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.

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.

My Last Design Team Card

It is with great sadness and joy that I announce this as my last design team challenge card.  I will have one more new card to reveal as a design team member outgoing :(  What a fabulous way to spend my summer!  I am eager to try (and likely get rejected) for another design team position, as I have enjoyed it so much.  I will have to seek some feedback and see if folks think I have improved through this venture!

This little number is for today's CAS challenge, to be inspired by a word...Delicious!  I love sweets and this was a no brainer for me.  I also love blush blossom, such a soft color.  I paired it with some gray and some sparkle and called it done.  I had to unload coolers and dirty laundry and everything else, so I could only make one sample for this challenge.  Hopefully, I will find time to play this week, but I am not holding my breath.  I have to work two days this week before starting back to school full time on the 8th!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Blissful Bride; Paper: Whisper White, Going Gray, Blush Blossom; Ink: Going Gray; Accessories: pastels, blender pen, Sakura Clearstar gel pen, basic gray taffeta ribbon, glue dot, Nestabilities, stampin' dimensionals, paper snips.

One Last Trip

Last week we bought a pop-up tent trailer.  This weekend, almost the last weekend of summer, we took it camping!  Here is my family posing for a picture with the Yakima River in the background!  So you know, I wasn't crafting this weekend!  It's tough to design by the light of a campfire :)

I will post one more card from last week's CAS challenge, a wonderful color combination I hope to repeat in the near future!  I have always wanted to give that double button thing a try and did so on this card.  I used my linen thread to tie it all together.  I really love that sentiment and use it whenever I can!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Watercolor Trio, Vintage Vogue; Paper: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Welcome Neighbor dsp; Ink: Crumb Cake, Tempting Turquoise; Accessories: linen thread, random buttons from my stash, glue dot, MS arch lattice punch.

Back To School

Back to school is the theme for this season's CAS design team search.  As I am saddened by my term coming to an end, I am excited to help chose the next team!  This card is in support of those ladies trying out for the next team.  The challenge is to make a card using a teacher's pet theme.  I think my stack of books will do nicely!  I stamped the books a few times and then paper pieced them.  Next, I thought that a "thank you" type sentiment was most appropriate.  I found my trusty rub-ons and put them to use.  I almost forgot the second part to the challenge.  It was to use a punch.  Seriously, I almost had it uploaded and then thought, "Whoa, I forgot the punch!".  I quickly took my card upstairs, corner punched it and then photographed it again!  I am really please with how it turned out!

Thanks for stopping by!

As you read this, I am camping with my family. I am attempting to craft while camping.  I'll report back about how it goes :)

Details - Stamps: Hodge Podge of Happiness (Unity); Paper: Whisper White, Pattern Pack I, II, III dsp; Ink: StazOn Timber Brown, Real Red; Accessories: paper snips, Chit Chat rub-ons, two-way glue pen.

Yikes, Tuesday disappeared!

I can't believe it is Wednesday already!  This week is totally flying by me!  Here is another CAS challenge card from Monday.  This is my daughter's favorite from the bunch.  She likes the stars on it.  I made it to send to me nephew in Germany when I finally get a care package built up.  It's not too girly, right?

I am already saddened to think that school will start in two weeks.  I am not ready for my summer vacation to end as I have so many crafting projects (and home projects) that I want to complete!

Oh well, c'est la vie!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Seeing Stars, Woodgrain Background (All Night Media); Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Tempting Turquoise; Ink: Crumb Cake, Tempting Turquoise, Versamark; Accessories: White ep, heat tool, Nestabilities, large star punch, small star punch, stampin' dimensionals, Chat Room rub-ons.

CAS Monday, Second to Last

Oh my goodness, only one more challenge after this one left on my term as part of the CAS Summer design team.  Wow, that has gone fast and been very, very enjoyable!  This is my favorite card from this week's CAS challenge.  this week is a color challenge:  kraft, turquoise and white.  These colors make such elegant cards, it is amazing!  You should check it out if you have the chance or even play along.  Really, who couldn't use another card in their stash??

While you are checking it out, there is just a bit longer to enter the CAS Fall Design Team search.  Here is a link to the first challenge.  If I can make the design team, than anyone truly has a chance :)

Today was a bit better day, more back to normal.  Except for canning peaches, things were really back on track.  Canning peaches, what a hot mess!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Echoes of Kindness, Fresh Cuts, Canvas; Paper: Crumb Cake, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, vellum; Ink: Versamark, Tempting Turquoise, Crumb Cake; Accessories: Stampin' dimensionals, kraft taffeta ribbon, linen thread, glue dots, 1/8" hole punch, blender pen, Bazzill mini brads; Techniques: CAS, embossing.

CAS Monday, Baby-style

Don't ask me why?  I have babies on the brain!  My baby is 4 years old and she is definitely going to be an only.  It's probably because my girlfriend is going to have her first in November and we just started the planning of her baby shower!

Anyway, this is for this week's CAS challenge, a sketch challenge by Emily.  We are using this card that she designed.  I think of this card that Emily designed and that prompted me to add the ruffles.  Do you like it?

My daughter is home with me today as daycare is closed, so I will have to make this a short post.  Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Little Ones (Rubber Stampede), Occasional Quotes; Paper: Blush Blossom, Very Vanilla, Petal Patch dsp; Ink: Versamark, Close to Cocoa; Accessories: eyelet border punch, Kaisercraft blush pearls, vanilla taffeta ribbon, glue dot.

CAS Monday and FTL

Another CAS Monday and this week, the challenge is a garden theme challenge.  I have ladybugs in my garden and they were all over my dill when I was out picking on Saturday.  I bought 1500 ladybugs for my husband for his greenhouse.  He had an aphid problem that he wanted to control naturally.  It only cost about $30.00 and was highly entertaining for my 4 year old.  The added benefit being that after the ladies escaped the greenhouse, they found their way to one of our gardens.  Those lovely ladies have set about work in there!

I used this week's Fall To Layout from the clean and simple stamping blog.  The sketch just screamed ladybugs to me!  After perusing other submissions today, I wasn't the only one who got that impression!  You know the saying, "great minds think alike", it must be true!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Daisies4You (Stamps of Life); Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black; Ink: Basic Black, Versamark; Accessories: Black ep, heat tool, paper snips, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1/2" circle punch, stampin' dimensionals, corner rounder.

CAS Monday, Again! Teddy Bear Style

Just a quickie post today, friends!  If hubby gets home from his abbreviated work day and I am not all packed for our week long camping trip, I am in for it!  So, you can find the details of the CAS challenge here. 

This little cutie was for a daycare friend of my daughter.  She turns two tomorrow and her party was yesterday!  I thought a teddy backed by a cute polka dot strip would be perfect for this sweet little girl.

Thanks for looking!

Details - Stamps: Little Ones (Rubber Stampede; Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Sweet Always dsp; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Bordering Blue; Accessories: WCC, blender pen, Chat Room rub-ons, scallop trim border, corner rounder, M's self-adhesive pearls, pink Sharpie, stampin' dimensionals.

CAS Monday, Just a Bit Early

 This week's CAS challenge is all about polka-dots!  Fun, huh!  One of the first things that came to mind is this polka-dotted little beauty by Verve.  And wouldn't you know it, Julee is running a challenge with it right now!  Soo......I whipped it out and whipped up a little CAS number!  Okay, not necessarily, as I hand stitched it!  I also used this week's Fall to Layout from the clean and simple stamping blog. 

If I don't post this next week, it's because I ran out of time during all of the camping packing to type out any posts ;)  Next weekend, I should be back in full force!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Fluttering By (Verve); Paper: Whisper White, Almost Amethyst, Welcome Neighbor dsp; Ink: Almost Amethyst, Versamark, So Saffron; Accessories: needle & thread, mat pack, piercing tool, paper snips, stamping dimensionals, clear ep, heat tool.

Are You Tired of Fish Yet?

I am just about tired of fish, but really, who could tire of these two little cuties in a fish bowl!  This is my last sample card for this week's CAS challenge, to be inspired by the title "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish".  It also meets with Deb's Dare to Get dirty challenge.  You can see that here (if you are a Fan Club Member).  Oh wait, it also meets with Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply challenge called "Two's Company". 

I had a little fun with my crystal effects here.  I glossed up my bowl and because of that, Denise informed me that it meets with her current RESQ challenge.  So I will link it up there.  And while I am piling on the challenges, I think I will enter this in the Moxie Fab World's challenge to create  something "fun and cute". 

That should be about a record for me, 5 challenges.  Seriously, I didn't really plan it that way.  But it is nice when it happens!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Details - Stamps: Hodge Podge of Happiness (Unity); Paper: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie; Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Glorious Green, Crushed Curry; Accessories: WCC, blender pen, crystal effects, white gel pen, stampin' dimensionals, wide red grosgrain ribbon, white embroidery floss.

More Fish, More Dirt!

Wish I could tell you more about the Amber's Dare to Get Dirty challenge, but that is part of the privilege of Fan Club Membership on SCS.  If you ask me, I think it is completely worth it!  This card also meets with the CAS inspiration challenge this week, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, in that I kept to "fish" theme of the challenge. 

After posting on SCS, commenters were kind enough to tell me that it meets with another challenge hosted by Mark's Finest Papers.  This Speedy the Cat's Friends blog challenge is to create a masculine card.  Can do and done!

I had a little fun with this one.  While hubby was napping in the afternoon on Sunday, I helped myself to a little fishing line and threaded it through the eyelets in the corners of the main image.  A fun detail,  I think!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Details - Stamps: Angler, Occasional Quotes; Paper: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla; Ink: StazOn Timber Brown; Accessories: Watercolor pencils, eyelets, square lattice ef, stampin' dimensionals, fishing line.

CAS Monday with Fish

This week's CAS challenge is to create a card inspired by the title of this Dr. Seuss book, "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish".  I went pretty obvious with this one.  This card ended up being somewhat out of my comfort zone for several reasons.  First, I hand cut my own stamp from the extra rubber that comes in my SU sets!!!  Can you believe it?  Next, I wrote on the card via the eyes, mouth and water splashes.  Finally, I used 4 different colors.  That is a lot for me!!

I incorporated a couple more challenge here.  I used the 100th sketch from the clean and simple stamping blog.  the scallops across the bottom reminded me of waves, so I went with it!  The other challenge I used was Kim Hughes' Dare To Get Dirty challenge and you can find it here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: One of a Kind, hand cut fish from leftover rubber; Paper: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise; Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Brilliant Blue; Accessories: Wide Saffron grosgrain, glue dot, slot punch.

A Little Fruit Fun

Here is another sample card from this week's CAS sketch challenge.  The sketch is based on a card I made a couple of months ago.  I titled this new card "Cherry Buttons", after the base color Cherry Cobbler.  It's a new SU color released on July 1st.  I fiddled around with colors to pair it with and landed on Always Artichoke.  It's such a rich pairing that I stayed with it.  I just happened to have an abundance of those cherry colored buttons in my stash, so I created the horizontal layer with them. 

I dont' know about anyone else, but I am up to my elbows in fruit these days.  Right now it is raspberries and blueberries.  Later on comes peaches, plums and blackberries for me.  Hopefully my crafting won't suffer for all my canning and freezing!

Have a fabulous day!

Details - Stamps: Watercolor Trio; Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Always Artichoke textured; Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Versamark; Accessories: Top Note die, buttons from my stash, white embroidery thread, mini glue dots.

Woodgrain Wishes

Since I have been posting a bunch of the cards I have made for my nephew, I thought I would also post this one.  It's true....it's CAS Monday!  This week's CAS challenge is a sketch challenge based on this card I did a while back.  It's so weird and flattering to have people copying your card.  I was very clear in the narrative of my card that it isn't really my sketch, but a sketch by Kim Kesti from Papercraft's Go To Sketches issue. 

I have been longing for a kraft ink for ages and ages and SU has finally come out with one.  I love it, although I wish they would just call it Kraft instead of Crumb Cake.  I love the wood grain stamp too!

Have a fabulous day!  Mine looks to be busy with lots of harvesting and commenting on CAS cards in the SCS gallery :)

Details - Stamps: Wood grain Background (All Night Media); Paper: Whisper White, Kraft; Ink: Crumb Cake; Accessories: Kraft taffeta ribbon, Chat Room rub-ons, stampin' dimensionals, glue dot.

Gradient Colored Butterflies

Hi there!  I'm here with one more card from last week's CAS challenge.  I received these butterfly stamps from Verve in a contest not too long ago.  Aren't they gorgeous????  I used a gradient colored paper and some shimmer mist to jazz them up a bit.  Since the CAS challenge had to do with embossing, I scored above and below, effectively capturing my butterflies!  I used one of Julee's fabulous new sentiments to finish off my card.  Pretty simple, with the exception of the fussy cutting to pop up the butterflies.

I hope this day bring you much joy, sunshine and blue skies!  It's too soon to tell here :)  Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Blue Skies (Verve); Paper: Whisper White, SEI Mimosa; Ink: StazOn Jet Black; Accessories: scor-pal, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, paper snips, stampin' dimensionals.

She's Having a Baby

A baby girl that is!  One of my very good friends is due to have her first child in November.  She just found out last week that it will be a baby girl.  I was eagerly awaiting the phone call to tell me the sex of  the child and decided to craft!  It was nap time for my daughter anyway.  I had fiddled around with this technique of leaving a designated portion of the vellum without embossing.  So I just decided to make cards for whatever sex of the baby. I made this one in pink, one in blue and a third in green.  Why green?  I remembered that sometimes babies do not cooperate with the ultrasound technician and I thought I had better have something on hand in case her baby was uncooperative!

I had a challenge in mind when I made this and I also used an old technique challenge for the embossing.

That's my story and this is to celebrate my girlfriend's Little Angel!

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

Details - Stamps: Little Ones (Rubber Stampede), Little Angel; Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Vellum; Ink: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose; Accessories: Swiss Dots embossing folder, Soft Subtle brads, Light pink grosgrain ribbon, stampin' dimensionals.