A Horribilis Card :0)

The Play Date Cafe is hosting their 44th challenge this week ... and in their own words .... it's Horriblis!

I knew that creating something 'pretty' from these colours was beyond my usual crafting style ...

So I kept the card design very simple - and let the colours sort things out for themselves :0)

So there it is ... in all of its "horribilis" glory!!

I couldn't resist this sentiment for this challenge. It just seemed to fit!

Have a totally wonderful and completely non-horribilis kind of day!

Hee!

:0)

You Inspire Me .... (Blog Hop)

I truly can't tell you how excited I am to be participating in this Blog Hop to honour PTI's very own NICHOLE HEADY!!!  Eeeek!

While it is true that Nichole is the reason I experience hot flashes, heart palpitations, excitable trembling, dropped jaw dislocation and dry mouth anticipation every single month of my life (5th - 15th totally guaranteed :0) I have other reasons to appreciate what she has brought into my life ...

I found PTI as a person who loved stamping. But couldn't really 'make it work'. Thanks to Nichole's blog - especially this page here - I have found the confidence to create cards (which I actually LIKE), to give to the people I love. Through Nichole's inspiration I am giving boxed sets of gift tags, and projects like this, as hostess and thank you gifts. My hobby is suddenly turning into a great way to bless and encourage people - it isn't only about me and my space any more. And I'm thrilled with the quality of what I have to give. It isn't just second rate or {bored sigh} 'home made'.

I must admit to feeling daunted at having to create a card for this lovely lady! I mean HOW do you create a card for Nichole Heady???

So I turned to the Lady Herself for some inspiration! When I think of Nichole's work, I think of clean, classy, classic cards - with a subtle touch of BRILLIANCE!

When Nichole makes elegant cards for a special occasion - she seems to turn to Melon Berry quite often (as she did here). So that's where I went too :0)

This sentiment just seemed MADE for this occasion. Nichole, I really, really mean it!!

I didn't have Nichole's ability to add a 'subtle touch of BRILLIANCE", so my 'brilliance' comes from the addition of a bit of glitter :0)

And here is the inside. Again, I mean every single word.

Nichole, thank you. Thank you for the joy, colour and creativity you have brought into my life. Thank you for sharing your talents and abilities so freely with us all.

Thank you for designing beautiful stamps - and sourcing beautiful, quality products.

You have my sincere admiration and gratitude.

You truly do inspire me.

**000**

Materials: All Materials Papertrey Ink, Except - Versmark Pen, Versamark Ink, Rhinestones - Kaisercraft; Spellbinders label 4 die.

Blog Giveaway #1

Hi Peeps!

Time for a little giveaway on my blogaroo :0)

I have two reasons to celebrate so I'm doing 2 giveaways.

1.) One is that I had my 100th post a while ago.

2.) The second is that my blog counter (which I installed on May 3rd) has just counted the 10,000th visitor to my little blog!

So to thank you all I am giving away a $25 Papertrey Gift Certificate to one commenter on this post. However, if you do not have a "Round and Round" Anniversary set, you are welcome to leave a comment on this post for a chance to win one of those too!

I hope you find this fair to everyone!

Thank you all so much for giving me a reason to celebrate!

I will select a random winner on Monday, September 6th, 2010.

Best wishes to you!

:0)

ETA - THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - THANKS FOR PLAYING ALONG!!

Blog Giveaway #2

Hi Peeps!

Time for a little giveaway on my blogaroo :0)

I have two reasons to celebrate so I'm doing 2 giveaways.

1.) One is that I had my 100th post a while ago.

2.) The second is that my blog counter (which I installed on May 3rd) has just counted the 10,000th visitor to my little blog!

So to thank you all I am going to give away a Papertrey "Round and Round" Anniversary set to one commenter on this post.

I do ask that if you have this set, you rather hop over to this post for a chance to win a $25 Papertrey Gift certificate instead.

If you don't have the Round and Round set you are welcome to leave a comment on both posts to win :0)

I just thought that this would be fair!

Only one comment per person please!

I will select a random winner on Monday, September 6th, 2010.

Thank you! :0)

Best wishes for a fabulous day!

ETA - THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PLAYING ALONG!

A Blooming, Happy, Hello!

Hi Peeps! It's been a while since my last update here - so here is a little number which was inspired by the great sketch over at 2S4Y this week - Laura's 59th!

I didn't only use the sketch - but mounted other embellishments over the top of it ... however,  the sketch elements *are* there - as the backdrop for it all :0)

My large flower is cut from felt - and I got to try some of my new Harvest Gold ribbon on this one .... mmmmm!

There it is! This card makes me happy! I really adore this paper line from October Afternoon - it's hard not to like anything that's made using it!

Thanks for popping in and visiting me again!

Blessings to you for a fantabulous day!

:0)

**000**

Materials - Cardstock, Buttons, Flower Dies, Leaf stamp, Twine; Inks  - Papertrey Ink; Border punch - Fiskars; DP - October Afternoon; Sentiment - Hero Arts; Also thread and silk ribbon.

I'd Rather Be Crafting ...

Hi Everyone! :0)

Saturday morning here - chores galore ... and I'd rather be crafting! Here are two more cards I squeezed in yesterday to play with the ladies at 2S4Y and The Play Date Cafe this week!

Here are The Play Date Cafe colours:

aren't they soooooooo pretty?

And here is Kazan's sketch

Oooooh - those scallops along the bottom - Mmmmmm! Where was I in life before my medium scallop die came along? LOVE that thing!

(Back to the challenges of photographing white cards ... as you can see :0)

My DP strip is a mix of Spring Moss Green and Ripe Avocado - the leaves are also stamped in Spring Moss ... despite their desire to look yellow in this pic, the truth must be told :0)

My second card is only for the PDCC - just a completely different take on the colours:

These flowers, mixed with the font in this sentiment, remind me of sagebrush ... or maybe dandelions, I don't know - YeeHaw!

I used a ribbon slot tool to keep the ribbon treatment interesting ... and added the rhinestones for some shimmer - a bit like the light on the drinking glasses in the original pic.

So there it is! I will put in a complete list of materials later - time permitting ...

Off to do some vacuuming and laundry ...

Don't you pity envy me :0)!?

Have a fabulous day!

For Lori :0) !!

This post is to say a HYOOOOOOGE *THANK YOU* to Lori - who offered to proxy shop at CHA for me this year! That meant I had a shot at getting the exclusive PTI stamp set which was offered there ...

.... my parcel has arrived - my exclusive stamp set has arrived - and I remain sincerely grateful to Lori who made it all happen! I'm a happy girlie through and through!!

LORI YOU'RE WONDERFUL!

This is the exclusive set - I love the leaf flourish :0)

I overstamped the floral image - to get this look! Using a Berry Sorbet, Pure Poppy Combo!

There it is.

Lori - I will be sending you the real thing .... but wanted to say a big thank you right now!

Blessings for a wonderful day Peeps!

:0)

Embellish Does Clean and Quirky :0)

Hi Everyone! Time for another Embellish Magazine Challenge - the picture is UP! :0)

Oh so soft and pretty!

I scratched out a set of stamps from Basic Grey for this one ... cutie, quirky ...

Just a disclaimer on this one ... the layout of this card is not unique to me ... I can't remember off-hand where I saw it first - but it's rather similar to the cards made by Maile Belles and Mariana Grigsby in this challenge alone :0) !!

I tried to keep the overall appearance of this card simple - but with some sweet deets. The dragonfly was embossed with kaleidoscope embossing powder - which looks clear until it catches the light. I then went around the wings with Diamond Stickles for some extra dash ... and 'painted' the dragonfly body with Black Diamond Stickles ... again - it doesn't look like anything until the light flashes on it. The little flight trail was embroidered with gold filament thread.

So there it is! A huge thank you to the ladies at Embellish for another round of awesome inspiration and FUN!

Thank you to YOU too - for popping in and visiting me :0) !!

Have a good one Peeps!

:0)

**000**

Materials: Cardstock, Ink, Ribbon - Papertrey Ink; Versamark Ink, Embossing Powder - Stampendous; Stickles - Ranger; Dragonfly Stamp - Basic Grey; Sentiment - Hero Arts; Punch - Fiskars; Embossing Folder - Provo Craft

Apricots :0)

Our neighbour had a bumper crop of apricots this year - and shared them with us, in buckets and bags!

So I guess the best thing to do when you get so much fruit is to make jam - and share a jar with the giver ...

My apricots are pitted, halved and frozen so far ... the actual jar of  "Thank You Jam" will have to wait until a convenient time to make it! In the meanwhile, this little jar will be going off to say thank you to our kind friends :0)

Don't you love that little gingham collar? I think this stamp set is squeezable, it's just that cute!

I 'rock and rolled' the jam filling and the fruit for the two tone look - and then touched it up with a little bit of pencil shading to finish it off ...

The final card looked a little 'cleaner' than the homespun twiney look I had originally imagined ... but I think this will garner a smile on the receiving end :0)

Thank you so much for popping in to see me!

Smiles for a totally awesome day!

:0)

**000**

Materials: All Materials Papertrey Ink, Except - Embossing Folder - Provo Craft, Pencils - Prismacolor, Versamark Ink, Embossing Powder - Stampendous, Gel Pen - Ranger

A Fall Thank You

Time for fall cards and colours don't you think? Especially after all the delicious and delectable things which have been showcased during the last PTI countdown - Oooooh Yummy!!

Do you know that "The Play Date Cafe" is hosting their 42nd challenge this week? Here is what they shared as an inspiration piece -

Aren't those camels cute??? I didn't manage to get them onto my card - but the inspiration colours just looked so deliciously "fall-ish" to me .... and so here is where it went:

To add to the 'cosy' feel, I used felt for the flower ... and lots of shimmer for some elegance that seems to befit the season :0)

I started with some patterned paper and stamped the flourish, polka dots and text over the top of it, for some layering. The leaves were stamped and embossed with clear embossing powder for a little shine, dimension and visual interest.

The flower was cut out using my PTI Beautiful Blooms dies.

There it is :0) Thanks for popping in and visiting me!

Have a totally wonderful day (don't spend too much if you're at the PTI release tonight *wink* !)

:0)

**000**

Materials: Cardstock, Ink, Polka Dot, Text and Leaf Stamps; Button, Twine - Papertrey Ink; Flourish and Sentiment Stamps - Hero Arts; Glitter Glue - Ranger; Pearls - Kaiser; Ribbon - Michaels; Crochet Lace - No Time To Stamp

ETA: A huge *Thank You* to PDC for recognising this card in their honourable mentions this week - I'm so honoured - Thank You very much!

Caardvarks Christmas Part Deux

Hi Peeps :0) Still making Christmas things on this end. Gracious, I haven't felt this inspired for a while! Maybe it's because fall items are coming out on display in the craft world, but seasonal decorating just seems like a goodly thing to do!

I'm back at Caardvarks with this post. One more tag (another 3 like it on the way ...) and a little mini card ...

For my first tag I made a little "homey" scene with an old favourite song line ...

... the back of the tag finishes off the sentiment :0) We love that song ...

You can see the other three images waiting in the wings for their turn ....!

The little mini card will probably give someone toothache :0) Sweet colours on this one -

This is in keeping with my last epiphany about the "Guidelines" Sets, -  I made some more "patterned paper" for this one ...

A dash of Prisma Glitter and some Diamond Dust to finish off the snowflakes on this one too!

So there it is! Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings to you!!

:0)

**000**

Materials: Tag - Cardstock, Stamps, Ink - Papertrey Ink, Designer Paper - Basic Grey; Lables Die - Spellbinders; Ribbon - Michaels; Rhinestone - Kaiser, Embossing Folder - Provo Craft

Mini Card - Label Stamp - Waltzingmouse Stamps; Cardstock, Ink, Small Snowflake Stamps - Papertrey Ink, Medium Snowflake and Sentiment - Hero Arts; Large Snowflake - Fancy Pants, Designer Paper - Basic Grey; Snowflake Die - Provo Craft; Snowflake Punch - McGill; Glue Pad - Versamark, Prisma Glitter - Hero Arts; Diamond Dust - Flora Craft

ETA: A really HUGE, warm, humble and sincere thank you to Caardvarks for choosing my projects as a winner in this challenge! I really cannot say how overwhelmed I am and how excited!!!! THANK YOU *SO* SO MUCH!!!

Caardvarks does Christmas :0)

Hi Peeps - just a quick warning that this post is picture heavy - I do downsize my pics so hopefully you won't BE here 'til Christmas - I hope they download quickly for you! :0)

Caardvarks is doing a Christmas Challenge right now - either tags or mini cards. I don't know if it's because the weather has been getting cooler or because the smoke is finally clearing - which makes me  feel festive - but doing Christmas tags just seemed like a really welcome idea at the mo ... I enjoyed doing these so much I didn't want to stop. (I guess we'll have lots of tags this year :0)

I had recently purchased a set of Spellbinders Labels 11 - and built my tags around those...

First off a labour intensive one (if I did them all like this we'd have about 3 by December - heee!)

I used a dash of prisma glitter on the big snowflake and some Diamond Dust on the smaller one.

The DP's are a mix of Kaisercraft and PTI Papers.

I decided to work on some tags that could be mass produced and came up with these instead:

I found I could get 4 of these (with the embossed overlay) out of 1 sheet of 8.5" x 11" paper :0) The green scalloped pieces were out of my scrap pile (love it when that works out!)

Don't you love those little scroll images on the top and bottom? They come from Waltzingmouse's Vintage Labels 5 - and I'm quite in love with them at the mo :0) These tags are my favourites I think - because they are almost completely biodegradeable. Not much to lie around the landfill after Christmas is over!

The next ones are pretty simple! I used a technique I'd seen used by Maren Benedict - where she stamped in Cream ink and then embossed over it with Pearl embossing powder - on a dark cardstock.

Just one pearl in the centre and some ribbon to finish and it's done!

I did like the colours in the first tag and decided to try them on a smaller scale ...

I found that my McGill snowflake punch layered over the image from this label stamp perfectly.  There are only 3 of these because my piece of scrap Aqua Mist was only big enough to punch out three snowflakes :0) LOL!

More Prisma glitter on this one and a rhinestone for some more sparkle!

Thanks for letting me share that - I really enjoyed the creative process - somehow even the repetition was therapeutic great right now!

Thanks to Caardvarks for issuing the challenge!

Have a blessed day peeps!

**000**

(I'm feeling too lazy to type out a complete materials list - if you have ANY questions, leave me a note and I'll type one in! *wink* :0)

Monochromatic ...

Hi everyone! What a week! There are so many fires around us at the moment that the houses just across the street are seen through a smokey haze. Eeeeew! Lots of work still being done by the brave fire fighters! Bless them!

Cath Edvalson put up this picture at the Moxie Fab world for the Tuesday Trigger this week ...

Isn't that pretty? I loved the mix of delicate colours - the gold, the texture on the sea shells, the light reflecting off the glass ...

I opted for cream instead of white. (It shows monochromatic effects in much better detail!) Although the title of the Challenge was "She Sells Sea Shells" I opted not to use the shells. I used the picture as a pure inspiration piece and was inspired by the texture on the shells, and their shape rather than the shells themselves. Don't those round periwinkle shells remind you of rolled flowers? :0)

This card has a lot going on, but not in the colour department! Heee!

The large background piece is dry embossed, with strips of torn vellum overlaid. I then heat embossed the square, the butterfly, the leaves and the sentiment. The flowers are handmade rolled flowers - the edges are lightly touched with gold pigment ink. The butterfly trail is pierced and stitched with gold filament. I antiqued my edges for some dimension and finished it all off with some pink home made seam binding :0)

I have discovered that the "Tuesday Throwdown" Challenge this week is Monochromatic ... so this is going in there too :0)

So there it is! Thanks for stopping by!

:0)

**000**

Materials - Cardstock, Leaf and Sentiment Stamps, Button and Twine - Papertrey Ink; Brocade and Butterfly Stamps - Hero Arts; Embossing Folder - Provo Craft; Versamark Ink; Pearl and Gold embossing powders - Stampendous; Velluum - Studio K; Pearls - Kaiser; Gold Fillament - Anchor; Seam Binding - Hug Snug; Gold Cord - May Arts; Other - Thread

Embellish Challenge .... Pink, Brown, Green and Birds :0)

Hellooooo Peeps! Firstly today, I want to thank Ted - because I WON "Happily Ever Challenged" #8 - Wooohooooo! I scored a wonderful PTI gift certificate and a great blinkie (check it out on the right hand side there!) Ted's challenges are a lot of fun - and often come packed with a creative twist. Thank you *SO* much Ted!!

After the run of birthday cards I just made, I NEEDED a creative break. It's funny. But when you're making cards for non-cardmakers, they often aren't looking for the most creative thing or the most interesting technique on their cards. They sort of have an idea of what a card 'should' look like, and one needs to take that taste into consideration.

So I just desperately NEEDED to make something non-traditional and more creative. What better place to go to than Embellish Magazine? I just LOVE their challenges .... here is the eye candy for the most recent one ...

So, pink, brown, green and birds ... :0) Too much fun!

I pulled a mid-nighter to get this one done - but a girl has to do these things sometimes, don't you think? :0)

Do you see the little spot on the top left hand side of the card? The dinkiest little beetle found my card this morning and inspected it from top to bottom. He even walked around both of the ribbon loops! I feel like he put almost as much time into it as I did, so he has been recorded for posterity too :0)

The little bird is covered with a dash of prisma glitter for a bit of extra dash!

Aaaaaaaah. I needed that!

**000***

One last note before I go. We have so many wild fires raging in our area at the moment. These fires are often fought from the air. On Saturday evening, one of the planes in our area went down - taking the pilot and co-pilot with it, to their deaths.

It isn't unusual for us to have fires in the summer - or to see these brave people risking their lives for the people who live in our area. I just never know how to thank them enough and spend a lot of time praying for them and for their safety.

I just want to say on my blog today, THANK YOU. Thank you to those people who risk their lives in public service. Thank you for every single thing you do. It is so sincerely appreciated. It is never taken for granted by our family. We owe you such a debt of gratitude for everything you do - in the air or on the ground.

THANK YOU.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I also want to say to everyone I know, hug the people you love today.

Thanks peeps! :0)

**000**

Materials: Cardstock, Ink, Damask and Bird Stamps, Buttons, Twine, Ribbon, DP - Papertrey Ink; Scroll Stamps - Waltzingmouse Stamps, Sentiment - Hero Arts; Decorative Scissors - Fiskars; Dies - Spellbinders; Versamark, Embossing Powder - Stampendous; Rhinestones - Kaiser