Trio of Butterflies

Tonight I made a quick sympathy card using watercolor paper and Tim Holtz distress inks.

I brushed water on the paper and painted wide brush strokes using "Evergreen" & "Shaded Lilac" inks. Then I stamped the butterfly images with the same inks on moistened paper. They have a soft, smudged look that I really like. I added Stickles "Icicle" & "Crystal" for a bit more dimension.

The butterfly stamps and dies are from Fun Stampers Journey, and the sentiment stamps are StampingScrapping "Say it Your Way".

I want to enter this card in these challenges:

http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com - #331

http://mmmchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk - #68 Things with wings

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge - A Trio of Something

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #328-329

Happy Easter

Just a quick post tonight...

So many of the challenge blogs are using "Easter" as their theme right now, I just had to make an Easter card! This one with the cute bunny will be nice for my granddaughter.

My list of ingredients...

Stamps: Stampin Up "A New Little Someone", StampingScrapping "Sentiments"

Dies: Spellbinders "Big Scalloped Circles", FSJ "Journey Circles", Sizzix Embosslits "Beautiful Wings"

Cardstock: Ki Memories "Growing Garden"

Ink: Memento "Tuxedo Black"

Watercolor pencils: Crayola 24

Glitter: Stickles "Icicle"

Twine: Karen Foster "bone"

Challenges...

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com - #135 March AG/opt. Easter

http://mmmchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk - #67 Easter Fun

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - Easter Inspired

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #326-327 AG

Experiments with Watercolors

Last night I got out my little plastic box of watercolors...just like the kids use in school! I had seen a couple different techniques online that I wanted to try: adding salt, and stamping over a watercolor wash. This card is the 2nd technique.

To make the watercolor wash background I placed drops of watercolor paint (Prange) on my craft sheet, spritzed it with water, then laid the white paper on it and pressed it with my fingers. If it seemed too light I did it a few more times then let it dry most of the way. I added splatters of the paint on the blank areas. I stamped the flower image (Paper Peddler "Pansies") after it was all dry and went back in and painted the leaves shades of green and touched up the blue flowers where needed. I added Stickles "Crystal" last, then trimmed my water-colored paper to fit the card front. The twine (FSJ ) was added before adhering it to the front. The Get Well sentiment (Stampabilities) is stamped in "Tuxedo Black" (Memento) then die-cut using a Spellbinders "Standard Circles Lg" die. The scalloped circle behind that is also Spellbinders..."Big Scalloped Circles Lg." KaiserCraft rhinestones were the final touch.

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #30 July Challenge

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #71 AG

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - Splatter It

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #294-295 AG

Card of Encouragement: "Prayers"

I recently found an A2-size stamp at a thrift store and was not sure I'd like how it stamped...but I do! I think it is a small bundle of lilacs (a favorite of mine!). I used TH Distress Ink "shaded lilac" on the whole stamp, then wiped off the leaf part and added TH Distress Ink "peeled paint" with a sponge dauber. After stamping it I added a bit more "shaded lilac" on the left corner, again using a sponge dauber...and finished up by adding Stickles "Star Dust" glitter glue.

Ingredients:

Inks- TH Distress Shaded Lilac & Peeled Paint, Memento New Sprout

Stamps- Paper Inspirations Lilac Fresco, FSJ Doily Blooms, StampingScrapping Sentiments
Daubers- Tsukineko mini daubers
Dies- FSJ Tag Elements
Glitter Glue- Stickles Star Dust
Ribbon- from my stash
The bow was made using my Craft-DeeBowz bowmaker.

Challenges I'm entering this card in:
https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - August, AG w/bow
http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #30 July Challenge
http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca - #169 AG
http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #294-295
https://makingmemoriescrafting.blogspot.co.uk - #8 AG, One for the Girls/Ladies

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great weekend!

You're A Star!

Now who would you send a card like this to? 

I'm trying to decide if this is a birthday card, a congratulations card or maybe just a "you're special" card. I guess I can use it for whatever I want!

I made it because I really liked the sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches AND the color theme at Catch the Bug. (I'm too late to enter the TMS challenge but just HAD to try that sketch!)

Once again I'm rather disappointed with the way my phone camera is distorting the colors I used. Last time it wouldn't capture pinks and reds and now its aquas and blues! This card is really not mint green...it is aqua! Really!

I'm entering this in a few challenges:

http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com - Color Challenge

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #30 July (Stickles)

http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com - String Theory

https://makingmemoriescrafting.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07 - AG, not a square

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - Seeing Stars

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #292-293 AG

Ingredients:

Card stock - TPS, Georgia Pacific, Studio G

Stamps - FSJ "Star Marquee"

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, FSJ Pineapple Smoothie,

Stampabilities Lime green, TH Distress Peacock Feathers

Glitter Glue - Stickles Crystal

Metal charm -Jewelry Basics star

Twine - FSJ black licorice

An Autumn Get Well Card

My good friend's mother recently fell and broke a hip, had surgery and is now in rehab at a nursing home so it is definitely time for a Get Well card! I remember when my own mom fell and broke her hip several years ago, it really frightened and depressed her for the first few days. But she bounced back quickly after alot of encouragement, prayers, therapy and her own determination...along with her special sense of humor! So here is the card I made:

It is a "swing" card...the first I've ever made! I found a tutorial online and decided to give it a try. I think it could be easier if you didn't use double layers but that was what the directions called for.

The base is a kraft card stock and the designer paper is thinner but worked nicely with the die cutting.

I was hoping the Stickles on the teacups and green oak leaves would show up in this photo....oh well, it does show in the photo above. 

How do teacups go with leaves? A hot cup of tea on a cold, rainy fall day is perfect!

The sentiment on inside of the card is really on the back of the swing part...makes a nice space to place either a sentiment or a good-sized image. I'll try to get a list of ingredients together later. If you are curious about what I used just message me in the "comment" section. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges:

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - #190 Kraft Paper

http://thekraftjournal.blogspot.com - #193 All That Glitters

http://theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com - #237 Show your shape

http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #153 Anything Goes

Painters' Tape Technique

I tried a new technique this evening...using painters' tape to make a textured background in wide undefined bands. I also wanted to try some clear embossing as part of the background, but I used the wrong kind of embossing powder...I grabbed the one for bonding materials not just the plain clear. So I added some very fine glitter to take care of the stickiness. Now I'm glad it worked out that way!

The sparkle and the tape texture show up a bit better in the photo below.

The butterflies are colored with a variety of alcohol markers and have a bit of glitter glue along the wing edges.

Ingredients:

Stamps - Stampabilities "All things are possible", Sky Kids "Butterfly"

Inks - TH Distress Inks, Memento "Tuxedo Black", Top Boss "Embossing"

Embossing Powder - Stampendous "Stamp N' Bond"

Challenges:

http://addictedtocas.blogspot.com - #42 "Sky"

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - July "Painters' Tape Technique"

http://pinspirationalchallenges.blogspot.ca - #115 "Photo Inspiration"

http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #139 "Anything Goes"

http://www.ipalamountain.com/2014/06/sketchbook-saturday-challenge-125 - #125 Sketch

Happy Spring!

Good evening, crafty friends! 

Yes, I do believe Spring is finally here...at least for today! I spent a couple hours outdoors today raking all the oak leaves out of my flower beds and bushes. SO nice to be able to be out there!

I just finished this card. Not sure that I like it as well as I thought I would. A little too busy for my taste. The center picture is an actual photograph. I took it last month when we were at Epcot in Orlando. (For more photos taken while traveling see my other blog, Picture This: Everyday Beauty ) They had a butterfly tent there with lots of different types of butterflies. I'm not sure what this one is...maybe a viceroy?

Well, one of my blogger friend s says it is a "Queen". Thanks, Irish!

One of the challenges I used asked for a photo to be used on your card. That is the Try Stampin' on Tuesday challenge. They also have a sketch to follow:

I recently visited the blog of a fellow cardmaker and saw some lovely flowers she made using glass tiny beads for the centers. I loved them! So I had to try that too! The pink flowers have pink beads which don't show up as well, but are still pretty.

Ingredients:

Card stock - Bella Blvd & Paper Studio

Dies - Spellbinders Standard Circles Lg, Lg Scalloped Circles, 

Gold Corbels & Accents

TH Sizzix Alterations Tattered Flower Garden,

CheeryLynn Garden Gate

Punches - Martha Stewart Frond, Fiscar Flower

Stamps - Imaginisce Spring, Stampabilities Greetings

Challenges:

http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.com - #127 Anything Goes

http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.com - #74 Dies & Punches

http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com - #159 Pastels

http://theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com - #213 Floral Fantasy

http://trystampinontuesday.blogspot.com - #161 Sketch & Use a Photo

http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #126 Anything Goes

http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - April Anything Goes w/handmade bow

New Stamping Technique

Good morning!

A few days ago I was puttering in my craft room and came across the monthly challenge at SweetStamps...and decided to try it! It is usually a technique that they want you to try and this month (from March 15 thru April 14) the requested technique is using markers to ink up your stamps. I tried it 2 ways: with alcohol markers and with water based markers. I could not get the alcohol marker method to work because I don't have any spray-on alcohol to remoisturize the "ink" once it has dried (and alcohol marker ink dries fast!). SO...I used my only 2 water-based markers... a nice blue and green. 

And here is the result!

The "swirl" stamp is from Stampabilities called "Vintage Flourish" and the sentiment stamp is from SweetStamps. I also added a little Stickles "Star Dust" to the flourish and a single rhinestone...for a bit of glam.

The markers I used are Promarkers "Aqua" and I brushed the ink on the stamp with the large tips, first one color, then the other...blending it a bit here and there. When that was done I spritzed it with water in my little mini spritzer from Ranger. After it dried I added a bit of sparkley Stickles to parts of the image.

And lastly I stamped the sentiment using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, cropped the whole thing and mounted on a medium blue folded cardstock. Very CAS. Especially the "S"!

I am my worst critic, and even I like this one!

So, thanks, SweetStamps, for the suggestion!

Challenges:

sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - Inking Stamps with Markers

http://inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.co.uk - #53 Case Sandie's Card

I chose her card from 3-12-14

(I'm also their GD this week, so not sure I'm allowed to enter a card...

but couldn't resist!)

http://pinspirationalchallenges.blogspot.ca - #101 Photo Inspiration

(I used the colors aqua, blue, green...and the swirls remind me of water/ocean)

http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #126 Anything Goes

My First Ever Easel Card

At least I can't remember ever making an easel card before! But then my memory is NOT what it used to be! SweetStamps is having a challenge right now using an easel card. Anyway, I followed the directions (pretty closely) and here is my card!

Closed

Propped open

My list of ingredients:

Card stock- both solid aqua and print ("School Days") are TPC Studio

"Green Burlap" paper- Paper Studio

Stamps- "Happy Birthday" is Clear Dollar Stamps,

"Vertical Rose Border" is SweetStamps,

"Birthday Blessings" sentiment is Stampabilities

Ink- Memento "Bamboo" & TH Distress Ink "Antique Linen"

Flowers- "Gardenia" from StampingScrapping.com (old, hoarded item)

Die cut Leaves- Spellbinders "Foliage"

Die cut doily- Sizzix "Doily, Lace Medallion"

Baker's twine- SewEasy Fancy Floss "blue lagoon"

Glitter glue- Stickles "Icicle"

Challenges:

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - Monthly: "Easel Card"

OurCreativeCorner6.blogspot.com - "No More Shopping Sins"

Craftingforallseasons.blogspot.com - #68 "All Things Bright & Beautiful"

http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.com/ - #147 "Easel Card"

A Birthday Card for My Hubby

Today is my husband's birthday...62 years old today! We've been married almost 37 years...where did the years go so fast!? "Time flies when you're having fun"...and when you are busy with a big family! We sorta thought it would slow down when we got older but that sure hasn't happened. And the family keeps growing!

And yes, it IS fun. God is good...all the time.

The stamp I used on this card is a PSX which I stamped once, then turned around, masked out the bird and stamped it again to make the evergreen branch longer. Then I colored it with colored pencils.

The sentiment is an Inkadinkadoo, the embossing folder used is a Sizzix called "Evergreen". It is hard to see in the photo but I also added Stickles "Star Dust" to the branch and the bird for a wintry, sparkly look. The brown and white baker's twine I got from Pizzazz Aplenty. The kraft card stock base is Paper Studio and has a matching envelope (my "new" item!).

The challenges I'm entering this in are:

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - #151 Kraft Paper Challenge

http://Wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #114 Anything Goes

http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.com/ - #68 All things bright and beautiful

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/ - Ice Inspiration

http://emeraldfaeries.blogspot.co.uk/ - #51 Things with Wings

http://stempelgartenchallenge.blogspot.com/ - #21 Winter Wonderland

http://citycrafter.blogspot.com/ - #193 Snowbirds

http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com - #133 Use Something New

Tilda having some winter fun...

A wintery red, white and blue card...which wasn't really my intention but it turned out that way! Those colors compliment each other so nicely. And I think Tilda especially likes them! Please ignore the fact that she is out in the snow with only socks on...no boots! Silly girl!

This photo catches the shine of the foil paper, the metallic paint and the pearl embossing.

Here's my list of products used:

Dies - "Catalina Wreath" by Memory Box

"Garden Gate" by Cheery Lynn Designs

Punches - snowflakes (purchased on ebay, brands ??)

Stamps - "Christmas Glamour" by TPC Studio

"Merry Christmas" by Stampin' Up

"Tilda Wants a Hug" by Magnolia

(colored with alcohol ink markers)

Cardstock - all from my stash

Embossing powder - "PearLustre, white" by Stampendous

Glitter glue - "Icicle" by Stickles/Ranger 

Acrylic Paint Dabber - "Metallics, Pearl" by Adirondack

Challenges:

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/ - "Stamp Out 2013"

http://WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com - #111 Anything Goes

http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.com - #111 "Sparkle & Shine"

http://DutchMagnoliaLovers.blogspot.com - #70 Bingo: Snow, Dies, Red

http://stampandcreatewithmagnolia.blogspot.com/ - #24 "Winter Fun"

http://magnoliadownunderchallenges.blogspot.com/ - #226 Anything Goes

http://magnolia-liciouschallengeblog.blogspot.com - "Happy Holiday Blog Hop"

Cardinal Christmas

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends!

Today was a busy, fun-filled family day here at our house! I hope you all enjoyed a blessed Thanksgiving Day with your family and/or friends! I also hope you had time to reflect on all the things in your life you can be thankful for.  I know God has blessed me is so many ways...but I am especially thankful for my family, my church, my health....my spiritual health in particular! I can say without a doubt that I am heaven-bound because Jesus bought and paid for me with His death on the cross and has given me such an amazing life here and now, with the hope of heaven awaiting me. That's a whole lot to be thankful for! Leave me a comment and let me know what YOU are thankful for today!

So here is my Christmas card for the weekly challenge at SweetStamps this week!

This is my last week as Guest Designer on their blog. Its been a fun and busy month!

They have such great products in their store...its been amazing to be able to showcase some of them for you!

This week's challenge started on Tuesday. It is #145 "The Holidays".

You still have four days to enter, so why not pop over to the SS blog and get inspired by the DT samples and then get creative...and join the challenge! There is a nice prize you could win too!

For this card I used the SweetStamps stamp set called "Cardinal Pair & Warm Wishes".

I colored the image with alcohol markers, colored pencils and ink. Then I added some Stickles for sparkle in two colors: "Crystal" & "Holly".

The dies I used are the "Standard Circles Lg" by Spellbinders and the "Catalina Wreath" by Memory Box.

The background layer with the grid design is also shimmery with Smooch Spritz in a lime green. The green base card stock is stamped with pale green and white ink using an evergreen tree from Stampin' Up.

The card stock is mostly scraps from my stash, as are the gold twine and the sequins.

I used a sketch from the Technostamper blog:

http://technostamper.blogspot.com - Mon Lunchtime Sketch Chall #290

More challenges:

http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com - #182 Winter Wonderland

http://ShoppingOurStash.blogspot.com - #121 Holidays or Winter

http://Cardsundmore-challengeblog.blogspot.com - #95 Advent/Christmas decoration

http://avenue613.blogspot.com/ - #47 Anything Goes, Optional Twist:

Create Your Own Challenge (use chart)

Here are the things I used-

Col. 1: image, sentiment, patterned paper, solid paper

Col. 2: any sketch, die cut

Col.3: Stickles, Glimmer Mist (Smooch Spritz)

Col.4: Sequins

Col.5: twine (gold)

A Pretty Little Tag

Good evening!

Here is a little project I just completed...a fairly simple little tag using a lovely SweetStamps stamp called "Tower of Teacups". I stamped the image in blue ink and colored it with colored pencils and markers. The cardstock the tag is made from is from the 6x6 set called "A Walk in the Garden" by Best Creations Inc. 

And here are the rest of the items used to make this tag:

Sentiment stamp- JustRite "Favorite Occasions Set"

Dies- Spellbinders Lg Scalloped Circles, and

Cheery Lynn Designs Olive Branches

Glitter glue- Stickles Crystal

Flowers- from my stash

Ribbon- Pastel Stripes by Ribbon Trends

Yarn- EK Success Adornaments-Fun Fibers

I am entering this one in the SweetStamps challenge and the Word Art Wednesday challenge tonight!

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - #140 Tags

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #103 Anything Goes

An Old Fashioned Wish

Good morning, blogger friends!

Today is the last day I can enter the "Roses" challenge at SweetStamps...so here goes!

I have combined four of the SweetStamps stamps...my favorite is the "Corner Roses"...one of my newest stamps! But the frame stamp is also a favorite...I've used that one quite a bit lately! The design lends itself easily to adding pearls or rhinestones for an elegant touch.

Close-up of the touch of glitter added, Stickles...my oldest embellishment!

List of supplies used:

Spellbinders die - Standard Circles Lg.

SweetStamps stamps - "Pretty Parchment Frame", "Margery", "Gentleman Joe", "Rose Corner Lg."

colored with Memento & Spectrum Noir markers

Sentiment stamp - JustRite "Special Occasions"

Pizzazz Aplenty rhinestones - 2mm & 4mm Pink

Inks - TH Distress Ink "antique linen", Memento "Tuxedo Black"

Ranger Stickles glitter glue - "Star Dust"

Challenges:

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - #122 "Roses"

http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com - #26 "Bling"

http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com - #107 "Oldest Embellishment" (Stickles)
http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #86 Anything Goes

http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com - #117 Sketch

A Set of Sympathy Cards

Once again I needed sympathy cards for two different families in the same week...and I was out! So I decided to do it right this time and make a whole set of them all the same. But if you know me, you know that is really impossible! I did use the same printed card stock and a similar theme for all six cards but they were still all different. I gave away the two I needed immediately...even forgot to take pictures! But here are the other four:

 My favorite is the one with the butterfly, which is some sort of sticker with a double layer for the iridescent wings and tiny gold wires for the antennae. Each of the cards has a solid color base card stock and a cream color layer which is a printed and embossed card from a set of print-yourself wedding invitations. I just chose an accent color or two and stamped tiny flowers near the branches in the those colors. A little embellishment on each card and the computer-generated sentiment....voila! All done!

The butterfly card is being entered in two challenges: 

http://flourishes.org/category/challenges/timeless-tuesday - #221 "Butterflies"

http://Wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - Anything Goes

My list of supplies used:

Wedding invitation card stock - American Crafts "Blossoms"

Solid card stock - from my stash

Small aqua roses - Prima

Butterfly - Jolee's Boutique/EK Success

Turquoise flower - StampingScrapping.com "Gardenia"

Purple/lavender silk flowers - Hobby Lobby

Foliage die cuts - Spellbinders

Ranger Stickles "Star Dust"

Tiny flower stamps - generic foam stamps (my stash)

And here are the insides of two of the cards. Another piece of the inviation card stock with little stamped flowers and a hint of Stickles!
Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peak at my latest creations!

Mother's Day!

Today is Mother's Day! Hope all of you had a lovely day today...a very blessed day!

I got to have only 2 of my 6 kids here for lunch today...the others all had plans with other mothers! I had told them that was just fine...we can't get together every year the same now that most of them are married or have steady girlfriends. I had a great day anyway! All of them called or stopped by at some time today and 2 of them brought me hanging flower baskets and my husband gave me the most precious card! 

Tonight I just finished one last Mother's Day card (sorry, I think I said that last week too!) and I will have to just put it away for next year.

Here is my list of supplies used to make this one:

Digital rose & Bible verse image - Imagine That Digi Stamps "Rose Blessings"

colored with Spectrum Noir and Memento markers

Happy Mother's Day sentiment - computer generated

Spellbinders dies - "Labels 15" & "Fleur de Lis Squares"

Patterned card stock - K&Company "Merryweather" &

Webster's Pages "Petite Papers"

White card staock base - Bazzill

Ranger Stickles glitter glue - "Icicle"

Flatback pearls - Pizzazz Aplenty "Pale Pink"

Paper doilly, pink ribbon and pink card stock - from my stash

Challenges being entered:

http://Celebratetheoccasion.blogspot.com - #111 "Happy Mother's Day"

http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com - Anything Goes + 2 or more patterned papers

http://imaginethatdigistamp.blogspot.com - #6 Mother's Day, Rose Blessings

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - #116 "For Mom"

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #79 Anything Goes

http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com - #113 Sketch 9
(new stash= digi image, neglected stash= old doilies)

Spring is Coming! Happy Easter!

It doesn't feel like it today...its only 35* outside & very cloudy...but the calendar says Spring is on the way!

I really enjoy the change of seasons and the beauty in each season! Many of the challenges this week are asking for Spring themes or Easter themes, so I've combined those two and here is what I came up with.

For the Easter theme I chose Tilda holding the little lamb, and the "Happy Easter" sign.

For the Spring theme I used spring/pastel colors, robins and flowers (and the baby lamb).

Ingredients:

The yellow flowered background is a recycled card,

the green pattern paper below is Paper Studio

The vellum flower is Jolee's

The stamped images are both Magnolia: "Tilda with Lamb" & "Sign with Birds" -

(colored with colored pencils)

Swirl die cuts are TH/Sizzix "Elegant Flourishes"

Rhinestones are KI Memories - "Sweet Life"

Inks: Memento "Bamboo Leaves" & Stampabilities "Lime Green"

Adhesives: Glue Dots minis, ScorTape, Scotch ATG tape & gun, Scrapbook Adhesives foam squares

Ribbon: American Crafts

Ranger Stickles "Star Dust"

The challenges I've decided to enter this one in are:

http://dutchmagnolialovers.blogspot.com - #53 "Use a Little Wood" (sign post)

www.flourishes.org/category/challenges/timeless-tuesday - #212 "Bring on Spring"

http://papercraftstar.blogspot.com - #137 "Birds"

http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com - #94 "Easter"

http://scrapbitzcopics.ning.com/group/cmccopicchallengegroup - #64 "Spring Colors"

Love, Love, Love!

Today I'd just like to show you all a card I made for a very special couple from my church. They just got married last week! They are 81 & 78 years old! They are like youngsters in love....it is SO cute! We are so happy for them! They are both very active, healthy, vivacious people, both love the Lord...a great match!

The bride wore a lovely light red dress for the wedding so I colored the image accordingly!

The foil is actually some very old gift wrap. It doesn't show up well in the photo but there is pearl acrylic paint daubed on the embossed background and on the gray sponged ink as a frame around the image. Stickles were added only to the flowers...and to the heart on the inside of the card.

On the inside I wanted to carry through the "scrolly" idea and still keep it simple.

I thought the Bible verse was so appropriate because I remember the groom saying to me shortly after they got engaged, "Who would have thought we could feel like teenagers in love again?"

Here is my list of ingredients:

Card front

Cuttlebug embossing folder*- "Madison"

Spellbinders dies*- "Labels 15" & "Fleur de Lis Accents" (border)

Pollycraft digital image- "Cuthbert & Kiki Wedding" colored with

Spectrum Noir & Memento markers*

Memento ink*- "London Fog"

Adirondack Metalics paint dauber*- "Pearl"

Ranger Stickles*- "Star Dust"

Clear gems & white pearls- from my stash

Card stock and foil- from my stash

Card inside

Sentiment is computer generated

Spellbinders dies*- "Card Creator" (used for mask for sponged frame) &

"Fleur de Lis Accents" (corners)

JustRite Bible verse*- "Cast All Your Cares"

Inkadinkadoo heart stamp- "Love & Friendship"

*these items all came from my friend Cindy's wonderful online store www.stampingscrapping.com

I am entering this card in several challenges, some of which want us to use up old stuff from our stashes of supplies (I LOVE those challenges that make me rediscover and use up neglected items!). The really old and/or neglected stuff is: the Spectrum Noir & Memento markers, the clear gems, the foil and the Inkadinkadoo stamp.

http://celebratetheoccasion.blogspot.com- #99 "Valentine-Anything Goes"

http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com- #102 "Color- Red, Pink, Purple and/or White"

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com- #104 "Romance Challenge"

http://craftdoormagazine.com- TTCRD #2013-7 "Anything Goes"

http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com- "Stash: red/white items- Anything Goes"

Thanks so much for stopping in today! I would love it if you'd leave a quick comment....I'd like to visit your blog too!

Two Special Cards

First up is a baby card for my Pastor and his wife for their first baby,
a tiny girl named Anna!

I used a digital image from A Day for Daisies called "Mom Hugs"...one of my favorites!

The background paper is Fiskar/Heidi Grace Designs and it says "little sweet pea" on it...SO cute! The pink paper is embossed with the tiny hearts folder from Cuttlebug and the punched border is also Fiskar. The image is colored with Spectrum Noir markers and colored pencils. A little bit of Stickles is added to the  baby's head and shoulder.

Inside there is a Bible verse on the left and my own greeting on the right, both are computer generated.

I am entering this in two challenges: 

http://craftybootschallenges.blogspot.com - "New" (new baby girl)

http://celebratetheoccasion.blogspot.com - Challenge #96 "Baby Card"

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My next card is a birthday card for my very good friend Sherry. She is also a cardmaker so I decided to do a little special stuff on this one...I knew she'd appreciate it more than some folks!

 I used stitching, a vintage sewing machine image, some victorian women in a free image I found online, vintage "swan" scissors and thread (also freebies I found online), and an image of an old-fashioned dress form from StampingScrapping.com. I also added a little lace "skirt" to the dress form. "Labels 20" Spellbinders dies were used for the sentiment and the inside greeting. The purple flowered paper is from Hobby Lobby and all the rest...from my stash. Flatback pearls are from Pizzazz Aplenty. The "Best Wishes" stamps: outside is a generic borrowed from a friend, inside is PSX.

I am entering this one in:

http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com - Challenge #117 "Vintage"

http://inkychicks.blogspot.co.uk - Challenge #2 "Becky's Bingo Grid" (Die cuts, bow, pearls)