My Favorite Kinda Card

Good Morning...and thanks for joining me today!  We had such lovely sunshine and warmth yesterday, and today we're back to all that nasty wet stuff.  However, nasty wet stuff does lead to card making so maybe I shouldn't complain!  LOL

I came upon another awesome blog the other day, Sugar Creek Hollow and could hardly wait to play along with them...they feature my absolute favorite type of card to make...VINTAGE!  I love the "old world", "retro" and "vintage" card making styles!  The beautiful embellishments, buttons, lace, doilies, flowers and washi tape...I love being surrounded by them. 

Well I had to chuckle to myself when I saw the challenge..."Clean it Out", because I am a hoarder of vintage type papers, embellies, etc. and actually cringe at using some of them because they are so beautiful.  Crazy, right?  Well I went through some things and found an image, and an embellishment I'd had in my stash for awhile and had just not wanted to use because I didn't want to use them until I had the perfect layout in my head.  I hesitantly started designing and here is the outcome...

And a closer look at the image and embellishment I finally caved to using...

 

The young girl cut out is from Heartwarming Vintage, as well as the bird stamp cut outs.  They have all been fussy cut and inked to give them that old, vintage feeling.  They are matted against a white doily and unfortunately the background paper I cannot include the source as it was a piece that had been laying around as well...my apologies! (It just so reminds me of old wallpaper!) The beautiful pansy embellishment is from K&Company.  'Tis a rather simplistic card, however I felt the image of the young girl should be were the admirers focus should fall. 

Thanks again for joining me...until next time!

Food for Thought

The majority of the day proved to rainy yesterday, and the call of my craft room just could not be ignored.  I was spending time browsing on my iPad when I came across several blogs that peeked my interest with their challenges and sketches.

A cute little blog called Pumpkin Spice got my head swirling as their current challenge was an "anything goes" challenge....love it!

Stuck on U Sketches offered this really neat sketch that I really wanted to do something different with...

Now unfortunately this will be the last card sketch they will be running....I'm disappointed because I really enjoyed using their card sketches and haven't played along with them very long.  That being said, they run some really awesome other challenges and I'm sure I will play along from time to time.  

For my take on this sketch I wanted to stretch myself and do something a little more out of the ordinary for myself.  I wanted to move away from the feminine papers, flowers, buttons, etc.  It clicked for me when I came across a challenge by Card Crafter's Circle...their inspiration for everyone playing along this time was food!  Brilliant!  I remembered that I had an awesome Cricut Imagine cartridge called "Kate's Kitchen" and thought this would be so much fun to play along with.   

Here is where my imagination took me...

I wanted a cheery, food themed card and I hope you feel I accomplished it!  For the card sketch I wanted to do something other than the usual two different colored/patterned papers or ribbons, etc. for the sides as illustrated.  So, I thought what better than to use the fork and knife die cuts to break up the edges.  All of the elements in this card were made with the Cricut Imagine Cartridge "Kate's Kitchen" including that background papers.  The toaster image as well as the second piece of toast leaping toward the buttered knife have been placed on pop up dots to give it an element of interest.  The sentiment has also been raised by using pop up dots.

Here's a closer look at the card...

A big thank you to Pumpkin Spice, Stuck on U Sketches and Card Crafter's Circle for the rainy day inspiration and getting me to my craftroom!  I had so much fun...and I hope you've enjoyed the card!

Take Care...and thanks for visiting!

This card has been submitted to the following blog challenges...
Pumpkin Spice...Challenge #21 - Anything Goes
Stuck on U Sketches...Final Card Sketch
Card Crafter's Circle...Card with Food Challenge


 Update:  This card placed in the Top 3 at Card Crafter's Circle as well as Stuck on U Sketches!

Please Send Flowers, Flowers & More Flowers

For the last few days it has been extremely dreary here....we've had an abundance of  clouds and very few moments of sunshine. I've made almost daily treks to my flower bed and it seems that while many people are already enjoying some of their perennials, mine would like to hibernate just a little bit longer. I've hung out the birdfeeders and am happy that at least the Hummers, Orioles and Gold Finches have returned giving me some color to keep my eyes on! Our spring has been so chilly this year, and I find myself longing to see butterflies, dragonflies, wildflowers, etc.

Now since I had flowers & butterflies on the brain last night, and knowing that I needed to create a special Baptism card for a very dear friend of mine who is getting baptized on Sunday, I thought I'd work some of my nature wants into her card design. 

I got busy and here's my creation...

I began with a patterned background paper which I then inked over to give it an aged and vintage feel.  I stamped the religious sentiment straight onto the card (stamp is from the Itty Bitty Collection made by Unity).  The "Blessings" bird cutout is from Heartwarming Vintage...which I fussy cut and then used my distressing tool around the edges, followed by some inking again to add the aged look.  I then matted the cutout onto a piece of brown card stock to make it pop off the page a little more.  The paper diecut flowers peeking out from behind the matted image have been cut with the steel die "Bella Bouquet" made by Memory Box.  I love the dies they make, as they are so delicate!  The grouping of flowers on the lower corner come from various collections including Stamp'n Up and Recollections.  The pink colored ceramic flowers and butterfly come from our local dollar store believe it or not!  The final touch was the pearl hat pin which I picked up at my local craftstore...Love is In the Details!  Love that place!  Again, I wish you could see this card in person...my poor photography skills do not do it justice.

This card was a labor of love, and I hope my dear friend will enjoy her special day!  And, I hope she will enjoy her very special card made just for her! 

Now since there has been very little sunshine these last few days, I've spent more time looking at challenge blogs and sketch blogs than I should have...and I've come across some really neat ones!  Here are a few of them that I have entered this card with....

Stuck on U Sketches....Floral Die Cut Challenge
Rhedd & Rosie's Challenge Blog...Blooming Lovely 7th Challenge
Crafting When We Can...Challenge #45-Punches and/or Die Cuts
Crafty Creations Challenges...Challenge #223 - Wild Animal Image/Print
The Cupboard Trilogy...Spring Flowers Challenge #11

And I guess for today, that's a wrap folks!  Thanks so much for stopping in...and I'd love it if you would leave a comment so I know you've been here!  I hope this card brought some sunshine to your world today!  Here it's still rain and clouds unfortunately until Sunday so the forecast says!  What's a girl to do?  Sit down with the Ipad and scout out more crafting blogs I guess!  LOL  However that does not get the housework done!  Until next time...

Party Success

Well, it's been a busy time here at our house the last few weeks!  Camping season began for us on the May long weekend here in Canada...and it was rainy the entire weekend.  We stayed out until Sunday night, and then called it quits as everyone was tired of spending time in the camper...you can only watch so and so many movies, play so and so many games, etc. 

The end of the long weekend meant that I really needed to put the final touches on our daughters Bday Party.  By Thursday I had received all the RSVP's and everyone could attend.  I had confirmed with our venue (Clay Owl Pottery Studio) and all was ago!  So...I got busy with making cupcake picks, and embellishing straws, and scouring our local dollar stores for napkins, plates etc. 

Here are the little owl embellies I came up with using my Silhouette Cameo once again...
 

We separated Skittles into the various colors to represent "paint", and had several different colored polka dotted napkins and old fashioned paper straws.  Painters palettes from the local dollar store made the perfect plates!  And of course, we had cupcakes that were multicolored and splattered with "paint".  (That idea came from Pinterest!) 

Here's a few close ups...

The party was a huge success, and all the girls had a wonderful time!  They painted their pottery piece of choice, and this week those pieces will be fired and glazed and I can pick them up on the weekend and start distribution to the owners!  Each piece of pottery will be delivered in a clear "paint tin" that I lucked out and found in our local dollar store as well.  I'll add some ribbons and of course cut out an owl or two from the Silhouette Cameo, and the loot "tins" will be complete! 

Thanks for stopping by today....I hope you've maybe picked up an inspiration or two for the next party you have to plan!

It's Almost Party Time

It's hard to believe that in a week from today, our daughter turns 10!  What a milestone!  This year she decided to have her party hosted at our local pottery shop...called Clay Owl.  We've been busy scoping out their website for the cute little figurines they can choose from to paint, and she's starting to get quite excited.  (Mom is quite excited as well since this party won't be hosted at home!  LOL)

We decided to start designing her invitation, as we usually make them.  Since my new toy came in the mail last week (my new Silhouette Cameo) I decided I'd spend a few hours monkeying around on the machine seeing if I could come up with something to turn into an invitation.  Now, I didn't have much time to play with the Cameo, and am in awe of what it says it can do...however I have a huge learning curve ahead of me with many YouTube videos to view! LOL

I cannot brag too much about this creation...but we came up with something that we felt was presentable!

 

We chose a painters palette, brush, sentiment & owl from the online Silhouette Store.  I had some fun learning how to manipulate the different shapes, color them, etc. Once everything was cut & pasted I adhered the entire invitation to a piece of blue card stock, fussy cut around it hoping to make it pop a little and to give it a layer for strength.  I added some Glossy Accents to the sentiment to make it look like it had been painted and so it had a raised 3D effect.  I added some red Stickles to the tip of the paintbrush and the red ink blot as well as the bow on the owl.  The party particulars were stamped and handwritten onto the back of the card. I did have some trouble with some of the ink from our laser printer rubbing off of the finished project...but a quick blast under the heat gun seems to have done the trick...I will have to look into trying to print onto different kinds of card stock!  DD is busy addressing envelopes as we speak so there can be deliveries at school tomorrow! 

I'm so glad we finally got these assembled today!  I'm looking forward to the party and can hardly wait to see what each young gal wants to paint and the creativity they come up with...and of course the cupcakes and munchies!

So glad you could stop by today...until next time!

Ballet Recital

This particular weekend is one of the busiest out of the year for me...it's our daughter's dance recital.  Their dance school does 3 performances, with the first having been last night.  So, today holds two performances back to back.  Last nights performance was sold out, and I have no doubt that the two today will be as well.  I do have to admit, when you sit in the audience and watch what all these kids have accomplished & they're up on stage in their costumes, there is something magical about it...

I decided last night I would create a special card for my daughter to congratulate her on all that she has accomplished this last year.  I knew it had to be a feminine card with some pink in it because that's her favorite color and she is a real "girly" young lady!

Here's what I came up with...

My goal was to dig through some scraps left over from my card making processes because I never seem to get around to using all my odds and ends scrap paper.  I found some pieces in the exact colorings I was looking for.  I know that some of the background paper is from Graphic 45's "The Secret Garden", and as for the rest...sorry!  I had to add a doily to bring the feminine feeling up a whole notch...all of the papers including the doily have been gently inked for a vintage feel.  I once again used my BigShot to cut out the fancy ovals for the ballerina stamp background.  They are from the Spellbinders Nestabilities line.  The Ballerina stamp is from the Stamp'n Up Stamp Collection called "Dance"and has been aged with Glossy Accents Crackle...and the flowers are from several different companies including Recollections and Stamp'n Up.  You'll also noticed I used a Tim Holtz Movers & Shapers die for the vintage lady tucked just behind the flowers...it's called Mini Silhouettes.  Throw in an old fashioned type hair pin (which I got at my local craft store...Love is in the Details) and a few buttons and you've got a beautiful, romantic, feminine ballet card ready to congratulate your dancer!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Dance Dreams & Ode to a Teacher

Last night I sat down and took the time to make a very special card for my daughter.  She has been taking ballet lessons for the last 5 years or so and has a fantastic teacher.  Well, tonight was their dress rehearsal for the recital they will be putting on this weekend. And this means that our dance year is quickly coming to an end. 

 Now Ms. Marilee is an extremely special lady in my opinion.  She loves each and every one of her students and always has a kind word to say to them.  She has a love of dance that shines through her, and has thus given my daughter a love for ballet as well.  As I sat at my craft table I knew I wanted to create a card that reflected the personality of this special teacher.  It needed to be soft and feminine and of course needed to reflect the art of ballet!

Take a peek at what I came up with...



I used a pattern background paper and then stamped some flourishes with some Stampology "Flourishes" stamps, layering them close to one another.  I then used my BigShot to cut some ovals from the Spellbinders Nestabilities dies and layered them together, slightly overlapping the previously stamped flourishes.  I used the Stamp'n Up "Dance" stamp set and stamped the ballerina image onto some beige cardstock and fussy cut it when it was dry...and popped the image off the ovals with pop up dots.  The sentiment was stamped straight onto the background paper and was from the same "Dance" stamp set.  I used some paper flowers by Recollections and Stamp'n Up and put the final touches on with some vintage ribbon (unknown source) and some pearls also by Stamp'n Up.  I was very pleased with the results...and the picture does not do this card justice unfortunately!

Here's a close up...

 

My daughter was pleased to present her teacher with this card this evening along with a bouquet of flowers.  And I'm happy to say from my daughter's report that Ms. Marilee was pleased with her presentation.  

Thank you Ms. Marilee for all the hard work that you have put into teaching our daughter... not only for the dance techniques & disciplines, but also the for the example you set for her.  She admires you and often says that she would love to become a dance teacher like you!

So, best of luck with the recital this weekend Ms. Marilee...and of course my little ballerina!

A Spring Inspired Card

On Wednesday, May 1, one of the blogs I follow, Stuck On U Sketches posted another card challenge.  And here's the sketch of the inspiration we were asked to design with...

 

Well, I managed to sneak some time in my craft room a few nights ago after the munchkins were in bed, and was very excited to work with this design!  The moment I saw it I thought doily for the partial circle, because I absolutely love doilies! And because the weather has been kinda drab lately, I decided to brighten my spirits with a floral/springtime inspired card. After a bit of fussing around with different papers, flowers, etc., this is what I managed to come up with...

  

 And here's a bit more of a close up...

And a closer look at the detailing...

This card just totally reminds me of spring...something that has been slow coming to Manitoba this year!  I can hardly wait to see the roses and other flowers in bloom!  At least we got one step closer today with some beautiful sunshine and warmer temperatures!

I enjoyed using the following products to design with...

"The Secret Garden" Collection by Graphic 45

Assorted Paper Flowers by Stamp'n Up & Recollections

Stamp'n Up Gold Thread

Stamp'n Up Vintage Lace Tape

Assorted Buttons

Thanks so much for stopping by...I hope this little spring inspired creation has bought some sunshine to your world today!