College Tours and a Little Trip to a Lavender Farm

Hey everyone!! I have not been around in a week or so. Last week we went on a road trip for Charlotte to tour some colleges. We toured American and George Washington in D.C. and then Clemson in North Carolina.

In between we went to family in Atlanta and in Charleston. We spent the night in a new place almost every night so the trip was exhausting!! So far out of all the colleges we have visited, she likes American the best. Kind of funny because we forced Charlotte on this tour because after browsing the web site, she didn't like it. In person, though, she really liked it. That is why you visit the colleges I guess!!

We then had a great time at my cousins house. So funny that after all these years, we still try to see each other once a year. Charlotte LOVES to visit too!!

No cards today. I have had time but no mojo. Instead I have been shopping but Shhhhh....Chris does not know!! I have lots of stuff coming in next week. Oops!!

Charlotte and I took a small road trip today to a Lavender Pond Farm in Killingworth, CT. It was so pretty and the perfect temperature to browse the gardens. It smelled so good!!

I practiced using my camera today a little with the bee houses. I mainly take photos on automatic after being in a photography class with students this past spring, I tried to take it off this setting. I wanted to blur out the background and have the flowers in focus for this photo. Just fooling around and I kind of like it!!

I LOVED these bee houses. Aren't they pretty!!

Charlotte was actually cooperative for photos today too. (Only wish I had thought to have her wear something different but was not prepared to be really taking photos today.) She was not able to find a job this summer and she is a bit bored. When you look to your mother to be the entertainment, you are in trouble!!

We had the most delicious Lavender Lemonade and I bought some tea for one of my friends that is having a rough time. I am hoping it will help her de-stress.

Well, that is all from me today. Sorry no card!! I hope you have a fabulous night!!

Take 2 with CAS(E) This Sketch #230 and Sunny Studio

Hello everyone!! I hope you are all enjoying your Sunday.

I am popping in for a quick post to enter CAS(E) This Sketch #230 with another card.

I used the same stamp set that I used for the card I created on yesterdays post-Sunny Studio "That Sucks" stamp and matching die set. I flipped the sketch, though, for this card.

Like yesterday, I used Pretty Pink Posh's "Storybook #1" die. Instead of doing different colored panels, I shaded white panels in with Ranger "Vintage Photo" Distress Ink.

The background is a scrap piece I had in my drawer. I thought it went perfectly with this card.

That is all from me today and probably for the next week. This week is CRAZY with things to do!!

I hope you all have a FABULOUS Sunday!!

CAS(E) This Sketch #230 with Sunny Studios and TGIF Challenges #116 with Concord and 9th

My exciting Saturday night has been filled with editing photos. I wanted to get a bunch done while my computer was cooperating!!

I am posting two cards I created for two separate challenges. The first one I created for CAS(E) This Sketch #230. I used Sunny Studio "That Sucks" stamp and matching die set in coordination with Pretty Pink Posh "Storybook #1" die.

My interpretation of the sketch was to shrink the three panels down so I could use the PPP die. 

I also wanted to use some of my patterned paper that I have been collecting. The background is from Bella Blvd "Make Your Mark" paper pad.

I colored in the vacuum with Copic Markers and used Glossy Accents over the hearts.

The rectangles are paper scraps. They matched perfectly with the fun patterned paper!! 

For my second card, I used Concord and 9th's "Orange You Sweet" stamp set and the TGIF Challenge Sketch # 116.

I was really excited as I received these stamps in the mail on Thursday and I just HAD to use them to make a fun, summer card. This sketch was the perfect excuse!

I switched the bow on the card to the left as it went better with my design.

I used Hero Arts "Lemon Yellow" and Simon Says Stamp! "Key Lime" ink for the fruit. My Favorite Things Die-namics Blueprints #13 were used for the banner.

I have to say that making this card cheered me up and sparked my mojo right up!!

Well, that is all from me tonight. I hope you all have a fabulous night!!

Friday Fun with CAS-ual Fridays and Chameleon Pens

Hello everyone!! Today I am on the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Blog with two fun projects I created pairing two CAS-ual Fridays Stamps "Pretty Posies" set and "Mon Ami" with Chameleon pens.

I had never used these markers before and it was SO MUCH FUN!!!

Here is a sneak peek of my cards:

For the full card and details, as well as to enter into a random drawing for a $25 Gift Certificate to the CAS-ual Fridays Shop, hop on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Blog!

Chameleon is also offering a prize package so be sure to hop on over to Changing Color, the Chameleon blog!!!

Thank you for stopping by!!

Chameleon “Color Tone” 22 Pen Deluxe Set

Stamps-CAS-ual Fridays Stamps “Mon Ami” and “Pretty Posies”

Dies-CAS-ual Fridays Stamps “Mon Ami Fleur Fri-Dies” and “Posies Fri-Dies”

Throwback Thursday and Some Computer Issues

Hello everyone!! I have not been as active this month as I had planned for my blog. Life got in the way.

One of my good friends husband's died last week, leaving seven year old twins. He was only forty-five. It has left me without my mojo, pondering my own mortality. I just ache for my friend and her beautiful children. Not much I can do but support her but just let her know I am there for her. I made dinner for her tonight but what is dinner? It is just so inadequate. Why do the people who are good always the ones to pass away?

A beautiful thing her brother did this weekend was to plant a tree in their yard in memory of her husband and all his friends are going to plant flowers around it to honor him. We are choosing flowers that will bloom from spring until fall. I am going to plant tulips. They are one of the first flowers to bloom around here in the spring and thought that will be fitting as a wake up from the grays of winter.

Another lovely thing going on around here is my computer is running out of working memory. I have a TON on this computer and do have an external hard drive but my programs are not working right. I want a new computer with more memory but computers cost money and I am sure that everyone knows how that goes!!!

As I have been cleaning it off, I have been finding OLD projects that I have not posted on my blog. Figured I would post a few here.

The first is a card that I created. The photo is a bit blurry but this is one of the first cards I ever used Copic markers on. This is an old PSX Wood stamp-a company that I so miss.

 
Again, a page I created in 2009. This was Charlotte (left) and my niece. My sister took them to a park and did a photo shoot with them. I miss this age!!!

This is a total candid of Charlotte at the park in 2008, scrapped in September 2009. I used Basic Grey products on this. I so miss this company!!

Anyway, that is all for today. I have a new project tomorrow on CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Blog. There will be a sneak peek here too!!

Just so you know too, there is a clearance sale going on at CAS-ual Fridays Stamps. All stamps in clearance are $7.77!!

Thank you for stopping by!! I hope everyone has a fabulous night!!

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"Sassy Smiles" with CAS-ual Fridays Stamps

Today it is my turn for some inspiration for the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Blog.

I combined the "Sassy Smiles" stamp set with one of my FAVORITE Fri-Dies-"Linked" (now on the retirement list!!) for a super easy card.

My first step for this card was to use the "Linked Fri-Dies" to die cut the border. I then blended "Wilted Violet" Distress Ink in different shades across the border.

I took the remaining part of the white card base and did the smooshing technique with the same color ink. I set the card front aside to dry.

While the card front was drying, I used the "Smiling Fri-Dies" to die cut the smile sentiment out of a scrap of purple paper three times. I then glued these three layers together.

Once the card front was dry, I adhered the card front together with the border, using a scrap of acetate as a base.

I did a bit of masking and stamped "it's the one thing that always fits" from "Sassy Smiles" with black dye ink above the purple border. I then adhered the the die cut "smile" above the stamping.

I added some clear sequins around the sentiment and topped them off with silver Stickles. The last step was to apply Glossy Accents to the die cut word and border. I wish you could see this in real life because it is a cool effect.

Have you seen the sale that is going on at CAS-ual Fridays Stamps?

Michele is cleaning out the old to get ready for the new sets and the prices on the retiring products are out of this world!! You can even use my code-nora2017-to get an EXTRA 15% off these fabulous prices!!

I am sad because some of the sets are my all time favorites. Get them while they last!!

I thank you for taking the time to stop by today!! Have a FABULOUS Monday!!

Supplies:

Stamps-“Sassy Smiles”

Dies-“Smiling Fri-Dies” and “Linked Fri-Dies” (retiring)

Paper-Neenah Solar White, acetate and purple patterned paper scrap

Other-Sizzix Big Shot, “Wilted Violet” Distress Ink, Memento “Tuxedo Black” ink, Clear Sequins and Silver Stickles

More Fun With Tonic Nuvo Glitter Paste

Hello everyone!! I cannot believe it is WEDNESDAY already!! This weekend flew by.

Had a fun weekend renovating our bathroom-though it is far from finished. Lots of touch ups and I am looking for shelving/organizing stuff.

We also had my cousins down and went to the USA vs Ghana Practice World Cup game. Such a mixed crowd but really fun to watch. The last soccer game I went to was Charlotte's when she was in seventh grade. Professional soccer is actually FUN to watch!!

Today we spent two and a half hours sitting at the DMV to get the license that Charlotte earned on Friday. She now can OFFICIALLY drive by herself!! I will be making her do some grocery shopping trips now instead of me going!! Yeah!!

Now for a card. No challenge or occasion, just playing around. I used Nuvo Glitter Paste in "Tanzanite Lavender" with the Hero Arts "Peacock Feather" stencil for this card. Can I tell you how much I LOVE this color? The photo cannot do it justice!!

I even die cut the panel and the glitter did not crumble off. I only have a few colors of this but have a bunch more on my wish list. I only waited about four months to use the darn stuff!!

It also looks like a different color depending on the light.

The sentiment was heat embossed on purple in white and from PaperTrey Ink. Peacocks do fly-something I researched before I put it on this card!!

That is all for today. I appreciate you stopping by. Off to experiment some more with this fun product.

Supplies:

(affiliate links used when possible at no extra cost to you)

Stamps- PaperTrey Ink “Feather Finery”

Paper-Neenah Solar White, Bazzill “Pansy”

Stencil-Hero Arts “Peacock Feather” Stencils

Dies-Dienamics Blueprints #1

Ink-Ranger Ink “Glacier White” Pigment Ink

Other-Tonic Studios - Nuvo Collection - Glimmer Paste - “Tanzanite Lavender,” Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Wagner Heat Tool, Ranger Ink “Superfine White” Embossing Powder, Scotch ATG ¼” Adhesive Gun, Ranger Ink Multi-Matte, Tombow Adhesive Foam Squares, Pretty Pink Posh “Sparkling Clear Sequins Mix” DMC Floss, Ranger Ink Palette Knife

A Second Card for CAS(E) this Sketch #228 with Nuvo Glitter Paste

Happy Saturday!! I hope you all are having fun!!

Just a quick drive by to post another card I finished last night for CAS(E) this Sketch #228. I posted my first card last night. I liked how it came out but when I was cleaning up my supplies, another idea just popped into my head and I had to execute it!!

I die cut a “Peacock Feather” from white card stock using an Elizabeth Craft die. I then COVERED the feather in "Emerald Green" Nuvo Glitter Paste. I was not sure how I was going to like this but let me tell you-it was SO MUCH FUN TO USE!!!! I used a palate knife to spread it on the delicate die cut and then used Stickles glitter glue for the gold and teal color in the middle of the feather.

While the feather dried, I used an MFT die to die cut the white card front. I then dripped Ranger Ink Distress Spray Stain in Peacock Feathers and Picket Fences over the top. You could not see the white from the Picket Fence Spray so I added some Heidi Swapp "Gold Lame” Color Shine to the mix. I dried it with a heat gun and adhered the misted panel to my favorite teal card stock that is now retired. I used Ranger Ink Multi-Matte to adhere the feather onto the card front.

I then die cut the "hugs" sentiment from my FAVORITE gold card stock EVER. It photographed very badly and I apologize for that. I HOARD this stuff because not only do I love the color gold that it is but it die cuts like butter.

I adhered this on the card and added a stamped sentiment from PTI's Big Hugs stamp set under it, using foam adhesive.

I am in love with how this came out and had a blast using the glitter paste. I had so much fun that I created another card using glitter paste with a stencil but will be posting that later in the week.

Again, I am entering this into CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge #228.

Two cards for one challenge is a first for me!!

Thank you for taking the time to stop by. Have a FABULOUS day!!

Supplies:

(Affiliate Links used when possible at no extra cost to you)

Stamps-PaperTrey Ink “Big Hugs”

Paper-Stampin Up! “Taken With Teal” (retired), Neenah Solar White, My Minds Eye “Dark Molasses” Tonic Studios “Christmas Gloss” Mirrored cardstock

Dies-Elizabeth Craft Designs “Peacock Feather,” MFT  Die-namics Blueprints #13, Paper Smooches “Hugs and Kisses”

Ink-Versamark Ink

Adhesive-Ranger Ink Multi-Matte, Scotch Dot Adhesive, 3L Scrapbook 3D Adhesive Foam Squares

Other-Stickles Glitter Glue-“Peacock” and “Golden Rod,” Tonic Studios - Nuvo Collection - Glimmer Paste -”Emerald Green,” Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Wagner Heat Tool, Ranger Ink Gold Tinsel Embossing Powder, Heidi Swapp “Gold Lame” Color Shine, Ranger Ink Distress Stain Spray-“Peacock Feathers” and “Picket Fences”