Play Time

Last week I played with my Perfect Pearls, a push from the Online Card Class Kick Start. I painted with the Perfect Pearls and water on black paper. It was okay but rather shiny.


Perfect Pearls on black paper

This week, after much, much practice, I found a combination I like. Actually two.

For the first one I used water color paint (which is another product I bought over a year ago and hadn't used) with the Perfect Pearls. The shine from the pearls is subtle. Also, there is a the ability to mix colors. 

Water color paint and Perfect Pearls

For the second, I painted with my Distress Re-Inkers and water. I put one drop of the re-inker on my Non-Stick Craft Sheet, several separate drops of water and a small amount of the Perfect Pearls. As I was able to control the amount of ink, water and pearls, I had color variation.

Re-Inker, Perfect Pearls and water

The three, top left Perfect Pearls, top right Water Colors
and bottom Re-Inkers

I doubt I'll do the straight Perfect Pearls again. But never say never! The other two I go back and forth as to which is my favorite. It's like my children, I can't pick a favorite! :)

I used the Re-Inker method for this card and entered it in the Taylored Expressions Wild Card Spot for Last Card Standing competition, here.

Paper: Echo Park 'Springtime', Choice Cardstock Snow White, Neenah Brilliant White Text and Strathmore Watercolor Paper
Stamps: Taylored Expressions 'Forever in Bloom', Sentiment printed from a word document
Inks: VersaMark; Distress Ink - Crushed Olive & Gathered Twigs; Re-Inkers - dusty Concord, Milled Lavender & Crushed Olive
Embossing Powder: Ranger Super Fine Detail Black
Perfect Pearls: Forever Violet, Interference Violet & Forever Green
Dies: Taylored Dies 'Hydrangea Blooms'; Spellbinders S4-110,
S4-111, S4-114, S4-128 & S4-129
Ribbon: United Ribbons Seam Binding, dyed with Dusty Concord and Forever Violet in a Mini Mister
Thread: Madeira Supertwist & Madeira Opal
Pearls: Basic Grey Opaline
Other: Sewing Machine, Cuttlebug, Glue Dots, All Night Media Pop Dots

This is probably more then you wanted to know but I'm in a writing mood! Thanks for stopping by.



Something Old and Something New

The Online Card Class, Kick Start, is getting me to use product I've had for years. And allowing me to play! :)

I bought a bunch of Perfect Pearls, I don't know how long ago, years! They stayed in their packages, for months probably years, until I decided to mix them with my Distress Reinkers in Mini Misters. Perhaps I should try using them as the package suggested.

I stamped some hydrangeas (the new) with the Perfect Medium and dusted a few of the Perfect Pearls over them. I didn't like it, it looked muddy. Was it the white paper I had used?

I decided to try painting with them. Didn't like the look of that either. Okay, I'll try black paper and see what that looks like. That worked for me. However, I know I need to play with them more so I really like the look of them not just 'it works.'

Cardstock: Choice Cardstock Buttercream; Black scrap from my stash. (I need to put together bundles!)
Design Paper: Teresa Collins 'Sweet Afternoon'
Stamps: Hero Arts CL140 'Thinking of You', 657773 Antiques Flowers & Butterflies; Taylored Expressions 'Forever in Bloom'
Inks: Distress Ink 'Brushed Corduroy'; Ranger Perfect Medium; Tsukinedo VersaMark
Embossing Powder: Stampendous Ultra Detail White; Ranger Super Fine Detail Black
Perfect Pearls: Blue Patina, Interference Violet, Forever Green, Sunflower Sparkle
Dies: Spellbinders S4-114 & S4-115; 657773 Antiques Flowers & Butterflies; Taylored Dies Hydrangea Blooms
Other: EK Success Powder Tool; Sewing Machine; All Night Media Mini Pop Dots; Queen & Co Pearls

I've keep my Perfect Pearls in this Tupperware Container. The Reinkers are in a matching one so I can quickly spot the two of them for making my mists.

Now on to the farming, a momma pig is having babies... And, of course, DH is gone on business. Never fails.

When I checked her earlier her, she had five babies. This time she has 10. Here is a picture of six. The other four were under the heat lamp.

Organized?

My dream! I tell DH he has four greenhouses (about 5,500 sq ft), I need at least half that space for my crafting. And I want it added to the house, with a floor and real roof (the greenhouses have roofs but I would prefer something other then plastic over my crafts). Well, I probably don't need that much space but he has always said figure out what you need and double it!

If I was willing to give up some hobbies, I could get by with even less. However, my sewing machines aren't leaving nor all the fabric I have. Then there are the patterns I like to buy. Add to that my passion for cross stitch. No way am I giving up that linen, silk thread or charts. Toss in the paper crafting, you know how much space that takes, and my 12 x 13 room just isn't enough. Then when our granddaughter spends the night, this is the room she stays in.

Upon further review, yep, I need about half the greenhouse space.

Last week I decided to go through some of the boxes in my room. Yes, I found things I had forgotten I had bought. I'm thankful I didn't buy them a second time! And guess which box they went into! Yes, To Use. I didn't know that was it's name until today in the Kick Start class.

As I look around my room, this is the only thing I am willing to put out there for the world to see...

My Copics. And even this is iffy, after I took the picture I realized some of the pens are in upside down. They are now fixed (I like them brush tip down). DH drinks Crystal Light and I found the empty containers to be perfect for holding my pens. It helps that it was a cheap storage system! 

So, now to the HUGE task of Day 3's homework. The rest of the room is just too messy for anyone to see. Does anyone else make a bigger mess of things when cleaning then the mess they started with?

Before I hit 'Publish' I was looking around to see if there was anything else I would photograph and add. Then I had to laugh, right there with my stamp cleaners is a cross stitch chart. What can I say?

At least it is a small one.

Thinking of You

I received my Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients kit yesterday (actually, Monday). Today (really Tuesday) I took it out to play. I can't believe I waited a whole day! (I got a card made and wrote the post, but the camera didn't want to work for me. So, now the real today, Wednesday, I got some taken.)

Again, I used tips from the Online Card Class, Kick Start. And I used a stamp from Taylored Expressions so I could enter their challenge.



The Sketch and Inspiration Paper

The not even close to the sketch card!
 

I guess organizing my thoughts means nothing to me! What can I say? At least I used the paper?

The paper and ribbon are from the Key Ingredients kit. I love having everything put together for me. And I enjoy looking through Taylor's Coordinating Products section.

Cardstock: Choice Cardstock Snow White, Red Rock
Design Paper: My Mind's Eye The Sweetest Thing 'Tangerine'
Ribbon: Satin ribbon from the kit
Stamps: Taylored Expressions 'Summer Wreath', Hero Arts CL140 Thinking of You
Copics: G21, G24, G82, R20, R22, R24, R27, Y21, Y26, YR24
Spica: Buttermilk (it's in the flower centers)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, VersaMark
Embossing Powder: Ranger's Super Fine Detail Black
Dies: Taylored Expressions 'Seasonal Wreath', Lifestyle Crafts 'Nesting Lace Squares'
Other: Sewing Machine, 3D-Dots

Yes, I am slightly crazy. I stamped the wreath twice so I could cut some of the flowers out and pop them up. I've yet to see a flat wreath and I couldn't have one on the front of my card. The wreath is also popped off the Lace Square. What fun is flat?

Now to work on Day 3 of the Kick Start class. Thank you for stopping by.

Last Card Standing

Do you like Project Runway or Chopped? Without leaving home, you can show your stuff in a similar type of competition at Taylored Expressions.

As I was trying to figure out what to do, I watched the first day of the Online Card Class, Kick Start. Yes, Organizing Ideas, what a great way to start a card. And yes, I do need organizing!

So I came up with a sketch. Did I follow it? No, but it's close. That's okay, isn't it? After I finished the card, I read this post from A Blog Named Hero. I tell you, it couldn't have worked out any better for me.  


The Sketch



The Card

 

I made a baby card because I fell in love with the background paper. I don't know why, but it just called to me. I guess phrases like 'New Baby Smell', 'Tiny Fingers', 'Tiny Toes', 'Pride and Joy' to name a few.

Stamps: Taylored Expressions "Welcome Little One"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Copics: B21, B23, G21, G82, R30, R32, Blender
Spica: Clear, yes it is there but the photo doesn't show it
Cardstock: Choice Cardstock Snow White, Bazzil Basics Hillary, Flamingo and Lagoon
Design Paper: Fancy Pants Designs "Baby Mine"
Dies: Taylored Dies "Curly Border", Sizzix "Tags, Scallop Combo #2", Spellbinders S4-247
Twine: My Mind's Eye Follow Your Heart "Be Happy"

I don't know how many photos I took of this card but I can't get a good one. I guess I need to find a Photography for Dummies class. Or maybe I need to learn how to edit. Either way, I need help.

Thank you for stopping by. If you have any photography tips, please leave them! Obviously I need all the help I can get.

Last Day

Today is the last day for the CDAC Progressive Challenge. Tiffany Doodles provided an image with three surf boards. I don't surf. I don't have a clue about surfing. I would rather hang in a hammock.

The image had three surf boards so I lined them up in the back, twice. Then I took one, enlarged it and put it in the foreground.

The card base is Hero Hues Powder and the sand Kraft cardstock. The monkey image is from Doodle Dragon Studios and colored with Copics.  Yes, I wrote down which colors I used but I can't find the list. Too much going on here!

The surf boards and palm leaves were cut from Echo Park's Everyday Eclectic paper. I used dimensional adhesive on the palm leaves, under the foot and hand of the monkey and the blue board.  

Finally, the sentiment is from Create with TLC, cut out with Spellbinders S4-143 and colored with Distress Ink, Squeezed Lemonade. Oh, I used my white Signo pen around the edge. That's all I could allow for clouds.  :)

I'm counting the minutes until the Online Card Class Kick Start begins. I need a good swift kick to get started! My brain is going in slow mo and I know Jennifer and Kristina will get me started again.

Lost

I have been AWOL and decided to quick check in.

DD#3 has taken us for a ride. In June it was discovered she had high calcium levels. That led to a parathyroid hormone test which was way over normal. Then she had a scan done on her neck. Yes, one parathyroid glowed quite nicely. We met with an endocrinologist and then an ENT. She had two parathyroids removed last week.

As she has a lovely incision just above her collar bone, she isn't driving and I get to take her everywhere. She is trying not to turn her head too much as she doesn't want a big scar.

Yesterday DD#3 had follow up appointments with both doctors. At least they are in the same building. However the building is 75 miles away. The surgery was also done 75 miles away. We are blessed DD#1 lives close to the hospital so we don't have a motel bill.

Tuesday evening I caught DH pressing on his cheek. He had a toothache. Last night he couldn't sleep and admitted he should go to the dentist. Got in there, had an exam and we were sent to an oral surgeon. They took the tooth out. DH is now happy due to pain pills.

I feel like a medical transport driver. I want to lock myself in my room. Tomorrow I take DH back to the oral surgeon. Maybe next week I will get stay in my craft cave and no one will need to go to a doctor.

Where am I?

Between harvest, fair (DH is a 4-H leader), having granddaughter #1 for a week and taking DD#3 to doctor appointments, I haven't had time to play during normal business hours. Then when I stay up until 3 watching the Olympics the brain doesn't function as well as it should. But then, does it ever? Add to all of that, I decided I needed to clean out cupboards.

Tell me, why do I still have the wooden salad bowl set we received for a wedding gift 31 years ago? Wet wood is my 'fingernails on the chalkboard' item so we have never used it. Nor the wooden salt and pepper shakers. Have I honored the gift giver by keeping these items this long? Can I finally get rid of them? I voted 'Yes!'

While trying to stay awake watching the Olympics, I finally pulled out my July Key Ingredients kit from Taylored Expressions. I had a plan for ONE card, but as I worked on it, it kept changing because I kept finding different sketches to try. So, through all the changes it took more than one (translation, many) night to finish. Well, as I still have more pieces due to the changes, I don't think I've officially finished! What else is new?

I love the papers in the kit. I think (know) I need more of the Cosmo Cricket Tea for Two paper!




My Favorite Things sketch called out saying I had to use it. Here's the sketch


and what I came up with.

Yes, I changed a few things. The banner became a butterfly, cut from the same paper as the bottom band. I used Glossy Accents and Enamel Accents on it for some shine. Three circles morphed into nine Hero Arts pearls and a rectangle became an oval with mat. At least the base remained the same, sort of! It has four sections. Okay, so I started with the sketch but headed off in my own direction.

The other supplies:

     Image: My Favorite Things Bunch of Blooms

     Copics: E00, E21, E35, E37, E50, E59, G82, G99, R11, R20,

          R22, R24, R27, W3, W5, W7, Y26, Y28, Spica Buttermilk

     Paper: Bazzill Basics Lagoon, Choice Buttercream

     Dies: Butterfly: Hero Arts & Sizzix Antique Flowers &

          Butterflies, Spellbinders S4-110 & S4-111

     Other: Sewing Machine, Dimensional Adhesive

Addicted

I've been going through the Split Coast Stampers resources and finding more Delightful Packaging projects. Of course I'm going alphabetically so this one is Drawer Box. I can't go randomly through the projects, my brain won't allow it!

I started with a purple base as that is the favorite color of the recipient. It (purple paper) did not come with the June Key Ingredients kit from Taylored Expressions but it works. The patterned paper is from the kit.

I used the Delightful Day stamp set from Taylored Expressions and VersaMark ink for the flowers on the purple. Plain paper just wasn't going to work for me!

Natalie at Delightful Details also entered a project in the challenge. On her post she linked to a tutorial for the folded chevron by Julia Stainton. My only suggestion, don't make your first one 3/4" wide! Other then that, I plan on using this technique again.

The flower is the Taylored Die Petal Pop-Ups 2. Queen & Co. makes the fun Twinkle Goosebumps gem in the middle of the flower. The gems in the corners are also goosebumps.

The tag was cut using the Spellbinders Labels Four and Labels Four Small. The button and ribbon were from the kit and the sentiment I did in a Word document.

Finally, the brads on the drawer are from Making Memories. Unfortunately there is only one card in there right now. I need to get to work on more.

Hog Wild

DH moved some pigs around today. I was hoping it didn't mean we had some sows (mamas) ready to farrow (give birth). He will be out of town tomorrow on business and then all next week. I firmly believe the sows know when he is gone thus making me play mid-wife. He claims none are ready to go. I'll believe him when he gets back and there are no new babies.

As I'm thinking pigs, I made a card using My Favorite Things July sketch.

Well, I started it yesterday, but the sentiment worked today! ;) In February I ordered the VIP kit which was Country Charm. It had the PI Cowboy stamp and an additional set of sentiments which included the 'Go Hog Wild.' Perfect for someone who raises pigs, for fun. The kit also included the Country Charms Die-namics.

I used the Cosmo Cricket Wanted to put together his duds. I couldn't have asked for better paper. Cutting all those pieces was interesting. DH wondered why I didn't get to bed until 2 this morning. He doesn't understand the need to stamp, cut and glue. He (as in the cowboy, not DH) is colored with Copics, E00, E21, E50 and R21.

The fence is Die-namics Woodgrain Fence. It was white when I cut it out. However, this is an old fence thus it has Distress Ink Weathered Wood on it.

The hat banner is one of the Country Charms dies. I used Fired Brick and Walnut Stain Distress Markers on them and Distress Ink Vintage Photo around the edges. The sentiment was done with Memento Tuxedo Black. The twine is from My Mind's Eye.

Now I have to go mow the lawn. I'd rather stay in here and play. Added: I mowed the lawn and then came in and posted this. Why I didn't post before I mowed, I have no idea.

Backpack anyone?

I wanted to make another entry for the June Taylored Expressions subscriber challenge. Split Coast Stampers has fun projects so I headed there for inspiration. As the challenge is 'Delightful Packaging' this backpack looked like one to try. I think I'm going to keep it on a shelf to remind myself of how crazy I am. As if I need reminding! :)  Actually, it was fun to make, I just didn't realize my own strength when setting the eyelets. The paper is a little creased.

The paper is from the June Key Ingredients Subscription. It's really hard to see, but I used the Delightful Day stamp set on the orange paper. The smaller flowers were stamped with Hero Hues Soft Apricot, the larger ones with Hero Hues Butter Bar and the leaves with Hero Hues Soft Green. I wanted them to be subtle and they are that! The eyelets are Making Memories and the ribbon is some I picked up at Michaels. Yes, ribbon came in the kit but I didn't want to waste it on this. To keep the flaps down, I used Basic Grey's magnetic discs.

This challenge has been fun. As I look at the backpack I'm thinking I need to make some for Christmas to hold stocking stuffers. See, I told you I'm crazy!

31 Years ago...

I was getting ready to walk down the aisle. At the ripe old age of 19 I married my sweetie. If I knew how to scan in photos, I'd post a photo. Alas, I don't know how. Maybe I'll try and take a photo of a photo. Right.

Happy Anniversary, DH. Love you more than 31 years ago.

Recouping from Vacation

After being gone for nine days, I need a vacation! While I take this second vacation, I would really like for someone to come in and do the laundry from the last vacation. And put everything away - suitcases, groceries, just make it so when I come home this time, I don't have to do anything.

Oh, right, I haven't done anything since returning from the first vacation. We had a hold on the mail while we were gone and yesterday the mail carrier brought my June Taylored Expression Subscription. Yes, nine days without crafting is ten too many! (I couldn't do a whole lot on the day before we left as I had to pack.)

The June Subscriber challenge is Delightful Packaging. Of course I had taken my laptop with me and Split Coast Stampers' Wednesday tutorial was a slider box. Let me tell you, reading that on Wednesday and not getting my kit until Monday was stressful! The only good thing about that is I don't have to wait as long for my July kit!

Last night I did a test box. I have to do that to make sure I understand the instructions before cutting into the 'good' paper! I don't like surprises. Unfortunately, I failed to measure the length to see how it fit the Spellbinders Label 17. I should have made the box an 1/8" shorter.

Today I used the kit. Once again, Taylor did a fantastic job of putting it together. It is so nice making things without having to search for coordinating items.

Everything is from the kit except for a couple of the gems and the buttons I used for the knob. (Every rule has an exception. That's the one thing I remember from my English classes!)

I fell in love with the new dies, Petal Pop-Ups 1 and Petal Pop-Ups 2, and had to order them. Also, this month there was an exclusive stamp promotion for subscribers, 'Delightful Day.' I used it on the box as well. Oops, that is something else not in the kit. Okay, so all the paper, the two buttons on the flowers and the orange Twinkle Goosebump is from the kit, everything else, my stash and new purchases. I cut the label using Sizzix Tags, Scallop Combo #2 and left it blank so I can write the recipient's name.

Now to see what other packaging items I can make.

Uhm, I wonder where the camera is. I haven't put things away...

Added: Found the camera and inserted the photos. It would have been rather horrid to link to Taylor's site without a photo.

Rats

No, not the animals. I just went to Taylored Expressions to post my last two cards and the submissions are closed. Was there a time listed? My tough luck. Here are the cards, though. I used the May Key Ingredients kit for both.

The 'Thinking of You' is Hero Arts 657776 Floral Stamps and Dies with Hero Hues Pool AF212. The rick rack is Martha Stewart's Felt Borders. I cut the flower out of Claudine Hellmuth's sticky-back canvas using the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die. It was then colored using Distress Ink Tumbled Glass with Turquoise Perfect Pearls in a mini-mister. Finally, the gem is from Doodlebug.

The flowers were stamped using Hero Arts CL495 Blossom Art and colored with Copics B34, B37, Y35 and Y38. I put Stickles Christmas Red and Yellow on the anthers. The 'Happy Anniversary,' a font on my computer. I couldn't believe I don't own a single anniversary stamp.

Well, I have more paper in the kit so that means I must make more cards! I just wish I had gotten these submitted. I guess that's what happens when you help someone with a grad party instead of posting. Ah, I would still help with the party.

The Box

This came in the mail today.

What is in there? Actually, I do know. I have been patiently, okay not so patiently, waiting for it.

Yes, a Vagabond!

I took the class 'A Cut Above' at Online Card Classes. What does that have to do with anything? I won, yes, won the Vagabond at this class. I've wanted one since I first saw Tim (Holtz, as if you needed his last name!) demonstrate it. And now I own one. As it came today, DH's birthday, should I give it to him? Nah, it's mine, all mine.

Now to play!

Good Decision

Just as I hit 'post' on the last entry, there was a major, MAJOR clap of thunder. If DH were home, he'd be on the front porch looking for lightening. And if it were dark, we'd probably be in the car chasing the storm.

You must keep in mind, here in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, thunder and lightening is an EVENT! It ranks right up there with snow. The difference, a quarter inch of snow closes school, thunder and lightening closes school only if the power goes out. We don't have lightening rods here.

The good decision? I wasn't out weeding. Had I been out there, I'd probably need to change my pants.

As I continued to play, I used the second sketch from Taylor for this card. And, of course, my Key Ingredients kit.

This time I used Fired Brick and Mustard Seed Distress Stain on the flowers. I cut another flower apart for leaves and stained them with Peeled Paint. 

The tag is Sizzix's Tags, Scallop Combo #2. I had pulled a tag from last month's kit and stained it with Peeled Paint. However, the kraft base changed the color too much to work on this card. Live and learn. Finally, the sentiment is from Hero Arts, Thinking of You, CL140.

The forecast today is for 'dry.' Just what that means, who knows. So far I've seen a beautiful blue sky and a cloud filled sky.  It's Oregon.

Play or Weed?

I voted for play. After several weeks of nice weather, it's threatening to rain. So really, I should be outside weeding because it's not raining. But why weed when I can play?

A couple of weeks ago I received my Key Ingredients kit from Taylored Expressions. Taylor posted the Subscriber Challenge May 21 and yesterday I finally got to work on it. As I was looking at the paper, trying to figure out what to do, I remembered this post. I love sketches and Taylor sending me supplies.

I did have to pull a couple of things from my stash. I used Spellbinders S4-117 to cut the green paper. To color the resist canvas flower I used Distress Ink Fired Brick and Perfect Pearls Forever Red mixed in a mini mister. The yellow jewel is from Doodlebug. Happy Birthday was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and Hero Arts CL139, Birthday Messages. And finally my Crop-A-Dile to round a few corners.

How easy Taylor makes it!

CDACPC18

Yes, the challenge closes tonight. Yes, I'm posting with an hour left. Yes, I believe procrastinating is not a good character trait. Yes, I failed in improving. Here is the card I finished six hours ago. Yes, I am just now taking a photo and posting.

I used the image provided by Doodle Pantry. I searched through all my digital sentiments and found this one by Create with TLC. I thought it was perfect.

Supplies: Copics B21, B24, B26, C1, C3, C5, E23, E25, E27, E50, E57, R20, R22, R24, R27, R29, Blender; Card stock Neenah Solar White and Echo Park Happy Days; Glossy Accents.

The answer is on the inside of the card: Because it had a split personality.

Finally!

My Distress Markers arrived! So I had to wait a few extra months, but FINALLY I get to play. I hope Ranger learned from this release.

CDAC17

Once again I'm pushing the deadline with the CDAC Progressive Challenge. I'm still coloring as I type. And it's not helping I'm watching 'Dancing with the Stars' at the same time.

After I started coloring, I realized DH took the camera. He is out of state. Now what? I guess I'm going to try my phone and see how it works. But I have to finish coloring first!

Okay, so the phone is not a good idea. I'll have to take another picture when the camera gets home this weekend.  Sorry, for the disservice to the image.



I chose the image by Designed2Delight. The buggy just kept calling me.

The base paper is Coredinations Foundations Mediterranean. The green is out of the Basic Grey Picadilly 6x6 pad. As usual, I printed the image on Neenah Solar White cover and colored with Copics: BG05, BV04, E23,  E25, E27, E29, E31, E33, E34, E35, R02, R05, R08, V05, W3, W5, W7 and Y04. The sentiment is from a My Favorite Things VIP kit and the flowers are Hero Arts CL265 Adorable Baby Girl.

The more I look at that picture, the worse it gets.

I printed the buggy on the green paper, colored the Neenah copy, cut it out and popped it up on 1/16" foam dots. I also stamped the flowers on the green and Neenah. I was dumb enough to cut those flowers out and glue them directly to the background.

That photo is really, really ugly. I'm going to bed.

A Cut Above

Jennifer McGuire, Kristina Werner, Nichol Magouirk and many guest designers taught 'A Cut Above' at Online Card Classes. Of course, I discovered I 'need' a lot more tools. I don't have near enough dies.

And I'm ready to head to Ranger and take my Distress Pens. I ordered them over two months ago. The store I pre-ordered through has sent three emails apologizing for the delay. I want to know just what was Ranger thinking? How could they have not expected the response to these pens?

Back to the class and the fun to be had there!

Day 1, Step Up Your Die Cutting. I could handle this one!

I used three of the Hero Arts and Sizzix stamps and diecuts: 657773 Antique Flowers & Butterflies, 657776 Floral and 657852 Garden Flowers. The butterfly is the only one I used both the stamp and die! One stem is from Garden Flowers and the other two from HA CL379 Stamp a Garden. Two of the flowers are from Floral with the third from Tim Holtz's Tattered Florals. Talk about mixing things up!

The flowers have Distress Inks Fired Brick and Spun Sugar on the edges. The stems are Shabby Shutters. The sentiment, HA CL139 Birthday Messages, was done with Memento Tuxedo Black.

The design papers are from Echo Park's This & That 6x6 pad. The brad in the center flower is from 7 Gypsies, I think, and the other two centers are from Making Memories. The green cardstock was cut with Spellbinder's S4-129 Classic Scalloped Squares Small.

My intent was to keep up with this class. The intent and the actuality obviously did not meet. Now to work my way through the rest of the class. DH will be gone on business this week so he won't have a clue as to how much time I spend with my toys. :D

Another Tag

I looked at those tags from the Taylored Expressions April Key Ingredients Subscription kit, found a sentiment from Hero Arts CL148 Happiness Messages, an image from Bugaboo Stamps and put them together. These are not colors I would normally use but that kit made it so easy.

The design paper, Simple Stories Fabulous, is zig-zagged onto brown cardstock, both from the kit. I threaded the ribbon, which is also in the kit, on the tag and tied a square knot. To save ribbon, it is wrapped around the sides of the card front and taped about 1/2" on the back. No point in using ribbon you can't see!

I colored Stella with Copics B000, BG72, BG78, C3, C5, C7, E00, E41, E21, E42, E44, E47, E49, E50, R11, R81, R83, R85, Y26 YR14, YR68 and the Blender. As Stella is so excited about another birthday, I added Spica Clear, Gold, Orange and Pink for some shine. She was then mounted on lagoon cardstock. Finally, I used Distress Ink Wild Honey around the edges of the card before adding all the pieces.

Here's to counting the days until the next kit arrives!

Subscriptions

Several months ago I signed up for the monthly Key Ingredients kit from Taylored Expressions. I am always leery of purchasing something I didn't pick out but I have had so much fun with them I'm glad I joined. There have been a couple of items I would never have bought but I've used them and they work! These kits are getting me out the rut I didn't know I was in. :)

Taylor also has a subscriber challenge. As April's kit had tags in it, the theme is "Tag You're It." I must admit, I didn't use one of the kit's tags but used Sizzix's Tags, Scallop Combo #2 and cut it from one of the papers in the kit.

I colored the Pure Innocence Bunch of Blooms with Copics, BG72, BG78, C3, C5, C7, E00, E21, E23, E25, E27, E50, R11, R81, R83, R85, R89, Y38, YG63, YG67, YR14, YR68. The blue flowers and green leaves are from Making Memories. The sentiment is from Hero Arts CL231 Happy Hello. Everything else is from the kit.

I now need to challenge myself and use a tag from the kit!

CDAC 16

The Progressive Challenge opened April 17 and closes April 30. I got my card made on the 19th. What's wrong with me? I guess the image by Wax Fruit Company inspired me.

Added Later:  So I didn't get this posted until April 30. Why? DH needed the camera for work. He brought it home one evening, I tried to take it, he told me he needed it to download his photos. I'm thinking, take the card out and put it in your computer. Today I got the camera. Just gotta love the guy.

I colored the camelia with Copics R81, R83, R85, R89, Y21 and Y35 and used Spica Lemon on the anther. The butterfly is from Hero Art's 657773 Antique Flowers & Butterflies. The ribbon is Bobbin Ribbon.

The butterfly paper and blue check is Simple Stories Fabulous. I found the yellow in Basic Grey's Picadilly.

Maybe the next round I'll get the card done early and get the camera!

Tax Day minus 1

Paulette, at Create with TLC, had a sentiment some time ago (2010 actually) that I really, really want to use tomorrow.

What are the chances of it triggering an audit?

Saturday I started working on my card for the current CDAC challenge. What! I didn't wait for the closing day? (I was tired of working on the taxes.) As yesterday was Sunday, and a day of rest (i.e. do not work on taxes), I got it finished. Crafting is relaxing, not working, so I figured it was okay. :D

I used the image provided by Bugaboo Stamps. I love Jodie's images. The bear is printed on Neenah Solar White cardstock and colored with Copics, B000, BG10, E30, E31, E33, E35, E37, R22, R24, R29, Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17, Y18 and the Blender. I used Spica Clear on the halo and wings. His nose has Black Enamel accents, the stars Glossy accents and the cloud Diamond Stickles.

Distress Inks didn't have the exact color I wanted to put on the edge, so I started with Tumbled Glass and covered it with Bundled Sage. I think it turned out.

I found the red in the Tropical Bazzill Basic paper pack and cut it with Spellbinders S4-129. The design paper is from Echo Parks 'Happy Days' and the bakers twine is My Mind's Eye Lime Twist 'Happy Day.' The sentiment is in Hero Art's CL264 'Precious Baby Boy.'

I don't know of any baby boys due to arrive, but I'm ready!

Back to the taxes. DH handed me a bunch of receipts. I looked through them and some were dated 2010. Men.

CDAC #14

I'm rushing once again! I got my card posted with 8 minutes to spare. Silly me. Now I'm doing the write up.

I do have a few excuses for being so late. I've had two family funerals and granddaughter #1 for six days. Not a lot of time to craft. Daphne wanted to 'make flowers' (stamp flowers and put rhinestones on them). We mailed one of her cards to her mommy.

Here's my card for the CDAC Progressive Challenge #14. The image was provided by Ike's Art.

I had a terrible time getting this photographed. The ribbon is actually green. I tried three or four different backgrounds and this pink showed everything the best. Go figure.

The design paper is from My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Two 'Rosy.'

The red is Bazzil Basics 'Watermelon.' As I love to color with Copics, the image is printed on Neenah Solar White. Copics used: B0000; E29, E31, E33, E34, E35, E37; G21, G24; R46; YG45, YG63, YG67 and the Colorless Blender. The green ribbon is from my stash. The sentiment is Hero Arts CL231 'Happy Hello' stamped with Memento 'Tuxedo Black.' Finally, I used Spica Clear on the geraniums and Spica Pitch Black on the sentiment.

Now that it is April, I need to start working on the taxes. I know I'll be needing some stress relief so I hope to make a card or two in the next couple of weeks. DH isn't very good at keeping his pig operation records so I will need to put the last year together. Yes, I should just take them over but that would be too easy on me. LOL

Cards for Emily

Dustin Pike has a post asking crafters to make cards for Emily. She is 7 years old and battling leukemia. Her aunt has a blog post here.

Dustin drew a set of images, Daisy and Buttercup, and will give one of the images to any one who makes a card. If you link your card at his blog, he will send you the whole set. Dustin is very generous in sharing his talent with us. Please follow his example and send a card to Emily.

Emily Ziemathis
5134 Berger Dr. SE
Lacey, WA 98513

Dustin isn't requiring you to use one of his images but I chose to use one of Daisy and Buttercup.

I colored this and my challenge card at the same time. That was part of the problem of knowing which Copics I used. I was busy pulling pens and not paying attention to which card got which colors.

I think cats are always up to mischief, thus the tag. Any horse that would let a cat sit on the reins is also up to no good!

I colored with Copics on Neenah Solar White. Hero Arts Powder, PS606, is the blue paper. The tag is from Hero Arts "I Love My Cat", CL135, and the grass from CL379, "Stamp A Garden", using AF209, "Green Hills". The clouds are an Imaginisce stamp.

I'm guessing the horse is Daisy as she has one in her forelock. I used Andirondak Dimensional Pearls "Wild Plum" coloring the daisy. The center is Stickles Yellow. The pink around the tag is Spica Pink. I also used Spica Clear on the noseband, reins and flower centers.

Finally, the bakers twine is from My Mind's Eye Lime Twist. It's the Happy Go Lucky "Hello".



My Life Is A Zoo

Dustin Pike's latest challenge fits my life perfectly! I started on it the same day as he posted, I just had a lot of coloring to do. I love to color with my Copics.

All of the images are from Dustin. Using digital images is so much fun as I can make them any size.

This is the first stair step card I've made. It was interesting trying to lay things out. I had pieces all over the place!

Here's a straight on look. I've got binder clips holding it flat. Is that cheating? It was the only way I could keep it from opening. :D

The next two photos are not the best. Trying to get everything to look focused was worse than laying it out.

The images were all printed on Neenah Solar White. I used so many Copics that I didn't keep a list! I will probably regret that someday.

The other two papers are Hero Arts Powder, PS606, and Celadon, PS603. The cloud stamp is from Imaginisce and stamped with Distress Stain Picket Fence. Hero Arts CL379, Stamp A Garden, has the grass image. I used Hero Arts Shadow Ink, AF142, Soft Green. And finally, I put some Glossy Accents on the frog's eyes. I couldn't help myself!

Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog's current theme is a 'Bit 'O Green.' I think I have a little green in this! A first for me! One card and it fits two challenges.



CDAC Challenge 13

On Monday I got my images for the CDAC Progressive Challenge. The challenge runs from March 1 to 14, that would be today. I really do need start working on these things earlier.

There were five images to choose from. I decided to use the image provided by Pattie's Creations.

I'm in the 'Thinking of You' mode! Actually, I've been creating with the plan to send them to Operation Write Home.

I colored with my Copics: B0000, BG92, E08, E18, E29, E77, G21, G24, G99, Y06, Y08, Y13, Y15, Y17, Y19, YG63, YG67. Yes, I like to use lots of colors. One flower is popped up on one 1/16" pop dot. Another one has two layers, each one on the 1/16" dots.

The paper is My Mind's Eye Stella and Rose 'Hattie.' Hero Arts, CL140, has the sentiment. I used Spellbinders S4-110, Classic Ovals Large, and S4-111, Classic Scalloped Ovals Large, to cut out the image (on Neenah) and yellow (from stash). The scalloped band is My Favorite Things die, Simply Scallops. Finally, I put Glossy Accents on the vase. Oh, my sewing machine sees much more paper than fabric. I zig-zagged around the blue paper attaching it to the brown paper.

Maybe I'll start earlier on the next round! Right, and it won't rain in Oregon tomorrow.

Thinking of You

Really, I have been.

Basketball is over so my duties as scorekeeper are done for the season. I've told the coaches to sign me up for next year. I had fun going to all the games. Of course, it might have helped that I had no children playing!

The girl's team didn't do so well. They started the season doing really well, but didn't make it to league playoffs. The boys ended the season by winning the state title in our division, schools between 226 and 399 students. This is the first time 'we' have gotten the state title. The game was a nail biter with a final score of 36-32. Not a high score, but the fourth time 'we' played and beat the second place team.

Enough about basketball!

I was reading a bunch of different blogs Friday. I found My Mind's Eye blog and wouldn't you know, they have a challenge going!

A few days before that, I had received my February Key Ingredients Subscription from Taylored Expressions. (I found it on February 20 so was on the late side of receiving it.) Guess who's paper was in the kit. Yep, My Mind's Eye, Lost & Found Two, Rosy. I tell you, it was a sign.

Here is the card I put together.

See, I told you I was thinking of you.

All the paper is from Rosy. The sentiment is Hero Arts Stamps & Die Cut Floral, as are the flowers. I sprayed the flowers and the yellow center with Perfect Pearls Mist Pearl. I let the yellow dry a little and then made the brad with my Imaginisce I-Top. The gem centers are My Mind's Eye Fine and Dandy Tickled Pink Bling. I don't know how long I've had them or if they can be found anywhere.

The leaves were cut with My Favorite Things Sheltering Tree & Leaf and Spellbinders Foliage. Finally, the three scalloped pieces were done with Fiskars Scallop Border Punch.

I'm still working on my photography skills. Keep in mind my genetic heritage! Dad's photos, people were from the neck down. You try and remember who wore what to figure out who the people were. Mom's, you either got the left side or the right side, never a whole person. Well, if you were standing in the middle you might be a whole person but not in the middle of the photo.

I'm just thankful for digital. I didn't have to print the 30 pictures of this card to find one that was semi okay.

Now I hope it isn't three weeks before I can make more cards.

Hi There!

I wish I knew why I wait until the last minute! Dustin Pike posted a challenge on February 11. I got my card finished and linked with one minute left. What? Didn't I know for days that I wanted to make a card?

Dustin's challenge was to use colors, any or all of red, purple, black, brown and pink. I managed to get all of them in there!





I'm not counting the black ink as the black. I colored the rabbit's nose black. I wish I owned a cloud stamp to break up the sky. However, if I did, I wouldn't have made the deadline. :)

Two of the flowers have a layer popped up on 1/16" foam dots and one has two layers on the 1/16" dots. I used my Copics to color. No, I didn't keep track of which ones I used. It was a case of grab and color. I'd pull one out, decide it wasn't going to work, throw it in a pile and grab the next one. Yes, I have a mess to clean up.

I really need to start working on these challenges earlier! However, this week DH is gone on business and I'm planning on doing some purging.

I'm wondering how much of his 'stuff' I can get rid of without getting into trouble. He believes if he throws anything away, he will need it next week. I have fears of being on the Hoarders tv show. But I had better be careful because my crafting supplies are not stuff and he might decide to retaliate!