Vellum-inous!

Yesterday I shared with you a sneak peak of some embossing I did with my new Anna Griffin embossing folders.  

As promised, here is "the rest of the story"...

I first used my brayer and inked up the inside of the embossing folder.  I placed vellum in the folder and ran it through my new Cuttlebug.  I ran a second piece through without reinking and it came out just a gorgeous, just a little more subtle.

So today, I decided to put that beauty-ness to good use.  A challenge!  (Shocking, I know)  Here is the sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch #13!

Since I just purchased a very whimsical little stamp set from Dylusions (Ranger), I just had the urge to get that in the mix.  The sentiment has nothing to do with anything, but for some reason, I just liked it.  So I used that and a tiny teacup from You Warm My Heart (Stampin Up) and some pink Colorbox Pigment Ink.  The sentiment was stamped with Coffee Archival Ink and cut out.  Mounted it all on kraft cardstock and a white card base.  Ta da!!  What d'ya think?

CAS(E) #13

That's it for today!  Hope you are having a crafty week!

Anna Griffin Cuttlebug Package

In Love All Over Again!

It's been a pretty good day, all in all.  The dress I ordered for my cruise came and I T  F I T S ! ! !  I do have to have the length altered a bit...it's a little too long (which never happens to me...I have a hard time finding things long enough) but that's better than too short!  

And I found some time to play with my new Anna Griffin Cuttlebug and Embossing Folders that I got yesterday through HSN.  Now, you're probably going to think I'm a paid sponsor after you read the raves about this, but I'm not.  I had to order and pay for it just like everybody else.  Darn it!  But this was well worth it.  It has me looking forward to the next shipment of folders!

Ok, so I already had a Cuttlebug.  The original one.  And it still worked just fine.  So why would I buy another one?  BECAUSE it worked just fine, I know it's a quality tool and it will come in very handy in my camper this summer.  But also, these new folders from Anna Griffin are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!  And you can't buy them separately (but Anna states she is working on that).  I watched her presentation on HSN last week and was sold!!  (If you want to see all the cool folders that come with it, go HERE.)  Tons of folders (large and border in addition to regular size) and they have an opening at the top so you can slide your paper through to do a continuous impression on longer paper.  Now how cool is that! Alas, they are sold out, but I hear tell they'll be offered again in April.

I'm going to share ALL the folders with you eventually, but I used three of them this evening and those are the ones I will highlight.  This is the first one I played with...just a sneak peek!

Hmmm, wonder how THIS was done!!!  You'll have to come back later to read more about this one!

On with the show!  Now THIS is the one featured...Matelasse.  Oooooo, I just LOVE this one!

Yummy!  I embossed some kraft cardstock and chalked the detail with Bravo Burgundy chalk from Stampin' Up!  Just LOOK at that gorgeous detail!

I then embossed some Bravo Burgundy (SU!) cardstock with "Fabric Swatches".

 

I inked both sides of the cardstock with Bravo Burgundy (SU!) ink and cut out two hearts, added a couple of chipboard letters and mounted the whole kaboodle onto a Bravo Burgundy card base.

I {heart} this card!  

So, let me know what you think!  Are you as big of a fan of Anna Griffin as I am now?  Do tell!

Happy Crafting! 

Time Heals All

Another FCCB Challenge

Wow!  It is thundering outside.  It is still JANUARY!  But since I'm in Michigan, this is nothing new or unusual.  And I LOVE to craft when it's raining.  Not quite sure why, but I do.

So, this week's challenge over at Fantabulous Cricut is Time Flies.  The challenge is to do a project that includes a clock or something pertaining to time.  And since my son is going through a rough breakup and I've been preaching to him that time will heal your broken heart, that's what has been on my mind. And that is what creeped over into my creative process.

Here is the result:

FCCB #146

I used a few techniques on this one.  The words were cut from Graphically Speaking (time) and Gypsy Font (heals all).  I first masked the background with a mask from Tim Holtz, and sprayed with Glimmer Mists from Tattered Angels in a few different colors.  Then I stamped and heat embossed the lovely butterfly and clock background with a stamp from Inkadinkado.  I stamped a few clocks from a Tim Holtz stamp set, and then attached my words.  That all went on a blue mat and a kraft paper card base.

I love how it turned out, and it will be the perfect card to fill with "momisms" for my son.

Hope you enjoyed my card and have some fun over at FCCB!  Happy Crafting!

Cards, Cards, Cards

Busy, Busy, Busy!

It's been a busy afternoon here in my cozy lil craft space.  I've been amazed at how many wonderful visitors I've had on my blog thanks to the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog.  I've even gained a few followers, and I'm hoping for more.  After all, you all are why do this!  Blog, I mean.  I'd be doing these cards no matter what!  Passions work that way.  Yup!

Anyhooooo, I did another card for the 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown.  This theme was to use "Triple Time Stamping".  If you don't know what that is, or if you want to learn how to do it, check out this link HERE. 

But before I jumped into my Christmas card, I wanted to try the technique out.  And since my mom needed a wedding card for a wedding next weekend, what better opportunity than that?!  Here is what I came up with:

I just used black and white cardstock (Recollections) and stamped the background in Sky Gray Colorbox Chalk using the French Script background stamp from Stampin' Up!  The outside sentiment is from Stampendous, and the inside ones are from Stampin' Up! (top one) and Embossing Arts (bottom one).  I added a couple of Dazzles from HOTP.  I love how it turned out!

The next card is the one for the 52CCT.  I went a little outside the box and rather than doing rectangles, I did circles.  I cut one circle at 2", 3" and 4" and the solid circles were cut at 1/8" larger than each stamped circle.  The stamps used were from my vast collection of Rubber Stamp Tapestry stamps.  The "JOY" was done with alphabet stamps from Image Tree.  Here it is:

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown

And the final card is just a fun one that *popped* into my head.  I was going through my collection of Stamps By Judith and came across the mouse and the mason jar.  A lightbulb went off and next I was pulling out the cheese stamp and some grass and...voila!  It all came together.  I love the colors too.
 



Well, after I had it all stamped, what was I going to do with it?  All I could think of was "Say Cheese", so I printed a tiny label out and mounted it.  Then on the inside I added:

Clever, eh?  I thought so.  Mi queso es su queso!  My cheese is your cheese.  HA HA HA HA HA.  Ok, so maybe it's not that funny.  Wait!  Yes it is!  HA HA HA HA HA.  LMBO!

So, I think that's it for today.  Tomorrow is Monday and back to work.  Glad I got to enjoy my crafty time this weekend, and hope you did too!  Happy Crafting!

FCCB SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT!

Come Check It Out!

As you regular readers know, I have been submitting lots of cards to lots of challenges lately.  I'm thinking this is my New Year's Resolution...one that I'll actually keep!  One of the blogs I really like playing along with is the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog.  They have lots of fun and creativeness going on over there.  They have something for every day of the week...LITERALLY!

They have Spotlight Sunday, Challenge Me Monday, Quick Tip Tuesday, Wednesday's Winners, Thursday's Tutorials, Fantabulous Friday and Scrappin' Saturday.  If you can't find something you enjoy in one of these sections, well, you're just not trying hard enough.  

So for their tag challenge (I blogged about it here), I submitted my entry and was very happy to learn I was top 5!  I even got a blinkie!  

Well, now, I am over-the-moon excited to find out that they are featuring me in their Spotlight Sunday! Wow, I'm so honored.  I'd like to thank the academy, my supportive family and friends, my favorite LSS (Altered Art Addicts), and God.  (I can hear you all thinking, "Just Wow".)  I joke, but I really am honored and happy.

So if you have a minute and can take hearing a little more about me (lol), head on over to FCCB and check out the Spotlight Sunday.  If you can't take any more about me (sniff), just go there anyway and check out all the other fabulous artists, challenges, tips and techniques.  You won't be disappointed!

Until next time, HAPPY CRAFTING!

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog

Sing!

This week over at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog, the Challenge Me Monday theme was Sound of Music.  I knew there would have to be something musical in the 3 Birds on Parade cartridge and this little birdie did the trick!  Come play along!

Challenge Me Monday #145 

Supplies used:

• Cardstock: Recollections
• Paper: DCWV (Heirloom Stack)
• Vellum
• Ink: Colorbox Chalk Ink (Green)
• Cartridge:  3 Birds on Parade (Bird cut at 2 3/4")
• Branch: Cut out from cardstock embossed with Cuttlebug folder
• Chipboard letters: unknown
• Inside sentiment: K. Andrew Designs

Another 52 CCT!

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown -- January Theme/Recipe Challenge

I love looking out at the snow outside my window, knowing I don't have to go out in it.  And I love making Christmas cards, knowing that I don't have a deadline to get a bazillion of them made, signed, stuffed and mailed by a certain date.  I am really enjoying the card challenges from 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown.  This week's Challenge (#13) is to use patterned paper and glitter, and to decorate the inside.  Mission accomplished!  I missed the deadline for submission, but I'm playing along anyhow!

52 CCT #13

 Just LOOK at all that twinkle!

And here is the inside of the card:

I am glad Christmas isn't right around the corner, but when it does get close, I'll have my Christmas cards ready to go!  Come and play along!

Supplies used:

• Cardstock: Recollections (Green, White)
• Patterned Paper: Unknown (from my old, old stash)
• Ink:  Colorbox Cat's Eye Chalk Ink (Green)
• Ribbon: Buy-The-Spool
• Glitter: Art Accentz (Spring Creek)

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Wood Home Dec Letters

Just a quick post to show off the letters I did for a friend of my DD. The theme for the baby's room is "Under the Sea" so I used some vellum die cuts I had of fish and coral.  Here is how they turned out:

Hope you're inspired to try working with wood!  Happy Crafting!

Another CSC Long and Short Card

 I just got a new pack of paper on sale at JoAnn's...Its the DCWV Heriloom Stack. These papers are so earthy and antique-y.  I had to use some of it immediately!  And since I wasn't real happy with the card I submitted to the CAS-ual Friday CSC 86 Challenge for a long and short card, I figured I might as well try again.  So I did.  And I'm glad.  Much.Much.Better.  What do you think?

CSC 86

And here is the inside of the card:

This was my original entry:

Yuck.  I think I would like it better if I cut some of the blank space off the left side.  But it's a little too late, since the card has been given away.  Oh well.  Live and learn.

Here is a list of the supplies used on the 4x6 birthday card:

• Cardstock: Recollections (Michael's)
• Paper: DCWV Heirloom Stack
• Stamps:  Inkadinkado (Meadow), Unity Stamps (Simply Magical), and Stampin' Up! (In My thoughts).  The inside stamp is unknown origin.
• Embossing Powder: Stampin' Up! (Black)
• Rain Dots: Cloud 9 Designs

Hope you join along and get your craft on!

Deconstructed Long & Short

Two Birds, One Stone!

I am sitting here looking at the snow blowing around outside my window and thinking how pretty it is...that is, until I have to go out in it.  Fresh snow makes everything look clean and bright.  But it's just so darn cold!  Now, if I could be curled up by a nice cozy fire with a Hot Buttered Rum in one hand and a good book in the other......ahhhh, to dream.

My DD needed a bridal shower card this weekend and asked if there were any challenges I was going to do that I could do a card for her.  Oh, darn, twist my arm.  LOL  I love me some challenges!  

I decided to tackle two different ones....Deconstructing Jen's Deconstructed Sketch #85 and CAS-ual Fridays' CFC 86: Long & Short.

I used the script paper that I had in my scrap stash as my inspiration for colors. As a matter of fact, all the stuff I used was from my scrap pile with the exception of the stamp (Stampin' Up!).  I colored the image using Prismacolor Colored Pencils and added some lace, washi tape and ribbon.  The background stamp on the card base is also from SU!.  The inside of the card's sentiment was just handwritten.

While this wasn't by far one of my more favorite cards, it still turned out okay. I have to admit that I did have some help...my 2-1/2 year old Granddaughter was "helping" Gammy.  It took me hours to do this project with her help.  But that's just fine cuz I love spending time with her.  As a matter of fact, I think I'll be adding a small pink table and chair to my craft room just for her (and her sister when she gets a bit older).  Who knows what wonderful things they'll create with the right encouragement?!  

So, that's it for today.  Happy crafting!!

CAS-ual Fridays: CFC85

Back with a new CAS-ual Friday challenge!

Busy all weekend helping my mom with some new furniture and rearranging.  It's early here in my neck of the woods...up at 4 A.M.  Why?  I asked myself that very question.  I guess because I couldn't sleep and because I didn't have a chance to craft this weekend so I didn't get my "fix".  So here we go.

This weeks CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #85...Round of Applause...is to create a CAS card that celebrates an accomplishment and features at least one circle.  So here is my version:

CFC85

I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder inked with Colorbox chalk ink, cut a circle out with my Martha Stewart circle cutter, stamped and embossed the sentiment and added some scrap ribbon (and, of course, a little bling!).  The top layer is popped up to give it some dimension.  

Hope you like my entry.  Come play along!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!!

Deconstructed Sketches

Deconstructing!!!

I came across a new blog (well, new to me) today and decided to play along with the challenge.  Actually TWO challenges.  I swear! I am so addicted to these challenges!  It's like crafting cocaine!  lol  I get a little and just want more and more and more.  Ro! You're rambling again!  Anyhow, these two sketches and challenges are from Deconstructing Jen's blog.  

The first one is for the Deconstructed Sketch #83, which also happens to be an opportunity for me to express my extreme desire to be on the Design Team!  I would kill to very much like to be part of this very talented team.  Their interpretations of the sketches are fabulous!  

Here is the first sketch:

I am "scraphappy" (my email address says so!) and, while it used to mean that I was happy when I scrapbooked, lately it means I'm happy when I use my scraps!  I hate to waste anything (I'm a little bit of a hoarder collector), so I'm very happy when a project comes together using only scraps.  I love the colors in this card:

DS83

The tag is a free download from Paper Wishes, the teal patterned cardstock is from the Mariposa Mapstack from DCWV, and the solid color, scalloped ribbon and yarn are "scraps".   And, of course, my cards just don't feel like "my cards" without a little bit of bling! So I added a few sparkles to the centers of the flowers on the tag.  You like-y?

This next sketch is #84:

I wanted something a little CAS (clean and simple), so I kept the background white.  Again, I used scraps from my stash.  I used a soft pink to stamp "Thank You" multiple times, then stamped the bottom one with a chocolate brown.  

DS84

I must say, I really like these sketches and will definitely be adding them to my "favorite sketches" notebook.  

Let me know what you think.  Leave comments.  Follow my blog.  Or just enjoy the pictures.  It's all good.

Happy Crafting!

Action Tag!

Birthday Tag with a Twist!

Hey, y'all!  It's me....AGAIN!  LOL

I'm back with another blog challenge...This time I tackled two challenges with one project!  Feeling pretty powerful right now.  Yup.

The first challenge is from Action Wobbles' Celebrate: Wobble Wednesday Challenge #38 which is to create a project with an Action Wobble for anything you celebrate.  

The second challenge is from Fantabulous Cricut's Challenge Me Monday #143 - Tag You're It!  This challenge is to make a project with a tag on it.  Ok, technically, my tag isn't ON it, it IS it!  But I think that will be just fine.

So, here is my tag:

Action Wobble Challenge #38 and Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #143

I used my Cricut Expression 2 and the Cricut Craft Room to design the "ingredients".  The pup is from Create A Critter, the present is from A Child's Year, and the tag is from Mickey and Friends.  The papers and all the little extras were from my stash.  The journaling was done on my computer and the sentiment I made up all by myself!  (My momma will think I'm so clever!)

Annnyhowwwww....(as Ellen Degeneres would say)....Here is a teeny tiny little video showing my tag in action! I'm surprised it isn't broken yet cuz I can't stop playing with it!!

Hope you enjoyed my little wobble tag.  Come play along! It's fun!

Happy Crafting!

(Comments graciously accepted!)

Use It Tuesday

Makin' It Sparkle!!!

Over on the Use It Tuesday blog, they have a challenge to dig through your stash and find sparkliness and add it to a project.  I chose to do a card (I know, you're surprised!)...and found just the right bling!  Ok, so the paper is new (K&Company), but the rest of it was leftovers and extras.  The little glittery bugs are rub-ons from who-knows-where...I've had them for a very long time. I die cut the swirly label out of scrap cardstock using a Spellbinders die.  The ribbon came in some ribbony pack long ago, and the stamps are "See D's" (front) and Stampin' Up! (inside).  Ready for the "ta da"?  

Ta...daaaaaa........

Use It Tuesday Challenge #47

Here is a close-up of the blinginess and twinkle:

And here is the inside:

If you have been following my blog, you can see how addicted I've become to these wonderful challenges.  I had been in kind of a creative slump for a while, but these blogs challenged me to find my mojo...and I couldn't be happier!

Happy crafting!