HELLO FRIENDS!

I just wanted to take a moment to give a "group" hello to all of you.  I have not been able to visit you because I am up in Oregon looking for my new home!  I have decided to buy a lot and build because the homes that are available in my price range are either too small or need a lot of money to fix.  SO, on to plan B!

Here are a few pics from my trip!  This is RIGHT BY where I will be!

Mt. Hood

Across from Mt. Hood is another mountain where they also ski.  We took time out to ride up to the top on the ski lift.  It was AWESOME!

It was perfect weather, so clear and gorgeous views!

Having a great time with my daughter!  Love her so!

You all take care, and I will be home soon and try to get some crafting done and get the time to visit you!  xox

Creative Knockouts Challenge #95

Are you ready for another challenge?  Well if you are, come and join us over at 
Creative Knockouts.  
Our theme is "Use Buttons".  Fred She Said is our sponsor, and the image I used is called
  "Doodled Flower Trio".

I hope you join us!

1st Time Using A Grid

Hello, and Happy Monday!  The start of a brand new week.

I'm starting mine off by showing you my latest new experience with my parchment craft progress.  I have seen some LOVELY designs and found out that they were made with grids.  So, I decided to order one and see how they work.  Well, I can tell you it was sheer pleasure!  It made things a lot easier, but not without it's mishaps - such as having your tool slip out of the hole in the grid you are using.  I also found that the GREAT Perga Cutter sniper tool I bought was worth every penny I paid for it!  My edges look soooo much better!  And as always, the key was take it slow and relax!  My project has several mistakes, but over all I was pretty satisfied.

So now it's onward and upward, more practice and more fun!  I have all my correct tools, good lighting and a comfy chair at my desk.  I couldn't ask for more!  
I'm a very happy camper!

Happy Crafting, and have a great week!

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges #93 ~ Use Pearls

Hello!  So happy to have you stop by for a visit.  Today I am introducing another great challenge over at CC&CC.  I think you will enjoy this one, we are using pearls on our cards.  Our super sponsor Lacy Sunshine has the perfect images for this theme!  So many of their designs are so girly and you can really dress them up!

My image is call "Cordelia Sea Ethereal Enchantress", real cute little gal dressed like a fairy mermaid.  It was perfect!  I do think I did get a bit carried away with the pearls though, lol!  But it sure was fun.  She is colored with my Copic's, and set off by a shimmering die cut frame.  The background is watercolor paper and watercolor paints.  I added some big bubbles by using a bit of white ink rubbed in cut out circles.  (They are a bit hard to see.)

So there you have it!  Drop on by CC&CC and look at the FAB cards the gals have done for you, they are beautiful!

Creative Knockouts #93 ~ Use Your Stash

Hello there, and welcome to another fun challenge over at Creative Knockouts!

If you are like me, I hate to throw away left over paper scraps from my projects.  They come in so handy for a lot of things when making new creations.  When making paper flowers I usually use scraps and I always make  extras.  Then they are ready for the next time I need them.  It also saves time too.  Well, here is your chance to use up some of those left overs!  Our theme is "Use Your Stash".  That can be papers, ribbons, embellies, whatever you have laying around.  I have a drawer where I put my printed paper scraps, and a file cabinet with drawers that are perfect for color coded plain papers.

When I pulled out the drawer to find what I wanted to use Zazu decided he would use the space for his new cave!

This is my file for plain paper.

Now on to my card!  The image is called "Rolling By" and it is from our sponsor 

Art By Marin.  I colored the image with my Copics and all the paper used (including the flowers) were in my stash.  The frame the image is on was in there too and I just printed my digi on it.  I did print out the two diner signs on my computer.  Here is the result.

So why don't you join us and use some goodies from your stash!

See you there!

Swan and Flowers

LA DE DAH!!!  I am so in love with parchment crafting!  I had SO much fun doing this card!  I incorporated some other card basics; used pop dots to raise the image, and made parchment flowers!  The parchment paper curls just like regular paper when used with a stylist.  I used my new shading tool, and it made it so much easier!

I still haven't received my pen and ink for tracing that I ordered, so I have just been laying the parchment over the printed design and doing the work.  I know when I do it the right way with the white ink it will look a whole lot better.  I also used a larger needle for the edges.  I have a pair of parchment snipers ordered too, so I am anxious to use them and see it my edges get better.

I'm really getting afraid that I will not want to do my regular cards any more, lol!  This is just such a delightful craft!

My 1st Coloring on Parchment

Hello and welcome, so glad you stopped by.  But you can be glad you are not stopping by my home for a visit.  It's going to be a scorcher the next few days ~ 105 today and 107 tomorrow!  I will be inside the house relaxing and crafting that's for sure!

On this card I wanted to try coloring my design on the parchment.  I like the result ok, but again, I need lots of practice.  It's not real hard, just a bit tricky.  I have water color pens that I prefer on the parchment paper better than my Copics.  They just seem to be easier to work with.  The alcohol ink moves around too much while trying to blend on the slicker paper and leaves too many streaks. Next time I color, I am going to try my watercolor pencils, more experimenting!

I just had a fun opening my mail!  A couple new Pergamano tools that I ordered arrived!  So off I go to do some more fun practicing on my parchment craft.  Have a fun weekend!

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges #93 ~ Summer Fun

Well, I don't know about where you are, but it sure is summer here!  Our temperature this weekend is going to be 105 degrees!  YUCK!  I am NOT a fan of weather that hot, but when you live in the desert, this is what you get in summer!

Our Summer Fun challenge is on over at CC&CC.  We would love to see how you like to enjoy this fun time of year.  Do you go swimming, travel, hiking, go to the beach, or just relax at home?  Any or all of these sound great to me!  Our super sponsor Make It Crafty is offering a $10 gift certificate to our lucky winner.  And thanx to them for letting us choose a digi of our choce to create with.  My choice is this fun gal called "Adventure Girl".  I colored her with my Copics and used papers from a pack that I bought ages ago (more finds from my clean out saga, lol!)  The sky was sponged on and I added some other extra graphics for the trail scenery.

I really like this card, because it reminds me that when I finally get moved to Oregon, this will be me!

Happy Summer!

Creative Knockouts #91 ~ Tic Tac Toe

Hello and welcome to another 2 week challenge over at Creative Knockouts.

How about a game of TIC TAC TOE!  Here are your choices, and the ones I used marked with an "X".

Our super sponsor is Bugaboo,who is one of my all time faves!  I used their image "Coffee Time - Thanks A Latte".  The papers are from a digital pack by Nitwits called "Coffee Talk Collection".  It was a fun card to make.

Come join in for this fun game of Tic Tac Toe, and Thanks A Latte for playing along with us!

Parchment Craft CARD #3

Hello again.  I hope you are all having a great Memorial Day weekend.

Mine is very quiet and I love it!  I have been crafting for 3 days!  I am working on my parchment craft skills, lot of fun!  Thank you SO MUCH Jackie for putting me in touch with the very talented Alison!  I am learning a lot from her BEAUTIFUL work, and tips of info.  I also came across a FAB site called Gemini Crafts run by a parchment crafter named Wendy Walters.  It is filled with videos, tutorials, free patterns and so much more.  So between these two super ladies I have a real goldmine at my fingertips!

OK, so on to my third attempt.  There are so many mistakes, but as I said before, I am REALLY learning by doing!  I won't bore you with all I did wrong, but let's just say there are a bunch of mess ups, LOL!

The perforated edges are still a thorn in my side, but I made a break through after I finished this project.  I experimented with a bigger needle tool and the edges look so much better, more defined like a lacy edge.  Hopefully on my next project you will see some improvement, lol!

Another Metallic Butterfly Card

I don't know what it is, but my mojo is really working overtime, lol!  I have so many ideas rumbling around in my head.  I think it started when cleaning things out and finding items that had not been used in ages.  It was like getting new goodies, and now I have so much I want to play with.

I loved doing the embossed metallic butterflies.  When I came across the paper I used on this card I knew it was perfect for another one.  All I did was add the one small metallic butterfly on the right, and the circle sentiment.  The rest was already on the paper!

Thanx for stopping by!  Happy Crafting!

Parchment Craft Card #2

WOW!  I am hooked on this craft!  My new tools finally arrived from the "other side of the pond", and I couldn't wait to jump right in on a new project using the correct tools!  It is so much fun to me and very relaxing.  It reminds me of years ago when all I did was cross stitch.

It will be a lesson every time I work on a new piece of parchment.  Shading is so important and I will need to focus on that.  But the hardest part for me is using the perforation tool along the edges.  I used the "perforation tool" with the 2 needles closest together and it was really tough!  After looking at other pictures of projects other have done, it looks to me as if they were done with a regular 2 needle tool and then "snipped" between the tiny holes.  So next time, I will try that.  Here is today's result.

I have a loooong way to go, but I can't wait to be on the journey.  If any of you do parchment crafting and have any suggestions or special blogs that you like on this craft, I would welcome any input!

Thanx & hugs!

Metallic Silver Butterflies

Hello there, so happy you have stopped by.

The card I'd like to share with you today is one that was on a StampTV tutorial.  I loved the elegant look of this and had to give it a go.  I didn't have butterfly stamps that matched cutting dies, so I just did my own and cut them out by hand.  I think they came out pretty good.  They have been stamped with VersaMark and embossed with silver embossing powder, then cut out.  The sentiment is also heat embossed with fine detail black powder.  The flourishes are from a die that I had which I mounted on the background paper and then added the butterflies.

This card is perfect for a birthday card for a friend.

I am anxious to try it in other colors and see the results.  Have a go at it, I think you will really enjoy it!

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges #91 ~ MUST Say Thank You

Saying Thank You to our friends and loved ones is always appreciated.  Here is a way to do that with your personally made card and join our challenge with a chance to win 

7 FREE digis 

from BUGABOO!  It doesn't get much better than that ~ a double win!

I did something a bit different this challenge.  I have quite a few bottles of alcohol inks that I have not used in a long time.  I decided to get them out and play with them.  I have a blog buddy, Sannas, who does the most amazing creations with inks, paints and all kinds of techniques.  I am always inspired  when I visit her blog.  Go take a look and I guarantee you will be too.  I thought of her when I did this card.

The image from Bugaboo is called "Daisy Butterfly Tag".

I used some distress ink, some Copic ink for the daisies and butterflies, then added the tiny beads.  A piece of ribbon to set off the tag and there it is!

Thank You for stopping by, and I hope I see you at

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges.

HUGS!

Creative Knockouts #89 Washi Tape Wonders

Welcome to another fun challenge with Creative Knockouts!  For this challenge we are asking you to use Washi Tape (or a similar tape with a design) on your project.  Our sponsor Sami Stamps let us choose an image for us to create with.  I really liked this cute little gal laying in the sun eating her ice cream.  She is called "Ice Cream Beauty".  When I saw her I immediately thought of the polka dot tape that I have used.

She reminds me that summer is just around the corner!

Please come an join in at Creative Knockouts, we have a great prize for our winner from Sami Stamps!

Lovely Bouquet

Hello everyone.  I have been having fun today making paper flowers.  I love to make them.  Since being on my search and find adventure I have come across a lot of things I haven't used in a long time.  Well here is another one that was a perfect match for paper flowers.  It's a die cut vase that was screaming "Give me flowers", lol!  Here is the result of the flowers and vase.

Thanx for stopping by and have a lovely day.

Entered in the following challenges:

Auroa Wings Challenge #14 ~ Flowers

Deep Ocean Challenge #103 ~ Flowers

Shopping our Stash #202 ~ Big, Bold & Beautiful

Sweet Stamps #220 ~ For Mom

Tuesday Throwdown #243 ~ Flowers For Her

Fab N' Funky #258 ~ May Flowers

Moo-Mania ~ Flowers

CCEE Stampers #519 ~ Self Made Flower and More

Crafting With An Attitude #3 ~ Anything Goes/Spring Fever

Crimbo Crackers #80 ~ Die Cuts

Fun Find!

Hello and welcome.  Thanx so much for stopping by.

At the moment I am on a search and find expedition, lol.  What I mean is, going through lots of things and finding all kinds of goodies that I have gotten and never used!  I have to admit, I am a paper crafter hoarder!  Paper, stamps, embellishments, you name it, I probably have it.  BUT, that is not all bad!  When I get an idea, I have a LOT to choose from.

This lovely layered stamp set was purchased at a scrapbook convention a year ago.  I put it in a plastic box with lots of other stamps and it has not seen the light of day until yesterday ~ ooops!  What a fun discovery!  I immediately quit what I was doing and got to work.  I really love the layered stamps, they are so versatile.  You can use so many color combos.  This is what I created.

After I stamped the layers I used a bit of green Copic ink on the stems.  Then I sprinkled on some Frantage ~ love that stuff!  I mounted it in a nice die cut frame, and added the little flower.  Next I printed out the background paper I found on line and blurred it to soften the design.  Then I ran it through my paper crimper and assembled it all.

I bet you have some fun hidden goodies you haven't seen in a while that will inspire you.  I highly suggest going on a treasure hunt!

Happy Hunting!

Learning A New Craft ~ Parchment Paper Crafting

Welcome friends.  Today I had a fun time.  I am taking up Parchment Paper Crafting.  I finally got my parchment paper in the mail that I ordered.  I set up all my tools, found an easy pattern to start with and away I went!  It is a lot of fun, and takes a bit of concentration and time.  I also learned that like any other craft, when doing it the first time you learn a lot!

a)  You must have the right tools and supplies

b)  Take your time, don't rush

c)  Practice, practice, practice!

Here is my first try!

I need to order a few more tools, and then look out!  I will really get into it.  Here is how I used the above piece to make a card.

The lower flowers and sentiment are stamps that I heat embossed with white embossing powder.  I am so anxious to do a lot more of this!

ONWARD!

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges #90 Spring Has Sprung

Flowers are blooming, birds are singing and Mother Nature is in her glory.  It MUST be Spring!  So over at CC&CC we are celebrating this beautiful 

time of year.

Our great sponsor A Day For Daisies has so many images that fit into this theme.  It was hard to choose just one.  But I managed to pick this lovely image called "Cherry Blossom Cluster".  Now I have to tell you, this card gave me a real headache.  I wanted to do a parchment paper design using the parchment technique.  BUT, after going to 6 different stores trying to find parchment paper - NOT vellum - I couldn't find any.  OK, so let's order it on line.  Sounds fine right - wrong!  I found a place to order it and the paper would arrive in time to make the card.  Another BUT - after I placed the order I was told they are going on vacation and the paper would not arrive until after the 1st of May.  Gee thanx for telling me that AFTER I order it, lol!  I'll step off my soap box now.

I ended up printing the image on vellum and colored it on the back.  It did not turn out as soft as I wanted, but it's ok.  I love the background paper though.  It's a lovely piece of oriental rice paper I purchased years ago when living in Hawaii.  I think that it helped save the card!  What do you think?

I am so anxious to get the parchment paper.  I think I will try using it for this image.  Hopefully it will turn out better than this one, lol.

Creative Knockoutts #87 ~ Finish The Inside

Hello and welcome blog friends!

When you make a card, do you finish off the inside to match the front of your card?  I really love to do that, but I must admit I don't don't always do it as lavishly as the outside, lol.  Well, here is your chance to do just that - Finish The Inside!  Play along with us at Creative Knockouts.

I used this adorable little guy called "Fishing Peter" from our great sponsor Color Ink.  I used my Copics for the coloring and for my papers I used a new set of printable papers I bought over at Nitwits.  They are called "Gone Fishing" and were perfect for this image.

And here is the inside:

So what do YOU have on the inside of your latest creation?  Join us at Creative Knockouts and show us.  You may even win a great prize for all your effort.

Sympathy Card

We lost an old friend very unexpectedly last week.  It's so hard to lose someone you have known for over 30 years, it leaves you shaken and so sad.  The man who passed away was a co-worker from years ago who became a real friend.  He and his family even visited us in Hawaii when we lived there.  His memorial service is today, and I feel so for his wife and 4 children.  His two daughters were adopted from China - they had cleft pallets and were unwanted.  They brought them to the US and they had surgery and are lovely girls, both are very bright.  The family went to China numerous times to teach the girls about their culture.  They even lived there for 2 years and taught english in a small school.  He will be very missed, and he left this world way too soon.

Garden Fence

Spring is here in a lot of places in the US.  My daughter lives in OR and she has been planning her garden for this year.  I sent her a package full of all kinds of goodies; seeds, bulbs, wind chimes, solar tulips. yes they light up at night, lol!  I did this card for her and included it in the box. All the flowers, fence and the bird house are die cuts.  It was great fun to put this together.

I just had to giggle - i realized that I didn't put any little birds on the birdhouse!  Oh well, too late now!

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge #89 ~ Die Cuts

Sorry this post is a bit late.  I am still having quite the time cleaning out the house and looking for a new home.  It is going to take a BIT longer than I had hoped, lol!

ANYHOW, onward to our new challenge at CC&CC.  Our fab sponsor is Rick St Dennis.  We always love using his different and great images.  I chose this adorable cat roasting his mice!  It really made me giggle.  It is called  
Bar B Que.

My die cuts are the frames around the image and also the sentiment.

I hope you come join us for this fun die cut challenge.

Creative Knockouts Challenge #85 ~ Texture

Welcome to another challenge over at Creative Knockouts.  How about adding some kind of texture to your card.  It can be through embossing on your paper or maybe you would like to add something that creates texture like I did with glitter.  Our super sponsor is A Day For Daisies, and they will be awarding our lucky winner a great prize.  Their image that I used is called "Cat Fish".  What a cute little kitty mermaid!

 So what will you use to for texture on your card?  Come on and join us and show us your idea!

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges #88 ~ Use A Doily

Happy Friday.  Time for another 2 week challenge over at CC&CC.  This time we are honoring the Doily!  They are used a lot in all kinds of paper crafting, and especially on cards.  Our sponsor The Paper Shelter will be awarding our lucky winner a $15 gift certificate for use on their site.

For my card I used one on their images called "Summer Attitude".  It is such a fun image and to me just screams SUMMER!  I colored the image with Copics, and used doily layered die cuts.  The flower is also made from die cut pieces.

So pop on over to CC&CC and join us for this great challenge.  Just remember to use a doily on your card.  Have fun and see you there.

Happy Crafting!