Sketch Frenzy Friday 4/27/12

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

Yep it is that time again for our Sketch Frenzy Friday Mini Blog Hop Yippee!!!
.Today's sketch was created by Jennifer Weide. It sure lends itself to a lot of creative licence. This is a great idea Jennifer! Now where to begin humm???? Because one can do with this sketch as they please my old head goes in a million different directions hahahaha CHOICES. You gave us a great challenge Jennifer that is for sure. See what I mean. Go CAS or Gussy it up????

This is what I came up with!

I thought adding a little extra something to the front would make for an unusual card! How did I do?

I used Baja Breeze Card stock for the Base, Calypso Coral for the Matte piece and Everyday Enchantment DSP, then Island Indigo for the Lattice Die cut pieces (1 1/2 ) for the focal piece. Don't forget the 4 Rhinestones for a little bling.
Here is a peek at the inside

I hope you enjoy this card and our sketch. If you would like more information on purchasing supplies please let me know I will be more than happy to help you with that!

Your next stop on our mini blog hop will be to visit Robbies blog at http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/
She always has a beautiful and elegant flare to her creations. If you would like to try your hand at this sketch we would love to see what you come up with too. Please upload it to our blog so we all can enjoy it http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you find some time to create something fun.
Patrice

Just checking in

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

VC Rocks is Rocking and we are up to 8 challenges already. Two of the challenges were to make, stamped, scalloped or textural backgrounds. Using scraps or distressed pieces of CS. Another challenge was to find a word to describe yourself. I chose Joyful. Then you were to make a card  using supplies that have these letters in it hummmmm JOYFUL?

J- CaJon Craze
O- MelOn MOmbo
Y- CalYpso Coral
F- Friends (oops missed this letter)
U- BeaUtifUl Wings
L- Lattice Die

Here is the card I came up with  from the word challenge that we were given.

Here is the second card I LOVE the crumpled up piece of Black CS that we had to use. Another part of the challenge was to make a border using Grey or Black I used the Strength and Hope stamp set. The theme was to make an Encouragement card. Hope is Encouraging I do believe. I used a pink piece of ribbon for Brest Cancer Awareness. How did I do?

These were fun challenges and hard to do but I like how these cards turned out!
Chat more later. I sure hope you get a chance to make something fun too today!
Patrice

VC Rocks Is Open for Business

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

I am sooo excited to tell you that VC Rocks has opened its doors for returning members this week. Registration for new members starts I believe May 1st through May 31st. I will keep everyone posted as time gets nearer. Here is a link  to our blog http://vcrocks.blogspot.com/

I have been swamped this week so I'm behind on my challenges I believe we are on # 4 already Yikes!

I had some time today to make a few RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness). Thought I would show them to you!

The insides are color coded to match the front of the cards. I just showed the pink one here.

The insides are just about all the same. I made a ton of these flowers last weekend and then made the cards to match the flowers. I guess that was a backwards way to create a card lololol. I made 14 different cards all together, but the layout was the same so no need to show them all. Hope you like them.
Have a great time this weekend creating or doing what ever you do!
We are going to a mini convention for Jeff's work on Saturday and Sunday we are picking up my Mom up from the Nursing Facility and taking her back to her house.
What that means is, its going to be another busy weekend for us!
Have a great one, what ever you do!
Patrice

It's Sketch Frenzy Friday time

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

Here is this weeks sketch and it is a classic one and very user friendly Deb Currier whipped it up for us.

I went for a CAS look. I love this DSP called Beyond the Garden.  It is so cheery. I sure hope they do not retire it too! I made the flower using White Glossy paper, re-inker, Aqua Painter and Tangerine Tango embossing powder. I love the Tangerine Tango embossing powder. Matter of fact I love all the fun colors of the SU Embossing Powders. For the scalloped edge I used the new Edgelits Die and the Adorning Accents  Embossing Folders that match.
Close up photo...I must have forgot to flip the switch on the camera to show a close up of the flower it is so shiny. Oh and look there I also used the Large Paper Doily Die I just cut out the center flower of that die and put it behind.
**  HOT TIP ** when using this die I found I had to run it through one time then turn the die around  in the Big Shot 90 degrees and run it through again. Caution do not jar the paper make sure you tape the cs dowm on the edges so it does not move. I also added 2 strips of  2" x 5" card stock through the center like a shim. It really helps to cut this die out much easier!!!!

Here is a look at the inside;

OK that's it for me. Your next stop on our blog hope is to visit Robbie Rubula's amazing blog http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/
You are going to love what ever she come up with, you can count on this I assure you.
We would love to see what you create from this sketch as well. Please feel free to upload your card here
http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/
I hope you have a great week and have time to create something fun.

News on the home front:
Not much to report this week THANK GOODNESS NO MORE DRAMA!!
Mom is getting better and will be released on Sunday to go home. We are still pursuing a referral to UCLA and that is in the works. So this is a good week. I started to watch a girlfriends daughter we are swapping babysitting for house cleaning.
Have a great week everyone!
Patrice

It's Sketch Frenzy Friday Yeah!

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

This week flew! I'm recovered from my Bronchitis/ Sinus Infection thank goodness that was a tough few weeks for sure.
I'm am glad to have had the time to create something fun today. Our sketch this week is from Angela Walters and it's a good one too! Check this out

This is what I came up with

I just couldn't resist using these beautiful bold colors. I watched several videos on You Tube  lately and a very cleaver lady (I can not remember her name but she did have an accent) did a technique I think it is called Packing Tape with Glitter. I didn't have any packing tape so I pulled out my gift wrapping tape and just pieced it together to cover the back side of the flower. Then I sprinkled the Dazzling Diamonds over the tape and it worked great. If I had our Tacky Tape Sheets it would work the same way too, as the basic principle is the same. I thought smooth pieces of card stock just didn't have the look I wanted so I ran the card stock through the Big Shot with the Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder. This gave the card stock just the right amount of texture I needed. Here is a close up of the flower center piece.

Do you see how shiny the flower is. It is so yummy! I can't believe it's just tape on a punched out scallop circle and glitter sprinkled on to it can you! I think the black just makes those colors POP! I really like how this card turned out.
Now here is a look at the inside.

If you would like to make a card from this amazing sketch please upload it to our blog we would all love to see it http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/
Well that's all there is out of me for this weeks Mini Blog Hop but you won't want to miss what Robbie has ready for us over on her blog. She is always so very creative  http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/
I hope you have time to create something fun this weekend too. Thanks for stopping by!

Family Update:
Mom is back at the Skilled Nursing Facility looks like she has a bad Urinary Tract Infection and only two antibiotics are able to cure it????? The meds must be administered into her pic line 4 x's a day so there is no way we can do that with her living on her own. Geeze, if it is not one thing it is another. A few weeks ago we took her to a UCLA Dr. to get a second opinion on her shoulder. He recommends getting that piece out of her ASAP so we are waiting for Kaiser to hopefully do a referral to take that shoulder replacement out and get the infection from last year cleared up. This means a third surgery and then a fourth for a new implant if it all works out! Keep your fingers crossed and the prayers coming!

Something for Saturday

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

It's Hot, Hot, Hot today. It has to be in the high 80's Yikes. I made a mad dash out in the garden earlier to water my thirsty garden. The heat is one sure way to cook my flowers. No Way Jose'. They are doing so good I want to keep the blooms fresh for as long as possible.

After I came in I managed to finish a card I have been working on and create second one.

This is a close up of all the fun embellishments I added to the card.

I used the Acrylic Paint Distress Resist Technique. Believe it or not the pink Label was die cut on white card stock. I painted it with a light pink paint let it dry (with heat tool) and then sanded it until the white of the card stock showed up  the way I wanted it to. Then I used a Distressed Ink  Pad to wipe across the Label to pick up the brown ink. There are a few more steps but the best way to reproduce this great technique is to check out a  video by Beate over at Split Coast Stampers and see how she did  this technique. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/acrylicdistress
No sense in reproducing a great tutorial.
Here is a look at the inside

Now for the second card

I had such fun making this one too. I used various markers to color in the floral stamp and then cut it out and glued it on to the Marina Mist card stock that was die cut with a Label Die. Then I ran it through the Big Shot with a Lattic Die. This technique embosses the two pieces together. I made a bunch of flowers punched with the Boho Blossoms Punch. made two banners from the remaining embossed card stock. I added some pearls and embossed and die cut the edge with the Edgelit Die and Textured Edge Folder they  match perfectly. I think combining the two really makes a nice statement. I huffed on the stamped image to give the inside a second generation image.
Here is a look at the inside.

I hope you all have a great weekend and find some time to create something fun.
Patrice

SFF 4/6/12

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

It's that time again for another exciting Mini Blog Hop with the gals at Sketch Frenzy Friday. This weeks sketch is brought to you by Tina Munske and what a super interesting a fun sketch!!!!!Great Job Tina!

Here is what I came up with

The card colors are Basic Black, Wild Wasabi, and Tempting Turquoise. There is lot's of bold color on this card. I used the 1 1/4" Punch for the squares and ran the two Wasabi through the Big Shot with the Lattice Folder and the three Turquoise squares with the Vintage Wallpaper. I thought this gave the squares great texture and interest.  I was thinking the Border Trim punched edge would also look nice at the top and the bottom so I changes that up a bit. I still wasn't satisfied  because I felt the big black space was just too much even thought I ran those spaces through the Big Shot with the new Adorning Accents embossing folder (hearts). I cut two thin turquoise strips and glued those down to cut up the space. Now about those flowers... Why not! I was attempting to follow through with the embossed flowers of the Vintage Wallpaper. I really like the look of the rhinestones added to the flowers it made them POP!

Here is a look at the inside

There you have it! Thanks Tina for challenging my brain! Your next stop will be on to Robbie Rubula's amazing blog. Check her out I learn something new there all the time http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/.
If you wish to try your hand at this sketch and show us what you came up with we would love to see it. Please download your card here  http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com.

Again thanks for stopping by.
Oh what the heck! I've got some more garden pictures for ya (Smile).

These Amaryllis just keep on blooming. I have two more stalks coming up how cool is that. You get four large red and white trumpet flowers that bloom off one stalk.

These plants are called Kangaroo Paws. They have a soft velvety  feel to the blooms. You can see the green flower that pops out of the pouch. It is a very hardy plant they can tolerate our summer heat. The two that I purchased are miniature.They also come in Gold and a lighter orange color. I have seen the giant ones grow up to 4.5 feet tall around one shopping center near our old house. The last photo is a shot at the blooms before they start to grow stalks. I bet this plant is native to Australia lololol.

I have tons of more close up pictures to show you of  My Little Patch of Dirt but that will have to wait for another day.
I hope you find some time to create something fun.
Patrice

Hello there Happy Wednesday

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

I'm on my way to the Dr's It's been a week and I can not shake this cold YUCK! I think a round of antibiotics should do the trick! Jeff is home again too, he went yesterday. We will both be good to go in no time!

Later I will come back and take pictures of those yellow iris I was telling you about the other day. Three of them are in bloom and more are on the way. They are so beautiful in real life. I'll also show you another picture of the rose I have a picture of it for you today as it is in full bloom now and you have got to see it..

But first here is a creation I made for a friend last night. You know me I love interactive cards. This is a flip up card card.

Looks innocent enough right! I love all the pearls and the fluffy ribbon bow. I think the textured layer of Bashful Blue CS  helped make it pop more.
Now here is a shot of the back and the side.

Well what do you think so far?????

This is the inside with the cover flipped up. Clever hugh!
Well what happens when you want to mail it???

That's not a problem. It lays nice and flat.
Hint-  Whenever I mail bulky cards I usually turn them in side out  with the flattest part of the card facing the front (addressing side of a card) so that it does not tear at the Post Office during processing With this card I will just have to turn it on the flat side to mail.. I think she will like it.

Now here are a few more pictures of My Little Patch of Dirt. Ria asked me "How do I do it"  Well for one thing lots of water you have to remember we live in a desert. Hot during the days cold at night. Second and my best advise is LOTS OF FERTILIZER. Since I am (now a Renter again) what is called a "Container Gardener" I have to add nutrients to the soil I do this every month. Third. I add new soil periodically as that   also is very helpful.
The Real thing is- I just help GODS amazing handy work along. I give Him all the credit!!!

Martha Washington is a specialty Geranium  extra pretty

Rose I do not know the name of it? I'll call "Peach Beauty"

Begonia.  It loves the spring.

Johnny Jump Ups? Thats what my Mom calls them.

Peach Geranium 

Elegant Carnations. I bought this plant 6 years ago for .50 cents.

That's all there is for today. I hope you find some time to create something fun today.
Thanks for stopping by My Little Patch of Dirt. It thrills my heart when she is in bloom.

Yah it's Monday and lots to do this week

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

I have been in my studio a lot lately and I came up with these two cards I thought you might like them. CAS note cards are always a hit when given as gifts.Here are the two cards I came up with.

I still had some extra Die Flowers hanging around to use. I thought the touch of Old Olive with the different shades of Oranges and Yellows really set the card off nicely. I found this big black brad in my stash  that I knew would work beautifully to make the Daisy pop. I could used basic black ink on the sentiment to match boldness and make the cadr appear balanced. What do you think? Here is a look at the inside

I always try to follow a similar theme all the way through the cards I make.

Here is the second card similar yet very different and yet still CAS. Ha ha, I made a mistake when stamping one of the butterflies so I had to devise a way of covering it up.... I thought about it for a while and added the white leaves. No one will ever know the difference. I love creating things because you can always say "I meant to do that" lolol.
Here is a peek at the inside;

There you have it, 2 cards and double the fun!

Have a great day and I hope you too find some time to create.
Thanks for stopping by.
Patrice

My Little Patch of Dirt is in bloom

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

I look out my studio window and this is what I see. It thrills my heart to see that  my flowers survived another winter. I think they like Redlands because boy oh boy are they happy!

Honeysuckle

This is what I see when I look out my crafting window!

These purple iris just keep on blooming.

This is the 3rd year for the Amaryllis last year one stalk this year three!! 

Up close and personal!

This is the second pot full. I think I can seperate them  after they finish blooming . Double the pleasure next year lolol

Red or Green ??? Wont know until summer???

Lavender

Kangaroo Paws. Funny name hugh!

Jasmine and boy does this beauty smell great!

Martha Washington my only one left  that made it from the move last summer!

In the garden photos for today are Purple Iris, Honey Suckle, Jasmine, Kangaroo Paws, Lavender, Grapes Green Seedless and Amaryllis.
Tomorrow I'll show you the Yellow Iris, Martha Washington, Carnation Grape- Purple Seedless and Begonia. Wednesday I'll take some more pictures as I have to show you Harry 1,2,3 &4 a plant I have kept around for 36 years. I have had Harry longer than any possession or relationship I have ever had lololol.

Thanks for stopping by My Little Patch of Dirt.
I was in my studio again this morning but  I'll show you the card later today in another post!.