My Gerber-full Spring

The Tulips are coming and so is Spring!   This month has been full of surprises and I'm ready to turn the heat off and get warmed up. 

This week I've designed a very simple but super springy place card for a tea party using "Spring Flowers" from Stamping Dragon Designs for the new Challenge at Stamping with the Dragon.  Our challenge is "May Day Flowers" and the winner will receive 4 images from Stamping Dragon Designs,  so please visit the challenge blog to find inspiration from other DT members and show me all your lovely designs!

INGREDIENTS:

Design Paper by Basic Grey "Hello Luscious"
Spellbinders Nestabilities "Labels Seventeen" and "Labels four"
Digi Sentiment by Creative Sentiments

MEDIUMS:

Copic: C00,C3,C6, Y02, Y06,Y15,Y17,Y11,R37,R17,B000,E35,E47,YG03,YG91,YG97
Ranger Distress ink "Crushed Olive"

EMBELLISHMENTS:

Stickles Glitter "Yellow"
Scrap Arts Eyelet Spring Daisy
Ribbon from stash
Flower Soft "Sunshine Yellow"

The inside was finished off as such:

challenges entered into:
Craft your passion - show layers
Daisy Doodles Creative - May Flowers
Scrap Creations - Flowers
Paper Crafting Planet - Bling
Creative Inspirations - Digi image

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INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

Call and make plans with someone you enjoy sharing with . . . laughing can keep you young!

Thank you for visiting,

A recipe with La La

Good day to all my friends and family. . . My week has been rainy but no tornadoes!  Thank goodness . . . This is a short post for a special project I completed this week for the National Scrapbooking Day CONTEST!!   The National Scrapbooking Day is just around the corner and La La Land is celebrating it with a CONTEST!! They want too see my creation with their stamps in any projects other than a card.  They are looking for different projects including but not limited to Scrapbooking Layouts, Decorative Items, Altered Items, 3D projects, etc. Anything but a card!!

They will pick THREE winners for this Contest!!!

1st Place - $50 credit to our store

2nd Place - $25 credit

and 3rd place - $10 credit

This Contest will run through May 7th, and announce the winners on May 9th.  I just adore these images and couldn't resist using Sugar N Sprice Marci!  Thanks for the chance LaLa and if you are a fellow paper crafter come on over and join me!

I made this paper mache book from Hobby Lobby very simple with no flowers or anything that pertrudes so that this could be kept on the book shelf any where snuggled right next to the other books and give hidden easy access to those favorite dishes!  The entire book is lined with silk ribbon and the perfect size for my printed 3 x 5 recipe cards with pre colored images of this little chef!

Don't forget to hop over to Stamping with the Dragon Challenge Blog for inspiration and our latest May Day Challenge, Sponsored by Dragon Designs, and I would love to see your creations.

INGREDIENTS:

DP from my stash
Spellbinders Nestabilities Label 4

MEDIUMS:

Copic: B00, R20, E25, E42

EMBELLISHMENTS:

Ribbon ~ French block brown from Offray
Stop watch charm from stash
Stickles glitter "clear" for lip gloss

This is usually the area I show the inside of the card, but here is the back of the paper mache book from Hobby Lobby.

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY (right from a fortune cookie for my good fortune!:

Turbulence is a life force.  It is opportunity.  Let's love turbulence and use it for change.

Thank you for visiting,

Just call me a Diva Designer!

Good, no GREAT day to all my friends and family . . . My mind hasn't wrapped completely around the news yet, but I'm catching up.  I'm going to design with the Diva's!  I'm excited and anxious to get started with the very talented and super generous Diva team starting May 4th.

Don't forget to hop over to Dragon Designs Challenge Blog for inspiration and a challenge, our Sponsor is Kenny K and if you havn't colored and designed around one of these great stamped images, you don't know what your missing! I can't wait to see all your lovely creations.

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

If you fill your life with "I'll take a chance" . . . you can keep looking for the unexpected!

Thank you for visiting,

Snow On Every Hill

Good Friday!   Literally, I hope you have a good one!   All week I've been spending time with my kids and "spare" kids, (niece and nephew).  We decorated Easter eggs on Tuesday with sponges and oil ink then topped them off with stickers!  Yep . . . stickers!  I remember when the newspapers came out, covered the kitchen table ~ you bend those pretend spoons into ladles and add vinegar to water and color in 6 different coffee cups and mom let you at it!  Not anymore, now you gotta strip the kids down and hold their hands for fear they may get toxic poisoning . . . or worse!  A rash!  lol   Does anyone even read newspapers anymore?  I miss the old days!

Better get to business before I really get going.  On to a really fun shaker card designed around an adorable image by Stamping Dragon Designs called Snowhill .  I thought it would've been a little out of season but as there was snow here this week, I think it's safe to still be making these winter cards! This too will be available in my Etsy store right after my next craft sale!

Don't forget to hop over to Dragon Designs Challenge Blog for inspiration and a challenge where our sponsor is Kenny K downloads with loads of great prizes! I can't wait to see all of your lovely creations!

INGREDIENTS:


Design Paper is Butterfly Kisses, Basic Grey maple walnut bar and hazelnut dacq. and Bazzill Stock
Stampabilities Nestabilities used are Eyelet Circles & Standard circles
Creative memories circle and Whimsy Sentiment
clear overhead sheet for shaker circle

MEDIUMS:

Copic Sketch B000,B00,E000,E00, E41,E42,E0000, YG91,YG95,YG97, C00,C2,C4,R20, B93,B95,B97
Ranger Distress Ink - Sapphire

Entered into challenge: Crafty Creations ~ 123
Bearly Mine ~ Inside out
Lady Bugs Crafts Inks ~ Anything goes

EMBELLISHMENTS:

Flowers by Wild Orchid Crafts, Pearls from stash, Diamond dust & Frosty snow, Paper Studio pearls ,Bow-tique crystals, Merry Minis charm, slim line button

The envelope and packaging was finished off like this:

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

It's not really Spring, afterall, . . .  until we get the step ladder and windex out!

Thank you for visiting,

Hippity Hoppity

Good day to all my friends and family. . . My week has been full and rewarding.  My son has found a friend from school and it turns out he is a very nice boy!  As it is not always easy for other children to find mine acceptable, there are those few exceptional people that have huge hearts and treat him the way he deserves.  So thanks to Christopher for making Christian feel confident and worthy!

With such great news behind me . . .on to my newest piece of greeting art. Soon to be in my Etsy store, this digi image is from Meljen a designer with Whimsy!

Also, don't forget to hop over to Dragon Designs Challenge Blog for inspiration and a challenge with Kenny K as the sponsor.  I can't wait to see your lovelies.

INGREDIENTS:

Design paper by the Paper Studio "Girl flower"
Bazzill card stock
Crafty Sentiment
Stampabilities Nestabilities Standard Circles Large and scalloped Circles Large

MEDIUMS:

Copic colors: E35,E000,E37,E57,E50,E33,
R37,R22,R20,RV0000,
YG91,G05,G14,G20,C3,C1,C00
Ranger Distress Ink:  Forest Moss

Challenges entered:  Belli Challenges ~ Bunny Easter
Creative Inspirations ~ pets/animals
For Fun Challenges ~ Easter
Inky Impressions ~ flowers
The Sisterhood of crafters ~ Easter
Tellens place ~ Easter
EMBELLISHMENTS:

Flowers by Wild Orchid Crafts
Ribbon from stash
Stickles Glitter Glue

The inside was finished as such!

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

Thank you for visiting,

What have you done in 47 years?

Happy Spring!  to all my friends and family. . . My parents 47th Wedding Anniversary was this month and I have to admire that accomplishment.  Afterall, how many of us make it past 20 years anymore?  Anyway, I sent them a photo frame with their wedding day picture and a card I made to make sure they remember how blessed we all are they met and married that day, and I wanted to share them with you.  Hi MOM and DAD, we love you, and we want everyone to know that you are both wonderful people!

Don't forget to hop over to Dragon Designs Challenge Blog for inspiration and a challenge, our Sponsor is Kenny K download and I can't wait to see your lovelies.

Challenges entered:  abc Challenge ~ Sparkle

Cooking it up with Katie ~ Pink flowery lady

Fab n Funky challenge ~ Wedding

Fresh Brewed designs ~ lots of sparkle

Truly Scrumptious ~ Vintage
Spoon full of Sugar ~ Let's Celebrate
Crafty Card Makers ~ Wedding

INGREDIENTS:

Spellbinders Nestabilities:  Scalloped Rectangle Large and classic Rectangle Large, Labels 17

Bazzill stock "Walnut

Lily of the Valley "Wedding Day" stamped image

Swirly hearts by Treehouse Designs and Silver Wedding by Masterpiece Studios DP

Sentiment from Whimsy "love letters seal"

MEDIUMS:

Copic Sketch colors: C00,C1,C3,C5,C6,R20,RV00,RV13,Rv0000,YG03,YG05,B00,B32, E0000,E000,E00,E11,E41,E42,E43,E50,E25
French Blue Fluid Chalk by Color Box

EMBELLISHMENTS:

Silk ribbon from stash, Wild Orchid Crafts flowers, daisy flowers hand altered,

Inside was finished off as such and the frame was covered with DP "unknown" and lace, pearls, hot glued to the paper mache frame from Hobby Lobby.

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

All of our choices impact our future!

Thank you for visiting,

Me Likes My Mamma

Happy Saturday!  This week my son broke 3 bricks with his hand in the karate act at his Jr high talent show.  We are so proud of him, and the lessons have paid off by building his self esteem and confidence as well as his organization and ability to show respect.  All around great week!

On to my girly swirly child like Easter card I'm making for my mothers day card.  This is a digital image called Dress Up Marci from La La Land.  She is pre-colored but I got some practice on sky and ground to polish my technique.  She is fashionably trying her hardest to wear what her momma would, just to be in fashion!   I used lots of ribbons and pearls to accentuate her beautiful little big girl look!  This is my favorite spring colored card that isn't specifically for Easter but full of Spring color.

Soon you will find it in my Etsy store, and don't forget to hop over to Dragon Designs Challenge Blog for inspiration and a challenge I can't wait to see your lovelies.

INGREDIENTS:

Kaiser Craft DP "Lilac Avenue collection
Spellbinders Nestabilities "Labels 14"
Crafty Sentiments digi

Entered into Stamptacular Sunday ` girls & swirls

7 Kids ~ Easter Spring

The Pixie cottage ~ mom or special lady

Sir Stamp A-lot ~ Ladies/fashion

Card makin mamas ~ spring colors & DT call

MEDIUMS:

Copic Sketch:  B0000,B00, C1, C0 and blender for sky
YG91,YG95,YG97 for ground
R20 for extra blush

EMBELLISHMENTS:

Lace and ribbon from my stash,
flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts and Prima roses
Crystal gems from paper studios

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

When you make a card for someone else . . . it should indicate what they mean to you

Thank you for visiting,

Beetween The Bars

Hello all again,  It's Challenge time at Stamping with the Dragon!  All the great details just below.

We had a really HOT day in Michigan this week, well OK . . . it was hot for US at least, 78 degrees!  All I could think was . . . where's the grill?  As it turns out, it's way behind the shed, under the tarp and the garden lounge cushions with no chance of rescue until the 3rd day in a row above 68 degrees, per hubby! At least the Vitamin D is soaking in and the trips to the park are increasing! 

Onto this great card image. . . I say GREAT because I was really excited to color a Kenny K image finally, I can't spice it up any more than this . . .  I have seen him everywhere in blog land and really thought the images are "Fresh and Young".  A little about it:

SPONSOR: KENNY K DOWNLOAD

THEME: SPORTS/CREATE A CREATION WITH A SPORTS THEME

PRIZE: 3 digis for 1st, 2 digis for 2nd and 1 digi for 3rd. and dont forget a prize to be the guest design Team member. So, this challenge will have 4 winners!!!

My inventory of images aren't like this . . . so I loved adding it to keep up with and be able to offer a large variety for my craft sale patrons.  :D)  My next sale is in Depot town, Ypsilanti, by the way, on May 17th.  I would love to see you there and I'd be happy to give you a special treat if you can make it.


          This image is card in half

There is a lot going on here so . . . extra pics.  The card is for that really special guy that loves the game but thinks cards are "just for the girls".  The card style was an adaptation of a great design I learned from my monthly card class by ScrapGirl ~ Angela Hunt.  Size is 5 1/2 x 5 1/2, scored in center and DP x 4 all the same size to cover the Bazil stock.  However, I added an element that any guy could take from the card and appreciate all year around . . . the hockey puck in the center is a paper mache' ornament covered  360 degrees with card stock and the hockey image.

INGREDIENTS:

DP is Me & My Big Idea "Champs" speciality collection

Spellbinders "Nestabilities" 4 sized, Standard size circles & Labels 7

Sizzix - Tim Holtz Alterations texture fades embossing "Rays"

Paper Mach ornament

    This is ornament image                                                                 This is the card fully open image

MEDIUMS:

Copic sketch = C00,C1,C3,C5,C6

E00,E11,E21,R20

B000,B00

R22,R24

E33,E41,E42

EMBELLISHMENTS:

Recollections Dimensional Stickers "Hockey and ribbon from my stash

Entered into Kenny K crazy girl challenge - spice it up

I finished the image inside with this shiny grey and silver design and a super memento saying never give up, perfect for that boost of confidence!



INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

Our happiness is greatest when we contribute most to the happiness of others

Thank you for visiting,

Lovely La La

Happy hump day to all my friends and family ~  My Wednesday starts with coffee at my Sisters in-Law's house with the twins . . . I can't wait.  Gotta love age 3!  Never a dull moment.  LoL

On to my simplest piece of greeting art this week.  Darling Marcy is from the La La Land Digi pre-colored collection.  As it is getting really close to my next craft show, I need some of these quick but unmistakeably adorable cards to build up my inventory!  And the blog challenge is send them ALL your La La projects so the more entries the better chance.

Don't forget to hop over to Dragon Designs Challenge Blog for inspiration and a challenge I would love to see your creations.

INGREDIENTS:
Bazzill stock , Spellbinders Nestabilities die cut, and my hand made DP with a stamped oriental flower image from an undefinable source (the label is gone) sorry
Sentiment is digi from Crafty Sentiment

entered into La La Land Challenge ~ All your La La's

MEDIUMS:
Ranger Distress Ink ~ Tim Holtz Lipstick on background and Antique on Nestie
Water color paint orange, red, yellow
White Sharpie for freckles, and B000 copic for eyeshadow

EMBELLISHMENTS:

Tulips from Wild Orchid Crafts - original white hand painted w/water color

ribbon, tied with my new Bow-easy, from stash

Stickles is added to lips and shoes for that girly touch

The inside is covered with simple white paper.  This card was 15 minutes from start to finish TOPS!  Great fun and quick gratification.  Sometimes it's fun to have that quick fix lol (you know what I mean) *hugs*

Also, a card much deserving recognition, my monthly class with ScrapGirl Angie Hunt was both fun and educational this month. I've learned how to create the look of a silver platter with copics, how to keep a portion of the image outside the Nestabilities die cutter, the 5x5 half image card design and the bow-easy with distressed bias tape.  I shopped for product inventory and enjoyed every minute with some wonderful ladies in attending her class.  The design, once again, is all hers and the coloring is mine.  If you are a local Michigan crafter and need to learn some great techniques, I highly recommend this class as Angie is a real gem.

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

Do what TRULY makes you happy . . . you are the only one that will!

Thank you for visiting,

                       

                           

                     

Polka Easter

Good day to all my friends and family. . . My week has been very productive as I created 5 new cards this week already.  I've found that sometimes it takes more time to photo, watermark, crop, frame and post them then it does to make them.  LOL

On to my newest piece of greeting art.  The candy and colors of Easter make me crave sugar!   Whimsey has a digital designer . . . Meljen . . . her drawings are so well done, you can't tell they're not stamped images.   My daughter came to visit and while I was crafting, she decided to help with this Spring / Easter season card.  I think she did a swell job too!  We had a great time catching up and then off to choir. 

Soon you will find it in my Etsy store if it doesn't sell in May's craft show!  Don't forget to hop over to Dragon Designs Challenge Blog for inspiration and a challenge I would love to see your creations.

Entered into Crafty Sentiments  ~ Glitter Challenge
The Crazy Challenge ~ Easter
Die Cut Dreams ~ Easter
Make it Monday ~ Anything Goes
OOH La La ~ Easter

The Pink Elephant ~ Easter

Blog a Doodle - girly

Stamps R Us ~ Easter

Woodware ~ Anything Goes

Aly's Sunday Challenge ~ Bunnies

The Crafty Pad ~ Spring
Creative Inspirations ~ Easter
Sparkles Forum~ Easter
Totally Gorjuss ~ fluffy
Fab n Funky Challenge ~ dots

INGREDIENTS:

Bazill Stock, Kaiser Craft DP called "Candy Lane" and Spellbinders Nestabilities

the Sentiment is also a digi available from Crafty Sentiments
Martha Stewart Doily lace edge punch from Michaels

all DP is sewn

MEDIUMS:

Copic Sketch :  E000, Y04,11,YR12,15, RV13,00,34,YG03,05, YG91 for ground



EMBELLISHMENTS:
Fabric daisy from Michaels Crafts, ribbon from stash
Stickles glitter

As usual, I've finished off the inside with coordinating DP and left plenty of room for that special Spring message to your favorite person this spring.

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

Find something in common with the ones you love . . . and do it together!Thank you for visiting,

My First Dragon Designs Card

Great News . . . I've joined the Design Team over at Stamping Dragon Designs!  Wow, I need to breath then exhale again, hang on . . . ok, I'm done.   When I heard the news, I was beyond elated!  It's such an exciting jump into the paper crafting industry to be on a team of such talented people.

I was very excited to get this Digital image as it is my first truly "Vintage" card experience.  I think the only thing missing is the distressing, which I plan to rectify with a electric Distrez tool next week!  (Keeping my fingers crossed).  Don't forget to join us at Stamping Dragon Design Challenge. 

Now, on to the card;
The image is a Dragon Design called Vintage Clock and it is truly beautiful to work with! The inside sentiment is hand made.  The best part about digi images is that I choose the size, the orientation and to store it . . .well,  FABULOUS.

Challenges entered in:  Pixie Cottage / sketch or paper piercing
Stamping Scrapping / something sparkling
Scrap Creations / 3 of (ribbon,flowers,pearls,glitter,buttons,charms
Belli Challenge - Old embellishments
My Partner in Crafting 3 or more layers
Stamp Something  - circles

INGREDIENTS:

Tim Holtz -Embossing folder Texture fades "Retro Circles"

DP - Bo Bunny "Pages of timepiece collection"

Spellbinders Nestabilities - Classic scalloped circles large and standard circles large

Whimsy - empty friendship ticket and ticket die cut

MEDIUMS:

Copic colors:  E33, R20, R22, R24, YG91, YG95, YG97 and W0, W1, W3

Ranger Distress ink:  Antique linen, Vintage photo, Warn lipstick

EMBELLISHMENT:

Tim Holtz -  Idea-ology muse tokens, corners, swivel clasps, game spinners

Paper Studio - spare parts - Tag brads, pearls, button brads

Flowers by Wild Orchid Stamps

Then I finished off this inside with this great hand made sentiment, the entire card is about the time a clock wears on it's face and the moments we spend together.  Perfect for the Mom or anyone we never want to be without.

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Never put off till tomorrow . . . what we can say from the heart today!

Thank you for visiting,