Thhinking of You with CAS-ual Fridays Stamps

Happy Saturday everyone!! I hope you all have been enjoying your week.

I start work again on Monday so I have been milking this last week of vacation for all it is worth. This summer FLEW by so fast this year that I really am not ready to go back!! No cleaning done this week but lots of crafting and visiting with girl friends who are difficult to see while I am working.

Today it is my turn over at the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Blog. In honer of the end of summer, I created more of a fall card. I used Freshly Made Sketches #302 as my design inspiration.

I combined three CAS-ual Fridays Stamps sets-"Autumn Blessings," "Full on Floral," and "Pretty Posies" to make this card.

I started out by doing a bit of ink blending with Distress Inks over a stencil on white card stock to get my circle. I then stamped the sentiment from "Pretty Posies" in brown dye ink underneath. I adhered the white panel over a top folding A2 sized brown card base.

Next I die cut the acorn using CAS-ual Fridays "Acorn Fri-dies" from a scrap piece of polka dot patterned paper and some kraft card stock. I shaded the bottom of the acorn with brown ink and adhered the acorn top over it.

I then die cut the leaves from some white card stock and then did a "stamp kissing" technique over the top of them.

I inked up the leaf stamp from "Autumn Blessings" with red dye ink.

I placed the non inked "Full on Floral" stamp over the inked leaf and then lifted it up.

The floral image took away a bit of the red ink and left an impression on the solid stamp. I then die cut some veins out of brown card stock and adhered them to the red leaf.

I adhered the leaves to the circle and used foam adhesive to pop up the acorn a little bit.

If you like the stamp sets that I used or feel like a shopping spree, use my code nora2017 at the CAS-ual Fridays Stamp Store to get 15% off your total order.

Again, I used Freshly Made Sketches #302 as my layout inspiration for this card.

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

Stamps:

   

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Freshly Made Sketches #278 and Seize the Birthday Challenge "Anything Goes"

Hello everyone!! I hope everyone has been enjoying their Sunday!! Bitter cold here after a little snowstorm we had on Friday. Spent the day snuggled up inside the house, not doing much of anything.

Today I am going to show you a card that I created for the Freshly Made Sketches #278 Sketch and Seize the Birthday "Anything Goes." Once again I have been playing with my camera, trying to get better shots of my projects but all my experiments were bad. I wound up going with the darn light box again, and I need better lights!!

I know that this card is not exactly like the card but my card was inspired by it. My shape, aka balloons, are a little higher then I would have liked but it didn't work any lower. This is an example of what is in my head does not necessarily translate into reality.

Here is the Freshly Made Sketch that I used for this card:

 

I started off my card by cutting a blue scrap of pattern paper and adhering it to the card. I then created a background using CAS-ual Fridays Stamps "Shenanigans" stamp set, stamping in light gray on a white background. I knew I would be putting another sentiment over it so I didn't want the paper to be too overwhelming.

I added the paper over the blue and then adhered the little streamers that I had stamped and cut using PaperTrey Ink's "Birthday Style" stamp set. This set is as old as the hills but it worked for what I wanted it to do.

I die cut and blended the balloons, adhering them over some die cut strings. The sentiment is from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps "Frankly'isms" stamp and was stamped last.

I chose the colors to be more masculine in nature. I have a hard time making cards for men and wanted to do something a little more funny then cute.

On a more personal note, I had a really bad week. Payroll fell for a phishing scam and all my district's information is out there now. Some people filed tax returns, finding out that they already had been filed falsely. My husband did ours and ours were not. Probably because I would have owed if I filed myself!! Now I have an eagle eye watch on all things credit related and am just so frustrated. I really, really dislike people who steal on the web-and I really don't care the reason.

Also worried about budget cuts on our local, state and federal level. I find it so annoying that on a state level, that our government cannot make the cities be more fiscally responsible. We pay A LOT of property tax and it annoys me that I have to bail out cities like Hartford due to stupid financial decisions. I thought I was able to let go of some of the stuff I cannot control but budgets do effect whether I have a job or not so all this uncertainty gets to me after a while. I have been so grumpy and irritable the whole week and my stomach has started to hurt. Even working out has not helped me!!

Anyway, finally had a good cry yesterday and today I feel a bit better. I also did some color therapy, joining in the Thirty Day Coloring Challenge, which also helped.

Well that is all for me today. I will post the cards I create from the coloring sometime this week. Just have to get the mojo working!!

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and for reading this LONNNNGGGG post. I appreciate all your comments that you so generously make. Crafters ROCK!!

Nora

Supplies:

Stamps-CAS-ual Fridays Stamps “Shenanigans” and “Franklyisms,” PaperTrey Ink “Birthday Style”

Dies-PaperTrey Ink “Birthday Style,” Lawn Fawn “Party Balloons”

Ink-WPlus9 “Fairy Dust,” Simon Says Stamp “Island Blue,” Stampin Up! “Certainly Celery,” Ranger “Jet Black” Archival Ink

Paper-Recollections “White,” PaperTrey Ink “Select White,” Stampin Up! “Pistachio Pudding,” Bazzill Black

Other-MISTI, Big Shot, Spectrum Noir Clear Sparkle Pen, Scotch Dot Adhesive, Foam Adhesive, Ranger Mini Ink Blending Tool

PTI Make It Monday #276 and Freshly Made Sketches #277

Hello everyone!! I hope you all are having a fabulous weekend. Cannot believe it is late Sunday afternoon. It sure goes by fast.

Charlotte and Chris were away at a robotic competition so I had the weekend to myself. I never mind the first day but two whole days in a row without anyone home I start to miss them. I think my dog does too because he wants constant attention!! It does not help that Chris was away on business this week so he didn't get any Daddy time.

Since I had a block of time yesterday, I made a bunch of cards. I will be sharing three with you today.

The first two are for PaperTrey Ink's "Make It Monday Challenge #276." Melissa Phillips challenged everyone to use colored pencils on kraft paper.

For my first card, I heat embossed PTI's "Botanical Blocks" with gold and used Prismacolor Pencils to color the image in.

I am going to apologize for my photos. They are quite dark and I could not get them any lighter. I need a better lighting system then I have right now. I actually took all the cards I made this weekend and photographed them in three different locations to see if I could get better lighting and wound up back with my light box!!

I layered the Kraft card stock over some "Lemon Tart Bitty Dot" (retired) patterned paper that I had die cut using PTI's "Basic Bookmark #3" die.

I wrapped a bit of jute around the top and then used Scrapbook Adhesive Foam to pop the panel up over an A2, top folding notecard that I had covered in Basic Grey patterned paper. I could not photograph the effect but my last step was cover the flower with Spectrum Noir Clear Sparkle.

My second card I created for this challenge I used PTI's "Botanical Blocks II" stamp set. I actually like this card better then the first.

I started off in basically the same way by heat embossing with Ranger Gold embossing powder but then die cut the panel using the matching dies.

I stamped a sentiment from PTI's "Bitty Butterflies" set onto a top folding A2 card using Hero Arts "Lavender" ink. I then layered a gold panel in the middle of the card stock.

I finished the card off by using Scrapbook Adhesive Foam to adhere the Kraft panel over the gold. My last step was to cover the flower with Spectrum Noir Clear Sparkle Marker.

The last card I created I used Freshly Made Sketches #277 as my inspiration.

I started off by stamping Art Impression's "Celeste" stamp onto white card stock and coloring in with Copic Markers.

I enhanced the image by using Wink of Stella in "Clear" and "Gold," and covered the bracelet and the wine with Glossy Accents.

I die cut the panel using an MFT "Blueprint #13" die-namics and  layered the panel over an "Aqua Mist," A2, top folding card. I added the black embossed sentiment strip using foam adhesive.

The last touch was to add a few clear sequins. I also stamped the envelope (as well as the inside which I forgot to photograph) using Paper Smooches "Free Spirit" stamp set.

I had fun making all these cards this weekend. I want to thank you for stopping by today. Have a great night!!

Nora

Make it Monday Card #1

Supplies:

Stamp- PaperTrey Ink "Botanical Blocks"

Paper- Paper Studio "Kraft," PaperTrey Ink "Lemon Tart Bitty Dot," Basic Grey "Fiction" and PaperTrey Ink "Aqua Mist"

Ink-Delicata Golden Glitz

Dies-PaperTrey Ink "Basic Bookmark #3"

Other-Ranger "Gold" Embossing Powder, Wagner Heat Gun, Prismacolor Pencils, May Arts Jute, Spectrum Noir Clear Sparkle Marker, Sizzix Big Shot, Scrapbook Adhesive Foam

Make it Monday Card #2

Supplies:

Stamps-PaperTrey Ink "Botanical Blocks II" and "Bitty Butterflies"

Paper-Paper Studio "Kraft" and Stampin Up! "Pistachio Pudding," Tonic Studios "Metallic Mirrored Card Stock"

Ink-Delicata Golden Glitz and Hero Arts "Lavender" 

Dies-PaperTrey Ink "Botanical Blocks Basics Die" and MFT "Blueprints #13"

Other-Ranger "Gold" Embossing Powder, Wagner Heat Gun, Prismacolor Pencils, Spectrum Noir Clear Sparkle Marker, Sizzix Big Shot, Scrapbook Adhesive Foam, 

Freshly Made Sketches Card

Supplies:

Stamp-Art Impression "Celeste," Art Impressions "Wine Tasters" stamp set, Paper Smooches "Free Spirits"

Paper-PaperTrey Ink "Aqua Mist" and "True Black," Copic Mini Pack of Paper

Dies-My Favorite Things "Blueprints #13"

Other-Clear Sequins, Ranger Multi-Matte, Glossy Accents, Wink of Stella Clear and Gold markers, Ranger "White" Embossing Powder, Sizzix Big Shot, Wagner Heat Gun, Scrapbook Adhesive Foam, Copic Markers

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First Post of the New Year and Some Cards

Happy New Year everyone!! I know I am four days too late but I think that is still okay to say, right?

You can hear echoes on my blog over the past month. The holidays kicked my butt and if that didn't take up my time, Charlotte wound up being sick right before Christmas and stayed out of school for a couple days.

Our Christmas was wonderful and we spent time with some of my family. Is it weird that I want to share this with you? I should have posted last week and it might be more relevant!!

Char in front of our tree before we unwrapped our presents. I didn't even gussy up my daughter and my husbands present as I usually do. I only did it for friends as I just didn't have the energy. I think I am going to wrap as I go along next year. Anyone do this?

Me and Charlotte at my sister's house. Trying to just be and not bother if the "perfect" photo is taken of me or not. One of my good friend's lost their mother last week and it just hit home having the photos is more important then looking perfect!

My nephews and niece with Charlotte.

I bought the game "Shut Your Mouth" and we had so much fun playing it with the family on Christmas day. Nothing but laughs!! I even have my Dad on video and it is something I will cherish!!

Charlotte and my niece. Cannot believe how grown up they are!!

Now for some cards!! To be honest, I have NOT been creating in a prolific way as of late. Me and my mojo had not been meeting up at the same time. When I wanted to create something, I didn't have the time. When I had the time, my mojo was no where to be found. I did do A LOT of shopping but THAT is a whole different post!

Anyway, on Monday I created a couple cards for some sketch challenges but as I always do, I never photographed them in time to submit. I decided to post them anyway.

I created this card using Freshly Made Sketches #268 as my inspiration.

I know, I know, it is a Christmas card BUT in my defense, I only created about five holiday cards this Christmas and decided I was not going to wait to the last minute to make Christmas cards in 2017. I used up ALL of the photo cards I ordered that I send out to close family/friends this year and resorted to having to send out some pre-made cards to a few people and was horrified! I also wanted to use this stamp set from Hero Arts called "Kelly's Noel." I bought it in November 2015 and NEVER INKED IT UP!!

Another thing I decided to start doing is to use patterned paper more on my cards. I have a ton but for some unknown reason in my head, I hoard it!! This paper is "Merry Little Christmas" from My Mind's Eye that I "think" I bought last year? I only have about ten 6" by 6" pads full of Christmas paper so who knows!!

I love the pink and green together. I think this kind of Christmas card is good because it is simple enough to be able to do in assembly line style and rather flat so it mails well.

For my next card, I used a sketch #157 from "Match the Sketch" Challenge Blog.

I used the Simon Says Stamp "Time for Wine" stamp set and dies that has been sitting on my desk for months.

I decided to experiment with my Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers for these fun images. I then covered many of them with Spectrum Noir Clear Sparkle Marker and Glossy Accents. The Glossy Accents made the color run a bit but I think it looks kind of cool.

I used some Heidi Swapp patterned paper that I have been saving for the background. I like the black with the purple. The sentiment is from Paper Smooches "Free Spirits" stamp set. I needed something small enough to fit on the end of the flag and this was perfect.

I adhered one wine glass and the leaf with foam adhesive and the rest of the stamped images with Ranger Multi-Matte. The sequins were my last touch. I actually was only going to use three BUT I got a black smudge on the white banner where the big sequin is to the right. The addition of yet another sequin covered the boo boo right up!!

I love how this card came out and will share another card I created with this same set tomorrow.

Well, that is all from me tonight. I thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog. As always, your visits are appreciated.

Have a FABULOUS night!!

Card #1:
Stamps-"Kelly's Noel" by Hero Arts
Inks-"Soft Green," "Green Hills," "Bubble Gum" and "Red Royal" by Hero Arts
Dies-My Favorite Things "Pierced Square Stax" and "Blueprints #13"
Paper-Paper Trey Ink "Sweet Blush" card stock, Neenah Solar White card stock, My Mind's Eye "Merry Little Christmas" 6" by 6" paper pad
Other-Big Shot, Glossy Accents, Spectrum Noir Clear Sparkle Pen, sequins

Card #2:
Stamps-"Time for Wine" by Simon Says Stamps, "Free Spirits" by Paper Smooches
Dies-"Time for Wine" by Simon Says Stamps, "Fishtail Flags" by My Favorite Things
Paper-Neenah Solar White card stock, "Favorite Things" 6" by 6" paper from Heidi Swapp
Ink-Ranger Archival Black, Paper Trey Ink Smokey Shadow
Other-Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers, Ranger Multi-Matte, Big Shot, sequins, Crystal Spectrum Noir

Freshly Made Sketches #243, As You See It Challenge #138 and SJ Card Kit "Extras"

Hello everyone! Was able to get into my craft room today after a very long week.

My stepmother lost her mother this week. It was very sad all around, though a blessing as well. My stepmother is a fabulous person and I just hated to see the pain she was going through. I cannot say that she was not prepared as her mother was 93 and had been ill but I don't think that you ever are fully prepared for a death, especially your mother.

On top of that, I have been searching for a dress to wear to a wedding next week. Nothing I try on is doing it for me. Hate shopping but I have been more then I like to this week!!

So today I am showing you a card that I created for "Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #243" and "As You See It Challenge #138," which was to use the colors red and white. I have played with the "Freshly Made Sketch Challenge" before but this is a first for me to enter the "As You See It Challenge."

This is the card I created for both challenges:

I had a picture in my head of how I wanted this card to come out but could not execute it. I knew when I saw the red and white challenge that I wanted to use my My Favorite Things "Etched Flower" stamp and heat emboss it with my American Crafts Zing embossing powder in "Rouge." 

My first three tries at doing this were not so hot-even though I did all the correct steps. It was MADDENING!! I finally switched the ink I was using from Versamark to Hero Arts Pigment Ink in "Unicorn White." It made all the difference! I then die cut my panel using an Avery Elle "Wonky Stitched" die and adhered it to my card using foam adhesive.

I die cut a leaf out of vellum using PaperTrey Ink's "Turning a New Leaf" die and a butterfly out of patterned paper using Memory Box's "Pippi Butterfly." I then adhered them to my card front.

I embossed a sentiment from My Favorite Things "About Sympathy" stamp set in white on a strip of "Red Hot" card stock. I then adhered it to my card front  using foam adhesive to finish it off.

I really like how it came out but am not happy that it took me so long to do. I am not a huge fan of heat embossing so just doing that technique stressed me out! Who wants to stress when they are supposed to be having fun?

Again, I am entering this card into "Freshly Made Sketches # 243", as well as "As You See It #138."

 

On another note, I created three cards out of extras that I had left over from my card kits. I was supposed to blog them on Thursday but could not due to searching for that dang dress and the wake. Better late then never I guess!!

The first two are very similar. Everything came in the kits with the exception of the teal card stock. 

I wanted to jazz up the card front a bit so I used my Martha Stewart mini scorer to score some lines on this card.

My second card I did some die cutting for the oval and on the sentiment, and layered everything in a cluster.

This card is my favorite. I did some ink blending behind the deer, as well as some stenciling. I then blended the same ink on the sentiment block.

I had colored the deer with Copics and layerd that over the sentiment.

My last step was to adhere the sun, which was a die cut scrap that I already had in my stash.

That is all for today. Hope you have a fabulous night!!