Happy Birthday

Sometimes I make something and am not very happy with it.  This card is one of those times.  I don’t know why, but it just didn’t go together right.  Actually, this is a rare case of a card looking better in the photo than in real life.  The Basic Grey Kioshi dp,Prima Gallery Roses-violet and Perfect Pearls can be found in the McMahon Five Designs store.  They have so many lovely items and are getting more and more in each week so go have a look.  While you’re there, be sure to check out all there lovely digis.  Next week, I’m going to work with one of them I think.  You never know though, I might just change my mind and do something else.

How as your week been going so far?  You’re half way through week!!!  It’s going to be hot one here!!!  By the end of August, I’m so tired of the hot weather and ready for fall.  How ‘bout you?

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:  Ribbon. buttons. yellow cardstock are Papertrey Ink; sentiment is Anna Griffin.

Challenges:
Papertake Weekly--3-2-1
Basic Grey Challenge--Fabric

Butterfly Wishes

I made this card for the Compendium of Curiosities challenge the Linda at Studio L3 has but I didn’t get it finished before the deadline.  But, that’s okay.  I’ll get started on this weeks challenge a little earlier.  The challenge this week was Distress Stickles.  It wasn’t a difficult or time consuming card to make, but the butterflies I made last night just didn’t work out.  So after our stamping party, I had to start over with the stickles so there was some drying time involved.  Then gluing on the butterfly’s antennae and it just didn’t get finished.

Speaking of the stamping party, we didn’t even stamp this time.  We made a crown; yes, I said a crown.  I haven’t seen these before.  Lynn had a book about the project and we all started with a ring made out of mat board and went from there.  I didn’t think to get a picture of the other’s but here is mine.  It’s still a work in progress.  I made this to put on my piano.  The sheet of music is the actual page torn out of my piano book.  It’s the last recital piece that I did when I was younger.  It even has my teacher’s handwriting on it.  I cut some crooked willow off of my mom’s tree to decorate the crown!  When it’s finished, I’ll get a close up for you and share again.

I love Lynn’s studio!  She has her artwork displayed everywhere.  It’s a very inspiring place!!!  I can’t wait to go again.

That’s it for tonight.  I hope you have a great week!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-ink; Image-Papertrey Ink; Sentiment-Papertrey Ink; Ink-Papertrey Ink Pure Black, Palette Black Noir; Paper-Tim Holtz; Gems-Kaiser Craft; Buttons-Papertrey Ink; Cuttlebug-Papertrey Ink butterfly die; Other from stash-Lace, ribbon.

Challenges:
ABC Challenge--Blue
Crafty Creations--Butterflies
Flutter By Wednesday--1 part sparkle, 2 parts designer paper and 3 parts buttons or gems
Charisma Cardz--Die cuts
Moving Along with Times--glitter
Get Sketchy--sketch
Stampin’ for the Weekend--Anything goes
Sentimental Sunday--Words to inspire

Happy Mouse

If you’ve ever lived in a house that had a mouse problem, you aren’t much of a fan of anything with mice, including House Mouse stamps.  But when Sue (McMahon Five Designs) sent me this House Mouse for Me? image, I thought I would give it a try.  Isn’t she adorable.  She looks so happy to see that tower of presents, just for her!!!  I colored her in a couple of shades of pink and green Copics and added some Kaiser Craft pink mini flowers with some Kaiser Craft pearls (colored with Copics).  Of course, you can get all these in the McMahon Five Designs store!

I hope you’re having a great week so far!  I’ve got a few things in the works—a fun Greeting Farm card that I’ll be back to post in a minute, I have three other images colored that I need to do something with plus some more “Truth” cards to share.  Not a dull moment here on the blogo!!!

Have a great evening!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-Copics; Image-House Mouse (McMahon Five Designs); Sentiment-Papertrey Ink; Paper-Basic Grey; Flowers and Pearls-Kaiser Craft.

Challenges:
Dutch Dare--Anything goes
Sketch Saturday--sketch

Spread Your Wings

Just a quick post to show you a quick card!  An easy peasy one.  Not much explanation need here! 

I’m not going to keep you today.  Be sure to have a great Fathers’ Day!  Give the men in your life a big hug today, okay!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Sentiment-Papertrey Ink; Ink-Papertrey Ink Pure Black; Paper-DCWV; Punch-Martha Stewart; Ribbon-Dollar Tree; Additional from stash-amber colored gems.

Challenges:
Charisma Cardz-All about bling
Colour Create-

Shabby Tea

So, I was looking around my studio yesterday, looking at stamps, thumbing through magazines and looking around the blogs for inspiration.  Then I came across The Shabby Tea Room design team call and decided that that would be my next project. They had this photo for inspiration… …and here is my interpertation.  I made a set for to give to someone who might be feeling a little down or ill.   Wouldn’t you love to receive this, well, if your kinda’ girly and like pink anyway.  But I’m really girly and love pink!  The tin is an empty International Coffee can with my favorite Red Rose tea!

Now, I probably should get out to the garden and do some work but really don’t feel like it.  I’ve got a couple of more hours before it’s shady so maybe I’ll get some time to play again!!!

I started my diet yesterday (except having to finish off the remaining ice cream).  I have ridded my house of anything sweet and chocolately.  I have to now get my sweet from fruit or yogurt.  My goal is to lose 15 pounds before Brave Girl Camp that starts on July 13.  It’s not that I want to be thinner for camp but it’s a goal.  I figure with the food that they will be serving at camp, I’ll be gaining a couple of those back. 

I want to lose another 15 pounds before my doctor’s appointment in September.  Then I’ll be back down below the weight that I was before my transplant.  I’ll reevaluate my weight at that time.  I’m hoping that will be enough.  Then I can just eat healthy and keep the weight off!!!  Wish me luck!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I always appreciate my lovely friends here on the bloggo!  Love you all!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-KLM Designs; Sentiment-Papertrey Ink; Ink-Papertrey Ink Sweet Blush; Paper-Papertrey Ink, K & Co.; Punch-MS; Ribbon-May Arts; Buttons-Papertrey Ink; Flowers-Wild Orchid Crafts; Cuttlebug-Nestabillities; Pins-Making Memories; Additional from stash-rick rack.

Challenges:
Pollycraft Monday-Ribbon and bling
A Spoon Full of Sugar-Floral delights
My Time to Craft-a card for someone special or a special occasion
Tuesday Taggers-All that blooms
Jugs Challenge-Digital
Cupcake Inspiration-
Allsorts-Lace and/or buttons

Grateful Butterflies

2nd Post for the Day!

When I saw this inspiration from the Etsy Inspired challenge… I knew I wanted use this beautiful Hero Arts doily stamp.  I just love how this turned out!!!  I used the colors and butterfly for the Embellish Magazine challenge.

Okay, I have one more for tonight so I’ll be back in a bit!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Image-Hero Arts; Sentiment-Papertrey Ink; Ink-Versa Mark; Punch-Martha Stewart; Embossing Powder-Ranger; Additional from stash-black jewels.

Challenges:
Cute Card Thursday-No designer paper
Delightful Sketches-texture
Etsy Inspired-Inspiration
Embellish Magazine-color and butterflies

Cody’s Papa Ron

Hello my peeps!  I wanted to get this posted really quick to let you all know that their is going to be another Squigglefly release this weekend.  When I first saw this image it just brought a smile to my face.  My great nephew walks around with anything he can find that looks like a cell phone and talks into it “Papa Ron, Papa Ron.”  It is so much fun to watch.  Papa Ron is my brother! 

We have a new artist again this week, Mark Hicks.  I received two of his images and they are adorable!!!  I’ll have another one later in the day.  I have it all colored and just need to put it together.

I’m hoping to get my car into the shop tomorrow.  I was going to go yesterday but when I fell I hurt way to bad to sit around a shop for the afternoon.  Speaking of that, I feel quite a lot better today.  As long as I wear a sports bra my ribs don’t hurt too bad.  There are some other aches and bruises but I’m sure I’ll heal fine.  Thanks so much for all the well wishes.

Have a great Friday.  To my U.S. friends, I hope you have some fun planned for Memorial Day weekend.  I don’t really have anything planned.  In our neck of the woods, the town pretty much dies on summer holiday weekends.  Everyone heads for the mountains and some camping.  I’m hoping to get up their for awhile sometime this summer!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Image-Squigglefly; Medium-Copics  All other supplies are Papertrey Ink.

Challenges:
The Pink Elephant-orange
Digital Tuesday-Cute people
Papertake Weekly-sketch
Charisma Cardz-Going round in circles
Dutch Dare-2 dp, 3 colors, 4  buttons
Dare U 2 Digi-One for the boys

Buttons and Ruffles

Third Post for Today.  Please scroll down for more!!!

I have wanted to participate in Moxie Fab World’s Tuesday Trigger for some time but I just never seem to get to it until this week, the last week of Tuesday Trigger as we know it.  Cath said they will be making changes to Tuesday Trigger.  Here is the inspiration photo…and here is my take on it.  Lot’s of Papertrey Ink on this one.  I kinda like how it turned out.  How ‘bout you?

I actually saw a set of dishes just like the inspiration at a thrift store in Brigham City, Utah and I didn’t get them.  I kick myself in the butt every time I think of it!

That’s it for today.  I’m going to work on my post about my stamping party now.  You’ll be able to see it tomorrow!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Image-Papertrey Ink; Sentiment-Papertrey Ink; Ink-Papertrey Ink Spring Rain and Fresh Snow; Buttons-Papertrey Ink; Additional from stash-lace and ribbon died with Papertrey Ink Pink Blush.

Challenges:
Crafty Creations-Encouragement/celebration
One Stop Craft-birthstones
Secret Crafter-No patterned paper
Corrosive Challenge-CAS

Squigglefly Challenge

With all the Mothers’ Day hype yesterday, I totally forgot to post my Squigglefly challenge card.  I made a wedding card using papers and lace from my niece's wedding scrapbook that I still need to complete!  I used a new image that is going to be released on Saturday.  With Holly’s help, I turned the image blue to match my blue and gray papers.  Just to show how versatile the images are, I stamped a Papertrey Ink sentiment over this wonderful journaling image.

That’s it for now.  I’ll come back with the deets later!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Image-Squigglefly; Sentiment-Papertrey Ink; Ink-Papertrey Ink Pure Black; Paper-K&Co.; Punch-Martha Stewart; Ribbon-Michaels, lace-Joanns; Cuttlebug-don‘t remember the name of the folder; Additional from stash-pearls, glue gun.

Challenges:
Simon Says--celebrations
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge-wedding
Charisma Cardz-wedding
One Stop Craft--wedding
Creative Inspirations--congratulations

Squigglefly Whale

I promised another fun Squigglefly image drawn by Jackie Matthews and here it is!  When I saw this cute image I knew it needed to be made into a baby card.  I went with very unconventional colors for this cute image.  The whale is really orange but looks brown in this scan.  It will be so fun for a new baby or 1st birthday card, don’t you think?

My camera is at my sis’ house here in town so I’ll be getting it tomorrow.  Yay!  I like the photos much better than the scans.  I have another migraine today so I’m just creating my way out of it.  I have another card to share but I’m waiting to take a photo instead of a scan.

I’ll be back tomorrow with some more fun!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Squigglefly; Paper and buttons-Papertrey Ink; Cricut Cartridges-George (circles).

Challenges:
Lexi’s Creations-animal
Get Sketchy-sketch
Allsorts-animals
Pile it On-Boyish colors

Blossoms and Butterflies

I have been trying to get some cards made for this weeks challenges so I haven’t been around much.  You might remember that I said my sister was going to be here this week and then I will be in Utah the next week so I need to get some DT work done so I don’t have to worry about it for the next two weeks!  Not sure that I’ll succeed but I’m well on my way!  This beautiful dogwood blossom drawn by Lynne Stansberry was released yesterday at Squigglefly.  They released several images yesterday and will be releasing more soon.  I’ll be showing you another one that was released yesterday for the challenge tomorrow.

I used my favorite color combination for this card.  This color combo is just good enough to eat!!!

I have one more yummy card that will be up soon.  so don’t stay away too long!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Squigglefly; Paper-S.E.I.; Punch-EK Success; Buttons-Papertrey Ink; Cuttlebug-Nestabilitties; Additional from stash-ribbon, buttons.

Challenges:
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge-Anything plus buttons
Inspirational Card Sketches-sketch

Butterfly Blues

I told you yesterday that we were having a great sponsor, didn’t I?  Well, it’s none other than everyone’s good friend, Stef, you know Glitterbabe!!!  Stef gave each of us a couple of butterfly images to play with so I decided to make a CAS card using one of the butterflies.  For the top of the card I used Core’dinations paper from the Nostalgia stack.  I love this stuff!  The core is a shade lighter than the outside of the paper which gives it such a nice effect when embossed and sanded!!!  And Papertrey Ink’s Aqua Mist cardstock is the same color as the core making it so simple to coordinate!!!  Lucky me!

The challenge this week at FBW is to use sparkle (what else would you think when Glitterbabe is our sponsor) on your creation, as well as a butterfly, fairy or angel.  Now head on over to the Flutterby Wednesday blog and see what our lovely guest designers came up with and then click on the links in the right sidebar  to see what all my lovely teammates made! 

That’s it for now!  Come back again, will ya?

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-Copics; Image-Glitterbabe; Paper-DCWV, Core‘dinations, Papertrey Ink; Ribbon-Michaels; Cuttlebug-Victoria embossing folder; Additional from stash-rhinestones colored with Copics.

Challenges:
The Pink Elephant-nature
Digital Tuesday-Blue and white plus 1

Timeless Flutterbies

I’m tellin’ ya’ right up front.  I almost forgot to finish my Flutterby Wednesday card.  Shame on me!!!  I painted the image on Sunday!  If you remember, I had a migraine on Sunday and the best thing to deal with them is to watercolor something.  I pulled out this stamp and then the light bulbs lit!  This image is perfect for the FBW’s blue and green challenge!  Yay!!!  But then I didn’t remember to put the card together until about 1:00 am today.  Ya Wednesday!  So I finished what I was doing and then put this card together.  Now that I’ve taken the photos, weeded through them to find the best one and compiled this post, it’s after 3:00 am. 

What’s my point, you ask?  You ain’t gettin’ any details ‘till tomorrow!!!

Anyway, the challenge at FBW is to use the colors blue, green and white on your creation, as well as a butterfly, fairy or angel.  That’s it, pretty easy so there’s no reason not to play along.  Unless you don’t have blue and green paper, pencils, markers, etc.  But I betcha’ do!!!

Now head on over to the Flutterby Wednesday blog and see what our lovely guest designers came up with and then click on the links in the right sidebar  to see what all the other lovely Flutterbiers made!  They are all so wonderfully talented so you won’t want to miss out on a post.  Leave ‘em some love while your there, ‘kay?

I think I channeled my inner hillbilly tonight so I’m goin’ to bed and I hope she’s gone by tomorrow.  I have a couple cards that I haven’t gotten around to posting yet so, hopefully I’ll get to those tomorrow. 

See ya’ later, alligator!!!  After awhile crocodile!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolor; Image-Inkadinkado; Ink-Stazon; Paper-DCWV Luxury, Papertrey Ink; Punch-EK Success; Ribbon-Michael‘s.

Challenges:
Creative Card Crew-Vintage, aged
Tuesday Taggers-Bug (sponsored by the Craft Barn)
Simon Says-It’s so distressing

Fantabulously Late

For some reason, I cannot remember to post for my Monday projects!  I have already set windows calendar to remind me to schedule a post on Sundays.  That said, it’s a Fantabulous Monday!!!

The challenge this week at Fantabulous Cricut is to create an Easter project in pastel colors.  I used Design Studio to weld mirror images of the blackout water can from the Stretch Your Imagination cart to make a card base.  I then cut the regular water can in DP.  Cute card, huh.  Oh, I cut the little birdie of the top.  I think this is one of my favorite techniques using Design Studio.  You can make a card out of any cut using DS. 

I tied a little corsage at the top – Isn’t that cute?

I’ll make this quick because I just got up.  I know, I know – Why so late?  Well, I didn’t go to sleep until 4:00 am.

Talk to you later!!! 

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Image, Sentiment, Ink, Button-Papertrey Ink; Paper-DCWV; Punch-EK Success; Flowers-Wild Orchid Crafts (colored with Copics); Cricut Cartridges-Stretch Your Imagination; Cuttlebug-Nesties; Additional from stash-ribbon, pearls.

Challenges:
Kaboodle Doodles-Shaped card
Lexi’s Creations-Easter
Stamp with Fun-Easter
A Spoon Full of Sugar-Easter
Stampin For the Weekend-Easter
Sketch Saturday-sketch

Lilacs and Lemons at Papertake Weekly

It’s my last week as guest designer for Papertake Weekly.  It’s been great this past four weeks and what a great pleasure to work with these ladies.  The challenge this week is to use lilac and lemon on your creation. 

When I first thought of this color combination I didn’t really know what I would do with it.  So I pulled out some lemon tart and lavender moon Papertrey Ink paper and decided I didn’t need anything else.  I almost ALWAYS use DP but I’m really happy how this turned out!

I used my brand new Willow image from Whiff of Joy and my Copics!!!  I picked up a skin toned Copic the other day so that I could use the Copics to color people as well.  I still do love my watercolors but Copics give a completely different look and they are a lot quicker.  And they are a lot of fun to play with!!!  I won’t be using them all the time yet.  I don’t have enough colors to do much shading.

Come back tomorrow for Flutterby Wednesday.  It’s going to be another great week!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-Copics; Image-Whiff of Joy; Paper, ribbon-Papertrey Ink; Cuttlebug folder; Additional from stash-pearls.

Challenges:
Cute Daisy May-Anything goes
The Pink Elephant-spring
Cute Card Thursday-Celebration
Whiff of Joy-join Cute Card Thursday challenge
Pile it On-Pastel colors

Spring Wellies

Just (what should be) a quick clean and simple card again.   It seems that I really struggle with CAS sometimes.  When I started thinking about embossing the kraft, I remembered that I had this border Swiss dots die which I love but seldom use!  Now, I really like how it turned out!

I made this card for the Papertrey Ink spring color challenge using these colors.  I don’t have Papertrey kraft (Provo Craft) or vintage cream (Bazzill) so I substituted something close.

I’m working on a tag swap that I joined late in the game so I won’t be working anything except challenges until probably Monday.  I hope you don’t miss me too much!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Image-Papertrey Ink-Daily Designs; Sentiment-Papertrey Ink-Daily Designs-Sentiments; Ink-Papertrey Ink, S.E.I; Paper-Papertrey Ink, Provo Craft, Bazzill; Punch-EK Success; Embossing-CB borders folders; Additional from stash-pearls.

Challenges:
Papertrey Ink Challenge-color challenge
One Stop Craft-Optimistically pink
Saturday Spotlight-Clean it up

Buttons and Bows with Papertake Weekly

2nd Post today.  Please scroll down to see more!

I’ve got another week with Papertake Weekly for you today!  The challenge this week is to use buttons, bows, bling and/or brads on your creation.  I used buttons and bows!  Pretty easy for me because I use buttons and bows a lot!!!

Be sure to go the the Papertake Weekly challenge blog and see the lovely creations by the design team and then make some time to play along!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Image-Papertrey Ink; Sentiment-Papertrey Ink;
Ink-S.E.I. chalk ink; Paper-Making Memories; Buttons-Papertrey Ink; Punch-EK Success, Marvy;
Additional from stash-ribbon.

Challenges:
Cupcake Craft-Round and round
Stamp Something-DP buttons, ribbon

Sew Material Kindness

I know that post title doesn’t make any sense, but it’s catchy!!!  It goes with the sentiment:  “Friendship is sewn with love and measured by kindness.”

I went to Archivers the other day to use my coupon and pick up my five free sheets of cardstock and guess what they had in stock?  The new Cosmo Cricket Material Girl DP pad.  I LOVE this paper.  There isn’t a sheet in it I don’t like.

I wanted to make a card with it right away but didn’t have time this weekend so I worked on it today.   As I started to put this together, I realized that this card really needed some stitching which I haven’t done on a card before so I dug out the sewing machine!

Three things about using stitches on your card for the first time: 1) Use the correct color of thread.  Can you see the stitching on this card?  It’s not much better in real life.  2) Don’t use a zig zag stitch until you know you can stitch straight on paper.  3) Don’t make rounded corners.  I’m thinking, don’t make rounded corners EVER if you want to stitch but especially not with zig zag!  The corners were HARD! It doesn’t help that I haven’t sewn in years.

Anyway, I’ve taken the plunge and I’ll probably do it again but not on a regular basis.  It’s just not for me.  However, I will definitely be using my sewing machine to paper pierce.  That looks really cool!

Have a great Tuesday everyone!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-watercolors; Image-Tim Holtz; Sentiment-Papertrey Ink; Ink-Stazon Brown, Distress; Paper-Cosmo Cricket Material Girl; Punch-The Paper Studio; Additional from stash-thrift store buttons, ribbon, twine, pattern paper (for the flower).

Challenges:
The Pink Elephant-Add green to your color combo
Simon Says Challenge-Vintage with flowers
Truly Scrumptious-sketcb
Scrappy Frogs-stitching
Secret Crafter-Stitching

Butterfly Dreams

It’s Flutter By Wednesday today!  Yay, I love Wednesdays!!!

I didn’t use one of my stamps that the guy in the Big Brown Truck left.  I just couldn’t get the inspiration with that one.  But I used another one I love.  Plus, I got to play with my Copics again!  I really love how this turned out however it really looks even better IRL.  Oh, the sentiment is from my new set!

I wish I would have colored the flowers a different color but I still have a limited number of colors.  With the Copics Club at Paper Maniac, I am accumulating shades of each color but still have limited colors.  I can’t wait to see what the come up with for March’s set.  Me thinks green, huh?

That’s about it for tonight except to say that the challenge is open this week and, of course, to use a butterfly, fairy or angel on your creation.  If you'd like to play along, go check out all of the other lovely DT blogs by clicking on their links on the right sidebar and then go to the Flutter By Wednesday challenge blog to link up your card.  While you’re there, be sure to check out the lovely GDT creations.

Are you tired of looking at Valentine’s yet?  Hopefully I’ll get my background and header changed by tomorrow!

Blessings,

Christine

Deets:
Medium-Copics; Image-Anna Griffin; Sentiment-Papertrey Ink; Ink-Palette Black Noir; Paper-DCWV Luxury; Pearls-American Crafts; Additional from stash-ribbon, embossing powder.

Challenges:
Creative Belli-wings

Fabulous Flowers

Another quick card for a PTI release challenge.  This time the challenge was to make a card and make some floral embellishments and put them on an acetate sheet to include in the card.  The flower on the outside and the floral embellies are made with a QuicKutz die set.  Everything else is Papertrey Ink.

Blessings,

Christine