Vacation and a Card for a Past Challenge

Happy Monday everyone!! Today is kind of a dreary day here but the weather is not hot or humid so I will take it!!!

Today I am posting a few things. First, a card I created for "Freshly Made Sketches #298." I was hoping to have time to post it before we went on vacation last week but never got the chance to edit it.

I used PaperTrey Ink's "Butterfly Hope" stamp set which has sat in my NBUS pile for a long time. I needed to send some encouragement cards and this set was perfect. I also created a matching envelope while I had everything out.

Here is the sketch:

I used Altenew Dye ink cubes and  Memento Ink in "Tuxedo Black" to stamp my images.

I didn't have a piece of blue paper to match the blue in the butterfly so I did some ink blending on a piece of white card stock, stamped the sentiment in black and die cut it using a My Favorite Things "Pierced Square Stax" die.

To finish off the outside of my card, I added some sequins and black jewels randomly around the card.

I also stamped the inside of the card with a matching butterfly.

Just an FYI, the white panel looks wonky in this photo. I had not stuck it down inside the card yet and it drifted a bit to the right.

This ends the post part with the card. Now onto vacation photos!!

Last week we went rented a house in Rhode Island. My father and stepmother stayed with us and my sister and family rented a different house a couple streets away. Charlotte had a BLAST seeing her cousins every day.

The weather was PERFECT the whole week and the water was not as cold as I thought it would be. The first night I was able to take a few photos of the sunset as we walked along the beach after dinner.

Unfortunately that was the only night I was able to take as we were either eating or making dinner at that time all the other nights. I also did not get up for a sunrise either. Our house was on the main drag and every night people were loudly walking home from the bars at closing time. I am a light sleeper so that was not fun for me. Wound up sleeping in way too much!!

The last day we had a little photo shoot with the family.

This is my father, my stepmother, Charlotte and three of her cousins that were there.

This is me with my father and sister, Jen.

My sister was even able to get a half way decent photo of the three of us. Why I wore those darn sneakers, though, is beyond me!!

Well that is all for today. I appreciate you stopping by!!

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

Stamps-PaperTrey Ink "Butterfly Hope"
Ink-Altenew "Fired Brick Red" and "Persian Blue," Memento "Tuxedo Black"
Dies-My Favorite Things "Pierced Square Stax"
Paper-PaperTrey Ink "True Black" and "Stampers Select White"
Other-MISTI, Jelly Gems, Doodlebug Design Sequins-"Ladybug", 3L Scrapbook 3D Adhesive Foam Squares , Sizzix Big Shot Machine,
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CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Sneak Peek Day 4-"Puffy Heart Love"

It is Friday here and FINALLY you will be able to buy the fabulous stamp sets at the CAS-ual Fridays Stamp Store!!!

Today I am here with a sneak peek to the last new stamp set-"Puffy Heart Love."

For this card I created a background using some oxide inks in pink, yellow and orange. I did a smooshing technique multiple times, drying the background with a heat gun after each pass through the inks.

Next, I stamped the sentiment on vellum using the new CAS-ual Fridays Stamps "Puffy Heart Love" with gold pigment ink and heat embossed it with gold tinsel embossing powder.

I layered the sentiment over the dried background panel and used gold washi tape above and below the vellum to adhere it to the paper. I then adhered the whole panel to a top folding A2 sized card.

The last step was to adhere some sequins in the pink and yellow randomly around the card front. I used Stickles to add a dot of glitter glue inside of each sequin for more sparkle.

Here is a picture of the full "Puffy Heart Love" stamp set:

To get this stamp set, as well as the other stamp sets revealed this week, hop on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Store. If you used my code-nora2017-you can get 15% off your total order, including sale items!!!

For more examples using this stamp set, please go to the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Blog. There will be a full set of links for each of the Design Teams blogs. Don't forget to comment so you can be entered into a random drawing to win this new stamp set!!

I appreciate you stopping by today. Have a FABULOUS weekend!!

CAS-ual Fridays Stamps August Reveal Day 3-"Mermaids"

I hope you are all enjoying the fun reveal this week from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps.

Today is day three of the reveal and I have two cards that I created using the new "Mermaids" stamp set.

For my first card, I used  blue Distress Inks to do a "smooshing" technique to create a blue background on watercolor paper.

I then used pigment ink and white embossing powder to stamp and heat emboss the mermaid silhouette.

I adhered the stamped square to a dry embossed, white, A2 sized card front. I adhered a sentiment strip that I had stamped using the "Breathe" stamp set. I used glossy accents on the bubbles and added a couple of blue sequins for some shine.

My next card made a one layer card using one of the sentiments of the "Mermaids" set and the small shell images.

I first stamped the sentiment three times on with blue ink onto the front of the card. I then covered all three with Glossy Accents.

After that was dry, I randomly stamped shell images around the sentiments. I covered the solid shells with a sparkle pen and Glossy Accents. The finish the card I used some ombre floss to wrap around the top and tie in a bow.

Here is a sneak peek of the whole "Mermaids" stamp set:

This set will go on sale August 4, 2017. If you used nora2017 you can get 15% off your total order-including all sale items!!

Want to see some more projects using this fabulous set? Hop on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Blog for a complete list of links for the Design Teams blogs!! Don't forget to comment to be entered into a random drawing to win this stamp set.

Tomorrow is our last day of the reveal so do not forget to stop by for one more day!! Thanks for taking the time to peek at my blog today!!

Supplies:

Embossed Mermaids Card

Stamps-CAS-ual Fridays Stamps-”Mermaids,” "Breathe"

Paper-Neenah Solar White, Strathmore 9 x 12 Watercolor Paper Pad, Bazzill “Robin’s Egg”

Ink-Ranger Ink “Glacier White” Pigment Ink, Ranger “Salty Ocean” Distress Ink, Ranger “Mermaid Lagoon” Distress Ink, Ranger “Tumbled Glass” Distress Ink, Memento "Tuxedo Black”

Dies-Die-namics Inside & Out Stitched Rounded Square STAX

Other-Ranger Ink “Superfine White” Embossing Powder, Wagner Heat Tool, Scrapbook Customs “3 by 3 Acrylic Block,” Taylored Expressions “Snowfall,” Sizzix Big Shot Machine, 3L Scrapbook 3D Adhesive Foam Squares

Shellebrate Card

Stamps-CAS-ual Fridays Stamps-”Mermaids

Paper-Neenah Solar White

Ink-Hero Arts "Tide Pool"

Other-Ranger "Glossy Accents," DMC Floss

CAS-ual Fridays Stamps August Reveal Day Two-"Tutu"

Happy Wednesday!! Today I have another new stamp set to reveal from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps.

I created two cards with the new "Tutu" stamp set. I have to admit that this set is my favorite!!

On my first card, I used a pigment ink and magenta embossing powder to stamp and heat emboss one of the ballerinas from the set on black card stock.

I then die cut the circle and arranged it over an A2, top folding card that I had covered in striped pattern paper.

To give the ballerina a bit of pop, I die cut and punched different sized circles out of pieces of pink pattern paper that I had in my scrap pile.

I stamped the sentiment, also from the "Tutu" set onto a white paper strip and then cut it up to disperse the sentiment over the front of the card.

On my second card, I decided to do a bit of coloring. I stamped one of the ballerinas from the set with black dye ink and used gel pens in pink and purple to color in the flowers in her skirt. Gel pens are great for these flowers as they can get in the small, tight spaces.

I then used glitter glue and Nuvo crystal drops for the middle of each flower. Doesn't the skirt almost look 3D?

I tied a piece of twine around the panel and adhered it to an A2 card base that I had covered in pink patterned paper. So simple!!

Here is a sneak peek of the complete stamp set:

This stamp set will be for sale on Friday, August 4, 2017 at the CAS-ual Fridays Stamp Store. Don't forget to use my code-nora2017-to get 15% off your total order-including sale items!!

To see some more projects using this stamp set, hop on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Blog. Michele has posted the entire list of the Design Team's blogs for more "Tutu" fun!! Also, do not forget to post a comment for a chance to be entered into a random drawing to win this fun stamp set.

Thanks for hopping over today. Tomorrow there will be another stamp set revealed so remember to stop on by!!

Supplies:

Tutu Embossed Card

Stamps-CAS-ual Fridays Stamps “Tutu,”

Paper-Stampin Up! Basic Black

Ink-Hero Arts Pigment Ink “Pastel Pink”

Other-Ranger Ink “Magenta” Opaque Shiny Embossing Powder, Wagner Heat Tool,

Tutu Gel Pen Card

Stamps-CAS-ual Fridays Stamps “Tutu,”

Paper-Neenah Solar White

Ink-Ranger “Jet Black” Archival Ink

Markers-Kaisercraft Gel Pens “Kaisercolour 24”

Other-Stickles Glitter Glue-“Magenta,”“Lavender,” Ranger Enamel Accents-“Gumball”

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CAS-ual Fridays Stamps August Stamp Reveal Day One-"Flower-case Alphabet"

Hello everyone!! I have been busy in my craft room over the last few weeks getting ready for this week. It is reveal week over at the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Blog for the new stamps that will be in the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Store starting on Friday, August 4, 2017!!

Today I am showcasing a card I created with the "Flower-case Alphabet" stamp set. Now you can make any word you want!! I used the letters from this set to create a "hello" card.

I stamped the letters using a MISTI to line them up in a straight line and colored them in using Chameleon Markers.

I then used a mixture of Glossy Accents and Nuvo Crystal Drops for the middles of some of the flowers.

I finished off the card with a flower from the "Pretty Posies" set and a leaf from "Mon Ami."

Here is a photo of all the stamps included in the entire set. Isn't this set fun?

Want to see more cards using these stamps? You can hop on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Blog for the entire blog hop list!! Don't forget to comment so you can be eligible for a random drawing to win this set!!

Just remember that this set will be for sale on Friday, August 4, 2017 at the CAS-ual Fridays Stamp Store. Use my code-nora2017-to get 15% off your total order, including sale items!!

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to come back tomorrow for two new cards from another brand new set!!!

Supplies:

Stamps-CAS-ual Friday Stamps “Flower-case Alphabet”

Paper-Neenah Solar White , Green A2 Card

Ink-Memento "Tuxedo Black”

Markers-Chameleon “Color Tone” 22 Pen Deluxe Set

Other-Nuvo Crystal Drops “Apple Green,” Nuvo Crystal Drops “Dandelion Yellow,” Nuvo Crystal Drops “Apple Green,” Glossy Accents,
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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!!