May 12 Kits of Occasions - Hostess: Jeanne Jachna

It's 12 Kits time!!!  Yay!
"Let's hear it for the Boys!" 

After drooling over Jeanne Jachna's fabulous kit for weeks, spread out all over the bed in the guest-room/craft-room, I set out this week to create a few [ahem] cards.   When that first card gets made?  Ideas seem to come out of nowhere!  It helps when you receive only the cutest, most fabulous packages from your teamies - thanks Jeanne!!!  =]

Enough!  Grab a cuppa something ... here goes!

1st: For my Dad: 
who hated getting caught in his boxer shorts -

hey, he had nine kids: six girls, three boys,

two bathrooms - it doesn't take a math wiz

to figure the probability of this happening!

 

Sure wish he was still with me... Inside: "You're the tweet-est, Dad"

 

Inside:  " It's about time I thanked you for all the "grease."

 

Inside: "I mean: really, really old bean - happy birthday!"

 

Inside:  "You also knew when one was needed... thanks."

 

Inside: "And that's comes straight from the

horse's mouth - no manure!"

 

Inside: "Okay.  I know the bright side is hard to see sometimes -

that's why I included the binoculars!  Feel better soon."

 

Inside: "You really deserve a tidal wave of congratulations!"

 

Inside: "Wait... you're retiring? I guess this should say

'fish, or do any other darned thing you want to, you lucky dog!' "

 

Inside:  "For the other special guy in my life, happy Father's Day, Son."

 

I hope you haven't fallen asleep by now... I have to leave you with a little smile over Tom's 'father's day' card:

 

Inside: "I saw, maybe got hammered - you know I'm still a cheap date...

 but certainly didn't screw up

when choosing the best second Dad I could find for my kids!"

 

Jeanne there is so much cuteness left from your kit!  I will be using it here and there - you can bet on it!  Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

Note: the inside sentiments are mine and may not be copied, printed or otherwise used without expressed permission.  I would never intentionally use the words of others, nor would I be happy if I ever found mine on a stamp set - unless it was mine. =]

 



 

 

 



CAS[E] this Sketch #125

N@ Ali is our sketch artist today - always a treat. 

Here is her awesome CTS#125 sketch:

I'm trying to be more creative, artistic, and interesting with my creations ... more "out of the box!"  Yeah, right... 



I received this awesome stencil from sweet Shery Russ at Stamplorations ... it is called Brackets and I love it.  I've also used a bit of my new pearlescent embossing paste from Dreamweaver... wow is this gorgeous i.r.l. ... a few sentiments heat embossed with platinum powder, which looks incredible with the e.p. and that's it.

What do you think?  Okay ... it is still pretty "inside the box."  So here is my 'second helpings' card:

 

  
Okay.  Who said "I am what I am, and that's all that I am!" 

I do know I will be enlightened when I see all the gorgeous cards you all create... Thanks, always.

=]

 

Fusion: Wedding Belles!

Can I borrow your time for one more minute today?  I don't think I've had as much fun in my craft-room for a bit ... one must make cards while the Mojo shines, right?

Fusion's Wedding Belles photo inspiration photo features one of the most gorgeous wedding cakes - love the colors, and noticed a few orange flowers up in that corner - see them?

Our wedding day was in May when the flowers are supposed to be blooming and the temperatures are mild - right.  It snowed two weeks before, and rained the day of!  Oh.  Did I mention we were married on a golf course?  Thank goodness for the tent! 

It was after the wedding when Tom's grandma reminded me of an old belief: Rain on your wedding day means good luck, and good fortune.  Must be true ... we sure are lucky to have each other - fortune or no fortune!

My card, using the photo as inspiration, and remembering Grandma Ferguson:



Inside:  "May you be showered with love, and

happiness on this, your wedding day!"

 

Stamp set:  Technique Tuesday: Bootiful Tulips - Garden Society set May 2015

 

 

Enjoy the rest of your day.. rain or shine!

 

=]

Muse Challenge #119

Ardyth always invites the most wonderful guests to join us on occasion ... Joan Bardee is a fabulous card maker and - can we talk? - funny!!!  Since I now am a follower, I am entertained at every post... thanks Joan!

For Muse Challenge #119 - Joan's gorgeous card:



Spectacular, isn't it?... I can only hope I've done it justice =|

Clearly Besotted Sky's the Limit Additions and Dies, and For Everyone.



While working on my design, I was so loving the detail I was achieving using these Clearly Besotted stamps for embossing that I created another just for Less is More where they're asking for CAS + Metal card.  I think I've done it - silver embossed, and silver cardstock - look closely it's the "lining."

I know you will be as inspired as I was to play cards with Joan at Muse this week ... the more the merrier, I say!

=]

The Challenge #36 - Teacher Appreciation

Theme time this week - what better time to thank those hard working people in our lives?  Teachers!!  My kids had many who had a great influence in their lives.  I did, too!

Enter your inspiration photo:



Mrs. VanderVeen - my fourth, fifth, and sixth grade teacher!  Yes, she followed my class three years running!  [Poor thing!]  I loved her so much, at school I often called her "mom" and at home, I called my mom "Mrs. VanderVeen!"

For my favorite teacher, and The Challenge #36:

So happy to use this gorgeous PTI stamp again, this time colored with a few Spectrum Noire markers and poised upon a cute chalkboard patterned paper.  Found just the perfect little scrap of #2 pencil-orange for the banner... and the sentiments are from my newest Technique Tuesday stamp botanical set ... more from that beauty another day.

Thanks for the visit... did you have a teacher that had a special place in your heart?  I'd love to here about her/him!

=] 

CAS[E] this Sketch # 124

Hello!  Get ready to have a blast, and really stretch your creative skills this week, my friends!!!  Chrissy Larson has designed the cutest sketch this week.  And I can't wait to see where it takes you... here ya go: CTS #124:

Believe me, I was scratching my head for a few days.  It was when I was searching through my 12 Kits extras that I spotted these cute little animals Marybeth included in her kit in April.  Well, HAY hello little brown horse ... and PIG!

 

 

... of course one can't have real flames on their SSS candles near the hay - duh ... had to substitute a flicker of Stickles, which I actually quickly stamped on with the flame stamp and then ran like the wind to clean it off before it was permanently glittered!  Hope you can see it here:

 

 

Now who wants to read the inside?  Hmmmm?

Rating: old enough to get it! =]

 

 

Besides all the wonders you'll see from my teamies, we have a fabulous Guest Designer this week!!!  Welcome , Petra - so fun playing cards with you this week!

 

Have a good time crafting today, my friends - thanks for the visit!  Always makes me...

 

=]



 



Muse Marion #118

This will be brief... our ducklings are hatching!! 

I love, love, love your Muse card Marion!!!  I know every one else will, too!

I'm kinda partial to cats though...

 My furry friends are from Paper Smooches... no time to link... sorry!!!

 

Here's a first peek!!!

 

Hard to believe he's only hours old and already I can't imagine him in that egg!!!

It doesn't get more CAS for CASology: Week 147 - Wedding

Having just celebrated [okay still celebrating] our 20th Wedding Anniversary, and also since this isn't my first marriage, may I admit I'm still learning the art of marriage?
One of the things I try to remember: don't forget the & ...
as in:

• Me & You
• listen & then listen more carefully
• think, edit & then speak
• give & receive
• Honor & live by the Golden Rule
• Love & allow yourself to be loved

For CASology - Wedding - it doesn't get more simple than:



... with the perfect wish inside:



Stampin' Up's ampersand is the star here [run to the link - it's on sale!] add a few sentiments from the awesome SSS Congratulations set = CAS.

=]  I'm wishing you all lots of happily ever after, every day!

The Curtain Call - Totally Tassel

Earning the Lead in the last Curtain Call challenge?  Wow.  It just never stops being a day-maker for me! 

This week's photo for Curtain Call - Totally Tassel has made me reach in my supplies for a never-before-inked stamp from Winnie & Walter's The Party!:



I also added another little stamping from my newly gifted Bold Blooms set from Ellen's Essentials by Julie E. for the perfect sentiment!  It looks quite party-ready, I believe, after a tiny sprinkling of bling:



I've used two of the Stitched Circle dies from SSS to impress the circles on the card front ... this is a very scary kinda-new-to-me technique, but I love the results - and this is nearly a one-layered card, but for those darling little totally tasseled lanterns!

It has now become my quest in life to make you sing a little each day ... hope this tune puts your hands together as you sing it loud and clear!!

=]  Thanks for the visit! 

Muse: Chriss Blagrave - ChristmasVisions 2

Before I go further, I must tell you that our fabulous Muse at Muse ChristmasVisions2,  is not only a fabulous card designer, and maker of thousands of gorgeous creations for local Co-Op, Chriss Blagrave is my treasured friend.  One day we will spend more than hours on the phone with one another ... but for now, I love that we play cards together virtually!

Have you seen her gorgeous Muse card this week?  I have spent countless hours just pondering what to do, what to do ... wanting it to be perfect!!  Well, my kind of imperfect perfect =]

 

 

Searching through my stash only proved that I'm totally lacking an actual Poinsettia ... then I remembered that the flower, as we see it, are actually its leaves - BAM!

 

I knew that the leaves from my Bold Blossoms  dies by Julie Ebersole would be stunning immediately ... Bold Blooms stamps a recent, very much appreciated gift from another of my wonderful blogging friends!!!  [xoxo]

 

Here goes... are you ready? 

 

PTI Holiday Words and Sentiments;

American Crafts - Dear Lizzy Christmas circa 2010 patterned paper.

 

Congratulations again, Chriss, on your newest quest which will prove to be as inspiring to all,  as you are to me every single day!  Hugs...

 

=]



The Challenge #35 - Inspiration week

This one is gasp-worthy ... I'm not kidding...

 

Did I lie? 

 

I brought together a cute little bunch of Winnie & Walter roses again ... yellow roses ... my favorite of all.  Tucked into a little up cycled trimmed down cup from our favorite burger joint - Bagger Dave's!  I love their house-brewed Root beer and they always send you home with a full take-out cup and a healthy mitt-full of Tootsie Rolls... 'cuz that's how they roll - hee hee =]

 

 

Amy Tsuruta loves up-cycling - especially sleeves - you know that, right?  Speaking of amy T. she sent me a darling little t.y. card and some goodies... washi tape from her trip - gasping again!! - so I used it at the bottom of my card for a little grounding action and wrapped it right to the inside 'cuz  it's just too cute to stop!  The perfect sentiment is from Precious Remembrance Coffee Love stamp set. 

 

So will you be up-cycling?  Or pulling together your own favorite bouquet of flowers this week?  You know we'll love it, whatever you decide... I can't wait to see you in The Challenge gallery!

 

=]

 

 



I LOve a Party!

When I heard there was a surprise party for a certain cool-as-anything girl from London-town, I could hardly wait ... where have I put my party dress???!!!

Happiest of all birthdays possible, Sandie!!!  Wish I could be there to celebrate for reals!!!  Love your style, your sense of fun, and your fabulous challenge!!!

I couldn't resist making another little Kaisercraft kiss-stamped cards for you, Sandie!  Lots of kisses enclosed!

 

It was such a treat to meet your cousin, Lynn... hopefully I will lunch with you one day, too!!!  Oh that would be brilliant!

 

Happy birthday, beautiful girl!!

Time Out - Grunge with a little embossing on the side of The Card Concept!

Wow... that confused even me =\ 

 Time Out #31 has really challenged me this week with grunge ... even with the excellent explanation given, I'm stumped!  But the embossing?   I have that down!!  One out of two isn't bad?

Armed with my favorite embossing folder from The Paper Studios, I dry embossed a 4 x 5.25" piece of PTI Smoky Shadow cardstock - here's the trick: I applied a healthy coat of SSS white dye ink on the negative side of the folder before sending it through my Cuttlebug.  Here is the result, after just a bit of smearing it about with my finger-tip.

 

The main attraction on my card - that gorgeous Camellia from MFT - was cut from three different paint swatches [more on that in a moment], add a fabulous silver leaf cut with a die from the Wild Garden collection from E.H. Essentials, and a tattered piece of linen ribbon...  I'm not convinced this is grungy... but I'm putting it out there for you all to decide, 'kay?

 

Here is the reason for the tri-colored Camellia... The Card Concept and their fabulously frosted cupcake flowers:

 

 

The embossing pretty much mimics the boards, the card base represents the dark spaces between them, and my silver leaf and embellies are used to represent the fork - in my mind anyway!! Hmmm... now the style?  I'm guessing Shabby Chic? 

 

Thanks for stopping by ... love it when you do!

 

=]

 



For c... a little Neil...

... Neil Diamond, that is.  Ms. c [of Just me: c] .. has had me singing away for a week since she shared her love of Mr. D.  So this little card just begged to be created!

I was a very lucky girl indeed to win a little SSS prize pack recently.  It came with a lovely little Kaisercraft stamp set that was packaged so beautifully, I decided I'd try to recreate the darling tag from their Lilac Avenue collection.  OH! and the Hello from E.H. Mondo Magnolia set was [still] on my desk begging for a little kiss - stamp kiss that is - which you'll see right there on that Hello upon close inspection!

For CASology Week 146 - third helpings!!  [which has not happened in a long time]:

 

PTI Vintage Cream CS; MFT Linen background stamp, and ink; Studio G Navy dye ink;

and the perfect words [always] from Winnie & Walter =]

Many thanks to Simon Says Stamp and Heidi for her generous heart - but mostly thanks to Samantha Elson, who just plain makes my day quite often!!

And to c... for putting a full Neil Diamond mix of songs in my heart - and a smile on so many faces...

=]

CAS[E] This Sketch #123

I love our sketch this week and just let my card take a literal sway again this week.  Here is your CTS #123 challenge:

 

This is the way it was posted on the team blog ... I'm sure you can do anything you'd like, within reason =]

 

 

I enjoyed using another of my little Heidi Swapp hearts, this time silver embossing a bit of the edges, which I've seen done around the blogosphere lately, and offering it as a balloon with a bit of a silver thread for its string:

 

 

I'm not normally a big blue fan, but this icy little number was perfect with the streaming hearts of the patterned paper from Cosmo Cricket's Creative Girl collection.

 

Do dash over to see what my teamies have created... each is a charmer, believe me!  We can never wait to see how you all will charm us every week in our gallery!

 

=]  





CASology: Music - For a good time...

 

 

call it my "second verse" for CASology - quick card, quicker post:

 

 



A Simple, Elementary Tune for CASology: Music

I cannot get Judy Marino's inspiration card out of my head!  I'll bet she could rock this tune out on her little Xylophone:

For CASology: Music - the basics!

Believe me.  The dry embossing and Dear Lizzie paper lining up like that?  Pure.  Dumb. Luck.

 

Thanks to Judy, and CASology, for inspiring me today! 

 



 

There might be a "second verse!"

 

Will you sing along? 

=]

Muse Challenge #117

I am delighted to be your Muse this week!  I have been a bit remiss with my visiting you all lately... many visitors kept me busy - but in a very happy way!  You will be well sick of me before you know it!

I am thrilled to share with you another monumental occasion... Tom and I are celebrating our 20th Wedding Anniversary this week!!  We can't imagine where the years have gone, but are grateful for each other daily, and feeling so blessed.  So, you know I had to make him a special card, right?

 

Starting with the May SSS kit made this pretty easy as the papers from MME are simply gorgeous.  I used one of the gold stickers included to cut my little PTI Life - Wet Paint II die, and stamps for my sentiment.

You'll understand if I keep my inside sentiments a secret?  But I cannot wait to see what masculine, special occasion card you'll make to share with us at Muse this week!!!  See you in the gallery!

Thanks for dropping by .... LOve visitors! =]