It is All About Valentine's Day.

Happy Sunday!! I hope you are all doing well.

It has been quiet here on the blog as of late. My mojo has run away again!! I sit down and try to create but then just can't. I have done all my usual things to inspire myself (which includes shopping-which I am trying NOT to do.)

I sat down yesterday and today and created some cards in an attempt to get it back. All are Valentine's that will be going out this week for some family members.

I am TERRIBLE at sending cards so I made a bit of an effort to do so this year. I bought a ton of stuff for a package for Charlotte too that I am getting ready to send that out tomorrow. Yeah, I know that Valentine's Day is more a commercial holiday but my birthday is on the 15th so I always try to make it special for those around me. Makes ME feel good!!! I always feel more comfortable giving than receiving.

My first card was base on this weeks Freshly Mades Sketches #421.

Here is the sketch that inspired this card.

I stenciled the background using an Echo Park stencil and some pink and red dye ink. The letter is from Waffle Flower Crafts "Mailbox Die" and was die cut from a red cardstock scrap.

The penguin is Simon Says Stamp's "Picture Book Hugging Penguin" and the sentiment is from their "Love and Valentine's Word Mix 2."

Who says penguins are just for Christmas cards? I love how this turned out!!

My second card was inspired by this weeks CASE this Sketch #348.

I kind of flipped the sketch twice to get my design. The original was this:

I flipped it to this:

The little envelopes and the mouse are both from Waffle Flower Crafts. Again, I used the "Mail Box Die" for the envelopes and the mouse is from the "Sending Love" stamp and die set.

I have never bought anything from them before but I had to have this set. I loved that mouse!!! The sentiment is from the Hero Arts February kit.

I used pattern paper from Reverse Confetti "Sweet as Sugar" Collection on the front as well. I am loving that I am using more pattern paper on my cards!!! I am trying so hard NOT to buy any more but I always get sucked in by the pretty patterns.

My last is for Time Out Challenges #154 "Affectionate Challenge" and this weeks Paper Player's Challenge #477 "Red, Pink, Black and White" Challenge.

Again, I used the Penguin from Simon Says Stamp, along with the "Rainbow Heart" die.

The rose is from the Hero Arts and the sentiment is from the Ink Blot Shop.

I wanted to keep the "rainbow" in pink and red colors for Valentine's Day so I used a TON of scraps...and have plenty left over to use on on other cards.

This one is not my favorite of the three but it will be sent out tomorrow with the others!!!

Well, that is all from me tonight. I thank you for taking the time to stop by.

Have a FABULOUS night!!

A Challenge Card and Some Totally Random Creations

Happy Tuesday everyone!!

Just popping in with some cards I created.

This first card was inspired by some challenges.

I created the patterned paper using an Echo Park stencil on white card stock which I stenciled with MFT "Daffodil" and "Blue Breeze" die ink. I then adhered the panel to a light blue, A2, top folding card base.

I then stamped the sentiment using Sugar Peas Designs "Pucker Up" stamp set in black. I adhered a die cut blue banner on top and a white square over that. Next I adhered the lemonade images over the front of the square, using foam adhesive to pop up the glass and the lemon.

I am entering this card into Fusion Challenge Card Sketch and the colors by "Inspired By Hello Spring."

I was inspired by the sketch for the Fusion Challenge and the yellow and blue colors in the Inspired By photo.

My second random card design I made for a friend.

I die cut the Memory Box "Intricate Bee" out of gold glitter paper and mounted over a Memory Box "Honey Comb Stitched Circle Frame" die.

I die cut the thanks using WPlus9's "Basic Greetings" set, colored it in with a Spectrum Clear Sparkle marker and adhered it to the card front. I then covered it with Glossy Accents. I added a crown of embossed gold and tied some gold thread around the top.

My second card has the same card design BUT instead of using gold glitter paper (I ran out) I die cut the bee and embossed it in gold instead. I think I like it better.

Instead of using the WPlus9 greeting I used a die cut Lawn Fawn thanks sentiment.

Well, that is all from me today. I thank you for stopping by!! Have a great day!!

Supplies:

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

Card #1

Paper-PaperTrey Ink “Spring Rain,” Neenah Solar White

Stamps-Sugar Pea Designs "Pucker Up" stamp set

Ink-MFT “Blue Breeze,” MFT “Daffodil,” Ranger “ *Jet Black” Archival Ink

Dies-Sugar Pea Designs "Pucker Up," MFT Die-namics Blueprints #13, MFT Pierced Square Stack (retired)

Other-*Echo Park "Diagonal Buffalo Plaid" Stencil, *Ranger Ink Tim Holtz “Mini Round” Ink Blending Tool, Copic Markers, *Sizzix Big Shot Machine, *Glossy Accents, *Ranger Ink Multi-Matte, *Scotch Dot Adhesive

Card #2

Paper-Recollections A2 card base, Die Cuts With a View (gold glitter), Bazzill “Black,”

Dies-Memory Box "Intricate Bee" and "Honey Comb Stitched Circle Frame," WPlus9's "Basic Greetings," and *"Scripty Thanks"

Other-*Glossy Accents, *Ranger Ink Multi-Matte, *Scotch Dot Adhesive, *Ranger Ink Gold, *Sizzix Big Shot Machine, *Wagner Heat Tool, Gold DMC

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More Baby Cards!!

On my last post I stated that I had created multiple baby cards using a similar card design. I thought I would do a quick share with you.

I created the elephant using my Silhouette die cut machine. Isn't he the CUTEST? I loved him so much that I used it on every card I created for baby!!

Here is a close up of the little guy!!

I created this card with a slightly different background. Instead of layering paper, I chose to stamp pink polka dots and finish it off with a heart border. I don't like this as much as the first card but it works.

The last card was for my friend whom had a baby boy. I I think I like this the best. I am partial to blue!!

Have a great day!!

Nora

Happy Hump Day!!

It is Wednesday, the middle of the week and the day I think that is hardest for me to get through. Monday I know I have 5 days of work to go but Wednesdays just seem to drag even though I know I am am half way to the weekends. I miss my summer days of just doing anything I wanted! (But I don't miss not getting a check!!)

In honor of my lazy days of summer, I thought I would post four layouts that I created with a summer theme. The photos are from summer 2010 but the pages are ones that I created in July.

The first page I created was for Scrapjazz.com. I decided to play around with using mist for a title. I die cut letters out, stuck them to the page with temporary adhesive and then misted blue around them. I lifted the letters off after they dried and this is what was left. I love the effect and will be doing this again. I mixed goodies from Echo Park and Jillibean Soup to complete this page.

(If you want to know the specificsupplies I used, see this link. I was too lazy to list them all out today!)

The next two pages I created for an article over at Scrapjazz.com that reviewed the Splash Collection by Echo Park. These photos were taken on our vacation with my family in PA. Excuse the scan. I couldn't

get the blues to match on top no matter how I tried.

This page was really simple and fun to make. The papers were perfect for this photo of Charlotte and her cousins.

The last page is about how my two nephews loved to be buried in the sand. How cute are they? Again I had fun mixing Jillibean Soup products and Echo Park goodies. It is a bit bright but I like it!!

(Again, I am too lazy to post the supplies. If you want specifics, go to this link which will bring you to this page at Scrapjazz.com. All the supplies are listed there with links.)

I hope these bright and cheerful layouts will make you have a Happy Hump Day!!

Nora

A Little Springtime in Summer!!

We have been busy this weekend trying to stay cool. Once again I am uploading layouts to this blog that I have created over the last few months. This post will be all about "spring." Each page contains something to do with spring.

My first page is about how coloring Easter eggs is always an after thought in our house. I can buy a die kit months in advance like I did this year and we still wind up coloring eggs in the late afternoon of Holy Saturday. (Please excuse the scan. For some reason I have a difficult time getting both sides of a Kraft Cardstock background to meet up!!) I created this page for a challenge over at Scrapjazz.com this month. If you want, come on over and join us. If you create a layout and upload it, you will be entered into a random drawing for a prize pack from Scrapbook.com.

Supplies: Paper-Bazzill Kraft Cardstock, Basic Grey Sweet Threads-Boutique Shopping, Drapery Top, Knotted Shirt and Weekend Look, Die Cuts-Jillibean Soup-Dutch Mustard Soup Pea Pod Shapes and Watermelon Gazpacho Pea Pod Shapes, Paper Trey Ink border and banner die,  Stickers-My Little Shoebox Mini Alphabet-Sunrise and Jillibean Soup Watermelon Gazpacho Cardstock stickers Punches-EK Success Whale of a Punch Circle, Ink-Vintage Photo Ink , Pens-Zig Writer.


The next page is a simple page of Charlotte and her cousins on Easter. I love the striped border on this and the butterfly.

Supplies: Paper-Echo Park Splash Collection-Fish and Journaling, Jillibean Soup Watermelon Gazpacho 6" by 6" paper pad, Borders-Jillibean Soup Watermelon Gazpacho Soup Pea Pod Shapes and Bazzill Just the Edge French Vanilla Border, Stickers-Jillibean Soup-Glazed Green Cardstock Alphabet, My Little Shoebox Carnation Glitter Alphabet, American Crafts Thickers, and Heidi Swapp Bling, Pens-Zig Writer.


The last Spring page I designed I emphasized the white space. The photo was taken of Charlotte in Boston in a plaza by the Old North Church.

Supplies: Paper-Bazzill Kraft Cardstock, Jillibean Soup Watermelon Gazpacho Soup 6" by 6" Paper Pad, Die Cuts-Jillibean Soup Watermelon Gazpacho Soup Pea Pod Parts and Journaling Spots, Punches-Marvy Uchida Extra Large Scallop Punch, and Stickers-My Little Shoebox Glitter Alphabet-Ruby and Jillibean Soup Watermelon Gazpacho Soup Cardstock Stickers.

Thank you for perusing my blog. I hope you have a great week!!

Nora

Some new layouts!!

     I am taking a break from posting cards today to show you some of the layouts I have been creating. Lately I have been trying to stretch my creativity by buying supplies I wouldn't normally buy and using techniques that I haven't tried before. I have to admit that sometimes it can be a trial and error method of creating. I also do not love all the pages I have made by using some of the products I have chosen. However, it has put the fun back into scrapbooking again-something it has been sorely lacking.

     The first page I created by using mist sprays and layering paper. I started with the lightest color and sprayed in stages, letting it dry in between each mist. I really like how it came out and I think it enhanced this photo of Charlotte and her cousins.

Supplies: Paper-Bazzill-Red Devil, Aqua Fourz and Wedding Butterfly, Echo Park-Gingham Gabby, Sally Stitches, Cindy Circles Mist Sprays-Tattered Angels Marmalade, Jazz Blue and Lavender Fields Punches-Martha Stewart Himalayan Snowflake and Glacial Snowflake, Fiskars Apron Lace and EK Success Donut Chain Ink-Inkadinkadoo Red and Pink Chalk Ink Stickles-Lavender Stamps-Basic Grey Basic Notes, Letter Stickers-American Crafts


     My next layout I experimented with using a kit. I tend to buy papers and embellishments by the same company but I rarely buy kits because I don't tend to love all the papers that come with it. Echo Park's Little Girl Collection was an exception. I loved all the papers that came with it and so I decided to try using only products that came in the kit, with the exception of cardstock and some punches. I have to admit that this isn't my favorite page because of the bright colors but the colors went with the photos.

Supplies: Paper-Echo Park Cupcake Casey, Gingham Gabby, Cindy Circles. Journaling Cards, Bazzill Precious (Pink) and Wedding White Punches-Fiskars Scallop Sentiment and EK Success Small Corner Rounder, Scallop Circle Punch Stickers-Echo Park Little Girl Element Stickers and Little Girl Alphabet Markers-Zig Writers

     The last page in this post was also created with the Echo Park Little Girl Collection. The only thing I   added to the kit was cardstock, the use of a circle punch and ink, and journal strips. I cannot believe how young Charlotte looks in these photos!!

Supplies: Paper-Bazzill Iced Pink and White, Echo Park Betty Bird and Madison Plaid Stickers-Echo Park Element Stickers  Punches-Paper Shapers Photo Labels and Marvy Uchida 2" Circle Ink-Vintage Photo Ink by Ranger Ink

     I hope you enjoy my creations and they inspire you to challenge yourself to use techniques you never thought you would try.

Nora

A Long Hiatus!!

     I cannot believe I haven't posted here in so long. Life got a little busy and my ability to create was sacrificed. I am back on track and will be posting some new creations over the next few days. Some you might have seen over at Scrapjazz.com but I thought I would post it here too.

     The first couple cards I created with some stickers from Echo Park's Little Girl Line. I chose to do a "Birthday Theme" so that I would have a few cards on hand for some upcoming celebrations.

     I was in a "purple" mood when I created this card. The rich color makes the cupcakes POP!

Supplies: Paper-Echo Park Cindy Circles and Double Sided Journaling Cards, Bazzill White Dot, and Bazzill Purple Cardstock Stickers-from the Echo Park Little Girl Collection, Punches-Corner Rounder Stickles-Lime Green, Yellow, Orange Peel and Turquoise Ink-Vintage Photo by Ranger Ink Ribbon


     The next card was one of the easiest cards I have ever created. A sticker, two stamps, cardstock and simple embellishments was all it took.

Supplies: Paper-Bazzill Brown and Pink Cardstock,  Echo Park Gingham Gabby Stamps-Hero Arts Dictionary Greeting and Wish Stamp, Punches-Stampin Up! Slot Punch,  Marvy Uchida Scalloped Square and EK Success Large Corner Rounder Ink-Vintage Photo Ink by Ranger Ink and Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa Ink Floss-We R Memory Keepers, Brown Button

     This last card is my favorite of the three, though. Again, all I used was patterned paper, a stamp and a sticker.

Supplies: Paper-Echo Park Suzy Stripe, The Girls Paperie-Shabby Flower, My Little Shoebox-Made With Love Sticker-Echo Park Little Girl Element Stickers Ink-Vintage Photo by Ranger Ink and Tsukineko Memento-Tuxedo Black Punches-EK Success Large Corner Rounder, Stamps-Stampin Up! Stickles-Diamond Pink Ribbon

     I have to admit, I have never been a big fan of stickers. However, I will be taking a second look to use on my cards. Adding a little glitter glue kicks the stickers up a notch!!

     Have a great night!!

Nora