Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Decisions, decisions.... & CTMH Card Class 6/30/15

Do I post the card I made for the Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge or do I post the one I made for the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge?  Actually, I originally made this card for both challenges and then realized the Color Dare colors were Cranberry, Outdoor Denim, & White Daisy and I had used off white instead of white, white.   So then I made a second card using the same sketch, basically, but that one has white daisy.  I'll save the second one for tomorrow.  
I've used some retired CTMH paper called Blue Ribbon.  It's a fun summer pattern.  Stamps are also CTMH, and I used the CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge to cut the oval.
Wouldn't this make a fun invitation to a July 4th picnic?
 
The challenges I am entering today include:
 
Cardz 4 Guys Challenge - Something starting with a B (BarBQue Grill; Blue)


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This afternoon we made these fun cards at Joyce's CTMH class.








That's it for today.
Thanks for stopping by.




 
 

Monday, June 29, 2015

Warm & Cool plus Tall & Skinny


This is my last card for the June Heart 2 Heart Challenges.  The theme of this challenge was warm colors (red) and cool colors (green).  I've used an old pack of CTMH paper and matching complement stickers, CTMH sentiments and rose stamps. The die cut is by Cherry Lynn Designs.  
I'm hoping Eileen already received this card in the mail.  Her birthday was on Saturday.  I didn't want to wait any longer to post her card, or I might miss the deadline for the challenge.

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And, of course, today is Monday and I've also made a Mojo Monday Card for the weekly sketch challenge there. 
 This cute little bird was tucked in a winner's package I received from Jeanne at Dragonfly Journeys.  Thanks, Jeanne.  The sentiment was a freebie stamp from the set I used in yesterday's post.  Papers by Little Darlings were on the top of the pile when I opened the drawer.  Pearl bling was on my craft table and within easy reach.  Bird and card base are kraft paper.
Here are the challenges for this card:
Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #404
 
613 Avenue Create Challenge - Anything Goes w/ pearl or rose
Stamped Blessings Amusing Challenge - Anything Goes
Come and Get It  Challenge - Cute Cards
Scrappy Hands Challenge #42 - Animals
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #107 - Bingo 
(I've used the center column:Flowers, Stamped Image, Punch.)
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Challenge #94 - Seeing Red

Now I'm off to see what kind of trouble I can get into today.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Quick post on a beautiful day

It is so gorgeous outside today!  I decided to make a quick CAS card and then go enjoy the sun. 

I found this adorable stamp with sentiment in my box of unused items.  Sort of reminds me of summer romance.  It was a freebie from Quick Cards magazine, a part of the Everyday in Moonbeam Meadows line from Crafters Companion.
I quickly added some color with pencils and punched the corners.

I am entering it in the following challenges:



Friday, June 26, 2015

Looking for a map....

Another of the challenges at Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog this month is "Around the World: Maps".  Monday night I laid awake taking a mental inventory of my CTMH stamps.  I don't have one map stamp.  I have arrows, a compass, a globe with graduation hat, but no maps.  I wanted a map.    Joyce has been a CTMH consultant for 20 years, certainly she would have a map stamp in her drawers and drawers of stamps.  Tuesday, when I got to Joyce's for class, I asked if she had a map.  Joyce did confirm that a map stamp did exist but couldn't put her fingers on it.  So I started searching through the CTMH paper packs and finally found some map paper to make this card....
(All CTMH products, except the embossing powder.)
I am very disappointed in the way the embossing turned out.   Usually you can just tap the back of the paper to remove the excess powder, or give it a light blow.  I even used a fine paint brush to remove what I could, but that powder was really sticking.  I think it might have been a humidity problem.  Is that possible?  That's what I get for trying to emboss directly on the patterned paper.

Here are a few more challenges I've entered with this card: 
(I've used the center row: Sentiment, Stamped Image, Brads)
Allsorts Challenge Week 316 - Use a stamp, not a digi
Connie Can Crop Challenge #35 - That's How I Roll


I have one more card to post for the June Heart 2 Heart Challenge so I can retain my Addict status,  but that will have to wait until after a certain individual receives it in the mail.
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Over at Double Click Skittles there is a new Design Team being introduced and the members are showing off their craft spaces this week.  I am so envious.  It doesn't look like any of them also eat Thanksgiving dinner in their well organized play rooms!   Double Click Skittles Challenge #25 is "Show us your craft space".   Here's my craft aka dining room...
 
 This is relatively tidy today.  I keep all my essentials on the wood tray so I can easily move it if we want to actually dine on the dining room table.  The box on the table is a shipment of cards I'm preparing to send to Send a Smile 4 Kids. 
For now I have one end of the table cleared for a few sewing projects.  I'll show them to you when they are finished.  Below is the jewelry box my Dad made me when I was a teen.  I have a few past projects displayed on the top and all the little drawers are great for storing skittles, brads, buttons, charms and other little items.  The cabinet underneath has paper, bling, misc. and sewing supplies.  On the floor to the left are boxes of stamps and a basket of magazines and to the right are my boxes of scraps, one solid color CS and one patterned paper.

The remainder of my stash is mostly in the spare bedroom closet.  If we have overnight guests, they won't be hanging anything in that closet!   Thanks for stopping by!

Time for some errands.




Thursday, June 25, 2015

Man oh man....

....does my DH love donuts, especially chocolate ones.  We just finished off a box of Entemann's Chocolate Donuts the other evening.  I taught my son (and daughter) to love donuts at a fairly age, also.  Every Friday morning, before dropping my little ones off at day care, we'd stop at the local farmer's market for fresh donuts.  They always order the French crullers, although, they called them creepy crawlers.  And now, my son has carried on the tradition with his two boys, stopping for a donut before heading to school on Fridays.  And in the spirit of that tradition, I have made this card because I do not know what I'd do without any of the men in my life!

(All CTMH products.)
This card is my entry for the Heart 2 Heart Man Oh Man Challenge.
and these fun challenges, too:
Cardz 4 Guys Challenge #76 - Use a die or punch 
(I used a punch for the corners of the sentiment piece.)
Eureka Stamps Challenge #146 - Paper Piecing 
(I paper pieced the icing onto the donut.  
I did not paper piece the jimmies.  Those I colored with a marker!)


That's it for today.  Mom and I are going shopping!
Have a good one!
and
Thanks for stopping by!!

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Atlantic Hearts Sketch had me puzzled this week!

I just couldn't figure out how they tied the ribbon on the sketch. Here's my version.
(With the exception of the charm and skittles, everything is CTMH.)


Challenges I am entering:
Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #113
Clear It Out Challenge - Theme-Your Style (I love embossing patterned paper); Stash Item - Favorite Product (I like using CTMH papers because they are coordinated and double sided.)
Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Let Them Eat Cake (What's a birthday without birthday cake?)
Ooh-la-la Creations Challenge #183 - Happy Birthday
The Paper Girls Challenge #82 - Happy Birthday
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #107 - Bingo (I've chosen the middle row: sentiment, stamped image, charm)
Allsorts Challenge #316 - Use a stamp not a digi






Monochromatic Card for Color My Heart + CTMH class 6/23/15

My mother's birthday is on Saturday, but the current Monochromatic Color Dare Challenge #147 closes tomorrow.  Normally I don't post a card before I know it has been received.  Since Mom's not a big internet user, other than checking email, I am relatively confident that it is safe to post this card and enter it in the challenge.
I've used the CTMH Cricut Artiste Cartridge, as well as, a CTMH embossing folder, glitter paper, a puffy butterfly and bling.

Additional Challenges I am entering:
Crafty Creations Challenge #292 - Red, White, and/or Blue
Creative Moments Challenge #71 - Anything Goes, wet or dry embossing 
Cuttlebug Mania Challenge - Sentimental Journey (I used the Cricut and the Cuttlebug.)

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And here are the cards we made yesterday at Joyce's CTMH card class.






Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #250

Sponsored by All Dressed Up, 
this week's challenge at Tuesday Throwdown Challenge Blog is all about stenciling 
 I don't work with stencils very often and have never purchased any.  But that doesn't mean I can't stencil.  I simply used 2 negative sheets from cutting out things on the cricut as my stencils...
 to create this background paper for ...
 ...the All Dressed Up image,  Summer Swing, that I selected to use.  A little sponging with a dauber in 2 shades of blue and then white over top is all it took to create the stenciled BG.

(sentiment is from TLC Creations)
 In case you aren't familiar with All Dressed Up Stamps,
 Grab button for All Dressed Up

All Dressed Up launched their blog almost 3 years ago with designs by Wendy Burn.  They have a great design team known as the Dressy Girls.
They have a Facebook page, regular blog posts, tutorials, challenges and freebies and even a Junior Gallery for young stampers.  The stamps can be purchased from the Etsy shop which is updated regularly.
Why not visit the All Dressed Up Challenge Blog?
They would love to see your creations.


 I hope you'll be joining us at Tuesday Throwdown for this week's Stenciling Challenge.  

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I am entering this card in the following:
Craft-Dee Bowz June Challenge - Anything Goes with a Handmade Bow
Crafting from the Heart Challenge #65 - Anything Goes/Cheeky  + it's a Blog Hop
Whoopsi Daisy Challenge - Summer Fun 
Come and Get It Challenge - Cute Animals 



Monday, June 22, 2015

Melting on Mojo Monday

It's going to be another hot, humid day.  Not exactly my favorite.  I suppose I'll just have to crank up the AC, stay in the house, and spend the day playing with paper. 

First project.... Mojo Monday!

This Bugaboo digi turtle is ready for July 4th.  
 If you want a turtle for any occasion, Bugaboo has one!
All the decorated shells remind me of the hermit crabs and the fancy decorated shells they sell on the boardwalk at the beach.  Many, many years ago my older brother bought one to take to college as a pet.  The housekeeper in the dorm (They had housekeepers and laundry service for the boys many, many years ago, before women's lib.) was not too thrilled with the unusual smell in the room when the creature expired.

Today's challenges:
 
Come and Get It Challenge - Cute Animals  
Cut It Up Challenge #73 - Stars and Stripes
Art Impressions Challenge #162 - Red, White and Blue
Moving Along with the Times Challenge - Inspired by a Song (God Bless the USA)
Cards in Envy Challenge - Red, White and Blue


Thanks for visiting.  And always a big thank you for the wonderful comments you take the time to leave!

Stay cool and have a turtley wonderful day!

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Working on it....

Today I'm working on making enough clear space on my table to do some sewing this week.  This Bugaboo Digi Image has been floating around among the paper pieces on the table for a while now.  It is now colored and on a card.  At this rate, I may have that sewing space cleared by the end of the summer. 


I took this second picture hoping you would get a better view of how fabulous the Wink of Stella glitter brushes work.  Here I've used the purple and the clear.  Sentiment is a Taylored Expressions stamp; Die cuts were made on the Cricut with the CTMH Art Philosophy Cartridge; Double sheer bows were made on the Craft-Dee Bowz Maker; Edges were distressed with CTMH Lagoon ink.

This card's final destination is Yuma, AZ, but first it is making appearances in the following challenges:
Catch the Bug June Bingo Challenge -  I've used the center row: Flower, Ribbon, Player's Choice... a Bugaboo Image, of course!
Sweet Stampin' Bingo Challenge - This time I've taken the diagonal row from bottom left to upper right: Distress, Die Cut, and Flowers
Whimsy Inspiration Challenge # 84- Use ribbon, lace or twine
Fantastic Tuesday Challenge #90 - Anything Goes + Twist-Frame
Creatilicious Challenge #76 - Ribbons and Pearls

Guess I'll get back to clearing that space....

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Look what Deedee just added to her shop!

Deedee Anderson, of Deedee's Digis, has created and added to her shop a new digi set entitled 'If the Hat Fits' that is absolutely perfect for Red Hatters!  I just couldn't wait to try each and every one of these fun hats, so I've made this fun set of notecards: 

I had a guest design spot on Deedee's blog for the month of April, and mentioned that I'd love to see her create a set of hats.  I think she's done a wonderful job.  Thank you so very, very much.
For these cards I have used the colored version of the images.  The hat on the first card below is my favorite.  You can see each card has basically the same design with a few individual touches.
Here they are up close:




 I am entering this last card in the following challenges:
Open Minded Crafting Fun Challenge #39 - Vintage
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Challenge #93 - Use Pearls
Creative Corner Challenges - Bling It Out
Simply Papercraft Challenge 7 - Anything Goes
Sister Act Card Challenge #111 - Always Anything Goes
Crafty Creations Challenge #291 - Embossing
The Paper Shelter Challenge #208 - Make it Digital
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge #232 - Anything Goes

Hope you are enjoying your week-end.



Friday, June 19, 2015

Memories of my Dad

As I made this card it reminded me of my Dad.  When we were kids, if you got a splinter, you had two options for removal... a sewing needle in the hands of my mother or the super sharp tweezers Dad kept in his woodshop.  (If Dad had something he didn't want to lose, he kept it in the woodshop.  He also kept his own roll of scotch tape and a scissors.)  Dad was much better at splinter removal.   I can still see him emerging from the basement, always ready to help, carrying - not the tweezers which were in his back pocket- but a huge machete.   He always thought it was so funny.  As we got bigger, the sight of the machete no longer made our eyes get big or sent us running to Mom I'm sure that one of the joys he experienced as a grandfather and great-grandfather was, once again, being able to remove splinters for his wide-eyed progeny.

He also would have appreciated this card:
This is a precolored Doodle Pantry image and sentiment.  And if you still need to make a Father's Day card, they have a really great selection of masculine images and sentiments.

I am entering this card in the following:
Get Creative Challenge # 17 - For Boys or Father's Day

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Would you consider this CAS?

We are having a nice gentle rain this morning.  My DH is dismayed because he had both golf and lawn mowing on his agenda.  I had some weeding on my agenda, so when it stops my job will be much easier.  For now, it can keep raining while I do my blogpost.
 
Between loads of wash yesterday, I was working on a very special card for my grand-nephew's Confirmation on July 5th.  I decided to use solid papers in white, blues and grays for this card with a CTMH Artiste cricut cut frame around a free digital Bible verse from Word Art Wednesday.


I added some corner accents from the same cricut cartridge to the inside with a computer generated sentiment.  The card base is actually a light gray with a white embossed panel on the front.
I am hoping this qualifies as CAS since I am entering it in the CAS on Sunday Challenge #60 and have followed their color scheme.
I am also going to enter the card in these other challenges:
Word Art Wednesday Challenge #188 - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Favorite Technique or Product
(I've used my favorite embossing folder by Stampin Up.)
Fantastic Tuesday Challenge #90 - Anything Goes w/ Twist: Frame
Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #141 - For a Man/Boy
Glitter n Sparkle Challenge #141 - Include a Die Cut
Dragonfly Dreams Challenge - Special Occasion


I think the rain has stopped and we now are experiencing the muggies.  I really dislike the muggies!

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Summer is ice cream time!

Wouldn't it be fabulous if, on your birthday, an ice cream truck pulled up in front of your house and you could just east yourself into one humongous brain freeze?  As soon as the temperatures start to rise, ice cream looks and tastes wonderful.
For June's progressive challenge at Imagine That! digis by Kris, all participants are going to have ice cream on their minds as they make creations using the Ice Cream Parlour digi set and the "cool" set of sentiments and papers that compliment the images.
I've put a gift card pocket inside this card so the recipient can celebrate their special day with something yummy from their local ice cream shop.
This card is also being entered in a few more Summer challenges:
Crafting by Designs - Summertime Blog Hop
Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #24 - Red, White and Blue

Now I'm off to do a few things.  First, I might get a spoon.  I have some yummy coffee ice cream in the freezer that is calling me.  It has chocolate pieces in it.  Yummmmm!  What's your favorite ice cream?  I used to get a delicious peach melba at the local dairy store that was soooooooo good.  And now they make salted caramel ice creams that are very tasty.  Okay, where's that spoon?
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Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Atlantic Hearts Sketch for this week + CTMH Class 6/16/15








I just got home from Joyce's CTMH Card class and promised her I would post the cards right away.   First I want to show you the card I made for this week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #112 .  I've used a CTMH stamp set and some CTMH paper scraps for this card.  
 


I'd also like to enter it in these other challenges:

Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge - Anything Goes
Through the Craft Room Door Challenge June 16-22 - Anything Goes
Top Tip Tuesday Challenge - Cut It Out (I fussy cut the pinwheels.)
Card Mania Challenge #69 - Use metal embellishments (The brads in the centers of the pinwheels are metal)
Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #203 - Super Scraps Saturday


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And here are the cards I made this afternoon.




The directions for the Cascade Anniversary Card, including  measurements for the cricut cuts, are on Joyce's blog.  

Monday, June 15, 2015

Let's have sparkle today!

  Thankfully my cold is 80% better because my grandson's are here for the day.  Matt's been busy making a Father's Day card for his dad.  He used the cricut to make letters for on the front and #1 Dad inside, lime green mounted on a great blue.  Then he picked out a coloring page on the computer, I sized it down and printed it.  He colored and fussy cut it and mounted it on the card front.  Next he wrote a message on the inside and, before I could get a picture, he sealed it in the envelope.
  While he was working on that, I actually got my Mojo Monday card made.  I hope you can see the striped background paper is glitter paper, I used Wink of Stella purple and gold glitter pens, liquid pearls, and CTMH self-adhesive glitter tape.  Stamps are also CTMH.
So here's my submission for  


I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
Corrosive Challenge #226 - Pile It On (I've piled on the glitter.)
Crafting from the Heart Challenge #64 - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion Challenge #266 - Always Anything Goes
Love to Scrap Challenge #56 - Anything Goes
Melonheadz Frtiends Challenge - Bright Colors
Use Your Stuff Challenge- Color Me Happy (I enjoy coloring the zentangle stamps.)
Vintage Stamping Challenge #33 - Hot Summer Colors
Allsorts Challenge Week 315 - Flower Power
Brown Sugar Challenge #150 - In the Garden