Celebrating love

Yes, I'm back again. I was out of town so often in December I simply couldn't get to the computer with the travel and the holiday and then January had it's own issues. During that time, however, I had time to think about a few things. I have decided to narrow down the challenges I participate in and stick with ones that really inspire me. So, I think I'm back.



Today I am sharing the Valentine card I have made for my husband. I am so happy to have it done, now if I can figure out a gift I'll be good to go. But I digress. This card was inspired by the sketch challenge going on over at Papercraft Star and the Just Us Girls challenge to make your own flower. It took both ideas to get me going on this one.







I liked the idea of simply using the word "love" as the focal point with a little extra. The flowers are the most basic kind of handmade flower - a cut swirl rolled up and glued. I added a little glitter paint to the flowers for depth and shine.

Other challenges:
Cards for Men - Valentine/Love
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes (plus optional flowers)

Thanks for looking!

Supplies: Stamp- ,Cardstock-Stampin Up and Core'dinations, Glitter-Shimmerz, Ink-Brilliance, Embossing Powder-Stampendous, Twine-The Twinery

Papertrey January Blog Hop Challenge

Yes, I've been away for awhile, but I'll explain that another day. Today I have managed, after months of intentions, to get a project done for the Papertrey Blog Hop. This month the challenge was to dust off one of your old sets and give it some love. Easy peasy, right? Sure. I turned to one of my favorite sets for this challenge - Sign Language - which despite my love hasn't been touched since July. At times I think I might be the only who loves this set, but so be it. I also broke out the Border and Corners {squares} which I bought so long ago I can't remember but have never used. Add to it the Handwritten Notes and I was good to go.

So, I set out to make a simple set of thank you cards for a friend.

Here are the first three:

I used a lot of "dusty" items from my stash including the handmade papers. While these cards are not really my style, they are my friend's. She loves pale and natural so I'm pretty sure I've captured her style.

The other three:


I tried to use sentiments she would use while at the same time use ones that don't HAVE to be "thank yous" just in case she wants to use them for something else.

And of course I needed to make a card to give her with the set. Another thank you card - for her friendship. While you can't really see it in the picture, the heart says "thanks so much" from the Mixed Messages set.



Thanks for looking.

Supplies:
Stamps: PTI, Stamping Bella
Inks: Distressed Inks
Cardstock: PTI
Other: Ribbon(Pink Hedgehog), Eyelets, Handmade paper

Peace

It's that time again. Another challenge over at Papercraft Star. This week the challenge was a photo inspiration challenge which normally I love. However, this particular one was a bit, well, challenging. A summer photo from Martha Stewart Living that was to be used as inspiration for a holiday card. Here's the photo that made me think of nothing to do with the holidays.

When I first looked at the photo I saw pale blue and white with sandy shells, large flowers, and got a calm vibe from it. So, I went with what I felt pulling in the other aspects that stuck out to me.

I went with the sandy feel using just a hint of white because it felt a bit warmer (and calmer) to me. I also used flock on the flowers so they would feel more natural and I curled the paper to give them more life.

Thanks for looking.

Supplies: Stamps-Gina K.(flower), PTI(sentiment), Paper-Bazzil, Flock-Doodlebug, Ink-Ranger Distressed inks

Thankful for...

I don't like Thanksgiving. I don't get it. And I hate turkey. HATE it! But I do love expressing my gratitude to others. And while I don't like the turkey festivities this time of year I do think it is as good a time as any to let a few friends know what they mean to me. This first one is for a dear friend of mine who has adopted my kids as her grandkids.


Challenges:
Cupcake Craft Challenges - Thank you with Autumn colors
Sweet sketch Wednesday - sketch
Paperplay Challenges - Circles
Raise the Bar - Let's see those curves

Thanks for looking.

Supplies: Stamps-Papertrey Ink, Pattern Paper-Creative Memories, Embossing Powder-Stampendous

Magic Happens

Christmas is such a wonderful, magical time of year. I wish the magic of the season could last all year. This card celebrates that magic. It started with the challenge over at The Corrosive Challenge Blog (I cased Michelle who cased Anita).

A card celebrating magic had to have some glitter!

Challenges:
The Corrosive Challenge Blog - CASE a design team member
The ABC Challenge - G is for Glitter
Charisma Cardz Challenges - With Love at Christmas

Thanks for looking.

Happy Turkey Day

Another Thanksgiving card courtesy of the Pink Cat Studio digi stamps I won a couple of weeks ago. This particular one was selected by the hubster. He really liked the Turkey Family and who am I to argue? They are adorable. This particular card was created thanks to the new (at least to me) challenge blog, Papercraft Star. I love this blog and look forward to participating in many of their challenges. This week's challenge is a recipe. And here it is.

Simon Says Make a Card
Base 4.5 x 5.5
Double Mat #1: cut at 3 3/8 x 4 5/8
with another color cut at 3 1/4 x 4 1/4
Double Mat #2: cut at 2 3/4 x 4
with another color cut at 2 3/4 x 2 1/2
Add Ribbon
Add Button(s)
Add Punch or Die Cut
(Add anything else you would like to add)

And here is my turkey family.

I really like how this card came out.

Thanks for taking a peek.

Supplies: Stamps-Pink Cat Studio, Pattern paper-Creative Memories, Cardstock-PTI, Buttons-Basic Grey, Die Cuts-Creative Memories, Markers-Copic, Ribbon-Pink Hedgehog

Halloween Cuties

Here's a look at my Halloween cuties!