New Digs

I needed a card for a dear friend's daughter who just moved into her first "grown up" apartment (after  college). I ran across THIS card which was one of the Inkspirational Top Picks for their Chair Photo  Challenge #209. I CASE'd it with a few changes like using a black card base, greenery in the vase, wonky stitched border. Copic coloring and sentiment, but I kept the arrangement the same. Thank you Sky, for the inspiration.

Joy

Time Out Challenge #153 began last week with a really fun theme. I am here to remind you that there is still time to play. The challenge is to create a project inspired by an item in your wardrobe! It can be a dress, a top, a scarf, a handbag, any item goes! It can be something current, or something you remember from the past. As an optional twist, you can add embossing (heat or dry) or texture to your project.

Our Guest Designer is Lise Mariann who is a very talented designer and who has made two fantastic cards for this challenge. Please visit her blog and check out her awesome art work!

Poppy Stamps is our generous sponsor for this challenge.

As I was putting Christmas things away and pondering what my card would be like, I decided to use this wonderful scarf (above) as my inspiration before retiring it until next December. I die cut our generous sponsor's Poinsettia Circle Frame from a green watercolored panel and "paper pieced" it with another watercolored panel and gold foil cardstock. I watercolored the holly berries with Zigs, and added white dots with a gel pen.

I loved my idea, though I must say the whole process of making this card frustrated me to no end. I decided to post it anyway, but if you look closely, you can see some dried glue blobs on the black card base, and that makes me crazy. I made a previous attempt and used Nuvo drops for the berries. There were lots of pointy blobs and a multitude of swear words uttered. It was one of those creations that took me an insane amount  of time and I wanted to cry several times, but we learn a lot from failures, so here it is. I hope your project is much more fun and satisfying. LOL.

Please hop on over to the Time Out Blog to see the wonderful creations that our Design Team came up with. I really love the idea of taking inspiration from a wardrobe piece, and my teammates have done a fantasdtic job. Come play with us!

A Friend

Time for a new Challenge at Time Out. Challenge #76 is Inspired By Words: 'Friends are connected heart to heart, distance and time can't break them apart'

Our sponsor for this challenge is CASual Fridays Stamps. Challenge winner will receive a $25 gift voucher to the CAS-ual Fridays store.

Jane is our Guest Designer for both the first, and the reminder post for this challenge. Take a stroll through Jane's blog, Purplejet Loves Crafts, and you are sure to be inspired!

Here is my take:

I LOVE this CAS-ual Fridays set called "Big Treble". I thought this beautiful sentiment was perfect for the inspiration. The entwined paper-pieced G clefs represent the connected hearts of friends.

Please head over to the Time Out Challenge Blog and see what the Design Team has created for your inspiration, see where it takes you, and link your creation to the gallery. I can't wait to see how the words inspire.

I am linking up to the following challenges: 

CFC166 Music To My Ears

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - The Color Of Love

Sunday Stamps Challenge - SSC145 Poppy Palate

Darnell Krauss's NBUS Challenge #10

My CAS-ual Fridays Stamp Set and this Heidi Swapp peachy spray have never been used. Such a fun challenge that results in digging deep into your stash for schtuff you have not used, We all have schtuff. Lots of it! I love these challenges!! Thanks Darnell!

Hey There

CFC109: Clean And Simple creations (watch that "white" space) with polka dots.

I just love this image from Hero Arts.  I decided to give her a paper-pieced-polka-dot-frock (try saying that 5 times fast) for this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge.  Thanks for stopping in today.

Stamps~Hero Arts Peppermint Polly, Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler

Ink~Memento Tuxedo Black, VersaFine Onyx Black

Paper~Authentique Curiousity

Accessories~Copic Markers, Spellbinders rectangle dies, Dimensionals

Ghoulfriends

This is my take on CAS-ual Fridays challenge this week, which is :

CFC22: Create a Clean And Simple project using a ribbon tab or loop. Big loops, tiny loops...get creative but the loops on a bow don't count.

Funny thing is that my MFT Totally Witchin' WTG paper pieced panel was the beginnings of my take on CFC#19, which was to use paper piecing on your Fall themed Clean And Simple project.  Well, I never finished that challenge - just the paper piecing.  Fast forward 3 challenges, and now my paper pieced witchies are the completion of CFC#22.  I added 2 triple layer loops on the left, popped up my panel on a white base, and added the sentiment. Voila!  Crafting time is hard to come by for me these days. So glad I finally got to play again at CAS-ual Fridays!  Thanks for stopping in!

Dip It In Chocolate

I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch #70 for this card. I had fun with it! I just love MFT Who's That Girl, and I love to paper piece. I came up with this creation using that combination.

I am trying to use up some old DSP. I chose Berry Bliss because it feels chocolate-y to me. I used some gold metallic paper I had in my Creative Memories paper stash for the box. I was thinking Godiva... I colored the chocolates with Copics and then I put a dot of white Liquid Applique on top of each chocolate and puffed them up with my heat gun to make it look like icing or marshmallow. I then added a dot of red on each puff with a Copic marker to make it look like a cherry. Fun! Thanks for stopping by today. It is a beautiful day here in Central NJ...

Here are the ingredients:

Stamps ~ MFT Who's That Chocoholic and Clearly Sentimental About Chocolate (Link unavailable at time of this posting).

Paper ~ Papertrey Ink White Cardstock, Purely Pomegranate, Close to Cocoa, Berry Bliss DSP.

Ink ~ Memento Rick Cocoa, VersaFine Vintage Sepia, Close to Cocoa.

Accessories ~ Purely Pomegranate 3/8" double striped grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals, copper brads, Sponge, Copics, Liquid Applique, heat gun.

Time For Cake!

This is my take on this week's MFT Wednesday Stamp Club sketch, MFTWSC040710. I really enjoyed this one. I need a birthday card for my niece, and this is perfect for her.

I paper pieced this wonderful WTG image from MFT's "Lovin From The Oven" set (link to image not available at the time of this posting) with Basic Grey's Nook & Pantry DP, then I colored the skin and the spoon with Copics. I colored the inside of the bowl with copics to give the illusion of "batter" and to give it a little dimension, then I stamped some chocolate chips inside the bowl. I also added some dots to the outside of the bowl with a Copic marker to give it some texture. I used MFT's "Make The Date" for the words "Time" & "For", and "Lovin from the Oven" for the word "Cake".

The full list of ingredients are:

Stamps ~ MFT Lovin From the Oven and Make the Date.

Ink ~ Soft Suede, Memento Tuxedo Black.

Paper ~ Basic Grey's Nook & Pantry, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, Neenah Solar White.

Accessories ~ Dimensionals, Nestabilities, Dusty Durango 1/2" Polka Dot grosgrain ribbon, Copics, 1 1/2" Aluminum White Circle Metal Edge Tag, Linen Thread.

Thanks for stopping in...

Happy Easter Chickie!!

Happy Spring! The weather here in NJ has been just gorgeous these past few days. I hope we don't see another snow flake before the lion has turned all the way to lamb. This week's challenge over at Our Creative Corner is to make a spring/Easter themed card or project. I was inspired to try some new things with this one. This is my first digi stamp project. This adorable Pure Innocence image is from Heather Ellis.

For the layout, I used Jen Del Muro's SFYTT from 3/13/2010. It is such a fun sketch, and I though it would work well with my little chickie.

I also tried a new technique for popping images outside the boundaries of your Nestabilities. Click HERE to view the Youtube video tutorial on this technique. I used my new egg die , Egg Hunt Stamps and Egg Hunt Patterned Paper from Papertrey Ink. All so fun! I just love this little girl, and I love the way this card came out. New toys, new technique, new season. Here are the ingredients:

Papers-Elegant Eggplant, Barely Banana, Neenah Solar White, Egg Hunt patterned paper.

Ink-VersaFine Onyx Black, Versa Mark.

Stamps-Pure Innocence PI025, Egg Hunt, SU's A Good Egg.

Accessories-Nestabilities, white embossing powder, heat tool, Dimensionals, mat pack & piercing tool, Sakura white glaze pen, Copic markers, Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie & Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Hero Arts acid free adhesive crystals.

Smell the Coffee!!!

I Need Coffee Flopsey from MFT has been calling me, and Mercy's Sketch today gave me the inspiration to ink it up!

Flopsey is stamped on Neenah Solar White with Memento Tuxedo Black, then paper pieced with Retired SU Good Morning Sunshine DSP. I experimented with using a Copic marker to add a little highlighting to Flopsey- I wasn't sure how that would work out with the DSP, so I didn't do much of it. I also used a Copics to color the background and for Flopsey's cheeks. Flopsey's fuzzy slippers are fuzzied with Liquid Applique. The rest of the DSP is also Good Morning Sunshine, and the mats are Pacific Point, Chocolate Chip and Kiwi Kiss. The finished card is 5 1/4" square. I think I will go make some coffee!! Thanks for stopping by.

Believe!

This week's MFT My Favorite Challenge, MFTMFC15, is to use the MFT Colors -- Pink, Black and White -- on your project. I used SC244 for the layout. My stamp set of choice was Think Pink for my card. It's all very fitting, as this is a big celebration weekend for me - I just finished 20 weeks of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. So this card is in honor of me! I will use it to pay forward some encouragement that have been so blessed to have on this journey of mine. Thanks for stopping by today!

Books Fall Open...

Here is my second overdue teacher card! I am thrilled that I got them both done this weekend. I just LOVE this new MFT set - I {Heart} Books. I can tell already that I am going to get LOTS of use out of it! I used this week's MFT sketch MFTSC95 for my layout and turned it on its side. Seems to be the trend for me this weekend.

I was browsing on SCS for a little inspiration, and came across THIS post by Michele Boyer. I loved her project, so I went to her BLOG for more details. She had the brilliant idea of switching the heads from another image in this set so that she could have a girl head on this image. That was just perfect for my card!! Thanks Michele! I wish I had thought of that, but I am glad you did!!!!!

I am so happy with this card, and even happier that I can cross this off of my to-do list. It's about time!! Thanks for stopping by today!

Catch Some Rays

I used SC238 Sketch for this card. I just love MFT's WTG sets, and this one is so... sunny and swimmy and beachy! Those are a few of MY favorite things. It took me forever to make the paper choices, but I love the way it turned out.

Here is the recipe:
Paper~Kraft, Confetti Cream, Pacific Point, Old Olive, Cameo Coral, Solar White, Creative Memories Beach Mats, EK Success A Day at the Beach.
Stamps~MFT Catch Some Rays.
Ink~Memento Tuxedo Black, Creamy Caramel.
Accessories~Cuttlebug, Copics, Nestabilities, Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals, Sponge.

Without You...

The challenge this week over at MFT Sketch Challenge and Chatter {MFTMFC5} is to use paper piecing on your project. This is one of my favorite techniques, and MFT images are so often so great for it. I used the Digital Girl set, and paper pieced her dress, chair cushion and desk. The rest I colored with COPICS. Take a look at my beautiful watermark. I got it from Karen Giron of The Sweetest Thing, who does beautiful work and who has a lovely selection of watermarks for sale. I love mine - got it in 2 colors. To take a look at Karen's selection of watermarks, Click HERE. She is incredibly gracious and helpful. I treated myself to Photoshop recently, and I have to say I am not getting the hang of it very easily. Karen has provided great support for her product and has gone out of her way to help me use it and to encourage me to persevere with my new friend/foe Photoshop. Thanks Karen! How do you like my watermark?? I can't say I am exactly sure what I did, but it looks great, don't ya think?

Here are the ingredients for my card:

Stamps: MFT~ Digital Girl.
Paper: Kraft, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Raspberry Tart DSP, Ski Slope DSP, Solar White.
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, Xyron Sticker Maker, Nestabilities, Hodgepodge Hardware, Dimensionals, Pink Brad from MFT, MFT Ribbon.

Hello Sunshine!!!

I just love this card... I made it for MFTMFC3 which was to make a Tri-Fold card. This one is a Joy Fold Card - you can find the tutorial HERE. MFT's Who's That Girl images are some of my VERY favorite. This one is from Let's Picnic. It has been monsoon season here in the Northeast, and the thought of a picnic on a sunny summer day is delicious. Maybe some day the sun will come out!!!

The base of my card is black. I used some red paisley paper for the left panel from Creative Memories that I have had stashed away for a long time ~ very picnic-y! The red check paper is also CM. The gray is from SU's Walk in the Park DSP, as is the DSP matted on the More Mustard panel. I paper pieced the dress on the WTG image and colored her skin with Copics. I used CM shiny silver paper for the plate, and I used COPICS to color the food and wine bottle which I cut out, glued and applied liquid glass for shine. The blade of the knife is colored with a silver Zig Painty. The sun was made with MFT's Build a Bouquet set. I stamped a circle with Barely Banana, stamped a flower image on top with Summer Sun and then punched it with a circle punch. I stamped the flower image again and cut it out to make the sun's rays. The scalloped oval is Garden Green.

The left corners are punched with the ticket corner punch. I adhered white brads with glue dots. I did not want the brads to show on the inside, so I clipped the posts of the brads with a craft clipper and glued them on with glue dots. Wishing you sunshine in your summer days...

Time for the Bubbly Two-fer

This card is inspired by this week's OCC Challenge - "It's All in the Coloring", and the Splitcoast Sketch SC200. I really wanted to try using Copics, though I have no idea what I am doing... I used one of my favorite MFT sets - "Time for the Bubbly". The card base is Kiwi Kiss topped with a layer of black card stock, topped with a layer of Haiku DSP. I stamped the main image on white card stock with black Stazon ink and colored with Copics. I paper pieced the "wallpaper" with Haiku DSP. I stamped the image again on white card stock and colored the border of the mirror with my silver Zig Painty. It's nice and shiny "in person". I cut it out and then used Soft Sage shadow ink by Memories and a blender pen to color the mirror to make it look like the reflection of the wallpaper in the mirror. I stamped a little flower from Eastern Blooms on the mirror to emulate the wallpaper design in the reflection. I used my square Nestabilities to cut the three white squares with black borders. I stamped the images of the bubble bath, wine glass and wine bottle with black Stazon and colored the with Copics. I used my Color Spritzer Tool to spray a little black on the white squares for texture, then adhered the colored images on them and mounted them with Dimensionals. The sentiment is in black Stazon on white card stock edged with black ink. A piece of Pumpkin Pie 1/4" grosgrain ribbon is inserted into an eyelet and tied in a knot. I've got a ways to go with Copics, but I have to say, I am pleased with this one. Thanks for looking!