First Design Team Reveal

I am so excited to announce that I am one of the new Design Team members over at Crafty Creations Challenges.  I still find it hard to believe that they've asked me to join their talented team!  Please be sure to check out our challenges if they are not already on the list of regular blogs you follow!  New challenges are released every Wednesday!

Now, I'm thrilled to reveal my first card created for this weeks challenge over at Crafty Creations Challenges...A Passion for Fashion!  I have to admit when I received this challenge I was a little stumped.  I began rummaging thru my stash of papers and die cut photos and suddenly came across an image that I knew I could turn into something interesting!

Take a peek...

I love doing vintage cards...and have entitled this one "Fashions of Olde".  And, I sure am glad that a corset is no longer a staple in the modern womans everyday wardrobe.  LOL

The background papers are all from the Graphic 45 French Country collection.  The fantastic die cut photo of the ladies in their electric corsets comes from Heartwarming Vintage.  The other corset advertisment is a pattern I purchased from the Online Silhouette Store.  It has been matted onto a striped piece of cardstock from the Graphic 45 French Country Collection and a doily which adds the perfect feminine touch. Both of the vintage photos have had the edges distressed and inked in a pinecone color. The sentiment "Your support means everything" comes from the Heartwarming Vintage paper cutouts as well.  Love it! I have raised the sentiment with pop up dots so your eye will catch it.  And for the main feature...the corset itself...I purchased it in the Online Silhouette Store and used the print and cut to feature to color the background a version of teal which is then matted onto the scalloped part of the piece.  The front image has been cut from a pattened scrap piece of paper I found laying around my craft room.  I've added some vintage type lace/ribbon to the top and bottom of the corset, and have added pearls and buttons with liquid pearls in the color Platinum.  I finished it off with a cream colored bow, and a touch of Stickles (Patina) on the top and bottom of the item as well.  I then raised the corset on pop up dots so that it would become the main focal point.  And voila...a fashion inspired card of years gone by!

You can see more of the dimension in this photo...

And here's a close up of some of the detailing...

Thanks so much for stopping in today to take a look at my fashion inspired creation!  Don't forget to drop by the Crafty Creations Challenge blog to take a look at some of the other exciting DT creations...and maybe enter a fashion inspired project yourself!


This card has also been entered into the following challenges...

The Cheerful Stamp Pad..."From the Past"
Ink it Pink..."Vintage"
Great Impressions..."Leave a Little Sparkle"
Pile it On..."Vintage"
Sentimental Sundays..."For the Girls"
Craft Lovin Challenge Blog..."Anything Goes"
One Stop Craft Challenge..."For a Friend"
Sparkles Monthly Challenge Blog..."Vintage"
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge Blog..."Recipe"
It's All About Vintage..."Distress & Tear"
Anything Goes Challenge Blog..."Buttons, Pearls & Lace
Crafty Sentiments..."Girl Power"
Party Time Tuesdays..."Anything Goes"
Crafting for all Seasons..."Make it Girly"
Crafting with Dragonflies..."Vintage Card with Layers and Lace"
Divas by Design...Pearls
Fab n Funky..."Use a Doily"

Here Comes the Sun!

Whew!  I can't believe its Monday again!  The weeks seem to be flying by, and the weekends even faster!  This is the kiddos last week of school, and I knew that I needed to get busy with creating a gift card holder for my daughter's teacher. 

I wanted to create something that would fit the personality of this wonderful teacher.  I know that her and her husband enjoy camping, fishing...and destination vacations.  So, I decided to implement a sunny beach design.  I still wanted it to resemble coming from a child...so here's what I went with!

 

The "waves" background paper is from the Echo Park collection entitled "A Perfect Summer".  The sun, little gal on the beach as well as the "Hello Summer" sentiment have all been purchased from the Online Silhouette Store and cut & printed with my Cameo.  The red ribbon attached at the bottom to close the gift card holder was a Dollarama purchase and the yellow button with twine was a random button I purchased in a bag of buttons at Walmart!  I added some "Patina" Stickles to the one row of waves, and some "Cotton Candy" Stickles to the sun's cheeks just to give the card some sparkle.

A fun and simple design...that will hold a Boston Pizza gift card as my daughter says her teacher just loves pizza!

Thanks so much for stopping in today!  I hope this creation has brought a little bit of sunshine to your world!  Come by for another visit again soon...

This project has been entered at the following challenges...

Catered Crop...Die Cuts/Punches
Scrappy Frogs Challenge Blog...Summer Vacation
Sentimental Sunday...For the Girls
Corrosive Challenges...Summertime
2 Sisters...Summer Fun
Craft Lovin Challenge Blog...Anything Goes
Speedy Fox & Friends...Beach
Word Play Saturday...Summertime
2 Creative Chicks...Buttons, Bows & Brads
Silhouette Challenges...Print & Cut
Brown Sugar Challenge Blog...Summer
Creative Corner Challenges...Summer
Stuck on U Sketches...Die Cut "Sun"
Cameo Creations...Summertime
The Crafty Bloggers Network Challenge Blog...Bright and Breezy
Make My Monday...Summer Scene
Melonheadz Friends...Summer
Lia Stampz...Anything Goes
The Perfect Sentiment...Sun and Sand

Update:  This card placed in the Top 3 in the following challenges...

                                                   "Sun" Die Cut Challenge

                                                  June Challenge "Print & Cut"

A Musical Thank You

Wow!  I can't believe it's been just about a week already since my last post!  Time certainly does seem to be flying.  Our kiddos have one more week of school, and I always find the end of school such a busy and exciting time!  The other thing I always look forward to is the wrap up of all the extra curricular activities.  Baseball for my son will end this coming Monday and tonight is our final piano recital for both our kids! 

Today I want to share with you the Thank You card that our son and daughter will be presenting to their piano teacher.  I rummaged through my stash looking for some music themed paper, and found that I was coming up a little short in this department!  However, I found a die cut photo in my Heartwarming Vintage cut outs stash and loved it...even though the musical portion is minimal, at least it's represented! LOL 

The background papers are from the Authentique lines Grace and Strong.  The "Thanks" sentiment is from Stamp'n Up and the small corner floral die cuts come from a Heartwarming Vintage sheet as well.  I've added some music themed washi tape to tie into the piano inspired card.  And last, but not least I added a butterfly.  I used the Memory Box Butterfly dies Darla and Vivienne...and added some extra sparkle with some patina colored Stickles to the butterfly body.   

Here's a look at how it turned out...

And here's a little close up of some of the detailing...

Now, the kids piano teacher and I are also good friends.  We go to scrapbooking/cardmaking crops together and share a passion for crafting.  So, it never comes as a surprise to her when she is gifted with a gift certificate to the local craft store.  I happened to pop into the store a few days ago because the owner, Lori was having an 8th year anniversary sale going on...who can resist a sale?  Well, Lori always has ideas for me, and this particular visit she pointed me into the direction of the small glasine bags she had on sale...(you can see the Love is in the Details website for the sale here!)  She mentioned that they happened to be the correct size for gift cards/certificates!  Well...she didn't have to tell me twice...I stocked up!  And here's what I did with one of these bags in this presentation Thank You card...

I added a little rose element that I cut out from my Heartwarming Vintage sheets and positioned it on a few pop up dots so that the flap of the bag would tuck under part of the stem and keep the bag closed.  I think it worked out very well. 

I hope that the kids piano teacher will enjoy the card...I know she will certainly enjoy shopping with what's going to be inside...and I will enjoy the break from all of the kids after school activities.  I'm just so looking forward to a relaxing and recharging summer!

Well, that's all I have today!  Thanks for stopping in and taking a look around!  Hope to see you back again soon!

This card has been entered in the following challenges...

4 Crafty Chicks...Sentiments

Dutch Dare Card Challenge...Things the Begin with the Letter "B"

Rhedd & Rosie's Challenge Blog...Take Flight

Tammy's Scrapin Corner...Wings

Victorine Stamps...Animals & Bugs

Opus Gluei...Wings

Animal Friends Challenge Blog...Butterfly or Bugs

With Deepest Sympathy

It has been busy here the last few days!  Preparing for a camping weekend, shopping, and on Wednesday  I received a call around lunch time that my uncle had passed away.  He had been sick for awhile, and we knew that this day was coming... however that never seems to make it easier, does it? 

So, I settled into my craft room after the kids went to bed, and started planning out a Sympathy Card.  Now this is not my favorite kind of card to make.  It doesn't help that I usually don't make them to have on hand, which leaves a bit of urgency in getting one done quickly.  I wanted to create one that had some masculine elements to it, and found that task a bit daunting!  I opted for tones of orange, browns and a hint of teal.  I came across a die cut from Heartwarming Vintage Creative Scraps and loved the photo and sentiment...not the most masculine maybe, but I knew I could make it work. I distressed the die cut to give it some age and mounted it onto a piece of brown card stock so it would pop off the page a little more.  I opted to work on a clean, white background.  I embossed the background layer with my BigShot and a Stamp'n Up Brocade embossing folder.  I then cut out a fancy oval from my Oval Spellbinders Nestabilities set using the BigShot as well.  I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out the white cross which I then covered in Glitter Ritz. I rubber stamped the sentiment onto white paper and then matted it onto two different colors of brown card stock. After figuring out my layout with the help of a sketch inspiration by Crafty Creations Challenges...you can see that sketch here, I decided to add some embellishments.  I added some flowers by Recollections as well as some ceramic type flowers and a butterfly I purchased at our local Dollarama.   I also added a vintage style teal ribbon to tie in the coloring of the dragonfly in the die cut photo as well as a corner clip from a Stamp'n Up collection.

Here's a peek...

Here's a bit of a closer photo of the detailing...

Maybe not as masculine a Sympathy Card as I would have liked to create, but hopefully one that will bring some comfort to my Aunt and cousins as they know that they are being thought of during this difficult time. 

Once again, thanks for stopping by my blog!  Remember to take time to appreciate your family today because we never know what tomorrow may bring.  After all, as my blog title suggests....Today's Beautiful Moments are Tomorrow's Beautiful Memories. 

Until next time...


This card has been entered in the following challenges...
Crafty Creations Challenges...Let's Get Sketchy
Crafts and Me Challenges...Vintage
Lia Stampz...Add a Flower 
Sandy's Crafty Creations...Embossed Background
Scrapper's Delights Challenges..."S is for..."

A Sketch Challenge

Welcome!  Glad you could stop by today!

The creation I want to share with you has been inspired by a card sketch challenge over at Card Crafter's Circle.  Here's the sketch they posted over at their blog for us this week...

Lately I've been working on cards that I've needed to create for Bithdays, Baptisms, Get Well Wishes, etc. and have been thinking that I need to get back to making cards for the craft sale I will be participating with closer to Christmas.  So, I got out a bunch of my supplies and set out to create a craft sale card using this sketch. Here's what I came up with...

                           

And here is a close up... 

This card came together in a jiffy.  For the cards I will be selling at the craft show, I have a tendency to not put too many embellishments, etc. on them as it just drives up the cost!  

The background paper is from a Designer Paper Pack I picked up at Walmart called "Black & Ivory".  The photo die cut has been matted on black card stock and then matted again in an offset pattern with a leftover scrap from my "Secret Garden" by Graphic 45.  Baker's twine was wrapped around that little bundle of papers before it was adhered to the card itself.  The photo die cut and sentiment have been fussy cut from a Heartwarming Vintage Crafty Secrets sheet.  Love those!  I attached a brad that looked like the head of a nail to give it a masculine feeling and it ties in nicely with the motorcycle.  Lastly, I adhered 3 random buttons which were laying around my craft room!  

And there you go...nothing to spectacular today...although I do have to say this would make a great anniversary card, wedding card or engagement card...and it would stand out because it wouldn't be the typical one that everyone would receive during those occasions!

Thanks for dropping in today!  Hope you stop by again soon!

Get Well Wishes

Yesterday was a day of mulling around, browsing the internet for swimming pool parts, new bedroom linens and of course checking in on card challenge blogs and the Silhouette Online Store. Our vehicle was in the shop for the day so going somewhere wasn't an option. So what's a gal to do with some extra time on her hands?  You guessed it...design a card...a Get Well card that I've been wanting to create for my friends mom.

Now you may be wondering why I have so much spare time on my hands to do all of these "unproductive" tasks.  Well, we are renovating our master bedroom.  Our contractor was sick, however the electrician did come and I find it very hard to get a whole bunch of things done with someone running around my house.  I always feel like they must think I'm checking up on them, so I usually try to make myself busy in one room.  Crazy, I know!!!  It's my house after all!  However, I was happy to sit in our office to start putting together this card. 

I'm sure you'll recall the card I made for my friends baptism that I posted last week...if you want to catch up you can see that post here!  Well, both she and her husband were baptized that day...but not without incident.  My friends mom landed up in the emergency room just a few hours before the baptism was to take place with severe back pain.  She did manage to make the church service, however needed to be taken back to the ER just after lunch.  She was admitted at that time.  I know that she is finding the days in the hospital extremely long and thought maybe I could boost her spirits with a bright, cheery card.  So I got the Silhouette humming and did a ton of printing and cutting...

This is the cheery little well wish I came up with...

All of the die cuts used in this card were colored, printed and cut on my Silhouette Cameo.  I find the more I play with this new toy, the more I'm falling in love with it!  The background papers were just scraps laying around the scrap room.  I've raised the sentiment and bird with some pop up dots to give it some dimension and extra added interest.  The flowers have had buttons added to their centres and Stickles to their brightly blooming petals.  The raindrops, puddle, umbrella and cloud have had Glossy Accents applied to them to give them a "wet" appearance.  It's a fairly simple card...but cute I thought non the less!

I'm hoping to find the time to pop by the hospital today to see my friends mom!  Hoping this card will brighten her day and let her know that she is being thought of!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today...hope I could brighten your day with a little inspiration!  Don't forget to leave me a comment to brighten my day as well!  See you again soon!


This card has been submitted to the following challenge blogs:
2 Creative Chicks...Buttons, Bows & Brads
Stuck on U Sketches...Die Cut Birds
Silhouette Challenges...Print & Cut
Cameo Creations Challenges...Summer Theme 
Dutch Dare Card Challenges...Summer's Coming 


Update:  This card placed in the Top 3 at Stuck on U Sketches!

                                                             
                                                        

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's....

It's a Bird, It's a Plane...nope it's not Superman!

Who is faster than the speed of light, who is strong enough to stop a paper airplane, who has eyes on the back of her head....it's my son's second grade teacher!  LOL

Now when I saw the card challenge by Crafty Creations Challenges, I have to admit I was kinda stumped and knew trying to tackle this one was going to lead me straight outta my comfort zone!  Their challenge this week was "Super Heros".  Now you could either use a Super Hero theme, or create a card for someone you felt was a Super Hero.  Well, the idea of my son's teacher being a super hero came to me while I was sitting in my son's assembly as the Parent Advisory Council surprised her with a retirement gift...sniff, sniff, this is her last year of teaching.  I thought to myself....this teacher has been a Super Hero, using her life to teach and inspire future generations who will in turn grow up to be their own kind of Super Hero.

Well, my son adores his teacher for so many different reasons....the first being, that she has the same name as myself!  LOL  The running joke in the classroom when I volunteer is that there are two Tracey Fehr's in the classroom...I spell my first name with an "E" and she does not!  Well my son thought this was the neatest thing to have his mom and teacher have the same name!  He also loves it that she shares things about her life with the class.  I got to hear all about when her new grand baby was born, things she might do when she retires, etc.  I love it when a teacher not only listens to what's happening in her classroom children's lives, but shares with them as well.  He loves the songs they sing together, the "Chicken Soup with Rice" she cooks for them and they eat as she reads the book, and because of her he loves going to school!

I too have reasons for believing that Mrs. Fehr really is a Super Hero!  The first being that she has taught for 30+ years...in my books, to have taught that many children and been patient that long deserves more than a card and mention on a blog!  LOL  But seriously, Mrs. Fehr runs a classroom like I have never seen any other teacher do!  The class is quiet, respectful and each child knows what they should be doing.  Rarely have I ever seen her have to tell a child something twice!  She is kind and compassionate, but leads the class with a gentle firmness and the kids fall into line knowing that she expects awesome behaviour from them!  I've often laughed and told friends that when she retires, she should run a parenting course as she makes this all look so very easy!  Through this school year I have seen my son blossom under the influence of this Super Woman...to watch him grow more independent, to form good study habits and most of all to have a love for school & learning...well, for this I say Thank You Mrs. Fehr!

So, I set about working on a card from my son to honor this very special lady!  I wanted it to be resemble something a boy would give her...and here's what I came up with...

The majority of this card was created with my Silhouette Cameo...which I am still getting familiar with.  All of the images were printed and cut with this awesome machine!  The background paper is from a collection of Becky Higgens "Project Life", and the blue die cut behind the notepaper image has been cut with the BigShot using a Sissix Die for Stamp'n Up called Top Note.  The stars have been either glittered or outlined using various colors of glitter or Stickles.  All of the sayings have been covered over with Glossy Accents...sorry the picture will not show this better!  The Super Boy image was just too cute to resist, and I added the notepaper die cut and stack of books with the apple to give it that school/teacher feel!  I was hoping the card would kind of come out looking a bit like a comic book page...and I think it did!

I know my son will be proud to present this to his teacher at the end of the school year!  He is absolutely tickled pink to have been able to be in the last class this wonderful woman was teaching.  I know that she will be extremely missed in the school hallways!  That being said, I'm sure she is ready for her new adventures in life...to hang up her cape which I'm sure she has tucked neatly under her blazer, making sure neither child or parent will see!

Well, that's it for now!  Thanks for popping in to see what I have been up to!  Please come again!

This card has also been entered into some other neat challenges I found along the way...
Craft Creations Challenges..."Super Heros"
Card Crafter's Circle..."Stripe Me Silly"
Silhouette Challenges..."Print and Cut"
Simon Says Stamp & Show..."Challenge Brought to you by The Letter S"