Paper Craft Crew PCCCS #86

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

Today I have another great sketch from the Paper Craft Crew. It was a tough one  for me, I had to make two cards before I was happy  with the one I'm posting. I hope you get a chance to play along with their sketch. I know I love a good challenge so why not give it a try. Here is the address to visit them. http://www.papercraftcrew.com/

Here is their sketch

and here is what I came up with.

I used the Soho Subway DSP on this card. I just love this DSP for masculine cards. I paired it with Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight and Early Espresso card stock and Early Espresso Ink. I used The 3/8 Corner Rounder on the edges of the card as well as the 3/4" Circle, Small Oval, Owl Builder and the 1" Circle Punch. I hope this set never gets retired, it is called Lovely as a Tree. I also used Field Flowers for the sentiments.

 For the three dots on the right hand side I used the new Candy Dots in Regals. I free cut all the little banners on the bottom of the sketch. That's all there is to this card.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I hope you were inspired and find some time to create.

Chat soon,
Patrice

Saturday Afternoon Crafting

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

I had some time to stamp today and came up with a couple cards. I thought you might like
As I have mentioned before, I love Black, White and any other color that comes to mind. Today I was wearing a turquoise blouse and thought that would be a fun combination.  The colors contrasted very well together and the card turned out very striking. Here is a look at it.

I used the Thoughts and Prayers stamp set. Basic Back ink and card stock as well as Turquoise Blue ink and card stock. I used the Beautiful Wings Embosslit.  The Bird Builder and the Designer Label Punchs along with the Delicate Designs embossing folder to add some texture and depth to the card. And several Rhinestones for just the right amount of Bling.

Here is the inside.

The next card I used the same template and stamp set but chose to use several of the new In- Colors.

Baked Brown Sugar is by far my favorite color in the new In-color group. Pistachio Pudding and Coastal Cabana are also really pretty colors. I used those colors on the leaves of the tree. I had some Antique Lace and a couple retired 5/8 Vanilla Trim Roses that I used for the belly band. I used an old time Scalloped Oval Sizzix vellum scrap I had in my stash that matches pretty well with our new Ovals Collection Frame-lits. The sentiment was framed with the Designer Lable Punch. I felt the Basic Jewel Pearls would match with the softness of the colors in the card and add to the antique feel to the card.

Here is a look at the inside.

That's all there is to it for tonight. I am glad I found some time to create something fun I sure do hope you do too!

Chat soon,
Patrice

Sketch Frenzy Friday 3/28/14

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


I created this weeks Sketch. Even though it is a very basic sketch it has a lot of   potential. I even had to really think about what I wanted to make with it myself. I thought a masculine card would be something different so I tried to combine the two in making this weeks card.

Here is the sketch.

This is what I came up with.

Jeff said it was very masculine and he really liked how it turned out. I guess this is a good thing coming from a guy. I had to look up how to tie knots. I found real boating knots on line. This one is called a "Bowline on a Bight". It's a funny name don't you think! I guess I should look up what a Bight is lololol. Here is the link I used to learn how to tie this knot and it has several other types of knots you can choose from as well.   http://www.animatedknots.com/indexboating.php
This site has several knots and very good instructions, check it out!


Stamping Supplies used to make this card.

Card Stock
Very Vanilla, Bermuda Bay and Early Espresso.
Designer Series Paper (DSP)
Soho Subway.
Stamp Set
By the Tide, From My Heart and Field Flowers.
Punches
Word Window and 1".
Embellishments
Hemp Twine
Ink
Early Espresso, Bermuda Bay and Soft Suede.
Misc.
Textured Impressions Folder.

This is a look at the inside.

That's all there is for this weeks sketch. I hope you like it and give it a try. We would really love to see what you come up with. Just go to our website and download it there   http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you find some time this week to create something fun too.
Chat soon,
Patrice


Update on Jeff.

Last Thursday, Jeff had an appt to get several nerve blocker injections. He had a really hard time during the injection procedure and almost blacked out??? They had to stop a little early (bummer). But they did get two done and had to stop. By Saturday he started to feel a bit better we were so happy and felt hopeful. By Sunday he was up and around and even drove to the store. Trust me that was huge! However, today he really felt badly again (oh darn) and had to lie down  a few times because of the pain. I think he over did it and has been in bed for so long that his muscles are weak. We have two appts tomorrow one with a Physical Therapist (PT) and the next appt is with an Acupuncturist (AP). These are only preliminary evaluations but at least they will begin a rehabilitation program to get him stronger. We know the shots work and that the. PT and AP will really help out. We are really hopeful but I guess it is just going to take more time.
Chat soon,
Patrice

Paper Craft Crew PCCCS #85

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

I had some time today and went into my craft  room (Oh such a lovely, peaceful place to play) and started looking for a sketch to work on. I found a really fun and very challenging sketch over at the Paper Craft Crew  http://www.papercraftcrew.com/2014/03/19/pcccs-85-card-sketch/


Here  is their sketch.

And here is what I came up with.

I love working with Red, Black and Ivory or White, Yellow, Turquoise... well any other color really as long as it is combined with Red and Black.

I used the Modern Medley DSP combined with Red, Black and Ivory.
Bitty Banners and Secret Garden Framelits.I also cut out a little piece of the Paper Doily Sizzlits Land put it under the focal piece. Other items were 7/8 Scallop Circle, Bird Builder and Itty Bitty Shapes Punches. The stamp sets I chose were Blessings From Heaven, Secret Garden and Mixed Bunch.

Here is a look at the inside.

That's it for today. I hope you like how this card turned out and get inspired to play along with this sketch challenge and submit your card too.

Thanks for stopping by.
Chat Soon,
Patrice

Sew fun.

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

I had some time to stamp today and I thought I would share the card I made with you. It's a girlie girl card and was sew fun to make.

Once I had the idea in my head it came together rather quickly! It is really a simple layout and it is half way between a CAS (Clean and Simple) and a basic card design.

Stamping Supplies used to make this card

Card Stock
Calypso Coral and Whisper White.
DSP
Watercolor Wonder.
Embellishments
Tea Lace Paper Doilies, (I forget what it is called the silver floral brad thingie)
Tangerine Tango Button. Chevron Embossing Folder, Corner Rounder Punch and the Sweet Button Embosslits.
Framelit Die
Dress Up.

Here is a look at the inside

That's all there is to it for this card. I hope you like it and you too get to find some time to create something fun.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you like the card.

Chat soon,
Patrice

Sketch Frenzy Friday 3/21/14

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

I'm soooo happy it is Friday, what a week it has been!! I am also especially happy that it is time for another SFF Sketch challenge! This weeks sketch was designed by Kim Innis .

and here is her sketch.

I had so much fun creating my card this week. Most sketches I love simply because they challenge me to do my best and see what I can do with any given sketch. BUT, this weeks was a super creative sketch and I just love the way my card turned out. lolol. You be the judge here it is

I love to work with red, black and white as a general rule. But, this week I had thought I would mix it up a bit and try another color that also adds a blast of drama and pop to a card! I really think the Melon Mambo did the trick. I used a lot of  misc. DSP pieces that helped in creating the dramatic effect on the banners. Thank goodness that SU has an amazing assortment of DSP (Designer Series Paper) because  mixing and matching designs in a given paper family with colors and texture of paper is that much easier to work with.

Stamping Supplies used to make this card.

Card Stock
Melon Mambo and Whisper White.
Designer Series Paper (DSP)
Modern Medley.
Stamp Set
Oh Hello and Blessings from Heaven.
Punches
Decorative Label, Word Window and Modern Label.
Embellishments
Pearl Basic Jewels and 5/8" Organza Ribbon.
Ink
Basic Black.

Here is a look at the inside,

because there is always a little something special you can do to gussie up the inside.

That's all there is for me for this weeks card. If you ever have any questions as to how I did something in creating any of my cards just e-mail me and I'll tell you what I did. I think all special hints or tricks should be shared. That's how I learned how to do many of the tricks I do.

We all hope you got inspired by our sketch this week and are able to do some creating of your own. We would especially love to see what you come up with. Please just add it to our website here http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

Update on Jeff;
We finally got someone to listen to us and hear our plea for help at Kaiser !  I think we have a good game plan laid out for Jeff. We have a new Dr and he is going to give Jeff a Nerve Block injection tomorrow morning morning. He has also set Jeff up for Acupuncture and Physical Therapy sessions. As well as administered a set of pain medications that are not Narcotics. If the Nerve Block does not work then he will try a Epidural injection and go from there. I feel hopeful and happy that at least we are not wasting time with his old Dr. who said Jeff just may be in pain for the rest of his life??? We are getting appointments much faster and people have take an interest in his treatment plan. It has almost been two months since all this started and he is almost out of sick leave. Jeff had accumulated over two months sick leave so that in it's self goes to show he isn't a sickly person and that this is a real deal. This whole process has been rather unnerving and we almost lost hope. Hard times like there just bring Jeff and I that much closer. 'We really help each other out when the chips are down. I love my honey bunny so much. Please keep your prayers coming. Thank you!

Patrice

My husbands color challenge

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

It was Saturday night and I was board, so I asked Jeff to give me three colors, he laughed and said Purple, Orange and Blue and then he added make an interesting background for the card while you are at it.

So this is what I came up with.

I had not made a weaved background in a long time and I knew Jeff would love the texture. He hates basic square shaped cards so I off set the background piece a bit and added the circle to the side pieces for fun. I love the colors he chose don't you?

I was looking through my stash of goodies to see if I had anything interesting to use on this card and I found the floral image  that I used for the focal image on the front of this card. I made it about four years ago while we were still in Lake Elsinore CA. Funny how I water colored those flowers using the same colors that I needed for this card. That was a lucky find for sure.
I remembered the day I colored this image right when I saw it. I was outside in my car waiting for my daughter to get her wisdom teeth pulled. It was a beautiful Spring afternoon. I knew she would be a while so I brought my small crafting travel kit. I was parked under a tree and there was a light breeze coming through the car. Some of the images I painted fell on the console and I had to hustle to catch them. Isn't it funny how one item can sometimes bring back such a vivid memory.

Here is a look at the inside;

Supplies used to make this card.

Card Stock- Elegant Eggplant retired, Poppy Parade also retiredand Talen with Teal- retired and Whisper White.
Markers same colors as above.
Ink- Basic Black.
Stamp Sets- Happy Moments- 2010 Sale-A-Bration and Feel Goods.
Embellishment- Rhinestones and Tangerine Tango speciality Ribbon -retired.
Punches or Dies- Ovals Collection, Decorative Label, Owl Builder and Modern Lable

Well that's all there is to it for this card. I made another one too but I will show it to you another day. I hope you too find some time to create something fun soon.

Chat soon,
Patrice

Sketch Frenzy Friday 3/14/14

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

It's that time again, another great sketch from the design team at SFF!
Let's take a look at it

What do you think? I really got into this one this week. Here is my creation;

Stamping Supplies used to make this card.

Card Stock
Crushed Curry, Basic Grey and Whisper White.
Designer Series Paper (DSP)
Eastern Elegance.
Stamp Set
Blessings from Heaven,
Banner Blast and Field Flowers.
Framelits
Labels Collection
Embossing Folder
Fancy Fan.
Ink
Basic Black

I like that the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder I used matched the pattern of the DSP. I would never have combined the color combination that was used in the DSP but, what an elegant effect it had. I added two thin strips of the Crushed Curry on the sides of the second layer of the sketch because I felt the Basic Grey didn't pop the way I had hopped it would against the DSP. I think adding the extra bit of color did the trick. I saw that there was a bit of extra space on the bottom of the sketch so I added the little ("hi") banner which I stamped in Crush Curry and for me that did the trick there too.

I always try to add a little bit of something to the inside of my cards for an extra surprise to the recipient. Lets take a look.

I think just a little touch of color and a bit of DSP really makes for a extra special card. If I am giving a gift along with a card. I would dress up a white gift bag and add a strip or two of the matching DSP to make it more personalised.

That's all for me. But I wanted to tell you I created 4 new cards this week. I have been really having fun in my craft room. I hope you find some time to create something fun this week and use our sketch to do so. We would love to see  what you create!!! All you have to do is post it to our main page here http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

As a side note the injection that Jeff was given in his back didn't do the trick as well as we had hoped it would. He is still in pain but at least he can sit up for an hour or two now! Because it has been so long his Dr. has sent his records to a spine specialist and two nerve/skin Dr's (some big long name) for review we should know more next week. God I hope so, I really feel bad for Jeff. I don't know how much more of this pain business he can take.

Please keep your prayers coming. And Thank you so much for doing so. I believe Prayer works.

Chat soon,
Patrice

Found some time to stamp #2.

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

I take Time Change as a hint that Spring is just around the corner. I AM SO HAPPY! Its 7:00pm and it is still light our How about that!

I finally got a few minutes to blog today and show you the last two cards that I made for the card club I am in. We call ourselves the Sisterhood of the Traveling Card Club or STCC for short! We are a group of ladies from all over the US that just love to stamp. There are 10 really talented ladies in our group now. We work off a list of various theme based card ideas for a given month.

March - Ribbon or Wasabi Tape

I really liked working with the Wasabi Tape. It is fairly forgiving in that if you do not press it all the way down you can move it around a bit. I'm not a total fan of CAS (Clean and Simple) cards but this one I think turned out really nice.

April- Birds, Butterflies or Bugs

Butterflies and Flowers they just go together! I really had a lot of fun making this card it has so many layers in it. Just click on it to look closer.

Now for a look at the inside.

I just added a little floating butterfly to keep with in the theme of the card.

Well that's it for today. I hope you are inspired and find some time to create something fun.

A final note- Please pray that the Image Guided Injection goes well tomorrow and Jeff will no longer be in any pain. Thank you for your kind thoughts a prayers for my honey.

Chat soon my friends,
Patrice

Found some time to stamp!

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

Update- Jeff is still at home in bed and in pain! It has been six weeks so far. The MRI showed a "Joint"  in his back where one end of two ends were frayed and that is what could be causing all his pain. He has another surgery appt. scheduled for this Monday. This time they are going to do an image guided injection to the area where the joint is damaged. Please send all the prayers and well wishes you can muster that this injection does the trick. It is near the spine but not a disk?? I think the Dr. was trying to give a layman’s explanation of the area that's why he called it a joint???? Three more days of this and hopefully he will be doing a lot better!

In the mean time, he has been a pretty good patient and doesn't request too much from me. I just can't wait until he can do his own chores though (lolol sad smile). My regularly scheduled house cleaning has been set aside for the time being. I get to it when I can and try to do a room every other day just to keep up.

On a happier note- I have been in a card club for several years (thank God) and I had time to create several cards the last couple of months that I  had not shared with you yet.

January - Birthday
February -Monochromatic
March- Choice Ribbon or Wasabi Tape
Apri-  Birds Bugs or Butterflies

Here is January’s Birthday Card and a look at the inside as well.

Here is February’s Monochromatic card and the inside.

One good thing about this card club is that I can use up my old or retired SU products. I dislike not being able to use up perfectly good stamping goodies. So this is a great outlet for me to feel good about playing with oldie but goody stamping supplies I still have hanging around after a catalog period closes.

I'll show you the rest of the cards tomorrow. Jeff is getting hungry and I need to let the boys out and take the broom and mop back down stairs. A woman's work is never done. I am so glad I started stamping again! I don't know what I would do to handle all the stress that is going on around here. I just pray that Jeff gets better soon.I really hate to see him in pain like this.

I hope you get to find some time to create something fun today too. Stamping is such good therapy.

 Chat soon my friends,
Patrice

Sketch Frenzy Friday 3/7/14

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

Or should I say Howdy Friends, how y'all doing! I had such a fun time making my card  this week! Actually, I have fun any time I am making a card, but this sketch really had me hootin and a hollerin.
It's Marisol Gutierrez creation (Hola' Amiga). I think she did a fantastic job on it don't  you. I got such a "Kick" out of creating my card! (I'm pushing it I know he he he).

Here is her sketch;

and his is what I created from it;

I colored my own Bakers Twine to coordinate with my color scheme.  That is one of the great things I love about Stampin' Up. If we don't sell a product in a particular color you need you can usually make it yourself by using our existing products like I did here with a Pistachio Pudding Stampin' Write Marker and White Bakers Twine. It was fun and very easy to do.


Supplies used to make this card;

Card Stock
 Pistachio Pudding, Baked Brown Sugar, Naturals Ivory, Early Espresso, Sahara Sand and Daffodil Delight.
Designer Series Paper
Retro Fresh.
Stamp Set
Bootiful Occasions.
Framelits
Window Frames
Embellishments 
Retro Fresh "This and That" Designer Wasabi Tape, White Bakers Twine, Bright's Candy Dots and Ticket and Corner Rounder Punches.
Ink
Early Espresso
Stampin' Write Markers
Cajun Craze, Rose Red, Crushed Curry, Pistachio Pudding and Baked Brown Sugar

*** Did you notice... no Bling this time! Amazing right!

How about a look at the inside too!

I wanted a boot in the back of my focal image to tie in with the front of my card. But, I found that the original image was just too short once I stamped and cut out an additional image.  To rectify this problem, I  just cut the boot in half separated it a bit and then taped it on to the back of my focal image at the desired length I wanted. That's all there is for this weeks card. I really hope you like it!
I also hope you get to find some time to create something fun from this sketch this week too! If you do please upload it on to our home page, we would love to see it. http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

Chat soon,
Patrice