try making a circle card, especially if you've never made one before.  I think you'll like the results.  Happy crafting!

CAS FTL #108

all paper, stamps: A Muse Artstamps
espresso dye ink: Ranger
maple leaf punch: EK Success
oak leaf punch: Marvy Uchida
dies: Spellbinders
embossing folder: Quickutz

2S4Y, A Muse Lounge Challenge #20, CAS FTL # 107

The card I have for you today is based on the sketch below from 2 Sketches 4 You, from this sketch at Clean and Simple Stamping, and is also for challenge #20 on the A Muse Lounge.  I used my birch trees stamp by A Muse, which I got to ink up for the first time, and stamped it on a white cardstock panel.  I stamped the sentiment on orange gingham patterned paper, adhered it to the panel, and attched it to the blackberry cardstock panel with pop dots that I had previously cut slightly smaller than the card.  I wrapped and tied twine around the left side of the blackberry panel and then attached it to the card with pop dots.  I love how this card turned out.  It took me a while to figure this sketch out, but I really am in love with the end result.  There is still time to play both challenges, so I encourage you to do so.  Good luck and hapoy crafting!

 Also the A Muse blog is offering a variety of calendars where the proceeds go to a great charity.  If you have a chance go check it out.

2S4Y

all paper, stamps: A Muse Artstamps
chalk ink, pigment ink: Clearsnap
espresso dye ink: Ranger
twine: May Arts