FIRST ATTEMPT AT PANSIES

This was a fun project!  I love trying something new.  I have a great book called "Paper Bouquet, Using Paper Punches to Create Beautiful Flowers" and had never attempted to try them.  Since I did the window card with the flowers I have been telling myself it's time to get with it and try more paper flowers!  One thing that has held me back is the fact that the flower punches are costly and to do different kinds you need quite a few punches.  Well, I came up with a solution.  It is a bit time consuming but the end result is great!  I used my paint program to design the shapes needed, then imported them into my SCAL program and let my Cricut do all the cutting!  SUPER!  I followed the instructions and pics in the book and made my first pansies!  Here is the result:

I added some color on the flowers with my Copic's, added a bit of cheesecloth for some background, the leaves and little fern pieces.  The fern pieces were the only punch pieces used, they are from a Martha Stewart punch.  Now that I have tried making them and enjoyed it so much, I am going to try some more.  They are not hard to do at all, they just take a little time!  So if you have the time and patience, give it a go, they are lovely and fun!

Entered in  Challenge:
 Crafts 4 Eternity
 

JUST FOR YOU

Happy Saturday all, the weekend is here!  Hope you are crafting, at least just a bit!  I was this morning when I came across this neat sketch at Stampin' Sisterhood.  It's got that interesting triangle piece that really caught my eye, different!  So, I'm game, here is my take on the sketch:

I used some new papers I got while in PA last month.  They are from a 12 x12 pack called "Flower" and are by Scrapbook  The circle is a doily from Martha Stewart that I used some inks on, and also on the sentiment.  The flowers were made from paper punches. 

This card is entered in the following challenge:

Sisterhood Sundays

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and do some crafting, lol!

NEW CRAFTING SUPPLIES!

FUN, FUN, FUN!  Don't you just love working with new crafting goodies!?!  An order I placed arrived today and I had a blast playing with the supplies.  Three new dies, by PoppyStamps, LOVE them!  I was so inspired by "Kitty" and her gorgeous designs that I HAD to have them to play with.  I was not at all disappointed!!!  The set includes the small Madison Window, shutters and flower box.  On the first card I didn't include the shutters, but that will come soon enough!  I also had purchased some plant flourishes that arrived a few days ago and I have been playing with them too.  Her is my first effort at the window and flourishes together.

I added some curtains with ribbon for the tie backs, an edge cut punch for the lace valance, lots of little flowers from  hole punches, and the sentiment stamped on a die cut label.  

I can't wait to do another one!  So much fun!

FROSTED DESIGNS CARD SKETCH TUESDAY, SKETCH #17

Spring has sprung and summer is on the way, in fact it feels like it is already here!  So, I decided to make that my theme for this lovely sketch.  Come join us at Frosted Designs for Card Sketch Tuesday.   Take a look at this awesome sketch Ann designed for us this week:

This little cutie is called "Beach Baby" and is by Bugaboo Stamps, LOVE them!  She is colored with my Copic's and the sentiment was computer generated.  I added a couple dew drops and the pearl lace trim.  The circle behind the image was done on my Cuttlebug with a Nestabilities die.The edge border was done with a Martha Stewart punch.

And now it's time for you to join us at Frosted Designs for this fun challenge!

FUN TIME!

I hope you all had a restful weekend.  Mine was pretty good, a little work and still time to play with my paper!

Well, it sure feels like summer is here, it was 105 degrees in Phoenix today!  WAY too hot for me.  This little gal is from the "Brat" series by Bugaboo Stamps.  She sure looks like she has the right idea!~  She is called "Isabella Beach".  I decided to do her is fun bright colors.  There is a piece of ruffled ribbon down the side, red and white twine, and three brads that spell out "fun".  The border edge was cut with a Martha Stewart edge punch.

Enjoy your week!

Isabella is entered in the following challenges:

Paper Sundaes

Polka Doodle

Creative Belli Blog

PaperPretties

Crafts 4 Eternity (a new season!)
 Stamptacular Sunday Challenge
Ribbon Carousel Challenge

CHALLENGE 11 ~ CHOCOLATE, COFFEE & CARDS CHALLENGES

OK ladies, hold on to your seats!  We are in for a great challenge  at Chocolate, Coffee & Card Challenges this week!  It's time for a game of BINGO!  Lots of choices to make your design shine!  Choose any three in a row; up, down, across or diagonal.

Our fun sponsor this week is Kenny K.  Take a look at the cute images they have available.  If you need an image with real attitude or a fun sexy mood, this is the place to find it!  I am using "Jeannie", too darn adorable, and have chosen "No Pattern Paper, Bling and Ribbon" for my bingo card. 

My card design is a "surprise pop up".  You pull the ribbon on the top of the tag and it reveals a message behind the "Jeannie", and also one on the tag!

It was a super fun card to make and what a great image from Kenny K!

Come play a game of bingo with us over at CC&CC.  See you there!

GUS FISHING

I'm on a roll with Gus!  He cracks me up, and the people I send the cards to seem to enjoy him as much as I do.  This time the ole' boy is fishing and drinking beer, too cute!  I really love the sentiment, it seems to be oh so true with the boat fishermen I know!  But what a nice way to spend a day!

Gus is colored with my Copic's, and I added a fishing pole, fish and letter brads and a small piece of ribbon.  I also put a bit of Liquid Applique on the clods to make them look a bit puffy.

You know what they say,

"I'm just a beer drinker with a little fishing problem!"

Happy Fishing!

BIRTHDAY GUS

Today was the first day in a loooooong time that I did a card that was not for one of my challenge blogs! I have a good friend who has a birthday coming up in a week and I needed to get to it!  This cheerful old Gus fit the task perfectly.  I just adore Bugaboo images!

The image is colored with my Copic's, the sentiment frame was a Nestabilities die, and the little buttons and lollipop brads from my stash.  The scalloped edges were cut with a Martha Stewart edge punch.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Gus is entered in the following challenges:
 Whoopsi Daisy Challenge
 Ooh La La Creations
 Paper Playtime

ATCs Cards With Attitude
Cards For Men

SKETCH # 16 FOR CARD SKETCH TUESDAY

Well, it's good to be creating again.  It has been over a month since I have been able to do any card making!  For me that feels like an eternity!  My mojo is a bit rusty, but I managed to do this card for our Card Sketch Tuesday at Frosted Designs.  It's a lovely layout done by our talented Ann Bacon.  Take a look:

Here is my design.  I used a rose stamp on the plain background paper and another one with the sentiment, added some lovely rose print paper, the sentiment, paper roses and a bit of lace and pearl trim.

I hope you can come join us for the fun challenge!

CHALLENGE 9 ~ CHOCOLATE, COFFEE & CARDS CHALLENGES

Such a great turnout for our last challenge at Chocolate, Coffee & Card Challenges!  MAHALO for all your wonderful creations!  There are so many talented ladies out there doing such awesome designs.  We are so pleased to have you join us week after week.

This time we have a fun theme ~ "Fancy Folds", that means more than one fold.  The card design I used is called a zig-zag card.  It was fun to do and creates such an interesting look.  The adorable image is from our sponsor, MilkCoffee and called Charolette and Butterfly.

I separated the butterfly from the little girl in the digi.  (One of the things I love about digis is that you can arrange them how you want to.)  The image was colored with my Copic's and the flowers were made using paper punches.  I added the lace that I used distressed inks on to give it a bit of a vintage look, and the ovals were cut with my Cuttlebug.

And now it's your turn to show us your favorite fold.  Happy Crafting!

FROSTED DESIGNS CARD SKETCH TUESDAY, SKETCH #14

Aloha all, and welcome to another great Card Sketch Tuesday at Frosted Designs!  This week our sketch is a lovely one, a circle instead of of the normal square or rectangle.  Take a look:

It was designed by our talented Ann Bacon, who is our Card Sketch Challenge Coordinator.

I chose lavender colors and added a bit of glitz with the rhinestones, and the outer circle was cut on my Cuttlebug.  Very simple.

So now it is your turn to play along and show us your great creations!

CHALLENGE 8 ~ CHOCOLATE, COFFEE & CARDS CHALLENGES

Welcome to another great Chocolate Coffee & Card Challenge!  This time our theme is feathers and fur, how fun!  This adorable digi image was provided by this weeks super sponsor, Robyn's Fetish and is called "Friends Forever".

I used a lot of  distressed ink and gave it a bit of a vintage look.  I kept the colors of the animals a bit muted to blend in.  The musical notes were SVG files and cut on my Cricut.  The banner was hand cut after the sentiment was computer generated.

Please join in the fun and post your project using "feathers and fur".  We can't wait to see your lovely creations!

SKETCH # 13 FOR CARD SKETCH TUESDAY AT FROSTED DESIGNS!

THANK YOU all so much for the great turn out for our last challenge at Frosted Designs!  You must be spreading the word because it was our highest participation by you so far!  We really appreciate your support, and the wonderful creations you made!  They are really great!

This week at Frosted Designs we have another SUPER sketch by Jenny Evans.  Her ideas are really amazing!  This one is lots of great layers.  

My take on the sketch was inspired by the fab Kitty and her awesome flowers.  I used papers from a stack by DCWV called Garden Party.  I stamped the flower pot and cut it out after coloring with my Copics, Then raised it with pop dots.  Then I punched out a bunch of leaves with Martha Stewart punches and arranged them in the pot.  The tiny flowers were from a border punch by Fiskars.  I put tiny pearls in the center of each one.  The little butterflies were cut from the paper in the stack and I added pearls to them too.  The last details were the string and the two larger pearls (they are a bit hard to see behind the leaves).

And now, as I always say, it's YOUR turn.  Get inspired by our FAB DT and get that mojo working!  

Happy Creating!

CHALLENGE 7 CHOCOLATE, COFFEE & CARDS CHALLENGES

Happy Friday all, and a happy weekend.  How about starting it off with some crafting and joining in on our challenge at Chocolate, Coffee and Card Challenges?!!!  This time our theme is "Drink Up" ~ which means put a beverage in your image!  Our delightful sponsor this week is A Day For Daisies.  Their images are so lovely, and such a beautiful collection to choose from.  This one that I have used is called "Strawberries In Milk".  I love the adorable little fairy.

 

The background paper is a piece I purchased at Micheal's ages ago.  The border strip was cut with a Fiskar's punch and I laid checked ribbon and lace down the middle of it ~ it's hard to see underneath all the flowers!  The image is printed on a piece that I cut with my Cricut, colored with my Copics and glitter added to the fairies wings. Behind that is a circle done with my Cuttlebug.  I added flowers from my stash, cut some strawberries from some other paper and put glitter on them.  The final touch is a pin with a bow and glass beads that I made from my bead stash.  Whew, I think I got it all!

Take the time to see all the wonderful inspiration our DT has for this week.  There are some awesome creations to get you crafting!  See you there!

Sad News

I will be gone for a while, until the 19th of March.  There will be some auto posts for my card DT teams, but nothing other than that.  My uncle's cancer has returned fast and hard and there is nothing that can be done.  He is at home with hospice care and it is just a matter of time till he's in Gods hands.  I hope he can hang in there till I arrive on Monday.  I am going to Pennsylvania to be with our family, please keep us in your prayers.

Love and hugs, Joanne.

My super, loving Uncle Bud

SWEET TILDA SENDING LOVE LETTER

Hope you are enjoying the weekend.  I have been busy creating, my favorite thing to do!  Here is another version of my new Tilda stamp.  It  has lots of pearls and flowers.  I made the beaded pin, and she was colored with my Copics.  I added some cheese cloth and lace, computer generated the ticket  and cut the oval with my cuttlebug.  Then I used a lot of distressed ink to give it a bit of a vintage look.  The papers are by DCWV and called

 "The French Country Stack".

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

EASTER PURSES

I don't know about you, but I LUV second hand stores, resale and thrift shops!  You never know what great finds you will come across.  I just found a new consignment store in my neighborhood and went in for a "look-see".  I found a great fun deal!  It is a pack of paper by K&Company that has 32 pre-cut purses with all the little flowers and pieces to make them!  I know the stack sells in the craft stores for about $18, but I got this pack for $4!  WOOO HOOO, super deal!  Today I put a couple of them together (SO EASY!) and then added some embellies from my stash.  They came out so cute!  I stamped Happy Easter on the tags and want to use them to put chocolate in for my gal pals at Easter.

So the next time you see a thrift shop or consignment store, stop in and take a look around.  No telling what treasure you may find!

Happy Shopping!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I am sending a big hug to all of you this Valentine's day.  I hope that you and your special someone are sharing a wonderful day.  AND if there is not a special someone in your life, be special to yourself today!   I really appreciate all the wonderful comments and support from all of you.  It means a lot to share our passion for paper crafting and card making.  From the wonder of the blog world I've met so many great ladies who I now call friends!

For today's cards I used a technique that I recently learned.  It uses lace, sticky adhesive paper and fine glitter.  The end effect is so beautiful.  I tried several pieces of lace with different patterns and the ones shown here are the ones I liked the best.  All three are about the same but in different colors and with different embellies.  This look would be perfect for so many different types of cards; love, thank you, thinking of you, sympathy, etc.

The bottom edge of the lace is where the card opens.  You can see the difference on the following card.

The word "Love" was cut with my Cricut and all the embellies are from my stash.  I love the effect the lace gives, so lovely.

 

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!!!

SKETCH # 12 FOR CARD SKETCH TUESDAY AT FROSTED DESIGNS!

WOW!  What a great response we had for our last Card Sketch Tuesday!  THANX so much for the great turn out!  Your creations were awesome!  We loved them all!  We hope you come back and play along often.

Now it's time for another wonderful sketch at Frosted Designs by Jenny Evans!  This is really a great one with sooooo many wonderful possibilities!  I know I will use it again and again.  Thanx Jenny!  Take a look:

The background paper I used is a piece that I've had for a while and didn't use.  It jumped out at me when trying to decide what to use for this sketch.  It just says FUN to me, and I wanted to do something light hearted.  So here it is, simple but fun.  Cuz lets face it, girl time is fun time!

Now hop on over to Frosted Designs and see all the great inspiration that our DT has for you.  Then join in the fun and post your take on our sketch.  We would love to see your lovely creations!  Happy Tuesday!

FRIENDSHIP

I love blog land!  I know I've said it often, but it's SO true!  We see so many awesome talented people who inspire us, make great friends, connect with so many amazing new ideas, etc., etc!  This card was a product of all of the above.  A super blog friend, the VERY talented Christine, did a great post on a technique she got hooked on that she saw on another ladies blog, Kitty.  Kitty does FAB and AMAZING things with paper!  Just check out her flowers!!!  I visited her blog and I was hooked too!  I just ordered the Martha Stewart punch to make the incredible hydrangeas she shows in her tutorial.  While visiting Kitty's lovely creations, this one really grabbed my attention.  I wanted to make this card!!!  So, here is my spin of her fab design.  It is not nearly as lovely as hers, but I love it all the same.  MAHALO to all of you out there who keep us inspired!!!!!

I used some different things as I didn't have the exact ones Kitty used.  I also added some pearls and a little butterfly.  I like her printed paper much better, but again, I used what I had.  THANX so much Kitty for sharing your AWESOME creations and your fantastic tutorials!  Your work is FANTASTIC!!!

FROSTED DESIGNS "LOVE IS IN THE AIR" BLOG HOP!!!

ALOHA!!!!  SO HAPPY you have joined us for this FAB blog hop!!!  LOVE IS IN THE AIR!!!  WOWZA!  So many fantastic creations!  If these gals don't get your mojo workin', I don't know what will!!!

If you just came from visiting the talented Ann, then you are on the right trail!  If not, you can get started at the beginning by clicking HERE.  It will take you to the home page of Frosted Designs where all the fun begins!

OK, lets get to it! I created this easel Valentine's card.  It's done with an adorable Magnolia stamp I just purchased called "Tilda Sending Love Letter".  I was so excited to use it, and of course you know how we love to frilly up Tilda!!!  The fancier the better!  I colored her with my Copics and used a lot of embellies, cheesecloth, lace and other various goodies from my stash.  The patterned paper is from a set called "Granny's Kitchen" by cei.  The border and around the corner hearts were done with a punch by Martha Stewart, and the plain papers are by Recollections. I computer generated the Hugs & Kisses ticket and made the pin with the beads and bow.  The sentiment frame was cut with my Cuttlebug and the sentiment stamped and heat embossed.  I think that's all the details.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

 

If you are looking for the "secret" words for the phrase to win the hop prize, my words are "With Love This".  Remember, to win you must join in the challenge and collect all the words that make the phrase.  Submit the phrase to danica4us@yahoo.com

Now it's ONWARD for more beautiful inspiration!  Your next hop is over to see the lovely creation that LYDIA has for you.  I'm so glad you came by and we all thank you for your wonderful support of Frosted Designs.  I am so happy to be a DT with all these SUPER gals!  Aloha!

I want to add a big MAHALO to all of you for your very kind comments!  It is so nice to have you visit and glad to know you are enjoying the hop!  HUGS!

CHALLENGE 6 at CHOCOLATE, COFFEE & CARDS CHALLENGES

Happy Friday!  TGIF!!  At Chocolate, Coffee & Card Challenges we are at it again!  And this time we have a super challenge!  We have a great color scheme for you of brown, orange and teal ~ isn't it a great combo!?!

Our wonderful sponsor this week is the awesome Bugaboo!  I used their adorable digi called Bugaboo Cowboy - Fence 2.  He is way too cute!  I tried something new on this card that I have never done before, I used stitching!  It was a lot of fun and I was pleased with the result.  The image is colored with Copics, I stamped the sentiment, then added the embellies that are buttons.

Be sure to check out the great inspiration of our wonderful DT. 

Now it's your turn to join us and show us what you can do with this great color scheme! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MINDI!!! XOXOX

Today is my daughter's birthday!  I can't believe how time flies.  Seems like only a very short time ago she was just a little girl.  But now she is a lovely grown up young woman.  She is a cat lover like me ;-) and has been wanting me to do a card for her with a cat.  Well, I finally did.  This is the adorable Fluffles the cat and the image is called "Full Fluffles" by Stampendous.  I love this image, it always makes me smile!  I colored it with my Copics and mounted it on a background cut with my Cuttlebug and raised it with pop dots.  Then I added the bow, charm and pearls.

I'm happy to say she loved it!  I LOVE YOU MIN!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

BEE MINE

Are you spreading the love for Valentine's Day?  I finally got mine finished and in the mail (a bit late I fear. . . ).  I sure had a lot of fun doing them.  This is one that I did using an SVG file from MyScrapChick.com.  It was a great freebie!  Those of you who use SVG files can sign up for their news letter and receive a free cut file every Friday.  They have a fantastic selection.  This one sure is a little cutiie!

I covered his wings with fine clear glitter, used red wire for his antennas and pasted little hearts on the ends.  I also put glitter on the red hearts he is holding.  I put a bit of cheesecloth behind him before I put him on the card.  The ticket was computer generated and the sentiment stamped on.  Then I added the bee and hive that are tiny buttons.

Entered in the following challenges:

Sweet Stampin' ~ The One I Love
Come and Get It Challenges ~ Love Is In The Air
Papertake Weekly ~ Anything Goes 
The Pink Elephant ~ Pink
Little Red Wagon ~ Valentine's Day or Love
The Cuttlebug Spot ~ Hearts and a Stamp

STELLA ICU

Happy Thursday all.  We've just about gone through another week.  How time flies!  I'm starting off the day with this adorable image of Stella by Bugaboo Stamps.  She is one of my absolute favs!  She has a joke for everything.  My favorite Uncle is in the hospital and he needs a laugh.  I know he will enjoy this.  The image is colored with my Copics, double mounted and raised with pop dots.  I added a bit of ribbon to set it all off and also some cute tiny buttons.  Simple and uncluttered, back to my usual style, lol!  Enjoy your day!