Try Stamping on Tuesday and 1 more

Hello to all my blogging friends. I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

I just could not get a jump start today. When my honey is home sick my whole schedule gets out of whack lololo! We chat and have meals and watch movies (Sounds wonderful and trust me I'm not complaining one bit it is). But, there is a little part of me that likes my quiet time during the week so I can concentrate lolololo. Tomorrow is a new day and he is feeling much better. So that is a good thing!

Try Stamping on Tuesday http://trystampinontuesday.blogspot.com had a great sketch this week

See what I mean, loads of potential. This is what I came up with;

I love playing around with natural products in my cards and I have gotten a lot of use out of that old place mat. This is a very masculine card lots of texture and distressing my DH said it was "Very Manly" well that's a good thing I don't think any of my girlfriends would want to receive a Father's Day card lolol But, come to think of it I was a single parent for 17 years so I took on both rolls many times.....?
Here is a look at the inside;

I had an idea for a card in my head for a few days but, could not find a sketch challenge to match it so here is one of my original cards. Let me know what you think. Challenges are really good for guiding us along and for getting our MOJO going, that is why I do so many of them. Sometimes we just have to create and get out what is floating around in our heads (smile).

I practiced using the new SU Edgelits and the Adorning Accents on this card. I keep forgetting I have them?
Here is a look at the inside;

Well that is all for now. I hope you find sometime to play today!
Thanks for stopping by.
Patrice

Merry Mondays & Monday Lunch Time Sketch/LNS

Hello to all my blogging friends. I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

Is it Tuesday already? Wow, time flies when you are having fun right!
I had a chance to step into my studio for a little while this evening after we can home from a wonderful dinner with our friends Carey and John. I whipped up two cards for a couple sketch challenges I saw earlier this morning.
The first card is for Lesley's Merry Mondays Christmas Card Sketch Challenge #9 and the second card is for Mary Jo's Lunchtime Sketch Challenge # 210  which I also added a LNS Color Challenge #162 along with that card. The LNS (Late Night Stampers) color challenge was to "Go Green". That was way too easy as I already had pulled out blue and green paper for making this card (Is that cheating or being physic lololol)??? Enough talking lets see some cards!

Merry Mondays #9  http://alwaysplayingwithpaper.blogspot.com/2012/02/merry-monday-challenge-9-sketch-from.html

This is what I came up with;

I have most of the elements on this card but, I took a few creative liberties and made a couple boxed presents instead of the circle to go with the tree  theme and moved the sentiment lower and added that to one of the gifts.
I love the old world feel to this card. This sketch really did inspire me to create a Christmas Card I would want.
Here is a look at the inside;

Now on to the next card;

Mary Jo's Lunchtime Sketch# 210 http://technostamper.blogspot.com was a fun one too. In addition, I added the color challenge from LNS "Go Green"http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StampinUpLNStampers. Here is the sketch;

Here is my card. I am still having fun playing around with the Fabulous Florets Stamp Set as you can see. The rhinestones really make the card extra special. You should see it in person as there is just a touch of bling to catch the eye.

and a look at the inside;

That is all I have for this evening. I'm tired and better go get some sleep. Today was a very busy and long day.
I hope you all find some time to create something fun.. Thanks so much for stopping by .
Patrice

Red Hot Stampers #24 & Bloggers Challenge

Hi again. If this is you first stop in today please check out the last post too.  Hope you are having a great weekend.

Like the last post I again combined two challenges into one card. The first challenge is from the Red Hot Stampers http://www.redhotstampers.blogspot.com/ I  am so glad I saw that Robbie Rubula visited this site. I really do like their sketches. Here is this weeks sketch challenge.

This is what I came up with;

The fun thing about this card is that I found some Acetate Polka Dot DSP and a scrap of larger polka dot DSP that I thought would pair up nicely. I punched out three scalloped circles with the Acetate and then mounted those Acetate flowers onto Whisper White CS so that the polka dots would really show up. I then punched 3 1" circles in red and black for the centers. I tried to make them look like contemporary daisies or maybe even sunflowers.

The second part of the card was a Color Challenge from the Bloggers Challenge   over at Lisa Somerville's blog http://www.lisasomerville.com/2012/02/bloggers-challenge-color-challenge.html . We were to make a red, black and white card. I thought it would be interesting to see a shot of the shin from the Acetate as it gives the card a little extra bit of a Wow factor!

Here is a look at the inside

I used a SU Hostess stamp set Happiest Birthday Wishes and the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, the Word Window, the Corner Rounder, Scallop Circle and the 1" Circle Punches to create this card.
(I was too late for Our Creative Corner's last weeks challenge, but I will try again this coming week. It looks like a great challenge too).

Here are two Wonderful Challenges to get inspired by. Now it is your turn to go and create something fun!
Have a great weekend!
Patrice

DRS Sketch Challenges & Scrapbook Essentials BC

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

Today I checked out four different types of challenges and combined them into two cards. Two challenges per card. I will post the second card in a bit. The first challenge is from DRS Designs http://drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/ "Use a Tag"  This is a theme challenge and that's all their requirement was.

Then, I incorporated the tag with a sketch challenge from Scrapbook Essentials BC Sketch http://sbebcchallenges.blogspot.com

and this is what I came up with. I am really excited about how it turned out. I am usually not a frilly gal but I can go there when prompted and this card proves it hahahah Again I went way out of my comfort zone. I think I am still on a vintage roll. Every once in a while I REALLY like a card I make and this is one of those. Even though pink is not a go to color I thought this would set off the DSP. 

Here is the DRS requirement portion "Use a Tag".

I really think this sketch and the Tag requirement were meant for each other. I made a small pocket to house the tag on the front of the card. The score lines of the pocket were created by using the new SU scoring tool.
I even made the ribbon rose in the lower left hand corner from a technique I saw over at Sharon Fields blog the other day http://createdbyu.blogspot.com. It too has tiny tags on it.
As usual I had to dress up the inside just a bit.

Well, I hope you all like it. I used the Textured Lattice Impression Folder, the Scallop Edge Punch, Pink Satin Ribbon, Tiny Tag Punch,  Label Punch, Scallop Oval and Small Oval Punches.The DSP is from the new SU Occasions Mini called Attic Boutique. Pretty in Pink  and Very Vanilla CS. A misc. SU stamp retired from 2002 "From the Heart" the inside sentiment is a retired Hostess set called Occasional Quotes. Two current SU Stamp sets called Elements of Style and Just Believe. Oh and a strand of misc. Pink Satin Organdy Ribbon from my stash . The scallop edge just screamed mini pearls.

That's it for this card. I do hope you like it and find some inspiration from the sketch and the Tag challenge. Now it is your turn to go and create something fun.
Patrice

Freshly Made #23 & Try Stampin on Tuesdays #54

Hi everyone I 'm back with a couple more cards. If you just popped in I hope you are all well and happy!

Freshly Made Sketches #23 had a really fun sketch challenge this week. http://www.freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com See what I mean isn't it great. The three little squares were a fun challenge. I also like that the focal images were offset. That's what made it so fun and different.

  
  I had fun playing around with the Fabulous Florets stamp set from SU. Here is what I came up with;

Another bright and cheery card to celebrate this glorious day we had. Can you tell that I used the Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder? It really made the floral images pop in real life. The DSP is unfortunately retired, it was from a Mini Catalog last summer I believe. I just can't find it at the moment. Daffodil Delight, Very Vanilla and Tangerine Tango CS. Here is a look at the inside;

The yellow pattern is the flip side of the background paper on the front of the card. Well that's it, another spring time card for us to enjoy. At least I can appreciate the beautiful days that we are given in between the storms.

The next card was inspired by a CAS Sketch with Try Stampin on Tuesdays #54 http://trystampinontuesday.blogspot.com
I have never played along with this group before, but their sketch caught my eye. This is what I came up with.

I tried something new on this card. I cut a piece if thin Burlap and used a Framelit Label one size larger than my stamped image and ran it through the Big Shot. I was surprised to see that it worked fairly well. Although it did not cut entirely through the material it left a very nice impression which enabled me to cut around what parts did not cut. Oh, and I used mainly SU products to create this card. Here is a look at the inside. I just love the Nature Walk Stamp Set. I have used it several times this week.

 I cannot for get to mention another one of my top 10 go to sets, Just Believe. The markers used to color in the flowers were, Really Rust, Ruby Red, Bashful Blue, Garden Green and Old Olive. I pulled out some retired colors for this one. That's all there is to it.
Tomorrow I have a few more challenges to catch up on. I am feeling much better can you tell!


Thanks for stopping by have a great weekend! I hope you find some time to create too!
Patrice

Merry Monday #8 and SQSC #27

Hello to all my blogging friends. I hope this post finds you all well and happy and ready for a great weekend!

I had the entire day to my self and I played. I soooo needed this, just a me day!
I got caught up on a few sketch challenges but I have a few more to go so I will be short.

The first one was my DH's favorite because the water coloring came out so nicely! This card was inspired by a sketch challenge from Lesley over at Always Playing with Paper (me too lololol) It is for the Merry Mondays group http://alwaysplayingwithpaper.blogspot.com/2012/02/merry-monday-challenge-8.html. If this is your first visit here a bunch of us are working on getting a jump start on our Christmas Cards. So far we have created 7 cards and now we are on week #8.
Here is Lesley's sketch.

I thought about this sketch for several days before I came up with my card. Let me know what you think OK!

The stamp sets are from Stampin' Up and Close to My Heart. The Card Stock, Ink and the Corner Rounder Punch are  from Stampin' Up! The town is Bethlehem. Here is a look at the inside. I let the sentiment say it all.

The second card was inspired by the Stampin Queens Sketch Challenge #27 http://gettincrafty.typepad.com/stampin_queens_sketch_cha

This was such a fun sketch to play with. I really enjoyed myself while I was working on this card. Thanks Ladies, you did good!

Earlier, I was out in the garden watering. I saw that some flowers are staring to bloom and my grapes are budding. I love that light green color of new leaves. Spring is just around the corner I could feel and see it. Do you believe it was in the 80's today and not a cloud in the sky!
Because I was so inspired, I had to make "thank you" card that included flowers that were sunny and bright just like today!
Even the inside got dressed up!

 This card was created using all Stampin' Up products.

I better get going I have more to post. Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.
Patrice

Sketch Frenzy Friday 022312

Hello to all my blogging friends. I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

It's Friday and that means it's our Sketch Frenzy Friday's Mini Blog Hop! Friday is the best day of the week because it's the start of the weekend and we have our hop!
If I haven't said it in awhile I want to thank you for continuously stopping by on Fridays it means a lot to me and to all of us on the Design Team too!Thanks for the support.
This weeks Sketch was designed by none other than our very talented Maria Vanderform. Great sketch Maria now here is her Sketch. I must say it is a beauty too!

Lets see what I came up with.

Supplies I used to create this card. Nature Walk and Just Believe Stamp sets, Everyday Enchantment DSP from the SAB Catalog, Everyday Enchantment Ribbon Pack SAB, 8mm Pearls, Tiny Tag Punch, Peach Parfait, Very Vanilla and Basic Black CS.  Framelits -Labels Collection and Calypso Coral Bakers Twine.

Here is a look at the inside;

That's it for now. I hope you like the card and it helped inspire you to create something fun too..
Your next stop on the Hop is to visit another very talented DT member Robbie Rubula http://inkedx2.blogspot.com
I don't know how she does it but she always creates the cutest cards!
We would love to see what you create with the sketch also. So please upload your card to our Blog http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

I sure hope you have something fun planned for your weekend. I'm just going to rest up and play I am behind on several challenges for this week.
Thanks again for stopping by.
Patrice

City Crafter Challenge Week #97

Hello to all my blogging friends I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

As I said earlier I entered a couple challenges today. But, this is the first submission I have ever entered for The City Crafters Challenge Blog. I felt like going way out of my comfort zone and stepping away from the straight lines and CAS creations of where I have been playing as of late. I went with the aged look and feel of vintage. I really do down in my heart love texture and vintage cards. So to my regular readers I hope you like this.
This weeks Theme is All Natural.

Here are the challenge requirements and the link for the City Crafter Blog  http://citycrafter.blogspot.com/

Besides their traditional vintage appeal they asked that we use all natural colors, that means almost totally monochromatic. Both fairly new concepts for me but here goes.

This card was so fun to make; combining layers and lace, baubles and beads, silk flowers and even an antique postage stamp.  It's a love letter on a card.
Hope you like it.  Here is a look at the inside I tried to keep it very simple.

I thank you for stopping by and hope you too get a chance to create something fun today.
Patrice

Pals Paper Arts #129

Hello to all my blogging friends. I hope this post finds you all well and happy.

I was under the weather the last couple of days, so sorry I have not had a chance to post. My ears and sinuses were giving me heck because of all the wind we were having. I couldn't even hear well enough to drive or watch a movie so I slept- A Lot!   I feel better today and went into my studio and played. I entered two challenges I will show you the second one on a separate post later. First off,  here is the link to the PPA Challenge http://www.palspaperarts.com/2012/02/ppa129-sketch-challenge.html

Here is the challenge for the Pals Paper Arts # 129

This was a great sketch, as I said, I created 2 cards here they are;

Here is the second one I took the basic sketch and tweaked it a bit. Let me know what you think.

Well I hope you like them. Each one is very different. The second one is form my daughter. She will love it as she has two black cats.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you find some time to create something fun today.
Patrice

The Paper Players Sketch #83

Hello to all my blogging friends. I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

This week Anne Marie from the Paper Players has a Theme Challenge that is right up my alley. I love to make Masculine cards. But the challenge part is to make it clean and simple. Here is the challenge and the link to their blog
http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.com

This is what I came up with

I used the SU In Wilderness stamp set for my focal image and sentiment. For the background I used a retired background stamp called Weathered. I still think it is a great stamp. The stamp was inked in Chocolate Chip on Craft card stock. I stamped the Eagle in Black StazOn Ink and colored it in with SU Markers and used a Blender Pen to smooth out the lines.
Here is a look at the inside.

I hope you enjoy this card and have a change to create something fun from this sketch

The Paper Players Design Team Call

Design Team Call

The Paper Players are looking for two more Design Team Members for our March, April and May challenges.  We would like to invite you to apply for one of these DT positions which will last for 3 months.


My Name is Patrice Herrera, I have been stamping for close to 9 years. Paper crafting has been my greatest passion since I started. I have been a crafter of sorts for as long as I can remember using various mediums like jewelery making, floral design, scrapbooking, landscape design and wood working...
I have a BA in Business and a Masters in Organizational Mgmt. I LOVE to teach. I have been a Stampin Up Demonstrator for 3 years. I enjoy holding classes and sharing stamping techniques, tips and product usage with others.
I am married to an amazing man who lets me create, stay home and take care of the house and our three furry pets. Between us we have two unmarried grown children, alas no grandchildren. Yet!
I have had my blog "My Little Patch of Dirt" for a year and a half. I am committed to creating and playing along with interesting and fun sketch challenges and to met a personal goal I have set. Besides making new friends and exchanging crafting ideas online, crafting in my studio is my place of peace.
I was asked to become a member of a weekly Design Team a year ago called Sketch Frenzy Friday. I have enjoyed working with these ladies and I am in good standing.  As well as making cards from the sketches provided I contribute to the sketch pool in which I utilize Stampin' Ups My Digital Studio (MDS) software. 
I believe my crafting style is different and unique enough to add to your already amazing line up of designers. I would love to bring to the table my proven track record as a current Design Team Member and help contribute to an already fun and interesting Sketch Challenge Team. Thank you in advance for your consideration of my application.
Patrice




Well enough about my background lets see some things I have created

A  3D project 8 pages with 8 pull out coupons. Lots of texture and color.

 A candy/cookie container  that my DH keeps at work. It is home for a refill lol.

A Shabby Chic Christmas Card

Something from the new SU Occasions Mini

and a clean and simple watercolor card.

I hope this gives you all a fair sampling of my work and that you consider me as a qualified candidate.


Now I want to play along and make a card from this weeks sketch. 

To create or not to create that is a silly question.
Patrice