September's Simple Cards

It's crazy how busy I have become and how I long to craft (and then have no energy!  I did manage to make this set of 10 Christmas cards for the Christmas Card challenge on SCS.  Seriously, I did most of it while watching television.  I intentionally picked an easy layout, which just so happens to be this week's CAS Challenge.  The challenge is to use this sketch by Charlene!
I look forward to a load of crafting in the next couple of days as I have a baby shower to host and World Card Making Day is just a few days away!  Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Holiday Spirit; Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Christmas Cocoa dsp; Ink: Real Red; Accessories: stampin' dimensionals, PTI canvas impression plate.

My First PTI Blog Hop

 

I read about the PTI blog hop this morning and decided to play along.  If I read correctly, you only need one PTI product to play along.  If I interpreted that incorrectly, I apologize.  I have only recently began my acquisition of PTI products, starting with the Canvas/Linen impression plate. 

This blog hop is all about learned skills or techniques.  I discovered this woodgraining technique a while ago and truly love it.  It certainly isn't a new technique, but sometimes it's helpful to rediscover older techniques. 

I used this week's Fall To Layout to help flesh out my card.  I love the clean and simple look that allows the woodgrain technique to take center stage!  The woodgrain texture is backed by the subtle PTI impression plate texture.  I have finished it off with a simple sentiment.

I added this close up photo of the corner of the card just to show the subtle texture of the impression plate that is so nice!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Fluttering By (Verve); Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Bordering Blue; Ink: Night of Navy, Going Gray, Bordering Blue, Craft White; Accessories: Canvas impression plate, Scallop template, corner chomper, stampin' dimensionals.

I'm Smiling

I received a happy message this morning!  I was invited to be a VSN hostess for the next VSN, On Cloud 9!  I can't wait to be a part of this fun SCS activity and hubby will have to let me off for sure!  I think I will have some credit built up as I missed the last VSN and he goes off for a 10 day West Coast Tour with his band next week.

This card is leftover from Verve's 3rd Anniversary celebration last month.  I chose to show this one today due to the sentiment!  I am hoping to crank out some cards this weekend.  Hubby has gone camping and it's just my Sweet Pea and I.  We went to bed early last night as both of us are getting colds.  It's just that time, as I have been back in school for 3 weeks!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!

Details - Stamps: Blue Skies (Verve); Paper: Whisper White, BG Lemonade; Ink: Basic Black, Going Gray, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze; Accessories: M's self adhesive black pearls, stampin' dimensionals, paper snips, Waterfall stickles, Diamond stickles, embossed curve punch, corner rounder, square punch.

Catching Up With CAS

I made this little cutie to meet both this week's and last week's CAS challenges.  This week's challenge is a Fall Color Challenge to use Vanilla, Red, Brown and Kraft.  Last week's CAS challenge was an Inspiration Challenge using a cool balloon wreath photo.

I have probably seen this sketch or design somewhere, or maybe it's my own!  It' the rare card I make that is my own sketch.

This weekend promises to be fun-filled.  First, dinner out with my sister and my mom.  Then lots of girl time with my daughter!  And we are supposed to have nice weather!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Warm & Fuzzy (GinaK Designs); Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Print Pack dsp; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler; Accessories: Aquapainter, Scallop edge punch, stampin' dimensionals, Chit-Chat rub-ons.

A Little Fun For Tuesday

I just love this cow!  It's a dollar stamp from Michael's and it has so much personality.  We used to have cows, but hubby needed a break from the cow project.  So now, we will have a freezer full of beef instead.  It's a decent trade for a little peace of mind for the hubby.

I made this card for a Dare To Get Dirty Challenge and also for a Teapot Tuesday challenge.  I took this got milk sticker from my daughter, I think a dairy princess gave it to her at a parade this past summer!  I knew that she wouldn't even notice and it made such a cute card.  I have no idea what I would even use this for, but it was so much fun!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: M's $ bin stamp; Paper: Whisper White; Ink: Versamark; Accessories: Got Milk? sticker, Black ep, heat tool, paper snips, stampin' dimensionals; Techniques: CAS, embossing.

A Little Cheer on a Rainy Day

The rains have come and it is UGLY!  We had buckets and buckets of rain today.  So I bring you some summery cheer from the first week of August!  I dreamed up this card while I was camping in 95 degree sunshine with my family!  Don't you just love that juicy little strawberry?

I'm still in a bit of a crafting funk, so I had to resurrect a card from a while ago that hadn't made it to the blog yet!

Tomorrow is another busy day with swimming lessons after school!  I will try to learn to use my new bow easy.  Be on the look out for fancy new bows!  Take care and as always, thanks for stopping by!

Details - Paper: Whisper White, Poppy Parade; Accessories: Colorbok rub-ons, Swiss Dots ef, scallop border punch, scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, white gel pen; Techniques: CAS, embossing.

Spider Legs

Wow, these are way easier for a 4 year old when they are scored.  So I got out my Scor-pal and scored every inch for her.  It was still hard for her to figure out how to fold it back and forth.  She wanted to wrap it around and around.  Finally, we settled on a method.  "Fold it up, turn it over, fold it up, turn it over" and so on!  After much practice we ended up with eight spider legs!

We used 1/2" and 1/4" circles for the eyes and a wide oval punch to make the smiles on our fun spiders.  For the body, we traced a cake pan onto our card stock and cut it out.  Then we cut to the center and made a cone shape for the body.  Sweet Pea decided to decorate her spider with a pencil, thus the silver markings on the spider on the left.

Hope you have a fabulous Sunday! 

Details - Paper: Black, White and Red; Accessories: wide oval punch, 1/2" circle punch, 1/4" circle punch, kite string, glue stick, scissors, scor-pal, cake pan.

An Experiment for Sweet Pea

This little girl could be my Sweet Pea.  Although she probably won't be so sweet tomorrow.  Her Daddy and I are running an experiment tonight.  My girl is a little night owl, just like her Daddy!  So tonight we will just see how late it is when she decides to go to bed by herself or how late it is when she falls asleep on the couch. 

I am thinking she will be up long past Mommy!  Oh well, maybe I will get some morning crafting time :)

This is a card that I made for Amber and Denise's Dare To Get Dirty challenges.  Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Everyday Celebrations, Vases in Vogue; Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Recollections Autumn; Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Basic Black; Accessories: Sakura Clear Star gel pen, WCC, blender pen, stampin' dimensionals, black gingham ribbon, Nestabilities.

Happy Friday!

Woohoo! It's Friday!  It's the last day of the work week and we had some sunshine this afternoon.  I hope it stays nice for the weekend.  We have many outside chores to do in the next couple of days. 

An easy dinner tonight, leftover lasagna I made last night.  No bath routine tonight and a family movie.  Fun stuff!

This card is a card I made for my nephew a while back.  I made it for a Stamp 2 Spend challenge to case Tina.  This is the card I cased, right here. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes; Paper: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Bella Bleu dp; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel; Accessories: Chocolate Chip grosgrain, Button Latte button, stampin' sponge, glue dots, thin ivory satin ribbon, Chit-Chat rub-ons.

Something Old, Something New, Something Shimmery

I wanted to play along with Verve's Project Parade this month.  I combined a "new" sentiment from Kind Words with some "old" flowers from Because of You!  I just love this look!  Soft and pretty is really what appeals to me!  I had originally intended to use this flower with the Mother Theresa quote in Kind Words, but it didn't fit on the little mini canvas that I had to work on.  Back to the drawing board I went.  I felt pressured for time, so I just went CAS.

Another busy day at work, but I managed to squeeze in this photo just before I had to run detention.  Good thing too, it was just starting to rain!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Because of You, Kind Words (Verve); Paper: Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizazz; Ink: Going Gray, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizazz, Regal Rose; Accessories: Vanilla Shimmer Mist, Canvas Impression Plate, stampin' dimensionals.

A Little Birthday Splurge

I guess I went a little hog wild this year with my own birthday treats.  I just had to have some new Verve!  Love, love, love these darling flowers.  They, of course, came with some fabulous Verve sentiments in amazing fonts!  I don't know how Julee does it, but she keeps coming with gorgeousness each and every release!

I played along with the Limelight Papercraft's sketch challenge for this one.  To go with this sketch, crafters were to include patterns, either through stamps or through paper.  I have heaps of designer paper, so I opted for it!

Hope you had a wonderful Tuesday!  We had swimming lessons.  It was a great time, as I had my mother come and watch my daughter.  Then she came back and we all had pizza for dinner!  A fun family evening!

Details - Stamps: Kind Words (Verve); Paper: Whisper White, Gingerblossom dsp; Ink: River Rock, Ruby Red; Accessories: paper snips, Kaisercraft latte pearsl, stampin' dimensionals.

Another CAS Monday

This is from last week's CAS Challenge, to create a card based on Denise's sketch from this card.  You know I just had to play!  I quartered up my image and then had to glitter it up.

Today, I am back at work.  I'm trying to get into a regular groove, but it might take a while!  I was exhausted this weekend.  I fell asleep in front of the TV each night and even took a nap on Sunday afternoon.  I  never do that!  I forgot to take something out for dinner this morning, sigh!  At least I don't have a bunch of errands to run after work today. 

I just saw today's CAS challenge and it looks fun!  Be on the lookout for that card coming up soon!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Because I Care, Thank You Kindly; Paper: Whisper White, Mellow Moss; Ink: Almost Amethyst, Mellow Moss; Accessories: corner rounder, Sakura clear star gel pen, M's self adhesive rhinestones, Linen impression plate.

Back on the Wagon

Whoops!  No post for two days.  I guess I got a little busy and then a little tired.  I'm going to chalk it up to the first week of work and getting back into the groove.  I made this card for the Etsy Inspired Challenge this week and chose this darling little eye pillow as my inspiration!

Part of my busy weekend was attending a first birthday party in honor of the son of some good friends.  As you can see, I really was in a hurry and could even stage my picture like I normally do.  So....there is no way for you to know that I use my versamark pen to color over the balloons and clear emboss so that they would be shiny. 

As his mother was opening our gift, she told me again how much so loved the handmade cards I had given to her a couple of years back.  She is down to just one.  I guess it's time for me to make some more cards for her!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope that you have had a restful weekend!

Details - Stamps: Changito Solo (Stampendous), Warm & Fuzzy (GKD), Birthday Whimsy; Paper: Whisper White; Ink: Soft Sky, Old Olive, Basic Brown, Brilliant Blue; Accessories: WCC crayons, blend pens, versamark pen, clear ep, heat tool, torn post-it; Techniques: CAS, sponging, masking, embossing.

On a Sponging Kick

I needed a few more quick note cards for a co-worker.  I opted for my version of the Brayered Sky technique.  I am brayer challenged, so I used my sponges.  I created my sunset with a few inks and then stamped over it in gray and then embossed over both!

I love how this turned out, even though it is quite simple!  I played along with a Stamp 2 Spend challenge to create your own VSN challenge to fit with last month's theme, Summertime in the Land that I Love.  I called my challenge "Summer Sky" for the gorgeous sunsets I love to watch with my friends and family. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Details - Stamps: Upsy Daisy; Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White; Ink: So Saffron, More Mustard, Really Rust, Going Gray, Versamark; Accessories: white ep, heat tool, stampin' sponge, stampin' dimensionals.

Back To School

A soft looking card for my first day back.  Courage is the right theme for today.  We have many technology changes and challenges, as well as a whopping schedule change!  I am certain that staff and students will be alright :)

This card was made during the Dare To Get Dirty Challenges for Susan's challenge.  I just love this retired SU  paper and was so happy to get it out and play.  I should do it again!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Details - Stamps: Blue Skies (Verve), Canvas; Paper: Whisper White, Mellow Moss; Ink: Mellow Moss; Accessories: Karen Foster brads, white taffeta ribbon, stampin' dimensionals.

Last Day of Summer Vacation

I managed to squeeze in one little challenge today.  Color challenges seem to be the hardest for me, don't know why?  Anyway, the colors listed for today are all In Colors that I only have in marker form and I wanted to sponge, so I went a little off track.  I found colors that were close and I sponged.  The colors just elicited Halloween for me.  I don't do many Halloween cards, but I had fun with this one.

Back to school for me tomorrow!  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Details - Stamps: $ stamp from Michael's; Paper: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Whisper White; Ink: Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery, Elegant Eggplant, Early Espresso; Accessories: Chat Room rub-ons, M's self-adhesive rhinestones, purple Sharpie, sponge dauber.

One Layer Christmas

Poppin' pastels is a technique that I like a lot, but hardly ever do.  I gave it a try and I really do like it.  I did spray a sealant over my card and it gave it a bit of a grainy feel.  Kind of strange, but I will see how the chalking holds up now.

This card is for Susan's One Layer Wednesday challenge to use trees.  I had this rather large stamp and wanted to try it.  To keep it CAS, I just scored 1/4" from the top and bottom.  No other embellishments were needed. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Scenic Season; Paper: Whisper White; Ink: Versamark; Accessories: stampin' pastels.

Feels Just Right

I just love the watercolor look!  It's feel like Fall outside around here and this sunflower look-alike fits the bill for me.  I made this at the beginning of August for a VSN challenge called State Flowers.  It's the only one of the mini and main VSN that I got to play this time around.  I feel so cheated, but I did get some great family vacation time.

I will hopefully get my hands on this set today to created some note cards.  That is if the gardening and chores permit me to do so!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details -Stamps: Watercolor Trio; Paper: Kraft, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Christmas Cocoa dsp; Ink: Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Old Olive; Accessories: Nestabilities, color spritzer, olive grosgrain ribbon, stampin' dimensionals, corner rounder .

Wildflowers a la Emily

I guess you could say I am in mourning or reliving my most recent glory days!  This is a card I made while on the CAS dt for the challenge that was all about Emily!  She's a fantastic crafter and if you haven't checked out her blog, here's a link!  I had a lot of fun with this sketch.  I turned it on its side and then punch the top part of the card to reveal a bit of the inside.  I stamped my flowers in kraft and vanilla on the opposite color of the card base.  I used some amazing ribbon I got from Limelight Papercrafts!  Mandy, the owner, is super sweet and runs sketch challenges twice a month.  There is one on now!

Anywho, I was just taking a break from gardening on this overcast Labor Day Weekend Saturday!  I hope your day is going fabulously!

Details - Stamps: The Artist in You (Unity), Occasional Quotes; Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla; Ink: Vanilla Craft ink, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip; Accessories: embossed curve punch, Kaisercraft latte pearls, scor-tape, Pink Paislee Tinsel Town ribbon.

Two Hearts

This is another card I made for yesterday's Pep Rally to reveal the Fall CAS DT.  Boy, this season's team is a doozy!  There should be tons of eye candy to make us all drool.  The first challenge is next Monday, Labor Day!  I can't wait!!  I will be playing along for sure.

I had so much fun on the design team, that I am looking into finding another design team gig.  Of course, that begs that my work is good enough and fits with what someone else is looking for!  At least I can try to get in on some behind the scenes fun via VSN.  I think I am ready for that now.  Which reminds me, I need to check the thread to see when the next VSN might me.  I totally missed out on this last one due to Dare To Get Dirty and my hubby's last minute RV purchase and camping trip!

Anyway, have a fabulous Friday of this weekend!

Details - Stamps: In My Thoughts, Simply Said; Paper: Whisper White; Ink: Basic Black, Pink Pirouette; Accessories: SAMJ, Sakura Clearstar gel pen, pink organdy ribbon, glue dot.

Fall CAS Design Team Revealed

Tonight is the night!  The team will be fully revealed in just a few hours.  This is the card that I made for the final challenge of the Fall CAS DT search.  The challenge was about "couples".  I used a couple of leaves.  I tried to go with a Fall theme as the new team is for the fall term.

I made this today.  I had to stamp today after an all day reading training.  We are adopting a whole new reading program and this was the first introduction to it for Instructional Assistants.  Whew, I was on overload at the end of the day!

I used lots of techniques here and still kept it CAS.  I sponged, masked, thumped and rock and rolled!  Hope you had a great day!

Details - Stamps: Autumn Leaf Prints, With Gratitude, Kind and Caring Thoughts; Paper: Whisper White; Ink: River Rock, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Close to Cocoa, Early Espresso, Chocolate Chip; Accessories: SAMJ, sponge dauber, post-its.

A Day Late

I'm a day late in featuring my August Christmas Cards for the Christmas Card Challenge on SCS.  I tried to take and make these while on vacation.  I just couldn't.  I based my card loosely on the sketch from Sketch Challenge 295 at SCS.  I also tried to make that sketch work, but couldn't figure out what to do with the round layer.  I finally just left it off and my cards were born.  It was a pretty simple card to make and I made all 10 in an evening of tv watching.  I cut most of the paper during commercials.  I punched corners, used rub-ons, glued and pierced while watching some DEA TV show my hubby was into!

Hope you have a great day!

Details - Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Taken With Teal, Pear Pizzazz, BG Mistletoe & Pear; Accessories: corner rounder, SU ice rhinestones, Geo Rub-ons, stampin' dimensionals.