My Little Patch of Dirt

City Crafter Challenge Week #97

2012-02-23T11:01:00.001-08:00

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

2012-02-23T10:59:00.001-08:00

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

2012-02-19T19:27:00.000-08:00

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

2012-02-19T16:39:00.000-08:00

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

Stampin Queens Scketch Challenge # 26

2012-02-19T00:13:00.000-08:00

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

Before I start to talk about today's sketch challenge. I just want to give everyone a Big Heartfelt Thank You..... Your warm and sincere wishes, your kind thoughts and prayers and your words of encouragement concerning my brother Vince is over whelming. I let my SIL know my on-line friends are thinking and praying for them.

I just found out he went into the hospital two days ago because of dehydration and they found a bit of pneumonia in one lung. But the good news is that the Radiation he has gone under has indeed shrunk the tumor in his throat and he is able to ingest fluids and "Ice Cream". He is on antibiotics and will be home in a day or so. Two steps forward one set back, at least he is able to eat that is great news! So a Warm Thank you to you all from me.

Now on with the sketch.

Sketch Queens Sketch Challenges are always a challenge and this weeks is no exception. I have enclosed a link to their blog if you too would like to give it a try and add your card to the players list.
http://gettincrafty.typepad.com/stampin_queens_sketch_cha

Here is their sketch for this week;

Isn't it a great sketch!
This is what I came up with;

I chose bold colors of card stock for this card Real Red, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight and Very Vanilla. I used the Eiffel Tower from the Artistic Etchings stamp set and embossed it in Gold.The accent piece was made from Daffodil Delight Polka Dot Ribbon and an Antique Brad. The sentiment is from the Because I Care stamp set and the tab was made with the Designer Label Punch. Unfortunately, the DSP is retired it was one of my favorites too. It was called Love Letters.
Here is a look at the inside.

That's all there is to it. I hope you are enjoying your weekend. We just hung around the house and watched movies and played in the craft room. I made Baked Zeti and a salad for dinner yum, yum. Guess whats for lunch tomorrow lolol.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you too can make time to create something fun!
Patrice

Red Hot Stampers Sketch Challenge # 23

2012-02-17T12:11:00.000-08:00

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

I haven't talked about my brother lately, he has started a Radiation Treatment on his throat, in hopes that they will be able to shrink the tumor there, so he will at least be able to eat and get his energy back. I pray this helps and that he recovers his strength quickly. We realize this is going to be very difficult on him, but if it will help he want's to try!

I have several family photos in my craft room and I thought this one would be fun to decorate and send to Vince in card form. I do not know if he has a copy of this photo or not. The photo is of my Brother Vince, my sister Pam (in the middle) and Myself as little kids. I think this was taken in 1960 or the late 50's I'm not sure. All I remember of this day was that I got to wear my favorite dress. I think it was a silver satin with pink and white flowers. It swooshed as I walked lolol. I think he will like it. Please continue to pray for Vince and his family they really need all of our prayers.

I also wanted to show you a card I created from the Red Hot Stampers Weekly Sketch #23
Here is the link to their site http://www.redhotstampers.blogspot.com

Here is my take on it;

I turned it on it's side and really had fun playing with it. I added some clouds and birds, a few tropical flowers and leaves. I black embossed the surfer image and outlined the oval shape. I had a left over cork strip that I slid through slits in the oval and thread behind the image. I hope you like it. I felt the need to make something cheery today.

Here is a look at the inside;

Thanks for stopping by today, and I really hope you get a chance to create something fun. I believe we have a nice long lazy weekend planned. Just me and my honey!
Patrice

Sketch Frenzy Friday 021712

2012-02-16T21:45:00.000-08:00

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

I love Fridays for several reasons. The first, is because it's the start of the weekend YIPPEE!!!! Secondly, it means we have our SFF Mini Blog Hop! This week Kim Innis made the most interesting sketch. I saw it on our books for a few weeks now and I thought this was a very fun design so creative and nothing like I have seen done in a long time. Great Job Kim! Here is our sketch;

I also thought it would make a super fun sign post too! What do you think?
This is what I came up with;

I turned the sketch upright and changes the shape of two of the elements just a little bit. I don't know why I chose the colors Red, White and Black but I am glad I did. I think it gives the card a dramatic look. The 11/4" red circle was stamped with VersaMark with an image from the My Friend stamp set then clear embossed . I used the Adorning Accents- Hearts Impression Folder on the black scrap and theN I used the little Corner Rounder Punch on two opposite ends. The Modern Label Punch and the Word Window Punch house the sentiment that is also from the My Friend set. The DSP is part of the SAB freebie goodies. This is such beautiful DSP paper every side of it is usable.

Here is a peek at the inside. I carried the image onto the inside of the card for unity.

The sentiment is from the Elements of Style stamp set.
I hope you enjoyed my card and will hop on over to visit Robbie Rubula over at http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/ . Robbie always has something wonderful to share with us, she is so uber creative. If you happen to have sometime this weekend and would like to play along we would love to see your creation. Please upload your card here http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/.

I will be back later to show you a card I made for another sketch challenge. I hope you find sometime to create this weekend. Thanks for stopping by our little Blog Hop this week. Share with a friend if you get a chance (Smile).
Patrice

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Clallenge # 208

2012-02-16T20:40:00.000-08:00

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

I thought about this sketch since Monday when it first came out and all of a sudden this card popped into my head. It took all of 20 minutes to create . I love when that happens. Most of the time it takes much longer. Well ...I suspect 3 days is enough time lololol. Here is the link to Mary Jo's blog Technostamper and the Lunchtime Sketch http://technostamper.blogspot.com
Here is this weeks sketch

This is what I came up with;

and this is a peek into the inside.

I hope you like my card and have fun creating a card from this great sketch!

Find a few minutes today to create something fun.
Patrice

Freshly Made Sketches #22 & Gift Bag set

2012-02-15T22:43:00.000-08:00

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

Wednesdays are Freshly Made Sketches day. This was a really great sketch because there are so many elements to it. I tell you this was a real challenge to come up with something fun for the center piece and combine all these elements into a pretty card. Please drop by their home page to see what the creative design team members have come up with too! http://www.freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com

Here is their sketch.
This is what I came up with

The stamp set is from SU On The Grow (now retired). I used some of that awesome DSP from the SAB freebees and the little flower was made with the Boho Blossom Punch. I used various colors of markers to color in the image and a blender pen to smooth out the colors.
Here is a peek at the inside I made it very clean and simple.

Next, I have the completed gift set I promised to show you that includes six cards and envelopes and a matching bag. Here it is

I decided to make 2 of the 6 cards using blue Embossing powder so that there are 2 each of the 3 colors instead of 3 each of two colors. Then, I matched the front of the bag with an extra blue flower card front. I used a plane white lunch sack and dressed it up a bit with DSP and colored card stock. I added tangerine stripped ribbon for handles. With the six cards and six envelops the sack stands up nicely not at all floppy. I will also include colored tissue paper to dress it up a bit more. Hope she likes her Hostess Gift and you like this gift set enough to give it a try yourself.
Hot Tip**** If when you have stamped your image with VersaMark, applied the Embossing Powder to the card stock and Heat Set the Image you find there are patches with no Embossing Powder (EP) on the image. Use a VersaMarker Watermark Pen to fill in those spaces then reapply the embossing powder. You should see that now the EP has filled in the area you desired then just heat set again. Give it a try and see what happens. Hope I could share an Embossing Fix- Hot Tip with you and you learned something new today.

Well that looks like about it from me..
Have a great evening and I hope you find some time to create something fun.
Patrice

Merry Mondays #7

2012-02-15T16:11:00.000-08:00

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

I worked on the Merry Monday Challenge today. Well actually I made two cards but I only entered one into the challenge You decide which one I should have entered?????
http://alwaysplayingwithpaper.blogspot.com/2012/02/merry-monday-challenge-7.html
Here is this weeks sketch. I want to thanks Lesley for the fun sketch.

These are the cards I came up with;

I used a duplicate image on the inside with out the pearls.I used Pearl White Embossing powder on the images.

Now the second card;

I added several layers of clear embossing powder to the Ornament and the sentiment. I used a stipple brush to apply the inks. I added Frost White to the purple star burst so it too is shiny. The rhinestones add another shiny element to the whole card. I thought the Ornament was a bit too large for this size of card that is why I chose the first one.

I hope you find some time to create today. It always makes me feel better!
Patrice

Gift Cards

2012-02-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

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

We have a little git together coming up this weekend and I wanted to make the Hostess a little something. When I do this I usually make six cards and a gift bag or box to put them in. Then I make sure it is gussied up very pretty.

Here are four of the six cards I created for our Hostess;

I alternated the Wild Wasabi and the Tangerine Tango Embossing Powders between the six cards. I also used three each Whisper White and Very Vanilla CS for the card base. changes the DSP around and added a simple embellishment to each one.

Here is a look at the inside of the cards.

Simple and useful. I know she will enjoy them. I will show you what I do with a bag in my next post.

Have fun today. I will be back later to show you what I have created from some really great sketches.
Find some time to play when you can.
Patrice

Merry Mondays and Red Hot Stampers Sketch Challenge

2012-02-11T14:35:00.000-08:00

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

I have those cards for you . The first one is for our Christmas Card Challenge over at Merry Mondays #6 http://alwaysplayingwithpaper.blogspot.com/2012/02/merry-monday-challenge-6-february-is.html

This was such a fun sketch to play with and this is what I came up with;

Not much on stamping but lots of other creative elements to it! Embossing Folder, paper piecing and cut away.
Now here is a look at the inside;

I continued the berry theme on to the inside as well. Sometimes the DSP can make a beautiful card all by it's self!
I really love all the Christmas cards everyone has been making so far this year. You must stop by the Merry Monday web site and see them! In addition, the Guest Designers are really doing a super job inspiring us. Thanks Ladies!

My next card is for the Red Hot Stamper Sketch Challenge #22. http://www.redhotstampers.blogspot.com
This is a new sketch Challenge site I found by visiting Robbie Rubula's blog my Sketch Frenzy Friday DT member line up buddy. Thanks Robbie for the great Red Hot Tip (smile)! You should stop by and play along with them as they have some very cleaver sketches.
Here is their sketch;

Here is my take on this great CAS sketch;

Again, I let the DSP do all the work with the help of some punches , Embossing Folders, Ribbon, beautiful Pearls and a brad that I added a Pearl on to. Here is a look at the inside.
Wow, that's strange notice how the Brown DSP looks Black? I must have hit a button? Jeff keeps telling me buttons are not toys lololol! It is interesting what a difference shading/color/focus/lighting and the time of day can make on a picture and how it affects a card. This card is made with very warm shades of Brown and Cream CS.
Guess I better go back and re-take the picture! Yesterday was clear and nice, today it looks and feels like it is going to rain.

Well I tried, but it's not perfect.Maybe I will try again in the am. I so have to replace my Ott light!!!!!!

That's all for me right now. I hope you have time to create something fun today.
Patrice

SQSC 25 and Monday Lunchtime Sketch #207

2012-02-10T14:29:00.000-08:00

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

I got up early this morning and found myself playing in the Stamping Studio all day YIPPEE!!!!
I checked out a few challenges I have been trying to get to and completed four cards. Each one is very different.

The first one is from the Stampin Queens Sketch Challenge #25http://gettincrafty.typepad.com/stampin_queens_sketch_cha
I think this is one pretty sketch and the cards that have been made by it are all stunning!

Here is my card;

Here is a shot of the inside CAS finally!

Now here is the second challenge sketch from Mary Jo over at Techno Stampers Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #207 http://technostamper.blogspot.com/2012/02/monday-lunchtime-sketch-challenge-207.html

Here is my take on her very fun CAS sketch. CAS sketches are such a challenge for me, but I still give them a try lolol. Thanks for the Challenge Mary Jo! The cards the other participants created were very pretty too!

and a look at the inside too;

Well I better get these uploaded to those groups. I'll be back tomorrow with a couple more cards.
I finally made a card for my Christmas Card Challenge group over at Merry Mondays. I totally had a creative blank for that sketch but I like how the card turned out. You be the judge. Then I used the sketch for another card for the Red Hot Stampers. so come back tomorrow for more fun.

I really hope you get to create something fun this weekend.
Patrice

Sketch Frenzy Friday 2/10/12

2012-02-09T23:36:00.000-08:00

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

Yep, it's time again of another Sketch Frenzy Fridays Mini Blog Hop. Won't you join us and play along too!
This weeks sketch it from our very talented Jennifer Weide. She comes up with the funnest sketches.
Here is her sketch a CAS one. My challenge is what to do with all that space?

This is what I came up with;

I played around with Friends Never Fade SU Stamp Set today and had a blast. The Block Stamp was fun I used the Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder with it. Too bad the photo doesn't show the shine. Then on the inside I used the pretty chrysanthemum flower and for the sentiment. I used a stamp from the Hostess set Happiest Birthday Wishes for the sentiment. There are so many different Birthday wishes to choose from in this double set.

Here is a look at the inside;

I wanted to show you another card I made today with the Friends Never Fade set but this time I spotlighted the Sale-A-Bration DSP on the front of this gate fold card and then showcased a flower on the inside.

Here is a look at the inside of this one too.

Your next stop on our Mini Hop is to visit another very talented Design Team Member Robbie Rubula http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/
Then if you want to play along please visit our Homepage and download your card so we all can see your amazing work! http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/
I hope you have something fun planned for your long weekend, or at least you get to play in your stamping space for a bit! What ever you do be safe and have a good time.
Patrice

Freshly Made Sketches 21

2012-02-09T09:06:00.000-08:00

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

I had some time yesterday to create a few cards. Today's card inspiration is from Freshly Made Sketches #21. http://www.freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com
My DH said he needed a few masculine cards to give to his co-workers/friends who were going through some issues. So I made this card from their sketch.

This is what I came up with;

The stamp set is A Sense of Time -SU and for fun and texture I used two real strips of Bamboo. Men like texture and real natural things he told me. I tried to position the clock so as to appear it was sitting on a mantle. Not quite sure if I achieved that or not?

Thanks for stopping by I have a busy day planned but wanted to play along with Freshly Made. I hope you like the card and find some inspiration from it! I too hope you find some time to play today. Creating is Good for the Soul!
Patrice

Blog Candy Winner! PPA #128 & Paper Players #81

2012-02-08T17:48:00.000-08:00

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

Yippee!!! We have a winner of the Love Coupon Booklet!
Our lucky winner by random selection is Carolyn B.
Thank you all for stopping by My Little Patch of Dirt and for leaving such wonderful comments. They certainly want to make a gal try harder!
Here is what Carolyn B said "What a cute idea? I love the hearts as "handles" for the pages"!
Carolyn, I left you an e-mail message asking you for your snail mail addy. If you do not see the message there please contact me at trygod20@verizon.net with that information and I will mail it out ASAP!

I made a couple of sketch challenge cards today. The first one is for the Pal Paper Arts #128 Color Challenge "Anything Red"
http://www.palspaperarts.com
Here is my card;

The flowers are from Awash with Flowers stamp set. This is a CAS (Clean and Simple) or as CAS as I can possible make it (Smile). The cover sentiment is from Because I Care and the inside sentiment is from a retired stamp set called Pretty Amazing. All products are from Stampin' Up! Here is a peek at the inside;

The next card is for The Paper Players sketch challenge #81 http://www.thepaperplayers.blogspot.com Their theme challenge was for "Flowers".
Here is my second card;

I just love the versatility of the Awash With Flowers stamp set. There are so many options for floral creations you could play all day and not get tired of this set. I tied my little bow to look like a Butterfly or at least that is what I was trying to achieve. You tell me lololo.
Here is a look at the inside of this card;

Both cards are CAS. I so wanted to add more to the cards, but what seems to be the hot thing now is less. So there you have it!

Congratulations again to Carolyn and Thanks again to everyone who stopped by and My Little Patch of Dirt.

Have a great day and I hope you find some time to create something fun.
Patrice

Honeys Valentines Presents & Blog Candy

2012-02-06T11:30:00.000-08:00

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

I am now officially done with creating projects for my DH Valentines gifts. I know he will love his new Cookie Container for sure because he is a real Cookie Monster but, He will certainly also appreciate the Coupon Booklet as well hehe!

Here they are together;

And here they are separately. The Cookie Container is or rather was a Coffee container that was made from the New Size Maxwell House can. It is a great cookie/candy container size, short, wide and has a large opening at the top. It is their Original Roast coffee-the wrapper is blue just in case you want to get one.

One side for cookies and the other for candy.

I baked him a couple dozen Toll House Cookies but those went while we all watched the Super Bowl. Guess I'll have to bake more next week lolol! He wasn't happy about sharing his cookies (Smile).

Remember, I am offering Blog Candy for the second Love Coupon Booklet I made, so please leave me a comment and your e-mail address and Honey will select a random winner on Tuesday evening.

Here is a photo of the Coupon Booklet that I am giving away. You can find more information on yesterdays (Sundays) post.

Hope you enjoyed my projects and find some time to create something fun for yourself or your Honey!
Patrice

Love Coupons and Blog Candy!

2012-02-05T00:08:00.000-08:00

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

I have been very busy this week making a super special surprise for my Honey. But, I wanted to mention that my blog counter is at 76,666 hits! Oh My Goodness we should celebrate don't you think! We are well on our way to hitting 100,000 by my birthday at the end of May. Thank you all for stropping in and taking a look around BTW. I really do appreciate all of your comments. You help me to be inspired!

The special surprise is a Love Coupon Booklet that I created as part of his Valentines present! I had to make an additional one because of the blurred pictures I took earlier this week (What A Bummer). So, I thought I would give the second one away as Blog Candy to celebrate breaking 75,000 hits. What do you think about that?

Anyone up for some Blog Candy?

All you have to do is let me know what you think of the Love Coupon Booklet. Leave me a comment along with your e-mail address and I will have Honey select one random lucky winner. The second Booklet without the coupons added will be the Blog Candy as this gives you the opportunity to make your own coupons for your sweetheart.
You have until Tuesday Night Feb. 7th, 2012 to enter to win.

I am working on the tutorial as we speak and most of the photos have instructions on them, so stay tuned.

Front covers. The insides are almost the same but, I did make a few DSP changes on the second one.


The second Booklet without the coupons is the Blog Candy! Each of the 4 outside hearts is a pull out coupon. There is space for 8 coupons.

Inside page one and two.

Pages three and four. The center heart of the 3 hearts on the left is very shiny.

Pages five and six. The last page (Special LOVE Coupon) The pull out page front and back are 2 super special coupons. xoxoxo

Back cover.

Let me know what you think of my little Love Coupon Booklet, and don't forget to leave me a comment with your e-mail address, so I can contact the winner.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you find some time to create something fun this weekend!
Patrice

Red Hot Stampers Sketch Challenge #21

2012-02-03T23:39:00.000-08:00

Hello to all my blogging friends. I hope this post finds you all well and happy!
I saw this really fun sketch over at Red Hot Stampers http://www.redhotstampers.blogspot.com/2012/01/rhssc21.html#comment-form

Here is what I came up with. I used a Polka Dot acetate scrap piece behind the Heart isn't it cute!

and here is a peek at the inside too!

I hope you like it.
I noticed my camera was out of focus in these pictures but I had already given this card away so I couldn't re-take it. Sorry about that!
This was a fun sketch, I'm going to have to go back and vist these gals again next week !

I hope you have having a great weekend and try to find some time to create some fun things!
Patrice

A Little Something to Hold You Over lolol!

2012-02-03T17:19:00.000-08:00

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

If it's not one thing or another. I can't seem to get into my Studio to craft!! I'm going nuts lolol.

However the good news is I get to spend all weekend here starting right after dinner YIPPEE!!!! Then I will have time to redo the Special Project and Tutorial I was working on. Remember, my camera was out of focus for a few days! I have no idea why it did that? But, I have to re-take almost the entire project. Oh well, a lucky reader will win it once it is done!

Here are a few cards I made but didn't get a chance to show you last week! Hope you like them!

And one more for you.

Have a great weekend. Chat soon!
I hope you find some time to create something fun!
Patrice

PS Northridge Publishing has really cool give-a-way going on here is their link! http://create.northridgepublishing.com/departments/northridge-giveaways/giveaway-friday-peachy-cheap-2

It's Sketch Frenzy Friday!!!!

2012-02-02T23:18:00.000-08:00

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

Yes, it is Friday already! And that means another amazing SFF Mini Blog Hop. Boy oh boy do we have a great sketch for you all this week. Deb Currier designed this one for us. There are so many facets to this little sketch which made it very fun to work with!

Don't over look the light patterned paper behind the focal image and the bow. (hint, hint) I almost did, hehe.

Here is what I came up with.

I wanted to make a bright and Cheery card for you so I used big bold bright colors! I used the Textured Impression Tulips Embossing Folder and the Lattice Impression Folders on this card. I also used a new Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set called Sprinkled Expressions for the flowered focal image.

Here is a peek at the inside. I carried over the Tulip Impression Folder on to the inside border of the card and made a duplicate stamped image to tie it all together.

I hope you enjoy today's sketch challenge. We would love to see what you come up with, so please feel free to upload it on to our web page so we can all enjoy your creation. http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/
Now it is time to visit the uber talented Robbie Rubula's blog. She always does such a great job with our sketches.
http://inkedx2.blogspot.com

That's all for today so far... I am working on the special tutorial that I mentioned earlier. Hopefully, I will get it done by this weekend! So much to do so little time lolol.
Have a great weekend and I hope you find some time to create!
Patrice

Something Sweet for my Sweetie

2012-02-02T13:05:00.000-08:00

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

I have been very busy in the Stamping Studio this week???? I have created a really beautiful surprise for my honey. Made a couple of cards and some Valentine treat holders. I will show you the treat holders before I leave, but not just yet hehehe.

I made a big tutorial of the Special Surprise and took a ton of pictures to try to make duplicating much easier, but somehow my camera was out of focus! Now I have to redo the entire thing (YIKES). At lease I do have pictures and measurements so it will only take half as long to make another one! I think I may give the second one away for Blog Candy??? What do you think about that???
Anyone interested in Blog Candy?

Here are the cute little Valentine goodie bags I was playing around with.
What do you think? I loved those little treat bags that came out for Halloween. I was thinking why not fill them up with Valentine candy too!

Hope you all have a wonderful day today. I am off to visit Mom.
I will be back in blogland tomorrow with my Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge card.

I hope you find some time to create something fun!
Thanks for stopping by,
Patrice

My Brother Vince

2012-01-28T20:07:00.000-08:00

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

Here is a great photo of my brother Vince and my Sister in Law Charisse prior to his diagnosis.
Isn't he handsome. He has that Magnum PI Look and smirk! Ah my sweet brother.
Always make sure you tell your family and friends you love them, because you never know!

We received another diagnosis today from an Oncologist that my brother Vince did not want to hear. He has been seen by 3 other doctors and this was the fourth that told him he has Stage 4 Adeno Carcinoma of the Esophagus and the Stomach and that it is terminal.

His family and friends have been really active, pleading for additional help to raise monies for the overwhelming medical expenses that he is facing. They have organized and put on a community fund raiser for him today. There was even an article written about Vince's situation, that was published in the local paper.

http://auburnjournal.com/browse.html?x=11&y=10&search_filter=Vince+Paquet&sub_type=stories

"Family and friends within the communities of Placer County, especially in Auburn, Loomis, Granite Bay and Lincoln, who know Vincent and Charisse Paquet are invited to make donations at any U.S. Bank location to the Vincent Paquet Donation Fund, Account No. 153754861653."

I am asking that if you have the means and are able to, please contribute to the fund.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Patrice

Wedding Cards

2012-01-28T16:27:00.000-08:00

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

Tomorrow is the Big day my Niece Kaitlin is getting married to a really wonderful young man named Jefty. We wish them a long and happy life together! Believe it or not the wedding is less than 1 mile from our new place. The wedding and reception will be held in the Mitten Building a converted Orange Packaging bldg. It is quite the place, rustic yet very elegant. It should be a lot of fun. We are looking forward to celebrating their special day with them.

I made two cards to choose from, one elegant and one cute and fun. Both CASED from the SU website. I didn't know which one I wanted to give to them, so I let Jeff and my DD decide. They both chose the more elegant one. So that is the one I will enclose with the gift. What do you think?

Here is a shot of the second one;
So that it was not a total CASE I made the polka dot background and added pearls to the second gift as well as cut the ribbons longer on the bows, then created a different sentiment banner.

I believe this was a card I saw on line of one of the cards that was on display at Leadership in San Antonio this month. I had some fun with the inside by adding the stack of gift packages shown here on the left hand side of the card. That is not part of the case.
I hope you find some time to create something fun today.
Thanks for stopping by.
Patrice

I Heart SFF

2012-01-27T05:32:00.000-08:00

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

I (Heart) SFF because it means we have a super cool new sketch! This week Angela Walters came up with a really fun one.
Here it is;

Isn't this a super sketch! Sooo many possibilities to choose from! You are so going to have to try it!

This is what I came up with;

I had fun deciding what to make with it, then finally I thought a this would make an interesting Valentine for my honey (Jeff no peeking!).I wasn't done with this sketch so I did another one just using the three colors red, black and vanilla. Which one do you like A or B lololo.
Here is a look at the inside;

This card came together very easily and the sketch really does have a million possibilities. Nicely done Angela!
Your next stop is to visit Tammy Fite's blog, Lets see what she has created http://www.stampwithtammy.com
We would love to see what you came up with so please upload your creation to our website at http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

That's all for now. I have missed you all very much and will return with some more sketches and cards later.
Find some time to create!
Patrice

A little something until I get back

2012-01-26T09:14:00.000-08:00

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

Sorry I have been MIA. I have been sooo busy but I am almost done. If you are a regular reader you might remember our Honda got hit by a drunk driver at 3:00am Christmas morning. I know bummer right! Well come to find out the driver did not have insurance (surprise) although he said he did! We ended up going through our uninsured motorist plan. Yippee!!!!
I have had the Honda in the shop and got her all back nice and pretty. Then we decided to do all the other car repairs we have been putting off. So, both cars will have had tune ups, belts, hoses, gaskets, alignments, tires rotated, oil changes by the end of this week. I even bought a couple new hubcaps for the Honda from the dealer and ordered touch up paint to dab here and there.
I'm going to Wal-Mart to do the last oil change on the Toyota and have the tires rotated and balanced this morning. Wal Mart is having a special on oil changes for $26.95 BTW! Jeff usually does all the car stuff but, I decided to earn my keep this week ha ha! I think the last time I went to do an oil change it was $19.95. Even Wal-Marts prices are regularly now $39.00, how crazy is that! I think while I am there I will even purchase windshield wiper blades. I feel so empowered! Doesn't take much to excite me lololol
After this post I am going on line to see about car detailing prices. I'm going to try to negotiate a 2 for 1 deal or discount of some sort! Wish me luck Might as well looks like I am on a roll.
Now you know where I have been all week, I'll be back soon as I am going through creating withdrawals. But, in the meantime I have to show you a card I made while I was on the phone chatting to a friend;

I was looking through my stash of cool things I find that I keep to do something with someday and found this great elephant piece. (I think if you click on the picture you can make it bigger?) It took me all of 10 minutes total to make this card. I love when cards create themselves! Now here is a peek at the inside

This is a perfect masculine card. I think I will send it to my Brother Vince. Please continue to keep him in your prayers BTW he can use them.

I hope you find some time to create something fun today.
Thanks for stopping in.
Patrice

Merry Mondays #4

2012-01-25T15:24:00.000-08:00

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

Yes! It is time for another Merry Mondays super sketch challenge. We are making Christmas cards one at a time, one week at a time. No mad dash to mass produce Christmas cards for us this year. My plan is to have lots of extra time to enjoy the Holidays and not be stuck at my desk. (Which really doesn't sound like a bad thing to me either lololol) But this sure will free me up to do loads of extra fun things.

Here is Lesley's http://alwaysplayingwithpaper.blogspot.com/ wonderful sketch

Here is what I came up with;

This was an especially fun sketch because, I could redesign a card I made last year to fit this sketch. The card was well received so I think whoever gets this one will love it too!

I used the Build a Bird Punch to make the wreath and I made the shiny berries using glitter and tacky tape. I think the combination of stripes and polka dots adds a bit of fun to the background. I used 4 different colors of green card stock also.

Here is a look at the inside;

That's it for today. I hope you enjoy the card and find some time to start making your Holiday cards!
Thanks for stopping in,
Patrice

Paper Pals Arts Challenge #127

2012-01-23T06:48:00.000-08:00

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

I struggled with this sketch all day long. The colors I tried to pull together were really bugging me, so I changed those up ...a lot...lololo. I was dead set on using the stamp set Friends Never Fade for some reason go figure, so I worked around that for a while until I got it the way I wanted? Then coordinating all the pieces was fun too!
Here is this tricky little sketch. Really it isn't the sketch, I think it was me lolol. I guess that's why they call them Sketch Challenges, because they are supposed to be challenging (smile)! To get some inspiration please visit their site http://www.palspaperarts.com
The PPA design team really know their stuff and made some very lovely cards out of this sketch!

Oh well here she is I hope you like it!

I added the timepiece front with the umbrella on it because it matched the paper. Believe it or not this DSP has umbrellas and watches on it! I thought it was a fun embellishment because it coordinated!

Here is a look at the inside. I "Huffed" on the colored image to stamp a light impression on the center of the inside of the card. I think it is called a second generation image, but don't quote me on that (smile)? Carey is that right?
Second generation images are perfect to use as an inside image or for making coordinating envelopes.
For those of you who do know know what "Huffing" is Carey my BFF and Mentor told me you just breath all your hot air on the previously stamped image to rehydrate it and re-stamp it. I thought she was telling me I was full of hot air at first lolol.

Have a great Monday and I hope you find some time to create.
Thanks for stopping in,
Patrice

Stampin Queens Sketch Challenge #22

2012-01-22T02:10:00.000-08:00

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

Jeff and the Boys and I stayed in the house all day and played in the craft room. We laughed and chatted and walked around the dogstacle course to get in and out of the room. He even brought dinner home so I didn't have to cook. He is such a sweet man. We got to play all day! I love lazy days!

I found another sketch today over at the Stampin Queens Sketch Challenge Blog
Here is their sketch and their link; http://gettincrafty.typepad.com/stampin_queens_sketch_cha

Isn't that sketch a beauty!
This is what I came up with;

Here is the inside;

This was a fun challenge and I got to use a lot of new SU items on it. Framelits Labels Collection for the scallop centers. This item is featured in the Occasions Mini. The great DSP is called Everyday Enchantment, and the Ribbons are from the Sale-A-Brations mini catalog. These items will be coming very soon in the SAB catalog starting Tuesday 1/24/2012. Yippee. I'm already booking classes. Yes!

Hope you are having a great weekend and thanks for stopping in. Are you creating something fun yet????
Patrice

A Gift For A Friend

2012-01-21T00:40:00.000-08:00

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

It's going to be a fun and busy weekend. I hope you all have something good planned too! Be safe and stay warm.
We are finally expecting rain too! My Little Patch of Dirt needs a drink! If it does rain it will be one less thing I can check off my list lolol.

A girlfriend of mine is having a birthday party on Sunday so, I made her this stationary set. It holds a note pad, six note cards and six matching envelopes. I thought the DSP Attic Boutique was a perfect compliment to the Rue Des Fleurs stamp set. I may make a tutorial for this next week as I will be busy this weekend. Let me know if you are interested and I will make one up.

I made a gift bag today to add to the gift.

Have a great weekend and if you would be so kind as to leave me a comment to let me know what you think!
Thanks for stopping in,
Patrice

Freshly Made #18 & Friday Mash Up # 42

2012-01-20T20:33:00.000-08:00

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

Had a few minutes today to make a card where I combined two challenges into one.
Freshly Made Sketches had a beautiful sketch and Friday Mash Up had a color challenge that asked us to use Red Ridinghood Red, Early Espresso and Blushing Bride. Then for a bit of an extra challenge add Paper Piercing to your card. Here is their link.
http://www.fridaymashup.com

This is the Freshly Made Sketches challenge. Here is their link http://www.freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com

This is what I came up with combining the two.

Here is the inside;

That's all I have for now. Hope you like it! No go on over to see what these talented design team members created. Perhaps you too will be inspired and will create something fun.
Thanks for stopping in,
Patrice

Sketch Frenzy Friday

2012-01-20T00:25:00.000-08:00

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

Yippee it is SFF time again. Thank goodness, I needed a sketch to give me a good pick me up today! I had to take care of a lot of business stuff with the car getting insurance quotes and our old house so I haven't had much time to play in the last couple of days !Yikes is all I can say! A day with out stamping is a day without sunshine.
Now on with our Mini Blog Hop.

Our sketch this week is from Tina Munkze. It looks very interesting and should be a good challenge. The first thing that popped into my head was a solar system lolol Really! I don't know where this stuff comes from lolol. But I thought better of it and came up with this pretty one. I really tried a CAS card.They are so very difficult for me.
Here is what I came up with;

How did I do?
I love that medallion background stamp! It really comes in handy when you need to fill a large space without a lot of layers.
Here is a shot of the inside;

Well that's it for this evening.
But I do have to share with you my Furs Coats (my fur children that is) lolol. Jeff said I only have a few diamonds, but I sure do have a lot of Fur Coats.
Everyone seemed to think I only needed a little space to stamp tonight ha.

Bob at my fingertips and Bear and Marley at my feet, literally!

Your next stop is to visit Robbie Rubula's amazing blog at http://inkedx2.blogspot.com
she always has something wonderful up her sleeve lol.
We would love to see what you came up with also, so please drop by http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com
The cards last week were really very beautiful BTW!
Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you too find some time to create something fun!
Patrice

Merry Mondays Challenge #3

2012-01-17T15:52:00.000-08:00

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

I know it is Tuesday right! But it's never too late for Merry Mondays! Lesley has a great sketch for us over at http://alwaysplayingwithpaper.blogspot.com/
It is week #3 and we are continuing our counting down to Christmas. Here is Lesley's great sketch;

Clean and Simple cards are really very hard for me. I am usually a Santa kind of gal using traditional green and red colors but, when you are making cards all year long I figured I don't have to make 30 of the same cards any more and can have more fun with what I create. So here goes. This one is really stepping out of my comfort zone.

My niece would love to have this fun little card. I turned and lowered the images, added some texture a few layers and lot's of fun colors.
Here is a look at the inside too.

I hand made the background strip using markers to color in the snowflakes.

So here is the deal... I couldn't handle it I had to make another card. I was not happy with the first one lolol So out of my element. Here is my second try! I tried to make it a little old fashioned.

I added just a hint of sparkle to the Santa image and a coat to rim to the Label. The banner is lifted just a bit.

I did do something interesting to the edge of the Label to make it sparkle.
First. I put a couple drops of VersaMark reinker into the lid of a VersaMark Pad. Then I dipped the thin point of a VersaMark Pen carefully into the drops and drew a edge around the Label, every so often re dipping the VersaMark Pen into the reinker to make an even line of VersaMark around the edge. Then I sprinkled SU Heat and Stick Powder onto the edge lightly and heated it to make it tacky CAUTION! (Do not over heat)!I then applied a coat of Dazzling Diamonds to the edge and lightly pressed the DD into the tacky surface of the Heat and Stick Powder. Then lightly reheated it. I find it make a very clean line of sparkle!

That's it for today. I hope you like it and have fun creating!

Stampin Queens Sketch Challenge 21

2012-01-16T14:04:00.000-08:00

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

I got up early this morning and had a few minutes to make a card from the Stampin Queens Sketch Challenge http://gettincrafty.typepad.com/stampin_queens_sketch_cha.
It was a fun sketch, lots going on and many layers. I hope you like it. Here is their sketch.

Here is what I cam up with.

This is a peek inside.

I'll be back later to tell you how I made this card. I used lots of new product and want to share that with you.
I hope you find some time to make something fun today!
Patrice

For my Valentine

2012-01-15T10:49:00.000-08:00

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

I had some time today to finish up a monthly card swap for a group I am in.
I used a stamp from the soon to be released SAB product line. The stamp set is called Sprinkled Expressions. It is just darling. The theme for this month is Valentines, Love or Romantic.

Here is the card I made;

I used Real Red and Basic Black and White CS. I even got a chance to use the new Textured Impressions Adorning Accents heart folder on the lower half of the card front for some added texture.
I wanted something extra to put on the ribbon embellishment. No red or white buttons I have caught my eye. But, I did find some heart brads in my stash. One problem they were multi colored???? So I get out a block of Oasis (green foamy stuff florists use) and some red nail polish and went to town lolol.

It is very easy to paint them while using tweezers and then stick them in the Oasis to dry.
I even pained my nails while I was at it lololol.

Here is a shot of the inside.

I used real red Classic Ink on the heart. The sentiment is from a retired Hostess set called Occasional Quotes.

That's it for today I hope you find some time to create something fun today.

Thanks for stopping in,
Patrice

Framelits- Lables Collection

2012-01-14T22:15:00.000-08:00

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

You all know by now about the new Framelits Dies that SU came out with in the Occasions Mini this month. I love them and have been having lots of fun with them. But, there is one draw back to their packaging. There are 6 dies total in the plastic container and they are set loosely inside the container. I was worried I would misplace one of the smaller dies in a mad dash to clean up my desk one day. So I had to use extra caution while handling them.

While blog surfing this week I have read several posts about how some of the ladies are storing their new Dies on SU Magnetic Sheets. This is great if you have the sheets that SU sells. I looked around in my stash for what I do have and I found a couple rolls of magnetic strip with adhesive tape on one side. I opted to reinforce the tape with additional stick strip just to keep the magnetic strip from rolling back up. This is what I came up with. Let me know what you think!

Here they are fresh out of the plastic container.

Here is the reinforced 1/2 sticky strip .

The magnetic strip was very easy to cut with SU's Craft and Rubber Scissors. The thicker sticky strip helped secure it to the cardboard packaging. I added the roll of the magnetic strip to the photo to show you what it looks like. I found it a while back at a craft store.

This is what it looks like nice and secure. Notice that the finished project is standing up and how nicely the dies are held in place.

I just added this photo to show what I did with the Edgelits too. I kept the magnetic strips long just in case SU comes up with more of these wonderful little goodies.♦

Well that's my take on keeping the Labels and Edgelits dies in place. Sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do!

Have fun this weekend and create something fun.

Thanks for stopping in,
Patrice

Freshly Made Sketches #17

2012-01-13T20:16:00.000-08:00

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

I was visiting some of my favorite blogs today and came across a very fun sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches
http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com
here is their sketch

This is what I came up with

When I first saw the beautiful horn I imagined musical hearts softly blowing out from it. The SU -Rue Des Fleurs stamp set has so many wonderful stamps in it that the possibilities for creating great cards are limitless.
The little hearts are from the build and Owl Punch, the small heart is SU's also. The word love is from the Sprinkled Expressions SAB stamp set. and I glued it on our tag punch, and then slipped it just under the heart combo. Of course the Cherry Cobbler and Gold CS pieces were die cut using the New Framelits- Label set. I used Cherry Cobbler 1 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon and 1/4" Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbons for the striped part of the sketch! I love to use the Cherry Cobbler Embossing Powder when ever I can and I did so on the horn. I think that about does it for the front of the card. Lets see what the inside looks like;

The Love sentiment is unfortunately a retired Hostess stamp set called- Occasional Quotes 2010. It is one of my go to stamp sets for sentiments. That was stamped in Cherry Cobbler and I added a few more floating hearts and another horn piece to the inside top flap. I hope you enjoyed this card. I think this Valentine has my honeys name written all over it!
Have a great weekend and I hope you find some time to create something fun!
Thanks for stoppin in,
Patrice

Sketch Frenzy Friday Mini Blog Hop

2012-01-12T22:30:00.000-08:00

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

I am so glad it is Friday-Yippee! Jeff is off on Monday for a well deserved long weekend! So I have been really busy all week around the house and the garden so I can spend some time with my honey!

And it's Sketch Frenzy Friday too!!! Today's sketch was designed by Tammy Fite. At first glance it looked CAS and I so struggle with those types of sketches lolol. But, after I got going on it a card was created and it was really very challenging and fun to work with! You did good Tammy! Here is her sketch;

This is what I came up with;

The Early Espresso CS gives the cooler patterned paper a warmth to it. I used the new DSP from our Occasions Mini Catalog called Attic Boutique. It has very lovely tones to it. Some Soft Suede Seam Binding one new Everyday Enchantment Brad for the bow. An Antique Safety Pin, Pool Party CS for the tags. I used the tiny tag punch and just punched 3 coordinating tags for a little extra something. The Birthday Wishes is from the Hostess set- Happiest Birthday Wishes. The inside sentiment is one from our yearly catalog called Sincere Salutations.

Here is a picture of the inside.

I think that about does it for today. Have a great weekend and I hope you find some time to create something fun!
Now, you are off to see what Robbie Rubula has in store for us. I know it will be amazing as usual. http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/
If you would like to create a card from this sketch we would love to see it . Please upload it to our site
http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by,
Patrice

Rue Des Fleurs PPA 126 Color Challenge

2012-01-09T15:09:00.000-08:00

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

Happy Monday to everyone. I know this is going to be the start of a great week for all of us! I can feel it in my bones, or is that because it feels like spring around here! It's about 80 degrees and I'm going to have to water the garden again real soon if this keeps up.
But, until then, I had a little extra time to play along with the Paper Player Color Challenge 126 http://www.palspaperarts.com/2012/01/ppa126-color-challenge.html.
Here is their challenge and it is a good one.

I love these colors together! They are so scrumptious. I had to breakout the Rue Des Fleurs stamp set for this one because I wanted to make an extra special card. It feels like this color combination has a hint of elegance and softness to it.

Here is my card

I tried a close up view so you can see the Dazzling Diamond and Chrystal Effects that I put on the umbrella!

I hope that helps. I am experimenting with the camera and my photo editing program.
To start with, I cut out the top piece of the umbrella and mounted it on Dimensionals as well as the little flower bouquet above the handle. Then I applied Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds and a few Rhinestones to give it that little extra touch of bling. The Top Note Die, the Scallop Oval Die and a Textured Impression Folder -Vintage Wallpaper gave it some added dimension and texture. I also used the corner rounder to keep with the softer look of the card to finish it off.
Here is a look at the inside.

Just a little extra something too dress it up a bit. I won some wonderful DSP blog candy last week over at The Stampin Schach, so I thought I would use some of that today.
I hope you enjoyed the card and you have a great day planned. Here is to finding some time to create something fun.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patrice

On the Fringe

2012-01-09T02:15:00.000-08:00

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

Brenda over at Fuzzy Maddy, one of our sketch challenge participants on last weeks SFF used Fiber on her card. I love Fibers and used to use it all the time in embellishing the cards I designed. I really love Fibers and have tons of it. It adds color and texture, depending on the thickness of the Fiber it can be simple and or make a bold statement.

I am totally enjoying the colors found on the Everyday Enchantment DSP. I even experimented with some deeper shades of CS Poppy Parade and Island Indigo to coordinate with it. The bolder colors really do make the card "Pop". With the addition of a lots of texture and of course Fibers and you have a very fun card.

I hope to have some time this weekend to play around with the Rue Des Fleurs Stamp set a bit more too. I'll need to pull out my watercolors with this stamp set.

Here is my card, I do hope you like it.

Bold bright colors this card shouts of fun!
Here is a shot of the inside too.

This is a short post today. I have tons of work to do on this house, and My Little Patch of Dirt needs watering. We haven't had any rain in over a month!

Hope you find time to create something fun for your self, and have a great rest of the week.

Versatil Blogger Award

2012-01-08T13:17:00.000-08:00

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

Look what the very talented Maria Vanderform gave me... A Versatile Blogger Award. How stinking cool is that! Maria is so very talented she is so very creative and inspires me to do better. Please check out her blog, http://craftymariasstampingworld.blogspot.com. I am ecstatic she thought enough about my work to pass this on. Thank You Maria!

Once given this award you have to tell your readers a little about your self and then select 15 other talented crafters to bestow the award upon.

So here goes, I have been creating one thing or another since I was a little girl. Besides Paper Crafting, flower arranging, gardening and cooking are my other passions. You get almost all of your senses working at one time- taste, sight, smell and touch!
I was introduced to paper crafting by my BFF Carey aka Roscoe's Mom (Hi Carey) . She always gave out the prettiest cards and 3-D gifts. One day she said she would show me how to "Rubber Stamp"? From that first day I was hooked! She took me to a Pre Convention stamp a stack evening event and it was "Love at first stamp". I think its going on 9 years now that I've been a stamping! I have been a SU Demonstrator for 3 of those years, mostly as a hobbyist demo to support my habit lolol.
I am engaged to Jeff, the love of my life! Between us, we have two children (well young adults really) as they are both 26. My Daughter Jeanne', is a few months older than Rick. Jeff lets me stay at home and take care of things around here and the payoff is...I get to garden and "Rubber Stamp". We have three furry kids. Two BIG gold Lab/Retriever mixs "The Boys" their names are Bear and Marley and then their is Bob a white and orange tabby cat.
So that's my story and I am sticking to it!

Now, the second part of the requirement is to choose 15 other amazing crafters you would like to share this award with. Here are my picks.

#1 Carey Rogers my BFF and Mentor- http://pedstamperstampingtreehouse.blogspot.com
#2 Regina Andari - http://workinouttheinks.blogspot.com
#3 Angela Walters- http://www.lifewithawienerdog.com
#4 Ann Schach - http://www.stampinchic.com
#5 Deb Currier - http://www.artfeltimpressions.blogspot.com
#6 Jennifer Weide- http://www.sunflowerstamper.com
#7 Robbie Rubala -http://inkedx2.blogspot.com
#8 Kim Innis - http://kimskreativeinkings.blogspot.com
#9 Sharon Wheet- http://www.inkwooddesigns.com
#10 Sharon Field - http://createdbyu.blogspot.com
#11Tammy Fire - http://www.stampwithtammy.com
#12 Tina Munzke - http://www.craftedwithclass.blogspot.com
#13 Lesley Croghan - http://alwaysplayingwithpaper.blogspot.com
#14 Linda Callahan - http://www.stampinseasons.blogspot.com
#15 Glenda Calkins - http://thestampcamp.com/blog

Although the requirement is only to chose 15 there are many, many more talented crafters who inspire me. I'm just not that great of a typist and this list was a labor of love!

Please pick up your award and post it to your blogs ladies whenever you have a free moment. You have earned it, and again thank you for the inspiration.

I hope you find some time to create something fun today.
Thanks for stopping in,
Patrice

Merry Mondays 1st Sketch Challenge

2012-01-08T08:46:00.000-08:00

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

Lesley over at Always Playing With Paper http://alwaysplayingwithpaper.blogspot.com has come up with a terrific idea. "Create a Christmas card a week". I thought about this for just a minute and said "Why Not give it a go". It beats making 50 cards all at one time and being under the gun with so many other things going on around the holidays. I may even just have enough time to mail them early too! I know, I know you have already put away your Holiday Stamps me too! But, I think what I will do is just keep one pack close at hand and use it for a couple weeks lolol.
Here is Leslie's lovely sketch and the card I created from it. Earlier this week I made a regular card from this great sketch. You can go back a few days and check it out if you like. It's just a great all around sketch.

I like Masculine and Rustic looking Christmas Cards so I will make a few of these first.

It is a shame you can not see the tree up close but it has a few specks of Dazzling Diamonds here and there to look like snow. Click on it to make it larger if you can then you will see it. I used the new Edgelits and Framelits dies on the card as well as a Textured Impression folder and the Modern Label punch. Always Artichoke and Early Espresso classic inks and some Hemp Twine.
This is what the inside looks like.

I sure hope you like this card and give Leslie's Monday Challenges a try. One down and 51 to go (Smile).
Have a great day go and create something fun.
Thanks for stopping in,
Patrice

Stampin 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge #237

2012-01-07T11:50:00.000-08:00

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

I saw a really pretty sketch challenge over at Stampin 411 the other day and thought I would give it a try!
Here is their sketch;http://stamping411.blogspot.com/2012/01/saturday-sketch-challenge-237.html

This is what I cam up with;

I have been using a lot of bright bold colors lately, so I switched it up a bit with this card and chose a more subtle pallet of Pool Party, Daffodil Delight and Soft Suede. I love the Beau Chateau Side Notes and try to use them for focal images when I can. Add just a hint of color to them and they pop.
I have seen some ladies doing a lot of extra things to the inside of their cards lately. I think they look great and made them look extra special. I gave it a try on this card. Let me know what you think do you like it or not?

Why can't we write on the left hand side of a card? I do not believe there are any set rules that state that the right side of a card is designated solely for correspondence? So, I chose to decorate the right side. Although, I did try it on the left side but it made the front of the card way too heavy and the right side couldn't keep up with the weight.

Ha ha, the little rebel in me stepped out there for a minute lololol.

Have a great day today. I hope you find some time to create something fun!
Thanks for stopping in , Patrice

How to Bake and Stuff a Pumpkin!

2012-01-06T14:43:00.000-08:00

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

This week is take down the Christmas House! I know why it takes so long to put it up all the decorations, because every box I opened was like an Ooh and Awh fest lolol. Looking at all my old Christmas treasures makes me happy. Here at the new Patch of Dirt I had no clue where everything was going to fit, but it came out beautifully and everyone enjoyed it! Now it must be repacked and stored away until next year.

What has this got to do with Pumpkins you ask! We purchased two nice sized pumpkins to decorate the front porch for Halloween (for us the beginning of the Holiday Season). They sat on the porch for 2 months sheltered, un-carved and out of the elements. I had an idea to stuff them and or make Pumpkin Soup so yesterday I started on both.

Ingredients and directions to follow;

One Medium Pumpkin- Wash the out side of the Pumpkin. Cut a nice size lid large enough so you can spoon the rice mixture into it. Make a venting triangle in lid 1- 1 1/2" long to keep it from bursting. Clean the inside and remove all seeds and set them aside for later use. (Caution- Do Not Puncture the Pumpkin Shell)
Cut up and dice 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 cup cilantro or parsley (I use cilantro), 2 carrots, 2 large stalks of celery,
1 green chili or bell pepper (I used the chili).

1 bag of Wild Rice-follow bag cooking directions. I opted to use the chicken broth instead of water. I think it offers a better flavor to the rice. 2 pieces large chicken breasts skinned and boned. I diced the chicken into small cubes then browned the chicken in 3 tablespoons oil. Once browned I add the onion and the garlic, brown some more and then add the carrots, celery, cilantro and green chili. Season to taste with salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, paprika, sage and thyme. Use what ever seasonings your family prefers we like a little kick in our dishes. Add 1 cup of chicken broth to chicken mixture to make a little sauce and cook that down to thicken.

Once the chicken mixture and rice have cook thoroughly combine the two and spoon into the pumpkin. Again season to taste. I set the pumpkin on a foiled cooking sheet to keep from sticking to the pan just in case. Put the lid back on the pumpkin and place it in a preheated oven on 325 for 2-3 hours or until a fork gently punctures outside and pumpkin feels tender on the inside.

This is what it looked like when I pulled it out of the oven. Very pretty! What a great color and wonderful smell!

My neighbor came by while I was cooking the pumpkin mixture so I made him the taste tester. He really liked it so I sent he and his wife a wedge last night. We will see what they think, I'll let you know what they say later? We liked it but was expecting more of a pumpkin pie sort of flavor . The pumpkin was sort of bland but the mixture had a great flavor. I will have to work on the pumpkin next time. I will definitely serve this at Thanksgiving, but maybe only dish out the mixture in less I can perfect the pumpkin part. I just may have to season the inside of the pumpkin prior to baking?
All in all, it will make a very beautiful presentation and provides a nice "Wow" factor for your Thanksgiving table.

Now for the fun part ! Place the cleaned and seasoned pumpkin seeds (salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder) on a greased cooking sheet (Spray with Pam) and place in the oven (I put it one rack under the pumpkin) cook until both sides are golden brown. Cooking time will very depending on what else you have in the oven. Just keep and eye on them and stir them occasionally to be able to brown both sides. Place seeds in a zip lock storage bag or Tupperware bowl in the fridge after they have cooled.

I had some extra time while cleaning up and I made this great floral arrangement for the kitchen. Multi tasking ha, no wonder it took me all day to make the SFF card lololol.

Now I am in the mood to create a card so I am off to play with some paper. I hope you have time this weekend to create something fun.

Sketch Frenzy Friday and a Face Lift!

2012-01-05T23:07:00.000-08:00

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

I hope you like the new look! I'm still getting used to it myself. I have been working on it for a couple days. I figured it was time to give My Little Patch of Dirt a Face Lift! And what better time than the first of the year right! If you have a moment, if you could be so kind as to leaving me a comment or any ideas you may have about the new look or content It would be so appreciated.

Yes, it's Sketch Frenzy Friday time already! I know right! Didn't we just have Christmas? I just can't believe how time flies when we are having fun lololo. I'm really working on keeping my spirits up and my Mojo flowing these days.

Here is our amazing sketch and it is brought to us by or very own Tammy Baldwin. Isn't it fabulous! I just loved it! Tammy you did a great job on this sketch! It was tough, but lots of fun.

Here is what I came up with

You know how some cards you can make in 30 minutes and how some take all day! Well this was an all day project. I flipped it upright and give it a distressed look.
Here is a look at the inside;

Again I used some of our new items from the Occasions Mini;
Framelits-Lables Collection, Attic Boutique DSP (SAB), Apothecary Art Stamp set (For You) and a Hat Pin.
Already in the catalog;
Pearls, Soft Suede Satin Ribbon, Victorian Lace Ribbon, Happiest Birthday Wishes Hostess Stamp set, and a Mini Vintage Tag.
Oldie but goodie items that I thought worked great in this card;
A Silk Flower that I colored Calypso Coral, A few items from the Pretties Kit, Early Espresso ink and a sponge wedge.
Sorry about the lighting on the picture quality. I broke my OTT Light today. It was looking like it was going to go out for the last few days but today I flicked it with my finger and it popped, Yikes what a mess! I'll have to order one of these quick!

I really hope you like the card and the new Blog look and find some time to play in your stamping space today!
Your next stop on our Mini Blog Hop is to visit Robbie Rubula's blog. She is so darn talented, I know you will enjoy her creation http://inkedx2.blogspot.com
If you would like to show us what you have created from this sketch we would love to see it as well. All you have to do is to upload it to our blog http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com

Have a great weekend and be safe because you matter!

Framelets and More

2012-01-03T23:25:00.000-08:00

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

Lesley over at Always Playing with Paper http://alwaysplayingwithpaper.blogspot.com (Look for Mondays Post 1-2-12) came up with an amazing new weekly sketch challenge called Merry Monday. It is the first week for her challenges. Her idea is to make a Christmas Cards (Thus the Merry part) every week but, I decided I would make a regular card out of it because it is a really great sketch; Maybe I'll make a Christmas card with it tomorrow? It is a fun sketch. Her idea/concept is great, why not make Christmas Cards all year long so when December comes along your cards will be already completed! Now that's thinking ahead. Now I just have to pull out my Holiday stamps again- I just put them away!
and this is what I made with it

All supplies used are Stampin' Up :
Embellishments- Framelets-Lables Collection, Crochet Trim Ribbon-Victorian, Brads Everyday Enchantment, Pearls, Stampin Dimensionals, Sponges, 1" Circle Punch and Scallop Border Punch.
Card Stock- (DSP)Designer Series Paper -Attic Boutique. Pool Party and Calypso Coral In Color Card Stock
Stamp Sets- Friends Never Fade and Sprinkled Expressions.
Ink- Soft Swede.
Stampin Write Markers- Calypso Coral, Melon Mambo, Old Olive and Always Artichoke.

I hope you enjoyed today's share and find some time to create something fun yourself.
Thanks, Patrice

Sprinkled Expressions Star

2012-01-02T16:33:00.000-08:00

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

I had some time to play again today so I looked around for a color challenge and saw one over at ColorQ challenge http://colourq.blogspot.com/2011/12/colourq-challenge-117.html which looked like fun. I can appreciate Red, Black and White as a striking color combination so I gave it a whirl.
Here is what I came up with;

In keeping with the New Year Holiday I came up with this card. It is also my Father In Law's birthday so I will send this out to him. Happy Birthday Glenn, here's to many more.
This is a peek at the inside too;

I'm giving you a sneak peek at one of the fun Sale-A-Bration sets that are soon to be released at the end of January. This set has 3 great image stamps and 3 fun coordination sentiments that go with it. I used Black Grosgrain 5/8" , Black Gingham 3/16" and Red 3/8" Grosgrain Ribbons to make the fun ribbon embellishment. I stamped the background image in VersaMark and applied clear embossing powder to it, then heat set it to make it shiny!The focal image was stamped in Real Red ink then I over stamped that image with VersaMark and clear embossing powder to make that shiny as well. Another good reason to use clear mount stamps you can see where you want to stamp. I ran the white card stock piece thru the Textured Impression Folder (TIF) -Stripes and the black piece thru the Polka Dot TIF. Die cut 3 stars and added a fun streamer embellishment to them and tuck that under the large white piece of CS. Add a few rhinestones to the focal star and there you have it. If you ever have any questions as to what I did to create a card please leave me a note and an e-mail address and I will get back to you.

I hope you enjoy this card and find some time to create something fun too!
Thanks, Patrice

Apothecary Art & Happy New Year

2012-01-01T15:49:00.000-08:00

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this 1st day of 2012 finds you all well and happy!

I hope you all had a safe and happy New Years Eve!

We had a very lazy day yesterday. I cooked a four bone Rib Roast with baked veggies and salad for our New Years Eve dinner and no desert! I think we are in agreement that, that part of our previous dinners has got to go! We spent the day playing in the craft room Jeff conquering the world and I with my new toys! Yippee, the Man in Brown can late Friday night and dropped off a big box of goodies, so I got to play all day.

Here is my first creation of the year.

I used several new products you will see in the New Occasions Mini Catalog - Apothecary Art Stamp Set, A Hostess set Happiest Birthday Wishes, SU's Framelits - Labels Collection, Edgelits-Adorning Accents, 1/8th Organdy Ribbon in Calypso Coral, Calypso Coral Bakers Twine and the Sale-S-Bration (SAB) Designer Series Paper (DSP) Everyday Enchantments and of course Pearls.
Somethings I thought were extra fun were, while playing with the Edgelits Die I was able to make the circle trim (displayed in Pool Party CS) by placing the edges close. After I made the first initial cut I placed the die very close together flipped it over then lined it up to make a circle and cut it again. *Hot Tip I had to use a bit of tape to secure the die from slipping.
The second item I played around with was that I ran a needle and thread through the Organdy Ribbon to make this cute Ribbon embellishment along the right side of the stamped image. Close up it looks like tiny Ribbon Candy.

Here is the inside of the card and and envelope. I hope you enjoy this card and find some inspiration from it.

I also hope you find time to play this weekend. Let's make this a great New Year of crafting and fun!

Out with the old Say goodby to 2011

2011-12-31T10:58:00.000-08:00

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

It's New Years Eve already. My that was a strange year for my family, my friends and the world. I found a cool video to share with you about all the historical things that happened this year on planet earth. I hope you enjoy it!
(It is not commercial free but interesting never the less!)
http://www.googlezeitgeist.com/en/video

I don't usually try to make New Years Resolutions because I always lose sight of them in a few days or weeks, especially if it means I have to do some sort of work attached to them (Did I say that out loud? Smile).

But, (lolol) this year I promised myself I would create more often and post more often to my blog. This one I think I can do because of the fun factor involved. I love playing with paper!

I checked the number of hits the page preview counter thingie (thingie-BFF Term) my blog has and it shows that it is currently at 63,318 hits . I don't know if you all see that or not? One of my goals for 2012 (Yes I'm saying this out loud) is to reach 100,000 hits by my birthday at the end of May! So... I'm going to see what I can do to try to reach this goal. Yes, I realize there is going to be work involved, but more fun than work I'm sure.

All you have to do is to continue to stop by and visit, as you help encourage and inspire me. This is all in fun and it's a win win situation for us both I hope! I think I'll even throw in some type of a BLOG CANDY surprise too!

Honestly, it's because of all of you that My Little Patch of Dirt even exists. You motivate me to do better, to create more fun and exciting things, and help to push my boundaries and stretch my ability.

My hope is that I do the same for you as well. What is paper crafting all about if we can't share ideas and techniques and show off our pretty creations to each other right!

So, I am going to get a jump start. Here are some of the cards I made that went into those gift bags I showed you the other day. I left many of them blank inside (I had a personal request from a family member) and others I dressed up to match the front of the card. There were several variations on a theme as you can see. I used different colored card stock so as to mix them up. When I make mass volume cards I try to make at lease 4-8 of the same card. It helps quicken reproduction time as opposed to individual cards that can take a half hour just to design. I made 120 cards total this season.

Most of the products are Stampin' Up but I did reach into my stash for card stock that was just plain fun!

I hope we all have a great New Year and find lot's of extra time to create more often. It's a long weekend so go create something fun.

Sketch Frenzy Friday!

2011-12-29T17:43:00.000-08:00

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

Yep it's the last Friday of this year, can you believe it!!
Today's sketch was brought to us by our very talented Sharon Wheet and it just pops NEW YEARS!!!!
Here is her sketch!

Here is what I came up with!

Happy New Year everyone, may it be blessed with good health,wealth and much happiness!
All products are SU .

Your next stop is Robbie Rubula's amazing blog. http://inkedx2.blogspot.com
If you would like to show us a card you have made from this sketch please upload it to our main site
http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

I hope you have a chance to create something fun this weekend. I am waiting patiently for the man in brown to come and visit he should be here sometime today to drop off lots of new product. Yippee! New toys are always a pleasure.
I submitted this sketch to the Friday Mashup Design Team too! They wanted something shiny and New Years ish. I think this fit that bill. http://www.fridaymashup.com
Be safe this weekend and park your card in the garage lololol!

Just checking in!

2011-12-29T16:10:00.000-08:00

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

The news about my brother took my breath away and I totally forgot to post for SFF, I'm very sorry and thanks for stopping by. They did not do the surgery as planned, because more tests came back that showed he now has Stage Four Adeno Carcinoma of the Esophagus and Stomach which has spread into his Lymph Nodes and several of his vital organs (Kidney, Liver, Heart). He will begin radical Radiation and Chemo Therapy ASAP. Please continue to pray it is still touch and go!

On Christmas morning at 3:00am a drunk driver hit our parked cars. We just found out the man's insurance has lapsed and if they can not find him by next Tuesday they will close the case. At least we have uninsured motorist insurance.

You know, I sit here and write this stuff and have to put it into perspective, it is minute considering the scheme of things! A fellow VC Rocker lost her two sons in a car crash on Christmas day! I could not imagine what that must be like. My thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family. I hope and pray that they can find some peace in all this turmoil and that someday Christmas will become a blessed time for them once again.

Life sure is strange and often throws us some painful curve balls from time to time. I hope all my blogging friends you have a Wonderful New Year and that if this year was too much sometimes I pray for better times for us all for next year!

I did do a lot of stamping prior to all the craziness of this Christmas! I thought I would share some of the gift bags I made with you. Some were made with my Cricut and some with the SU Ornament Templates from last year.

These were a lot of fun and were well received. Each bag (8 of them) were filled with 10 gift cards each. I was a stamping fool that is for sure. I'll share the cards with you in the next few days.

I have another card for SFF's post for tomorrow. I hope you have time to create something fun. Hug your loved ones!

Sorry No SFF post today Prayers Needed!

2011-12-23T13:48:00.000-08:00

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

Merry Christmas to all of you and here is to a wonderful New Year for us all!!!!

We just found out Monday evening that my Brother Vince has Cancer and that he is scheduled for emergency surgery today? With all that is going on around here I totally forgot to post. Please forgive me! If you are the praying type PLEASE put Vince on your prayer list at church or other online media.
Thank you and I will be back Next Week I Hope!
Thanks for stopping by!
Patrice

Paper Players #76

2011-12-16T12:37:00.000-08:00

Hello to all my blogging friends. I hope this post finds you all well and happy and as ready for the Holidays as humanly possible lololo!

I wanted to do another challenge this week so I went over to Ann's Blog "The Stampin Schach" http://www.stampinchic.com/search?updated-max=2011-12-13T22:18:00-06:00&max-results=6 http: and saw that she was hosting the Sketch/Color Challenge over at the Paper Players http://www.thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/ this week. The challenge is to use three colors, Cherry Cobbler, Gold and Very Vanilla, and it is to be Clean and Simple. (Yikes). You know me with CAS!
Here is the challenge.

This is what I came up with. I hope you like it!

As clean and as simple as I could make it! I also did a little something to the inside.

Have a great weekend and I do hope you find time to create something fun. I have dedicated Sunday to an entire day in my craft room. I am so far behind on things lolol!

Sketch Frenzy Friday 12-16-11

2011-12-15T23:19:00.000-08:00

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

Brother, where did this week go? It always gets so busy at this time of the year. We hardly have time to sit and enjoy it. Well I am just a few hours away from being done with the house. I have put all the X-Mas boxes away and just have a few more finishing touches to go before I can say I am DONE!

But, in the mean time I have a cool card for you today. It's Sketch Frenzy Friday and my turn to create the sketch for this week. This is what I came up with.

In keeping with this Holiday Season I went really festive. I used My Digital Studio for this sketch. I think it would make a fun Christmas card to send out as it is.

Here is what I created (I almost made an exact copy but thought that would be cheating lololol)

I stamped the poinsettia image in VersaMark and used our amazing SU Cherry Cobbler embossing powder to make them super shiny, then I cut them out. I alternated the flowers high and low with dimensional by using two demsionals on one flower then only one for the next flower. Here is a side view of the card. I think a visual sometimes help .

The Build a Bird punch comes in very handy for leaves. I used the Scallop Circle Die for the background item and punched circles in each of the loops with the 1/8 " hand held punch. I think it gave it a interesting look. For the ribbon treatment I punched a row of the scallop border and cut it a bit thick so I could add a strip of Old Olive 1/8" ribbon to it. I think it made a nice effect. To add some bling I used rhinestones to the center of each of the flowers.

Then to finish off the card I did a little extra to the inside.

That's it for this card. Now your off to visit Robbie Rubula and see what she has in store for us http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/ I know you are going to love what she has created it is too cute as I took a sneak peek! If you would like to try your hand at this sketch please make sure you show it to us and down load your creation to our blog http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/.

I hope you all have a great weekend and find some time during this busy holiday to create something fun!

We Decked My Daughters Halls

2011-12-12T04:57:00.000-08:00

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

I spent the day with my daughter this week. This is her first Christmas in her new apt so, I went over and made her a few things to brighten up her apt. 6 floral arrangements, 1 wreath and we did her stairs with garland and lights. She will get a tree and a few more candles in a week or so and then she will really be ready for Santa.

The wreath was on the front door I forgot to get a shot of it!
Hope you like her little apt. If we did not have the dogs we would live there. Her view is spectacular as her place looks over Lake Elsinore. I think she is less than 100 yards from the shoreline. The front yard, a two lane street and the beach! Not bad for a first apt.

Have a great day and I hope you find some time to create!

Stampin Queens Sketch Challenge #16

2011-12-09T15:42:00.000-08:00

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

The Stampin Queens did it again! They came up with another amazing challenge, so I just had to play along.
This is their sketch.http://gettincrafty.typepad.com/stampin_queens_sketch_cha/

I looked at this sketch and saw a Christmas Tree tag and a rustic looking card base. I don't know where these images come ? I wonder myself sometimes lololol!

Here is my card. Let me know what you think.

I saw a technique over at The Technique Junkies or at The Classroom awhile back about putting a white product onto a dark piece of card stock. I do not remember the product name and didn't have any, but played around with a SU Whisper White Pigment Ink refill with a sponge and a scrap of Early Espresso cs. The scrap kind of reminds me of a type of tree in my neighbors yard, I think it is called a White Burch. I free hand cut a Christmas tree on a piece of Cherry Cobbler card stock (That took me a few tries lolol) then I crumpled the tree up many times to break down the fibers so I could separate it so. I like to use the inside once it has separated as it looks like felt or faux suede. I stamped 3 poinsettias and one little bird from the expired SU Bliss stamp set. I used Daffodil Delight on Natural White card stock for the flowers and soft suede for the bird with a touch of Dusty Durango on the chest, I then cut those out. I colored 3 pearls with real red ink and set those aside to dry it takes a few minutes. I found an old piece of cardboard and pulled it apart so I could use the center of that for texture. Next, I distressed a scrap piece of DSP (Christmas last year). For the trunk of the tree I found a old piece of wood and sponged early espresso ink onto it. I used brown and white Bakers Twine as garland and found some raffia for the bow. The last thing I did was to make a sentiment. For this I used a retired stamp set Berry Christmas from last year. The base of the card is Hunter Green.

Here is a shot of the inside.

I had such a fun day playing around with this sketch. Thanks Ladies over at Sketch Queens for the great sketch Challenge. This card reminds me of a very old fashioned Christmas Card.

I hope you enjoy it and find some time to create today.

Sketch Frenzy Friday 120911

2011-12-09T00:31:00.000-08:00

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

Yep, it is that time again and boy do we have an interesting sketch for you this week! Maria Vanderform came up with it and My Oh My was it a tough one for me! Here is her sketch

see what I mean!
This is what I came up with.

I turned the card and thought about Snow for some reason? I'm a Californian and lol lol I am not quite sure about the snow falling order if it rains then snows or snows then rains??? So, I went with snow then rain? I think the snow heats up the closer it gets to the earth in less it is really cold then the snow stays on the ground. Heck in this part of CA is desert so what do I know about snow. I call it involuntary wet, because I'm always on my butt in it lololo. All I know is that the little girl is enjoying the snow in her cute pink hat and mittens.
Please let me know what the correct order of snow is lololol!
Here is the inside shot.

I hope you all have a great day end a very fun weekend.
Your next stop on the Blog Hop is to visit Robbie Rubula's blog and do check out her Santa from Wednesdays blog post he is so cute http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/
If you would like to create a card from our sketch, please download it to our blog so we can all have a chance to ooh and awh over it. I would love to see what you have come up with SMILE! http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

I hope you find some time to create something fun too!

Yippee and thanks SQSC 15

2011-12-08T14:10:00.000-08:00

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

Looks like the card I made last week for the SQSC 15 made the grade and was selected as one of the top three. YIPPEE!!!! The post for this card was from Wednesday Nov. 30th just in case you wanted to check it out again.

I checked out all of the other ladies submissions and it sure must have been a hard choice, because all of the other cards were so amazing as well! Congratulations to all the ladies who submitted their cards! I do know it is always hard to submit your work for one personal reason or another, BUT, do it anyhow !!! It is so fun to see what everyone else comes up with on a sketch challenge. Our creative minds just amaze me (Smile)!

Remember to come back tomorrow for our Sketch Frenzy Fridays Sketch Challenge and Mini Blog Hop too!

Here is another rendition of my Mr Snowman card. Only this time he looks like he is going on a date with Mrs. Snowman.

I had a few scraps of the beautiful Ribbon from the big bow I made for my big Wreath I showed you all last week hanging around, so I decked out Mr Snowman's vest and hat with it. I used Cherry Cobbler card stock for the vest and his hat and the card base is Island Indigo. It is such a pretty shade of blue.
I did a little something to the inside of the card too!

`Well, I hope you like him and find some time to create something fun today.

I'm off to visit Mom today! Looks like she is getting prepped for surgery # THREE! Keep her in your prayers, she can use them!!!

Our Christmas House

2011-12-04T23:13:00.000-08:00

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

OK, this is for my BFF Carey ! I'll show you what you are missing so maybe you'll come for a visit ! This year we have a new home to decorate and I am feeling much better than last year so I decorated in a big way!Of course Jeff helped quite a bit. Thanks honey!!!

Here we go, walking into the house this is what you see,

To the right of the front door is next. Bob made the picture look like a post card

Next photo below is the left of the front door . How funny the flash makes the walls look white they are really a soft Coffee Mocha color. All the stockings are hung.

My pretty Christmas Tree below, it is packed with toys and Santa's, Metal Airplanes, Boats, Trucks, Blocks, Kites, Marionettes, Ballet Slippers, Wooden Pull Toys, Porcelain Dolls, Pin Wheels and Shiny Jewel Tone Ornaments, with lot's of colored lights. People are amazed at the collection of Toy Ornaments that really work. I have been collecting them for years. I even made the Tree Skirt and sewed on large jewels and pearls.

Now we are headed into the dining room

This is the Wreath I made from the neighbors clippings. It is about 4 feet around. It was very heavy so I had to add a branch through the center so it would keep it's shape. Underneath our the Nativity Scene.


The Video Cabinet a large Santa and a table and vase arrangemen		t		that I made.


and finally the hutch with a seated Santa and a porcelain Old World Santa Sculpture.

I have a few more shots of the Dining room , Kitchen and the Bathroom, but I'll show them to you tomorrow.
Bear was following me around the house all day and finally got tired so I snuck a picture real quick, he is not a photo ham at all and I was surprised he let me take it lolol. This shot is looking from the dining room into the right side of the living room.

Hope you all had a great weekend and that you found some time to create.

Sketch Frenzy Friday 120211

2011-12-01T23:15:00.000-08:00

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

Yep, it is that time again for another great Sketch Frenzy Friday Mini Blog Hop and Sketch Challenge.
Today's sketch was designed by Kim Innis, and it is amazing! Here is her sketch!

What do you think? Isn't it fun!CAS!
Here is what I came up with;

This was a really fun sketch,
Here is a picture of the inside. I left it blank as I was thinking of writing a long note to my friend and wanted more room.

I hope you like this card and give our sketch a try! We would love to see what you have created from this sketch. Please download your card to our homepage http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com
Now on with our hop, your next stop is Robbie Rubula's blog. I can't wait to see what Robbie has in store for us this week. She always does something fun and creative with her sketches http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/.

I followed the sketch almost to a tee this week how about that! I LOVE the new Cherry Cobbler Embossing Powder and find I am having fun using it whenever and whereever I can, it is just such a yummy color.
Well that's all for today's post. Now it is your turn to create something fun.

Stampin Royality Challenge #100

2011-12-01T21:28:00.000-08:00

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

My neighbor has been trimming his trees back for the last week. I asked him whenever he got to the pine tree I would like to get the trimmings to make a Big Wreath, he said sure and today was the day "YIPPEE". I love the smell of fresh cut pine trees. I knew exactly what I wanted to make out of them. But that will have to wait until I am finished with the inside of our house to get started.

To thank my Neighbors for the pine tree trimmings. I made them this floral arrangement and a hand made card to say thanks. Many of the items in this arrangement were from his front yard!

I saw a challenge for "Anything But A Card" over at Stampin Royalty http://stampinroyalty.blogspot.com/

so, I submitted the arrangement for this weeks challenge #100, lets see what happens. What fun!

This picture shows some additional items that are from another one of his trees. They are the tree's seed pods. Does anyone know what type of tree it is? They have what looks like rows of corn inside the pods and have very sharp stickers on them too!

This pile will make such a great wreath, the branches are very flexible and makes bending very easy.

In one of my many past employment lives I used to be a florist. I love working with items from the garden. Nature provides us with unlimited possibilities for creating. The last picture is of these funny looking things, I think are seeds or flowers from a California Christmas Tree? We have been having sever wind storms this week and a bunch of these blew into my yard, I think from my neighbors yard on the other side.

Now it is your turn to go and create something fun!

Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge SQSC15

2011-11-30T12:33:00.000-08:00

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

I had a few minutes today to participate in a sketch challenge from Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenges
http://gettincrafty.typepad.com/stampin_queens_sketch_cha/

Here is their sketch, it is quite involved and was a good challenge for me.

Here is my submission.

When I saw this sketch I imagined a beautiful wreath. I didn't have any red glitter paper so I made my own by using Versa Mark, Heat and Stick Powder and Red Glitter all from Stampin Up. I punched several dozen leaves in four different greens from the Build a Bird Punch to make the Wreath added 5 Rhinestones for some additional bling. The Make Merry was embossed with Cherry Cobbler embossing powder. I hope you enjoy this card as much as I did in making it! Too bad you can not see all the shimmer it is really a very pretty card. I may make this as my family Christmas card?

I hope you were as inspired by this sketch as I was and find some time today to create something fun.

Christmas Cards

2011-11-28T10:39:00.000-08:00

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

In addition, I hope you all had a very happy Thanksgiving and you and your bird got stuffed lolol!

Left overs should almost be gone by now and the refrigerator should be thinning out and that I can not believe that this weekend officially means that Christmas is right around the corner! Yikes!
I am going to make a trip to my moms to sort out what we left there from last year and her things to decorate her house for Christmas.

But, not before I show you a Frosty the Snow Man card I came up with. And the final Greeting Card Kids card too!

Here is the Greeting Card Kids card. Looks like the photo came out too light, darn and I already gave this card away or I would have taken a better shot!

And here is the Frosty the Snow Man card;

I hope you like them and have a wonderful day!

Now it is your turn to make some thing fun!

Sketch Frenzy Friday

2011-11-25T10:40:00.000-08:00

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

Wow am I Late! First off, my apologies to Robbie because I connect with her and then to my group for not posting until now! Please Forgive me!
Thanksgiving caught me off guard and I failed to create my card until now!

This weeks sketch is a cutie Jeniffer Weide came up with it. This was a tough one for me, very simplistic yet elegant! Great job Jennifer!Nice mind challenge!

This is the card I came up with.

I added some black Hemp Twine pieces I colored to the back to pop the Mirror up. I then added a piece of vellum to the front of the DSP piece to make it look like a mirror. I hope I achieved that effect. The inside was fun, I used the remaining pieces of the scallop oval and added a white center so that it could be written on.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. We did, but were out way too late. I have to cook Saturday for the family so it's going to be a really busy weekend.
Please hop on over to visit Robbie Rubula's wonderful blog. I know she has something amazing in store for us. http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/
If you have been inspired and wish to create a card from this sketch, please download it to our blog so we can all view it. http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

I hope you all have a safe and fun holiday weekend. Don't forget to do some Black Friday super shopping!
Now it is your turn to create something fun!

Greeting Card Kids Two

2011-11-23T12:19:00.000-08:00

Hello to all my Blogging Friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

Are you ready for Thanksgiving? We are going to our friends house in Elsinore for dinner and a movie YIPPEE!
It's our turn at Christmas so I am enjoying not cooking for a huge crowd. Sometime this weekend though I will cook our family turkey dinner as the kids are coming into town. I hope and pray you all have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
PS. Save room for Pie! lololo

Here is the second of three cards from the Stamp Set Greeting Card Kids.

This set is so darn cute and you are able to do it up in a variety of shapes and colors.
I only did a little something to the inside so I won't go into that.

Now it is your turn to create something fun. Please travel safely and have a great day!

Christmas Fun!

2011-11-22T11:37:00.000-08:00

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

I have had quite a bit of fun lately in my craft room, you should see it, it is a mess lolol!, Mainly by default, it rained, I caught a cold and my honey was at home for a few days. But it is all good when one can spend some time in their craft room right!

I love getting stamp sample swaps of different stamp sets. They allow me to see if I want to purchase a stamp set or not. I may have to get this little set it is so darn cute and versatile covering four major holidays.

I made three cards and I will show them all this week so stay tuned.

The first one is a Blue, Black and White rendition of the same stamp set. I ran a velumn piece of paper through the Big Shot using the Polka Dot Textured Impression Folder for the background piece then taped it on to a white piece of card stock to make it pop. I wanted to find a piece of CS to make the image and the Polka Dot pieces stand out more as the blue wasn't enough to achieve that effect. I added a black backing and that gave it the dramatic effect I was looking for. The Corner Rounder Punch softened up the edges quite a bit. I hope you like it!

That's all for today, I hope you all find some time to create something fun!

Rainey Sunday! Santa's Coming to Town!

2011-11-20T20:10:00.000-08:00

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

I have had a great weekend creating a bunch of real fun cards! I guess all the 12 Days/Weeks of Christmas blog post's I been getting are paying off. Thank you my creative mentors! My Mojo is a flowing ha!
Here is a CASE card I have seen on line for the last few years and have wanted to make one of my own. So I had to add a touch of my style to Him, but the layout is the same!

I had some old handmade paper in my stash and distressed it a bit to emulate His fur on the jacket. Then again in my stash I cut a piece of glossy black CS for his belt and found a half a sheet of a specialty gold foil paper for the buckle. I made his suit with Real Red CS and stamped a swirl image from the Elements of Style SU stamp set.
Santa's coming to town, so you better be good!

Just a simple sentiment for the inside.

Hope you had a fun weekend and got some time to create.

I've Been Stamping Like Crazy!

2011-11-19T18:19:00.000-08:00

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

This is a really quick post I'm getting a cold so I'm stationary and just making cards! I guess that is not so bad after all. I should be on the couch or in bed but I guess that's the progression of a cold. I figure I better stamp while I still have the energy! Hahahah That sounded so dramatic I cracked my self up lololol

Shiny!!! and here is the inside. Heat and Stick Powder works great with glitter BTW!Add a few Rhinestones and you have Bling!!

I told you Short and Sweet!
I hope you find time to create something fun.

SFF 11/18/11

2011-11-17T23:45:00.000-08:00

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

Deb Currier made this weeks Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch and what a sketch it is. Fun, Fun, Fun. There are so many rights and lefts and extra's to this sketch that you can't help but to have fun with it. Here is her sketch,

and this is what I came up with.

I made the circle embellishment with three sizes of scrunched up punched circles 1 3/8, 1 1/4 and 1 " in Basic Grey, Basic Black and Cherry Cobbler. I scrunched up a large piece of Cherry Cobbler and split it in half to create the Faux Suede effect. I had two small scraps remaining of that wonderful Halloween DSP that is in the SU Mini Catalog. I am so bummed as it is almost gone Boo (get it! Ha! ) I ran the front of the card through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice Textured Impression Folder for some added texture and dimension. I think it has a sudo masculine feel to it.
I made another circle embellishment for the inside too as you can see from the next photo.

Your next stop on our mini blog hop to to visit Robbie Rubula I really do enjoy her work and can not wait to see what she has in store for us http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/
I hope you all have a great day and find some time to create.
If you would like to upload your creation to our blog please do so here http://sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

My honey came home not feeling well Thursday night. Friday is his birthday I sure hope he feels better soon.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY XOXOXOXOXO

Another Card Share for you.

2011-11-16T23:13:00.000-08:00

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

Yep another card to share!!! What you say... 4 in one week lololo I know right (smile). I have a few things to do in the craft room today as my Honeys Birthday is Friday and I want to make him something special. We will have to see what I can do in there I have a few extra hours I'M SO EXCITED!!!!! I love being in my craft room it is so peaceful. The best thing about it is that I can make a big mess and afterward I'll have some cards to share. I'll clean up Friday!

Here is the card.

This card was a fun one to make. I have no idea where I got the cut out template from but, I came across it last weekend while playing and this is what I made with it. The card started with a tri-fold design. I sponged the 2nd layer with Cherry Cobbler just around the rectangle opening and cut out a few of the flowers and taped them to the back of the 1st fold and taped the 2nd and the 1st folds together so that now it is only a regular card. Then I stamped on the front of the card with more flowers this gives the appearance of lots of dimension.
Here is what the inside looks like.

Can you see where I added the cut out flowers inside the 1st and 2nd folds. The picture of the flowers on the inside is actually the 3rd fold of the card. I sure hope you like it!

Have a great day and I hope you find time to create!

Something fun again!

2011-11-16T10:01:00.000-08:00

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

I'm off to get a Flu Shot, do some shopping and to visit my Mom (We play a serious game of Gin Rummy lolol)
Then to visit and dinner with the girls. What's that all about ... It's another busy day but I do have a card ready to show you. The Bird Cage is Black Embossed and very shiny. It looks really nice against the Ivory CS.

That is the best I can do for a Clean and Simple card my friends.
Hope you like it and have enough time today to create something fun.

As usual "The boys" are close by and under foot (said with a warm heart and a loving smile)
Bob Cat, Bear and Marley.

Just for the fun of it!

2011-11-14T16:38:00.000-08:00

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

I am rested and relaxed!!!! We took the entire weekend off 3 days, No Family, No Friends, No Hospitals and no where important we had to go, No obligations IT WAS WONDERFUL!!!!

I even got to create finally! My Mojo left me for awhile there. I felt like a fish out of water with no ink stains on my fingers. YIKES!!!!

This is a little something I put together and it felt good. I made six cards this weekend, so I will have lots to post in the week to come.

I was playing around with the SU Vintage Vogue stamp set yesterday. I inked the stamp and it slipped out of my hands and fell right on some DSP. I didn't want to waist it so I cut around the flower turned it over and made a flower for the center piece.
I'm trying to use up scraps and little pieces so the dotted edges of the DSP made cute side panels. I had a little piece of a Textured Embossed Ivory Card Stock so I used that up too. I like how it turned out for it being scraps and all!
Here is the inside.

Thats all there is to it.

Mom Update: She is doing better and moving around more and more. She was to have been released this weekend but somehow got Bronchitis??? How could that have happened... she was on some heavy antibiotics for the last 12 ? I don't know what's up with that. I think she will get to come home sometime this week though! Keep your fingers crossed!!!!!!!!Continue to Pray for her ok.

Now it is your turn go and create something fun!

Sketch Frenzy Friday 11-11-11

2011-11-11T07:25:00.000-08:00

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

Wow! How cool is this to have a blog hop on 11-11-11! Just think that won't happen for another 100 years (Maybe)
I wonder what Blog Life will be like in 100 years... No doubt amazing and miraculous as we think of it now.

This weeks sketch is brought to us by Angela Walters (Hope you are feeling better Angela!) and what a great sketch it is at that! Here is her sketch:

and this is my interpretation. I kept close to the original sketch just gussied it up a bit.

This card is a bit more feminine than I general make but I have a dear friend who is having a birthday and I wanted to make her something a bit more special. Here is the inside.

Supplies used
Stripes and Square Lattice Textured Impression Folders .
White Organza and 1/4" Black Grosgrain Ribbons.
Naturals White, Melon Mombo and Basic Black Card Stock.
Springtime Vintage DSP ( Retired Sorry it's all I had with flowers)
Basic Pearls, Stampin Dimensionals Scallop Edge Border Punch and My Friend Stamp Set.

Now you are off to visit Robbie Rubula at http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/
If you have been inspired by this sketch and would like to show us your card please download it to our SFF Web Site
http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

That's all there is to it! Have a great week! I hope you have time to create something fun too!

I do hope I too have a chance to create soon! I'm going crazy as we have been unusually busy lately with Wedding Showers, Birthdays, Community Affairs, Emergency Room visits and the like. We really need this weekend just to play and relax!

My Mom should be going home tomorrow and will be home through the holidays then have a third surgery sometime in January (BOO, HISS,BOO) she is still on antibiotics and will be until the surgery.
She took a nose dive last Sunday at Church that broke her nose and really busted up her beautiful face. It is amazing that there are no broken bones. Thank You God!!! The stitches come out today too so that will be good. She is looking much better but OMG it was scarey to see her all bruised up and swollen like that. My heart just ached for her. Please keep her in your prayers this Staff Infection isn't over with yet!

Sketch Frenzy Friday 11-04-11

2011-11-03T21:52:00.000-07:00

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

My! Where did this week go? I tell you it seems as of late that I have been really busy and no time to stamp!!!I know crazy right!
Well when I saw Tina Munzke's sketch for this week, this scene just popped into my head. I don't even know anyone who golfs or I would give it to them lololol. I am sure I was inspired by another creative artist at one time who made a golf ball out of the circle punch and the Polka Dot Impression Folder to make theirs. I used the SU Circle Die #2 to make this golf ball and added some Crumb Cake sponging for depth and a dirty/used look to it. I just wish I could direct you to her /their blogs. I am not going to take credit for the golf ball, but I did make the grass and clouds. I scrunched up and wet a strip of Always Artichoke card stock to break down the fibers then pulled it apart to make the close up of the grass. I used a scallop circle and a sponge with Bashful Blue ink to make the clouds
Doesn't this sketch look like a perfect golfing card.

So if you get any inspiration from my interpretation of this sketch this card is "FORE" you hehe.

This is what I did with the inside.

You will now be able to hop on over to see what Robbie Rubula has in store for us http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/ . I too am excited to see what the rest of the ladies have done with this sketch. If you would like to play along please download your card here http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

Have a great weekend stay warm and I hope you and I find some time to create.

Updated Wedding Dress Card

2011-11-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

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

I just didn't like howmy Neices card turned out!! I kept mulling it over and over so, I woke up and went back into the craft room. My Honey is so good at colors he said it if bugs you add some color to it even if it is not her wedding colors! So I did. I added the red elements to give the card some POP. The red dress in the inside opens for a special message. But I can't say it out loud hehehehe.
Here is the new and improved version.

Here is the inside.

The red gives it a lot of color appeal and pop! And room to put in a special message just for the Bride and Groom to view!

Wedding Shower Card

2011-10-29T00:06:00.000-07:00

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

I'm going to a wedding Shower tomorrow for my niece Kaitlin. I am so excited for her, She has found a really nice young man and I truly think they are going to be really happy together. Oh young love! It is very nice to see.
I've been looking on line for the last few months checking out wedding and shower cards and came up with my own version of several cards that gave me a lot of inspiration. Here it is.

I drew the dress freehand and cut it out on velum. Then ran the skirt part through the Big Shot and left the bodice plane. I had to cut a white dress and attach it to the back of the velum piece to make the dress show up a bit more.
All wedding dresses have to have some bling of course, so I added just a touch of Basic Pearls and a sash of champagne ribbon to match the Tie.
I went on line and found directions on how to tie a mans Tie lolol. I found some good instructions at Brooks Brothers http://www.brooksbrothers.com/tieknots/prince-albert.tem I hope that helps. I tied the Tie around a small dowel as I needed something small to work with and that worked great.
I am always so impressed with the amount of information there is out there if you just look for it. I tucked the edges of the tie under the shirt collar and taped it in the back behind the white panel. Oops, I noticed from my photo there is a little piece of Sahara Sand missing from the neck? I better find that before I give this card away lololol! The little piece of Sahara Sand made the white collar pop.

Sentiments are kind of hard to find that say what you really want to share with newlyweds, so I typed up my own and used a fancy script and printed it on to card stock, then highlighted the edges with Soft Suede. The side panels were stamped using the scroll from Elements of Style stamp set in Crumb Cake classic ink.
This was certainly not a 20 minute card, but it was totally made with love.
Congrats Jefty and Kaitlin. We love you and wish you a long and happy life together.

Oh, and the other good news I spoke to you about yesterday is that a card I submitted last week to the Stampin Queens Sketch Challenge was selected as one of the top three. How cool is that Right! This was my first time ever as having a card that I created selected as a top anything on a sketch challenge lolol. Hip Hip Hooray!
Thanks ladies and I'll keep submitting your sketches a fun.
I have more good news too that I am very excited and honored to have had my work appreciated and taken notice of , but I have been sworn to secrecy. You can be sure when the time comes I will share it with you (Big Smile)! Until then Mum's the word!
Now it is your turn to go and create something fun.

It's Sketch Frenzy Friday time!

2011-10-27T23:50:00.000-07:00

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

It's been a very busy week for me, as I am sure for the rest of you too! I was sick last week and had to start playing catch up this week. I finally was able to have a nice long visit with my Mom and that felt good. No way was I going to go to a Skilled Nursing Facility with a cold! She should be coming home in a few weeks, but I'm still asking for prayers for her recovery.
I also cooked several meals for a girl friend who just has surgery and got that off to her family. Then had a couple dates with my other girlfriends one who came over to our new place to visit she and her husband ended up staying for dinner. It was a good day!

Yes, thank goodness it is Sketch Frenzy Friday Time! I am so grateful I am on this Team. It keeps me creating and keeps me accountable. So many wonderful things are happening in my creative life I am just in aw to be acknowledged for my work. Somethings I can share and some I can't just yet. But more about that tomorrow as it's SFF time Yippee!!!

Tammy Fite made this amazing sketch for us this week and I just love it. Take a look for yourselves.

Here is my interpretation of this sketch.

I love this little stamp set C is for Cat and the DSP Frightful Sight has this fun black cat paper that I thought would be great with this stamp set. That kitty is all over those fish lololol.

Here is a look at the inside . I hope you enjoyed my card and have fun making one for us to see.
Your next stop on our mini blog hop is to visit Robbie Rubula http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/
If you would like to submit your sketch please upload it to our site http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

Speaking of cats Bob thought he would get into the action and mess around on my desk while I was making this card

He is becoming such a clown! He is now taking on his two furry Big brothers. He stalks them and then jumps up on them as they walk by and or he'll come up to rub on their faces and bats them in the head a few times instead. It is really funny to watch them play.

Well its your turn to create something fun, until next time create away!

Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge

2011-10-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

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

I am so glad I am feeling better!!! I don't like it when I don't create something fun at least a few times a week. It feels like something is missing. I have wanted to participate in the Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge for a few weeks now but just haven't made the time to do it. So today I did http://gettincrafty.typepad.com/stampin_queens_sketch_cha/
and here is their fun sketch for this week. There are a lot of elements to this sketch which made it a nice challenge.

and here is my interpretation of it

I had fun playing around with the Baby Wipe Technique that I saw on Jennifer Weide's blog the other day and made 2 sample background pages of that tech http://www.sunflowerstamper.com. The first sheet I used on the SFF Sketch Challenge yesterday and this is a portion of the second sheet using more of a Fall color scheme. I wish you could see the card in real life, as I spritzed all the leaf images with Shimmer Mist. The images are so pretty and it made the images turn out really soft and shinny. I even cut a thin slice of the background sheet to make my own crinkle ribbon piece along the left side of the card. I hope you like the card and give this Sketch and the Baby Wipe Tech a try.

Heris a look at the inside. This will give you a good idea of what the Baby Wipe Tech looks like up close. Just click on the photo to enlarge it.

Now it is your turn to create something fun!

Sketch Frenzy Friday 10-21-11

2011-10-20T23:33:00.000-07:00

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

Yes! It's Sketch Frenzy Friday Time!!!
Sorry I haven't posted all week! I had a really bad ear ache and felt under the weather. But, I am on the mend and feeling my Mojo kicking in. Finally! I hate it went I feel so yucky that I don't even have the energy to create! Yikes, even my honey knows that it's bad when that happens.

Here is this weeks sketch, it was created by Tammy Baldwin. Isn't it fun, lots of different shapes and room to play around with.

I don't have any small stars in my stash so I chose the Hummingbird from the SU Elements of Style stamp set. I also finally tried the Baby Wipe Technique. I have always wanted to gave it a try. I got the idea from one of our SFF Design Team Members Jennifer Weide here is her link http://www.sunflowerstamper.com

I used several SU re-inkers and a gold re-inker that I have had for a long time. I couldn't believe it was still good after all this time. It just needed a good shaking and it worked out just fine. Who knew right! Too bad you really can not see the beautiful glimmer the gold gives off. I cut the hummingbirds out and mounted them on Concord Crush card stock as the darker color when added to the birds really made them Pop. I added a few leaves from the SU Bird Punch and a few different sizes of Basic Pearls. The sentiment is also from that stamp set and was punched out with the Modern Label Punch just cut down and re sized.
Now hear is a look at the inside of the card.

I hope you like it and it inspires you to try the Baby Wipe technique. It was really easy and lots of fun to play around with. I am sure you can find a video and or a tutorial over at Split Coast Stampers
Your next stop on our mini blog hop will be to visit Robbie Rubula. She always has something wonderful to share with us. http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/
If you would like to show us what you have created from this weeks sketch challenge please upload it on the Sketch Frenzy Friday webpage we would love to see it. http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

I hope you have a awesome weekend and get lots of time to create something fun!

It's Sketch Frenzy Friday Time

2011-10-14T00:41:00.000-07:00

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

It's Sketch Frenzy Friday and I am excited to show you what I made from today's sketch. Sharon Wheet designed this sketch. I looked and looked at it and was making way too much out of it. So I put it away for a few days and it finally came to me just this evening. It is a very simplistic sketch and yet you can go in so many directions with it. With out further ado here is her sketch and my card!

See what I mean, simple but sooo much potential. Great sketch Sharon!

I've had these Side Notes for a while now and decided this week I was going to use them and I did for this sketch.

I cut along the edge of the flower and slipped the friends piece inside to give the flowers more dimension. I colored in the Friend sign and the Flower piece with various SU Markers. I distresses all the pieces with either Marina Mist and or Kraft classic inks. I ran the Marina Mist Piece through the Big Shot with an Embossing Folder? (I must have left my SU Catalog in the car so I can not tell you the name of it?) But it is in the Catalog hehe! I used a silk Rosett and a couple leaves from the Build a Bird Punch and added Basic Pearls and a few Embossed Butterflies.
Wow this is hard with out my Catalog!
I did a little something to the inside too.

Have a great day, I hope you got a bit of inspiration from my card and enjoy the rest of our Blog Hop!
Robbie Rubula is up next and you will just love what she has created for us this week. She always does such a fantastic job designing her cards.http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/
If you would like to create a card from this weeks sketch please upload it to our home page we would love to see it. http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

Now it is your turn to go and create something fun. Have a great weekend and do something nice for yourself.

Birthday Gift for a Freind

2011-10-12T10:14:00.000-07:00

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

I made a cute birthday gift set for a friend of mine the other day and thought I would share it with you this week!

The Gift Set includes a CandyJar, Gift Card and a Personalized Journal.
Here is a close up of the Candy Jar and the Gift Card. Tomorrow I will show you the Journal.

I used the Top Note Die and the Oval Die on the front of the Candy Jar, in addition to various punches. I love dangling ribbons on gift items, I think they give the items a bit of a dressier look. Hidden in the bow at the side is a hanging circle tag with a coordinating punched out flower on it.You have to add some bling on a gift, so I dressed it up with Basic Pearls and little punched flowers. The lid screws off and and the hanging ribbons are attached to a bow. I added a DSP Circle to the top of the lid and added a multi colored scalloped flower to the top of that.

I used all the same embellishments on the card as the Candy Jar because it is part of the set, so I don't think I will repeat the description again hehe. This is a give away card as I made a separate gift card that matches this one as my BD Card to my friend.
I even decorated the envelopes and insides of the cards.

I really like this DSP that coordinates with the Stamp Set Fabulous Florets, how about you?.
I sure hope you enjoyed this little project and come back tomorrow to see the Journal.
Have a great day and I hope you get a chance to create something fun.

Toilet Paper Roll Album Tutorial

2011-10-07T19:58:00.000-07:00

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

I want to disclose I am not the original creator of this project. This is my version only. I asked on line if anyone knew of the creator and or other links on who showed us how to make this album. This is what information I received; Robyn Correa, Wanda McGlamery and Dawn Griffith, You Tube... I finally got a hold of the video I saw on line a few weeks ago given by Dawn Griffith here it is. http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com/dawns_stampin_studio/2011/09/toilet-paper-roll-album-video-.html.

This is the Album I came up with.

Supplies

Card Stock:
Marina Mist, Glossy White, Naturals White and Various patterns of blue 6 x6 pieces of Stampin Stack card stock.

Stamp Sets:
Snow Swirled, Snow Buddies (Hostess 2010) and Berry Christmas (retired).

Classic Ink:
Marina Mist

Misc:
Silver Embossing Powder, VersaMark, Bordering Blue and Brocade Blue Stampin' Write Markers, Ruler, Pencil, White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, three 1" Book Rings (found at Staples) Tacky Tape, Crop-A-Dile, Decorative Label Punch and three empty toilet paper rolls flattened in half lengthwise (Use a Bone Folder or Big Shot to flatten the TP rolls). One Stampin' Dimensional cut in half.

Measurements:

Cover Wrap for the toilet paper (TP) rolls you will need- 3 pieces of Marina Mist CS 4 1/4 x 6" and 6 pieces decorated Glossy White CS 2 6/16 x 3 12/16".
Pull out pages you will need- 6 pieces Natural White CS 2 7/16" x 3 12/16".
Cover sheet for pull out pages you will need- 6 pieces various patterns of blue Designer Series Paper (DSP) 2 1/4 x 3 3/4".
Two punched pieces of the Decorative Label in Marina Mist cut in half (width wise not length wise).

Score Lines for the Cover Wrap -from left to right (These measurements will vary depending on the TP Rolls you use)
1/4" , 6/16, 3", 3 2/16
(I gave myself two score lines about 2/16th" wide for each of the side folds for the flattened rolls so the card stock would not buckle or bulge).

Here are photos I hope will make the directions and measurements easier to follow. I am a visual gal and pictures tell a thousand words for me. Audio is also very helpful too (Smile).

Step One- Flatten your toilet paper rolls in half lengthwise.I have read that you can run the TP roll through the Big Shot to flatten and or do it the old fashion way like I did and use the Bone Folder to flatten the edges.

Step Two- Make the cover pieces for the TP Rolls

At every step I shaded all the edges of card stock with Marina Mist classic ink as you can see from this photo. You can also see where I made the 2/16th " score marks for the edges of the TP roll.

Step Three- Take a look at the tacky tape that I added to the TP Roll and the Marina Mist Card stock. Try to line the CS as straight as possible on the roll edge the first time as the tacky tape is unforgiving.

Then fold the cover piece all the way around the roll and remove tacky tape to secure.

Step Four- Decorate your Glossy Card Stock pieces with VersaMark and Silver Embossing Powder however you like. I tried to use a sentiment and a stamp on one page and a image only on the other page so every other page had a sentiment starting with the front cover. I should have taken a close up shot of the Snow Men as I cut out their hats and colored them in with the Stampin Write Markers and then popped the hats up 3 D style with a half of a Stampin Dimensional for extra dimension. I also added a touch of color to their scarfs. You could also add Rhinestones or Basic Pearls to add additional Bling to the images for fun.

Step Five- Make the pull out pieces buy taping the 6 Natural White 2 7/16 x 3 12/16 pieces together to make three pull out pieces, but first tape the Decorative Label half pieces at the top right, center, and left hand sides. The following photo describes what I mean here.

Once the six pieces are attached together and the half piece of the Decorative Label sticks out at the top evenly you are ready to sponge the edges with Marina Mist and attach the six various DSP pieces as follows.

This photo only shows three sides but you will also have to do the back sides too. Notice I went dark, light, dark when attaching the card stock. I wanted to make sure it looked purposeful in the finished project.

Step Six- At this point you could add additional embellishments and or photo corners to the pieces. I did not know what I wanted to make at the time, either a photo album and or a memory book embellished with personal items or not so I left them undecorated.
I'm showing you an additional photo here because I made a mistake and I want you to avoid this if possible. I failed to leave room for the punched ends of the TP rolls and had to cut the above pieces about a quarter inch smaller. I remembered that I wanted these pieces to be able to be pulled out not stuck inside (Duh). See the photo below

Notice the three holes in the bottom of the cover pieces. Remember you do not want to punch holes in the pull out pieces! The measurements for the pull out pieces have been adjusted so no need to alter them. I measured the placement of where I wanted the holes with a ruler and used the Crop-A-Dile to punch the holes, Then I lined up the second piece to the first piece and used a pencil to color in where I should punch next, I did the same to the third piece.

Step Seven- Put the album together as you are almost finished. See how the pull out pieces fit inside the

I added white ribbon around the Book Rings for fun, but you do not have to.

Finally the back piece.

I really hope you enjoyed this tutorial and have as much fun as I did in making yours. I have saved several more TP Rolls and will be making these for little thank you gifts for Christmas and or any time.
If you have additional questions on how I made this project, please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail or leave me a comment with an e-mail address and I will respond as soon as possible.

Now it is your turn to go and create something fun!

Sketch Frenzy Friday 10-7-11

2011-10-06T22:10:00.000-07:00

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

Happy Day It's SFF and we have a great new sketch challenge for ya this week. It is brought to us by no other than my blog hop neighbor Robbie Rubula. This is a great sketch Robbie ! Thanks for the inspiration, and here is her sketch.

I love clean and simple cards and sketches but hardly ever make one myself. I think -no it needs a layer here or add something extra over there... I tried to control myself as much as I could and this is what I came up with for this one hehehe.

I really did try to keep it as CAS as I could. A Friend of mine sent me several images of the Greeting Card Kids stamp set and I thought this would be great to have as my focal point on this sketch. I am trying to use up my new DSP Frightful Sight so that is the background paper. Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black and Cherry Cobbler are on the front. I used various Ink Pads to color in the image I used a very small paint brush in order to color it in. There are three large Basic Pearls on the lower right hand corner of the card a six medium pearls, three on each side of the sentiment. Sentiment and bats are from the Howl-o-ween Creeps stamp set and I used the Modern Label Punch for that too.
Here is a photo of the inside of the card, just a little something to brighten it up a bit.

I hope you like my little witch sitting on a pumpkin card and come back to see what else I have come up with lately.
Now off to see what Robbie has in store for us this week. http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/

We would love to see your creations too. You all have really been doing a great job with the previous sketches, so if you would like to show us yours for this week, please upload them here http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/
Now it is your turn to go and create something fun.

Post Script: (Smile)
Sorry it is taking me a while to get the Tutorial out to you on the Toilet Paper Roll. I searched all day yesterday on Splitcoast Stampers to try to find a video tutorial for ya but I couldn't pull anything up on it??? I guess I am going to have to put a shout out on line to try to find one for you. I also wanted to give the creator of the project credit and name her in my post. So I still have a bit more research to do yet. I am working on it that's for sure.

Just for fun

2011-10-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

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

I have a couple cards to share with you today. The first one was for my husband birthday. He likes very masculine cards and says this one was a really good one. Because it had lots of texture and elements to it. I hope you like it!

The second one is a card I CASED and added a few extra layers to it to make it my own. Something for a Dog Lover.

and here is a peek at the inside.

I'm working on my tutorial for the Toilet Paper Roll Scrapbook today that I showed you all in this weekends blog hop, so this is going to be a short post today!

Now it is your turn to go and create something fun.

Operation Write Home WCMD and Hopping Just For the Fun of It -2 Blog Hops

2011-09-30T21:10:00.000-07:00

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

What a great way to celebrate World Card Making Day by being a part of this amazing Blog Hop, by helping to honor and celebrate our families and friends who are in the armed forces. The theme for this hop is Holidays. Christmas is my favorite time of year so I want to share with you a project I am thinking of making as gifts this Christmas.
I also really like making Halloween cards so I have to show you what I came up with check out the bottom of this post to see it!
Let me know which ones you like OK.

My Husband works at the local Veterans Hospital as a Certified Bio Medical Technician. He is always honored to serve his fellow soldiers. He says "it is in his way a small part of giving back to those that have served in the armed forces". He has met so many brave men and woman and has a deep respect for them all. He has taught me a lot about US Military Branches and especially what it means to be a Marine "OOORAH" I truly love my freedom and what the United States of America stands for I too have a deep respect for those that give their lives everyday to protect our freedom.

I made a special Christmas Project especially for this hop. I never like to throw anything away as I know it can be made into something fun. I saw a blog post a while back and remembered I had taken a class on how to make a Mini Scrap Book out of Toilet Paper Rolls so that's what I have for you today. It's like having six mini cards in one booklet. Always remember to Recycle and Reuse what ever is around to make something fun.
Here is my Project;

I will have a tutorial up next week as we are limited to pictures and space in this Blog Hop. I hope you liked it and got some new inspiration from this olde but goodie crafting project.

OPERATION WRITE HOME BLOG HOP Once you have looked at my projects and hopefully left me a comment, hop on over to the next blog. But if you would like to go to the home page please start here http://www.owhstarsandstamps.org/
Use this link as the button doesn't seem to work?

"Hopping Just For The Fun of It"

I am also involved with a very talented group of ladies who have just started a monthly blog hop we are called "Hopping Just For The Fun of It" we will have a blog hop the first weekend of every month and may even venture out to do challenges and other things so please come back next month too. It just so happens to be a Holiday theme as well. Here is my Halloween card submission.

The only thing really special about this card is the fluffy piece behind the owl. I used a 10" strip of Real Red 5/8 inch Grosgrain Ribbon that I feathered one half of and attached it to the back of the moon with sticky tape. I think I can give a small tutorial on how to do it next week ?? This weekend is way too busy for me to get into that lololol.
Have fun on the Blog Hop and remember to come back and visit me again real soon. Your next stop will be Dawn's blog http://www.stampinatdawn.blogspot.com/
If you get lost please start at http://www.theloveofstamping.com/hopping_just_for_the_fun_/

Now it is your turn go create something fun!

SFF 093011 My Sketch

2011-09-29T22:26:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my Blogging Friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

That's right, it's Sketch Frenzy Friday Time! Our sketch this week is my creation. It is the first time I used MY Digital Studio to make a sketch challenge! (It's about time right!!). I hope you like it!

When I first made the sketch I had the Frightful Sight DSP in mind. I knew what I wanted to do with this challenge. I think it is the first time for me that the DSP took over a card idea.

This is what I came up with.

I turned the sketch around and went from there. I used the Wide Oval for the Ghost, you really can't tell but he is VERY SHINY. I heavily spritzed a sheet of Natural White Card Stock with Shimmer Mist and let it dry completely prior to punching him out. Then I used the Scallop Circle to make his bottom. I used a Red Sharpy to color the 3 Basic Pearls, they came out really great I'll have to remember this for Christmas. I used 1/4 Grosgrain Red Ribbon for the two stripes. I even played around with the Decorative Label Punch to make my little sign. I used Basic Black Ink to highlight most of all the pieces. I love to use the corner rounder as much as possible as it gets me away from always having straight lines in my cards.
Here is a photo of the inside of the card.

Well that's it for me this week. Please hop on over to Robbie Rubula's blog and see what she has created for us. http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/

I hope you will give this little sketch a try and show us your creation, we would love to see it. Post it at http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for another really big Blog Hop Weekend. Operation Write home is having a hug Blog Hop for World Card Making Day! I made a surprise project for you. I have also added my regular month Blog Hop "Hopping For The Fun of It" to that post, and another cute Halloween card to offer up some more festive Holiday inspiration.
Thanks again for stopping by and now it is your turn to go and create something fun.

Birthday Gift

2011-09-29T14:35:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my Blogging Friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

This is going to be a jam packed fun, fun, fun weekend. I can't wait to tell you all about it "Three Blog Hops" .

But first my card(s) share.
A girlfriend of mine is having a birthday this weekend so a few of us girls are going to have a mini Birthday Party for her. A little cake and a Pot Luck, just the girls. Then late we will celebrate with friends and family. I know it will be fun. I made her a few gift cards as a present.I haven't decorated a bag yet but I have to get to that soon. I have until Sunday. Here are the five cards I made her. I mad another one but that's part of the Blog Hops for this weekend, so I can't show you hehehe.

I did the insides of all the cards but I only showed you two of them, because they are just more of the same style.

I am still trying to use up scraps and limited pieces and odds and ends in my card making.projects. I tried to keep them Clean and Simple too.

Now for the exciting news.

First- Tomorrows Sketch Frenzy Friday so please come back. It is my sketch turn too. This is my first hand at using my MDS for a sketch. I know you won't want to miss it. (Smile)

Second- Saturday is Operation Write Home's Holiday Blog Hop. I think there are like 125 blogs to hop. Won't that be fun! I made a special Christmas project just for the occasion. But we are only limited on so many pictures (I Promise, I will try to show you the How Too photos next week) or at least I can find a link for a tutorial.

Third -Also on Saturday it is our second "Hopping for the Fun of it" Blog Hop. So I will add my Halloween card to my Saturday post as well. I made this card to submit for a sketch challenge I found on line.
Well have a great Thursday and go and create something fun.

Just Believe

2011-09-27T21:56:00.000-07:00

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

Today's card is made with the stamp set Just Believe. I'm on a mission to use up as many scrap pieces of card stock and embellishments as I can before I make another purchase. (I know "WHAT" is she nuts right!) This card was created because I had several strips of ribbon I hadn't used up yet. A strip of 1 1/4" Old Olive Grosgrain, Victorian Lace and Mellow Moss 1/4" ribbons just hanging around.

I really like to use many colored markers on this stamp set to highlight the pretty flowers in the long grass. I cut a little piece of scrap and stamped in "thank you" in Early Espresso and kind of placed it a tad off center. It didn't look quite right so straight. I used a bunch of little pearls to add a bit of dimension and elegance to the flowers.
Markers- Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Always Artichoke and Ruby Red. I liked how the Antique Brad gathered the ribbons together to show off more of the grass.

I played around in the inside too!

That's it from me today. Now it is your turn to go and create something fun.

Wicker Weave Chair

2011-09-26T21:09:00.000-07:00

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

Today's card was really fun to make. I was in a "Whole Page" Swap this summer where you received a whole page of a specific stamp set. One of these stamp sets was "Have a Seat". I always liked this set but could not think of what to put with it for a background. This weekend I was sorting through some Yard Sale items and saw a wicker place mat . Well that gave me the idea that I could take it apart and use my SU Hemp Twine to weave it back together myself so I gave it a go. Here is the card I created.

Supplies used

Ink- Early Espresso Rose Red, More Mustard and Crumb Cake.
Card Stock - Very Vanilla, scrap from 6x6 DSP Pack Rose Red, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler.
Embellishments- Antique Brad, small antique brads, Victorian Lace Ribbon , Jumbo Eyelet and Hemp Twine.

Stamp Set- Have a Seat, Plane and Simple and Sense of Time.
Punch- Modern Label
Misc. Wood place mat, and a Distressing kit.

That's it for today. I love being able to create fun new out of the ordinary cards.
Now it is your turn to go and create something fun.

Gently Falling

2011-09-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

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

I had a few extra pieces left over from a project I made with the Gently Falling Stamp Set last month. I thought what am I going to do with these pieces so after some consideration I came up with making a Harvest Broom Card and this is how it came out.

I made a collage background with two stamp sets I have, Faith in Nature and Nature Walk. I used More Mustard, Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy and Always Artichoke inks. The broom handle was made by rolling up a scrap piece of Vanilla card stock and sponging Chocolate Chip and Basic Black ink on the handle. Then I took another scrap piece of card stock and made very thin cuts in it to look like bristles on a broom. An Antique Brad and a SU Dimensional holds it all together. I used a Antique Safety Pin to hold all the little tags I punched out. I had a scrap piece of Poppy Parade Ribbon hanging around and it was placed at the bottom of the card. Lots of layers and lots of distressing rounded off this card.

Here is a photo of the inside

Let me know what you think about this card.
I have been doing a bit of stamping all week so I have lots more to show you so please come back tomorrow.
Now it's your turn to create something fun!

Sketch Frenzy Friday 092311

2011-09-22T22:28:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my Blogging Friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

Yep it's that time again for our Friday Mini Blog Hop! This weeks sketch is a fun one and it was created by our very talented Maria Vanderform. Take a look at this

This is what I came up with. It amazes me what can be created when one spends a little time on a project. I was so excited to be able to have some "Me Time" today. Then my sister called and said "My Mom is back in the hospital", they admitted her again last night, Seem they think the Staff Infection is back at work inside her shoulder again. Please PRAY for her and a Quick Recovery!!!

You know me I love interactive cards. This is the perfect Sketch for it too, because there is so much going on in the background, I wanted to put my sentiment some where special so that the recipient will get a little extra love once the flap is opened. I think I'll bring it with me to the hospital tonight. I bet it will cheer her up!

I also gave the inside of the card a bit of attention too and hey as long as I am at it, why not the envelope as well, I have some extra time!

I love Marina Mist and Old Olive together, so I used those two colors for the base of the card. Then I used Beyond the Garden DSP for the background and scalloped pieces. I used the Scallop Square Punch and the Scallop Border Edge Punch for the Pop Up piece and the Pieces at the edge of the card. Basic Pearls always give a card that extra shot of elegance and the White Antique Brad really fit on the extra avail space. I used a strip of Marina Mist 1 1/4 Grosgrain Ribbon along with at strip of 1/4 Night of Navy Ribbon. I used 3 stamp sets on this card Posey Punch, Fabulous Florets and Elements of Style. Basic Black ink was used for the sentiments and the sponged edges. I think that about covers it for this one.

Now you are off to visit Robbie Rubula's amazing blog, my is she talented! http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/
and if you would like to try your hand at this cute sketch please share it with us on our Blog we would love to see it. http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

I had a ball making this card with my "Much Needed Quiet Time" and my Neighbor even had some Smooth Jazz playing so I really was in the mood to create. Now it is your turn to go and create something fun for your self.

Please continue to Pray for my Mom. God does amazing things when our voices are lifted up to Him in Prayer.

Challenges Mid Week Paper Players #64

2011-09-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my Blogging Friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

I had so much fun creating today. I searched around and found a couple of Challenges and I made a card to combine them.
Paper Players #64 http://www.thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/ They asked for a Clean and Simple card using a plant or an animal. I chose to use the Stamp Set C is for Cat from Stampin Up. Funny I didn't notice their Black Cat on this Challenge. Must have been Subliminal or something lol?
I tried to make it look like the cat was looking at itself in a mirror but I'm not sure I accomplished this. The lower cat is raised using Stampin Dimensionals. I embossed the cat paws in the background too for added texture.

Here is a little something for the inside.

The second part to this card was the sketch itself. Sunny Challenges and Creations had a sketch from last week that was really fun and left a lot to your imagination so that is cool I like the words "Any Shape" It means Fly Be Free! http://www.sunnychallenges.blogspot.com/

Now it is your turn to go and create something fun!

Robin Fetish Challenge

2011-09-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

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

Have you ever made a card that you thought was alright, but that it kept at you to do something else to it. Well this last card I made for the SFF Blog Hop was just that one. I added a few extra parts and pieces to it and I THINK I have it right now lololo. What do you think?

I was checking out the Operation Write Home Blog to see what they have going on this morning and I saw a fun challenge given by Robin Fetish "Try Smoething Round on Your Card" http://www.owhstarsandstamps.org/2011/09/robins-fetish-sponsors-owh-today.htmlso I thought this New and Improved card would do the trick! At least I hope it does!

I was in a pretty silly mood and added some humor to the card. Halloween doesn't always have to be scary Right!
That's it for today, I'm off to water my backyard and talk to the Big Guy in the sky!
It is so very peaceful out there and I enjoy the quiet time. I even have a little black and grey bird that comes out to visit me when I water. But, I usually water in the early evening so I don't know what he does during the day lolololol. I'll bring my camera just in case.
Chat soon and go and create something fun for yourself.

Sketch Frenzy Friday 09-16-2011

2011-09-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

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

Its time again for our Friday Mini Blog Hop. I know you will love all the cards along the hop this week because it is a great Clean and Simple Sketch. This sketch was designed by our very own Tammy Fite.

I loved the clean lines on this sketch. Great Job Tammy!
Here is what I came up with .

Here is the inside.

I used the new Impression Folder on the bottom half of this card It is called"Stripes" I love it!. I am having so much fun with this little Halloween stamp set too so I used it again here. It is called Howl-o-ween Creeps. I put in a little black Scallop Border that I made out of the Scallop Border Punch.The Circle is from the Circle #2 Die. I also used several punches, a couple Modern Labels, 1 1/4 Circle and the Decorative Label punch. I love the new Designer Series Halloween Paper that is found in the Holiday Mini called Frightful Sight it is so versatile. The little Witch and Werewolf were colored in with SU Markers.

That's it for this week I hope you enjoy our Hop and continue on to visit Robbie Rubala's handy work http://inkedx2.blogspot.com
If you would like to design a card from this weeks sketch please load it on to our site here http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

I hope you all have a great weekend and have time to create something fun,

PS- Mom update - Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers, she is finally home and settling in nicely. She still has a long way to go but the infection so far has been eradicated!

Hopping Just for the Fun of it! Sept. Blog Hop

2011-09-10T00:30:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my Blogging Friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

I'm so glad you came to visit my blog today. This is a very exciting time for us at "Hopping Just for the Fun of it". Because this is our very first (I hope of many more to come) Monthly Blog Hops. You most likely came here from Eileen's Blog http://www.elefevre.blogspot.com/ didn't she do a great job on her project. I am number 9 in the line up but if you would like to start from the beginning so you don't miss anyone click on the following link http://www.theloveofstamping.com/hopping_just_for_the_fun_/ and that will get you to the home page.

The theme for this months Blog Hop is All Holidays. I chose Halloween as my theme this month. I just love this little stamp set Howl-o-ween Creeps. The little characters are so cute (I mean Scary) and so versatile. This stamp set is really great when combined with the Cellophane Treat Bags that Stampin Up has for sale in our new Holiday Mini Catalog. (If you need a catalog leave me a message).

So I made up a set of six treat ideas and colored in the scary faces with markers and an Aqua Painter. Then I punched them out with the 1 3/8" circle punch and attached that piece to a punched Scallop Circle. I then filled three of the cellophane bags with treats- 2 pencils wrapped in DSP, 4 Crayons and 2 Gel Pens. I attached the remaining three Scary faces to some Low Calorie options. I have to think of other goodies besides candy as we still have 6 weeks before Halloween and I don't need all that extra candy around the house! I know "What's that all about" right!
Here is a close up photo.

I hope you like my Halloween Treat Ideas and don't hold it against me that I didn't use candy he he!
Have fun this weekend and I hope you get a chance to make something fun yourself.
Please hop on over to Holly and The Dogs blog and see what fun creations Holly came up with http://inkpaperstamps.com/2011/09/10/sizzix-stocking-accent-die/I know you will not be disappointed. Our next Blog Hop is scheduled for October 1st so please be sure to stop back by!

Sketch Frenzy Friday Yippee

2011-09-09T00:04:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my Blogging Friends. I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

I really do love our Sketch Frenzy Friday Mini Blog Hop. I can't wait to see what all the ladies have in store for us this week! I know it will be something special that's for sure!This weeks Sketch is brought to you by Kim Innis.

Isn't it wonderful! She really did do a fantastic job on this sketch.
This is what I came up with;

I used the Mr Big Shot (That's what my BFF calls it lololol. Hi Carey) The Top Note Die and the #2 Circles to make this card. I used a strip of Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon, 3 medium white pearls that I colored with a Sharpie. I believe I got the Idea from Toni Tessler http://tonistamps.blogspot.com/2011/09/black-pearls.html . Isn't it a great idea. In addition, I used the Modern Label Punch to house the sentiment. I just punched the white piece a little smaller than the grey I also used the Dotted Scallop Border Punch to make the trim above and below the ribbon. I used two Stamp Sets on this card, Posy Punch and Howl-o-ween Creeps. Card Stock used was Basic Black ,Wild Wasabi, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray, Whisper White.
Check out the inside of the card, I had to laugh because I stamped the bat hanging upside down lololo.

Thanks for stopping by our Mini Blog Hop. Robbie is up next and I know you will enjoy her creation. Hop on over to Robbie Rubula at http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/. If you would like to participate and create a card from this sketch please post it on our blog so we all can take a look at it too. http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/.

Have a great weekend and I hope you get a chance to go and create something fun!

SFF 090211 Mini Blog Hop

2011-09-01T23:39:00.000-07:00

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

It's time for our Sketch Frenzy Friday Mini Blog Hop. I am really excited about this simple yet stunning Sketch that Jennifer Weide made for us this week.!

I scheduled a class for VC_Rocks this summer with our own Angela Walters about creating cards from Sketches. (Hi Angela) Thank goodness I was able to chat with her about sketches and how to work with them when you are out of ideas, no time.... Because, there are times like tonight that I was so wiped out from the week that I just didn't have any Mojo left. So I simply followed the sketch as it is and went with it. I only have this current background stamp so I tried to make a background but I didn't like how it came out (as I mentioned I have no Mojo left). I surrendered to the sketch and let it create this card.( Make it bigger to see the pearls and the shimmer)

I used sponge daubers to color in the stamp in Marina Mist Crumb Cake and Old Olive Classic Inks. Then I used the Huffing Method to rehydrate the stamp and stamped it on Natural White Card Stock. Then I spritzed the entire card with Shimmer Mist. Next I put a circle of pearls around the center flower and then added a white antique brad in the center. I cut a strip of Marina Mist CS and placed a strip of Antique Lace over it, then added some more pearls to the ends and attached it to the bottom of the card. I made the sentiment using the Modern Label Punch and a Marina Mist strip. I used My Friend and the Medallion Stamp Sets to create this card. I hope you like it and give this sketch a try!When you do please upload it to our blog so we can enjoy it too! http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/
Your next stop is Robbie Rubulas beautiful and creative blog http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/

Have a greatweek and go and create something fun.

Pear Picture

2011-09-01T10:10:00.000-07:00

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

I had some free time yesterday to make another card.
This time a made a hanging picture with a pear in it.

and here is the inside.

Well thats all the time I have for today just thought I would share my card with you!

My Mom went to the emergency room yesterday as she somehow got a muscle spasm in her neck/ shoulder area, so I am off to see her today. Poor thing I bet she can not wait to get home and start living her life again. She has two more weeks at the Skilled Nursing Facility and two more weeks of "Bug Juice" as she calls it
"Seriously Heavy Antibiotics"

PS Here are current photos of MY New Little Patch Of Dirt, it amazes me what a little water can do to dry land! Before water;

After Water;

Well that's all I have for you today gotta go visit Mom and try to keep her spirits up!
It's your turn to go and create something fun!