Winnie and Walter Gradient Challenge with Vanessa

Hello, Hello, Hello!! Today I am going to to a really quick post to show you the card I created for Winnie and Walter's Gradient Challenge with Vanessa. This card was probably the easiest and quickest I have done in a long time.

I started by taping off the front of a 4 1/4" by 5 1/2" card. I then inked a mixture of "Salty Ocean" and "Tumbled Glass" distress ink with an ink blending tool into the gradient design on the right. I then moved my tape over slightly and added a second, thin gradient line to the left of the first. Instead of starting with the darkest color on the bottom like I did with the first gradient, I swapped it and started with the darkest color on top. This was so easy and so fun to create!! (The photos are a bit "blue" and I apologize. I had a hard time fixing these in PS.)

I then stamped the "you" from Winnie and Walter's "Big Bold You" set with versa mark ink and heat embossed it with holographic ink. It does not show up as I wanted it to so I tried to ink a bit of the "Salty Ocean" ink over it. I then stamped the "thank" with the same color blue.

The last step was to adhere some sequins and rhinestones. This will not require any additional postage and was so easy to make that I could do a bunch at one time.

I want to thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog today.

Supplies:

InLinkz.com

Faux Shaker Card for Winnie and Walter's First Anniversary Bash!

Happy Monday everyone!! We have today off for Martin Luther King day. While Char is studying for mid-terms, I decided to post one of the few cards I created on Saturday. I finally had bit of mojo so I went with it and created three cards. That is a record for me! It takes me SO LONG to do one card, let alone three. I also made mistakes in the process and had to start over for some of them.

Today I am sharing a card I created for Winnie and Walter's First Birthday-"Shaker Challenge with Julie." However, there is a bit of a twist. I have made shaker cards before but even though they are all the RAGE, I do not like them. They are bulky, take too many steps and I often don't wind up sending them. I decided to create a "faux" shaker card instead.

I decided that I wanted the color scheme to be in white and silver. I based the card design on a different Winnie and Walter Birthday challenge-"Sketch Challenge with Joni."

I eliminated the two banners because they didn't work with my card. Here is how I created it:

• I die cut a pinked edge circle out of a 4 1/4" by 5 1/2" piece of white card stock. I then misted it with Heidi Swapp "Tinsel" Color Shine. 

• While that piece was drying, I die cut a circle out of silver glitter card stock. I then die cut a square piece of vellum and attached that to the back of the silver piece.

• On the front of the vellum, stamped the Winnie and Walter Sentiment in Versamark ink and then heat embossed it with black embossing powder. I then adhered this piece to the misted front of the card.

• Next,  I took the white card base, lightly penciled in a circle and used glossy accents to adhere silver and white sequins around the inside of the circle.

• Using foam tape, I covered the non sequined front of the card base and carefully adhere the front to the card. 

• My last steps was to adhere silver and white sequins randomly on the front, as well as add three stars that were die cut out of white glitter paper.

I really like how this came out and it was so fun to do. Can you tell it isn't a "real" shaker card? I also don't have to throw it away because it does not leak!! You could do this with any type of shaker card you wanted. If you wanted to add a bit of glitter, you could use a bit of Stickles randomly around the middle of the card as well.

Once again, I am entering this card into two challenges for the Winnie and Walter Blog. Run on over there and play if you haven't already. There are a TON of challenges to enter, as well as some fabulous inspiration projects. I also decided to enter it into Darnell's NBUS Challenge #3. I suggest that you check out her blog if you don't already. She is a HOOT and is a tremendous talent!! My Winnie and Walter sentiment stamps were new, as well as the silver glitter paper.

 

I thank you for stopping by today. Enjoy your day.

Supplies:

Paper-Paper Trey Ink Stampers Select White and the Vellum, Die Cuts With a View-silver

Dies-My Favorite Things

Stamps-Winnie and Walter "Big Bold You"

Other-Versamark Ink, Ranger Black Embossing powder, white glitter paper, Big Shot, Pretty Pink Posh sequins (silver), Darice (white sequins), Heidi Swapp Color Shine (Tinsel), Scotch foam adhesive

Memory Keeping

Hello friends. Today was a brisk but sunny New England day. I actually like these kind of days-they wake me up. If I get sleepy at work, I just walk through a hall where I need to go outside and I am instantly awake. Fresh, cold air will do that to you.

Today I thought I would share a few scrapbook pages with you. I rarely share them as Charlotte does not like me to upload them to my blog for some reason. She is at the self conscious age of 14 and thinks all photos of her are hideous.

I tend to scrap what I like and not chronologically. This is one reason I have never gotten into Project Life or done a December Daily album. Right now, Char is at an age where she dislikes having her photo taken so she rarely lets me take her picture. If she does, she is making a face or not looking at the camera. My life is not one that I would chronicle, either. It is rather boring and the day to day stuff is just not that interesting. Instead, I have been busy scrapping Charlotte's earlier photos because she was so much nicer to be around then. (Did I just write that?)

(Page Supplies)

I have kind of developed "my style" over the years, which seems like it is everyone's style lately. I like paper layering and some embellishments but not a ton. I also like misting and have been adding more of my own writing to my pages. My mother died when I was 23 and I only have a few pieces of her writing. I cherish that. I figure that when I am gone, Charlotte might too.

 (Page Supplies)

Sometimes I use pre-made die cuts that are meant for a collection. Sometimes I choose to use my Big Shot and dies, as well as pre-made embellishments for a page. It all depends on what mood I am in. I mix supplies from companies and do not really have a favorite. I am a paper hoarder and have a supply that could last me YEARS.

(Page Supplies)

I love the feel of paper and cutting it up into pieces or different shapes. I do not ever think I could get into digital scrapbooking, though I do love printable products. I feel like a kid again, playing with punches or adhering a sticker.

(Page Supplies)

I am hoping that as Charlotte gets older, she appreciates the gift I have given her by documenting her life this way.

I appreciate you taking the time to stop by my blog today. I hope you enjoyed the small glimpse into my creative process.

A Saturday CASE from Simon Says Stamp

Well this week went by fast and I have to admit, I am very happy about that. I hosted a baby shower for my friend at work and spent a TON of time getting ready for it. Can you say CLEAN? My house was a bit of a mess and I even went so far as to organize a few closets. It helped that I deep cleaned a few of the rooms over vacation but I still had a lot to do.

I also baked...a lot. I had a few mishaps with some recipes. I actually tried a cupcake recipe from Pinterest that sounded better then it tasted. In fact, the cupcakes were gross. The frosting to go with it wasn't so hot either. I even put less peppermint extract in that was called for and it was still too minty. It was a disappointment. Then, I burned a big batch of caramel that I was making to fill yet another set of cupcakes that actually came out delicious. It wasn't good. It was better then burning myself, though, which is why the darn thing burned in the first place! Lets just say that I did not make another batch.

To top the week off, I got pink eye. Yes, I work with kids but NO ONE has pink eye right now. How the heck did I get it? My eye hurt like the dickens by the time the shower ended yesterday. My husband picked up the medicine that was called in that my MD said to "only use if you have tried hot compresses for a couple days first." What? Nope. I used the medicine and my eye feels 50% better today. I am hoping for 100% by the time I go back to work on Monday.

The shower went off without a hitch and "I think" my friend had fun. That is all that matters in the end. My only regret? I didn't get a photo of the card I created for her!!! What was I thinking?

Anyway...I did get to make a card at the beginning of this week full of mishaps that made me very happy. It was a CASE of a Shari Carroll card from Simon Says Stamp. However, I did not have the EXACT same stamps or the colors that she used so I improvised.

On my card, I used Hero Arts "It's All Good" stamp set for the stamps and My Favorite Things "Celebratory Greetings" die-namics for the greeting. The card below is the card I CASEd.

(Link to Simon Says Stamp Blog Post)

Shari's card just made me so happy. The colors were bright and just shouted spring to me. I am kind of hankering for warmer weather right now so it was a fun card to copy.

Instead of mounting my card front on white, I chose to make it a bit smaller and mount it on a gray card base. I then used various color sequins to match the inks and sprinkled them around in random way.

I like how this card came out. I think that I would die cut the sentiment out of white paper next time like the inspiration card. I think the coral is a bit bright and does not match my stamp pad exactly. That kind of bugs me!!

I hope you are having a fabulous weekend and keeping warm. It is a bit nippy out there!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:

Daffodil Delight-Stampin Up!

InLinkz.com

With Sympathy

Happy Tuesday!! I hope 2015 is bringing you some joy.

I am back at work after a fabulous 10 days off. I am so refreshed and thank God for the vacation that I get at Christmas time. It is a blessing.

Now I am getting ready to host a baby shower on Friday for someone at work. I am NOT much of an entertainer, so this is a big thing for me. I am not a decorator either, (though you would think I would be because I like to craft) so having people at my house to "show it off" is very intimidating. I am all for conquering my fears (of judgement) so I decided to volunteer to have it here. That and I LOVE my co-worker who is having the baby and totally happy to celebrate with her. Hopefully I will be able to get some good photos of the party that I can post this weekend.

Today I am sharing with you two sympathy cards I created. As I was cleaning my desk up last week, I decided to do a "make a card from the supplies on my desk" challenge. I had stamped these images using Distress Markers and then used a wet paint brush over them to get a watercolor effect. Then the cards sat and I never did anything with them, as is often the case. I decided they would make decent sympathy cards.

Such a simple card using "Penelope's Blossom" stamps from Lawn Fawn. I used an MFT Blueprints die to cut out the watercolor paper and mounted it on a Royal Velvet card.

To finish, I used Stickles to add some sparkle to the center of the flowers. I think this came out so pretty!!

For the second card, I die cut the watercolor panel with a Mama Elephant die and layered it over a piece of patterned paper that was cut with the companion die in the set.

I used Stickles on this card for the middle of the red and orange flowers, as well as used a clear Wink of Stella over the yellow roses. It is hard to see from the photo but I tried!!

This technique is so much fun to do and it looks like I actually water colored these pieces. I think I might make a few for myself to frame.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a great night!!

Supplies:

Paper-140lb Watercolor paper, Pebbles-"Rouge Mini Dot," Stampin Up! "Old Olive," and Paper Trey Ink "Royal Velvet"

Stamps-Lawn Fawn-"Penelope's Blossoms," Paper Trey Ink-sentiment

Dies-Mama Elephant and My Favorite Things

Other-Big Shot Machine, Ranger Distress Markers, Stickles, Gray Ink, paint brush

Make It Monday #195 A la Carte Challenge-Camouflaging Die-Cuts #193

Happy Sunday!! It is back to work tomorrow. The vacation flew by and has been just what I needed. This week will be busy with getting ready for a baby shower that is being held at my house in honor of a co-worker. I have a lot of cooking to do!

Today I am sharing a card I created for Paper Trey Ink's "Make It Monday #195 A la Carte Challenge." The challenge was to use one of this year's many videos to create a card. I chose the "Camouflaging Die-Cuts #193" as the inspiration for my card.

In Laura's video, she used ink for her camouflage. I chose to use ink AND stamping to create my card. This card was actually an evolution of sorts. I attempted to use "Enchanted Evening," "Spring Rain," and "Blueberry Sky" inks to create the shading but I just could not get the look I wanted with just the inks. I then decided that I would use Paper Trey Ink's "Ombre Builders" stamp set to stamp a pattern over the shaded ink. I think this was the right choice!!

I also used Wink of Stella clear pen over the die cut word. It is hard to see this in the photo but in real life, it makes the word pop a little off the card.

That is all for today. Thank you for stopping by!!

Supplies:
Paper-Paper Trey Ink-White
Inks-Paper Trey Ink "Spring Rain," "Enchanted Evening" and "Blueberry Sky."
Die-Paper Trey Ink-Banner Die, Mama Elephant "Happy" and Lil' Inkers Stitched Rectangle
Stamps-Paper Trey Ink-"Ombre Builders," Mama Elephant "Happy Everything"
Other-Sequins, Wink of Stella Clear Pen, Glue Dots, Foam Adhesive, Sizzix Big Shot Machine

Mojo Monday Challenge #378

It is Friday, my last official day of vacation. The time has FLOWN by and been so relaxing. One of the things that I was able to do over vacation was to see a lot of movies. I saw "Unbroken" and "Wild" at the movie theatre and watched "Delivery Man," "Sex Tape," and "Lone Survivor" on TV. I have an eclectic taste in movies, don't I?

Today I am sharing a card I created using the sketch #378 from the "Mojo Monday Challenge Blog."

I used Ranger Distress Markers to ink up the flower stamps from Lawn Fawn's "Penelope's Blossoms" stamp set and the vase from Lawn Fawn's "Our Friendship Grows" stamp set to create the vase with the flowers. After they were stamped, I took a wet water color brush and brushed over them to give them a water colored effect.

After the flowers were dry, I added some Stickles to the middle of the pink flowers and Clear Wink of Stella over the purple to the make the images sparkle.

I then used the sketch below for the rest of my card.

I did not do a tall and skinny card but adapted it to a regular 4 1/4" by 5 1/2" card size. The papers were all scraps that I had in my scrap bin.

Thank you for looking!! Have a great day!!

Supplies:
Paper-Watercolor, Bazzill (light purple), Fancy Pants (gray striped) and Stampin Up! (purple card)
Stamps-Lawn Fawn "Penelope's Blossoms" and "Our Friendship Grows"
Dies-My Favorite Things-"Fishtail Flags Stax," "Pierced Circle Stax," and "Pinking Edge Circle Stax." Paper Trey Ink-Stitch die
Other: Big Shot, Distress Markers, adhesive foam, Raspberry Stickles, Wink of Stella Clear Pen

Happy New Year, 2015 Goals and Retro Sketch #146

Happy New Year!! I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday. I took a bit of time off to enjoy my family and friends. I have so much to be thankful for in my life and have enjoyed this week more then I thought possible.

I made a list of a few "goals" I wanted to work toward in 2015. I really hate the word "resolution" because I really don't keep these. Goals are something I work toward on a daily basis. None of the goals I have for 2015 are earth shattering but I wanted to put them in writing here so that I had a record. So here is what I am striving for this year:

2015 Goals:

1. To make some how to videos to post on my blog (very scary because a) I do not like my voice and b) I have never edited a video before. Any advice as to what software you use etc... would be welcome!!)
2. To blog at least 3 times a week, with some "regular" features. I have many ideas just need to PLAN my time to implement the idea!!
3. When I sit down to make a card, to make more then one using the same design. This doesn't sound hard but I have a difficult time making the same card twice. I get bored!!
4. To continue my goal toward good health. I have the work out down now I need to get the eating healthy part started.
5. To schedule more social time in with my friends. Being connected and having a support system is so important. I need to nurture my friendships more and let my friends know how much they mean to me.
6. Last but NOT least-to actually send out my cards instead of having them sit in a box. I love to make cards but am the WORST at sending them to the people that I have made them for. 

Enough about the goals and now to the good stuff. I had a chance to play the other day and was inspired by the "Retro Sketch" blog to create not one but two cards using sketch #146.  It kind of gas 

The first card I created I used a purple color scheme. 

I used Altenew Stamps for the flowers and the sentiment. The frame is stamp by Paper Trey Ink.

Here is the sketch that was the inspiration:

Instead of making a square card, I chose to make a rectangle card, using the square as the centerpiece. 

Here is how I created the card:

1. For the bottom square, I die cut a piece of lavender Bazzill card stock and adhered it to a top closing card base. 

2. Next I adhered a die cut banner on an angle over the card stock. 

3. I die cut the frame out of white card stock and stamped it using Paper Trey Ink's "Slide Frame" stamp set with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in the "dusty concord" color. I then mounted the frame over the purple card stock at an angle.

4. I then stamped the flowers using Altenew's "Painted Flowers" in "dusty concord" and "shaded lilac" Distress Ink. The leaves were stamped in My Favorite Thing's "sour apple" ink. I then spritzed over the stamped square in Heidi Swapp "Amethyst" spray mist. After it dried, I mounted the square over the purple frame with foam adhesive. 

5. My next step was to stamp, cut and adhere the Altenew sentiment on the front of the flower square.

6. The last step was to adhere some purple gems and two sequins to the front. 

In spirit of my 2015 goals, I created a second card as well but used a different color scheme.

Instead of using card stock as the first square, I die cut a piece of pink patterned paper. I also double stamped the frame. First I stamped it in pink and then in red. Before I stamped the red, I misted water over the ink that was on the stamp.

Another difference between the two cards was that on this card I only used the banner on the left side of the card. 

I really am happy with the way both of these cards came out. This sketch was so fun to use as inspiration.

I thank you for taking the time to look today. Happy New Year!!

Supplies: 

Stamps-Altenew-"Label of Love" and "Painted Flowers," Paper Trey Ink-"Slide Frame"

Ink-My Favorite Things-"Sour Apple" and "Red Hot," Tim Holtz Distress Ink "Dusty Concord" and "Shaded Lilac," Memento "Tuxedo Black" and Simon Says Stamp "Doll Pink."

Paper-Paper Trey Ink-White, Bazzill Lilac and Ella and Viv "Tribal Tie Die #10," Fancy Pants "Sweetness"

Dies: My Favorite Things "Pierced Square Stax," Paper Trey Ink "Slide Frame" and "Banner" dies

Other: Sequins, rhinestones