A Pearl Centered Rose With Love.

Until now, I hadn't been game enough to attempt a rose with Spellbinders Rose Creations Die.  I purchased it purely on a whim that maybe, one day, I could make something half as fabulous as Madame Donna Salazar purports that one can with her die.  Yes,  I bought into the dream.  Needless to say... there it sat.  Yesterday, I guess, I found my nerve.  Embarrassingly enough, it wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be, even though I doubt I would win a handmade paper rose beauty pagent, but I'd reckon it could possibly snaffle twentieth runner up on a good day.  I am pretty chuffed with it actually and most importantly had a hoot of a time making it.

The overall card was born from the inspiration stimuli of both The Shabby Tea Room and Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge.  Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge sketch called a circlular shaped card to duty with the additional elements as drawn and The Shabby Tea Room asked kindly for the inclusion of chevrons and the colors: Blue, Brown, Cream, Green, and Orange (that's a fair swag of colors, hey?).  I thought, why not just create a fun and crafty card salad as my offering into the mix?  Not sure what actually prompted me to add all these fantastic bits and bobs in the one card, but I don't half mind the results.  And yes, that is an invisible button I used on the card, in case you were wondering.  *wink* Oopsy!  

Thanks for stopping by for a gander.  I do appreciate your visits so.  Have a brilliant and inspired day!

Supplies:

• Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Stamps Off Beat Backgrounds and Fancy Phrases.
• Paper:  Papertrey Ink Fine Linen, Blueberry Skies, and Rustic Cream.  7 Gypsies Conservatory and Lille, and Basic Grey. 
• Accessories:  Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Zing! Embossing Powder in Burnt Butter, Spellbinders Rose Creations, Folliage dies, Grand Calibre Circles, and Fancy Labels, Pearl Brad (from stash), and wee pom pom trim (also from stash).   Ooh, I almost forgot, the invisible button is also from my stash's imaginary section.  

Dog Lily's Patented Syrup Of Kindness...

I know, I know!  What a great name for a Cure All, hey?  I just love this collection of stamping goodness from Waltzingmouse Stamps.   This goodie comes from Waltzingmouse Stamps Rescue Remedies set.  In my opinion, this set is a real must have.   No more angsting over what sentiment to use, as they can, absolutely, stand alone with great effect.

I made this card for this fortnight's CR84FN Color Challenge showcasing the colors: Orange, Yellow, and Brown.   What an amazing autumnal array of color!   I was delighted to get into my corrugated cardboard groove once again.  I just love the stuff.   By finger, I titivated the Spellbinders Label 4 die cut cardboard with copper, gold and a small swipe of brown acrylic paint and away I went.   Heat embossing is always a bit of a hair-raiser for me, because even with my trusty Embossing Buddy in tow, I still manage to get the rogue bits of embossing powder sealed onto my project.  Drats!  Oh well.  I reckon it kind of adds to the label's vintage appeal.  *wink*  Well, that's my story and I am sticking to it.   This card was a relatively quick one to make and was certainly relaxing (outside of the heat embossing that is).  Ah, the joys.  


Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have an extraordinary day!  

Papertrey Ink's September Blog Hop.

Finally a skerrick (and I do not exaggerate) of natural light to capture my card for this month's Papertrey Ink Blog Hop.  YAY!  The inspiration photo for September is a bolder, lighter, infinitely more linear image than has translated into my card.  I did try to lift the wattage of my card while crafting it,  but my more dusky, vintage predilections hopped into the drivers seat once more.  So, I hope you don't mind that I have shabbed or rather grubbied up the colors a bit, but I dare say I know no other way.  I was captivated by the golden aspects of the inspiration photo.  Hence, the introduction of the golden lace flounced edge and the gold acrylic painted edges along the card. I followed the more linear, stripey cues present in the photo with my pattern paper from Sassafrass Lass and the PTI Fine Linen cardstock impressed with the Canvas and Linen Impression Plate from PTI.     Love.  The actual shine of the flooring and what I suspect is the corner edge of a white lounge or Ottoman in the photograph spoke to me and an attempt to recreate this was made by simply heat embossing in clear, the white gray spotted paper bloom made with PTI's Bloom Builder # 1 with the center pearl brad.  I then distress inked the bloom and saturated it in Pearl Glimmer Mist to really attempt to highlight and encapsulate the shine.  The layered bloom was first stamped with the petal-like images from PTI's Sending You stamp set.  And lastly, the fairytale "Happily Ever After" sentiment is from the 2010 anniversary set from PTI that I really love so. The particular font used in this set, although a bit quirky with its seemily unorthodox tails, is one that I have come to adore.  Nice.

Well that's me done for this month.  Thanks for stopping by and happy Hopping! 

Your Thoughtfulness Is Much Appreciated.

I'm not 100% certain why, but I still get reasonably stressed about entering challenges.  I much prefer to enter them gleefully, but if I am to honest, they still come with a small degree of angst when it comes to posting an entry.  I know, I know...they are meant to inspire and spur on creativity but I can manage to always see it that way to a point, but it's the waiting and the announced results that always get me in the end. A bit tragic, hey? For the most part, it's always close (because I actually managed to meet the deadline..YAY!) but no cigar (because I didn't cut the mustard...once again). Sigh.  

Yes, challenges definitely seem to whet my creative apetite, absolutely, but I am starting to think that I should just be inspired by the sketch, color grouping, or theme and not submit the card inspired by the challenge for the challenge.  Now there's an idea.  What do you think? I know that these feelings have bubbled to the surface before, but I am starting to worry why they keep bubbling back.  I certainly think it a lot more than I post it (Thank Heavens you must say).  I definitely have learned to never post an entry when I am premenstral as that always ends badly that is for sure, but I have noticed that there is still the allure of possibly winning a randomly given away stamp set or much coveted blog badge that still pulls me in.  I am starting to wonder if there is a 12 step program for this challenge entrant?  Now there's a thought.

So, until my addiction is cured, I may as well pull that slot machine lever once again, and list this card into Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge.  Incorrigable I know.   

Oh well, enough of this pity party, eh?  Because really, I just wanted you to know that your thoughtfulness is much appreciated as your comments mean so much.  This card's for you, Lovely Ones.  Here's hoping you have a day as wonderful as you are!  

Supplies:  

• Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Rescue Remedies Additions, Vintage Circles Small, and Vintage Labels 18.  Hero Arts Distressed Canvas Stripe Designer Woodblock
• Paper:  Papertrey Ink Kraft and Rustic Cream, & Gypsies Lille DP
• Ink:  Adirondack Sailboat Blue, Memento Lady Bug, VersaMagic Midnight Black and Night Sky, Disress Ink in Old Paper, Barn Door, and Walnut Stain.
• Accessories:  Pinking Shears, Spellbinders Labels 18, Small Circles Nestabilities, Papertrey Ink Large Scallops, Black & White Plaid Satin Ribbon (from stash), Red Waxed String (also from stash), and Keisercraft Pearls in Cream.      

Preppy Plaudits.

What's the expression...Best laid plans of mice and men?  Well, this would certainly seem the case for me this past week.  I had great intentions of creating a swag of celebratory cards, but life just managed to get in the way...Again.  I only was able to create four cards this week and I must say, I feel a bit strange for it.  I did though make this little argyle number using my recently received Bloom Builder #3 die from the esteemed Papertrey Ink.   It's a funny one (not as in ha ha kind of funny) and a bit strange to use.  But, I think the end results are kind of fun.  This bloom looks a bit like a cracked out Eastern Seaboard Anemome to me. Well, if there were sea anemomes along the East Coast that is.  I think the weirdness of its look is more to do with it in my hands than anything else.  Not sure what possessed me to combine the colors as I've done, but I suspect I was somewhat mesmerized by the coupling of PTI's Sweet Blush and Aqua Mist.  I reckon they look pretty gorgeous combined and capped with the pearl brad.  Collegiate, yes, but cute.  

I also had fun using Papertrey Ink's A Little Argyle stamp set too.  It's a stamp set that I have had since it's release but don't use nearly often enough.  If I must be truthful, I do find it a bit nerve-racking to use.  Do I stamp the diamond first then the cross or the cross then the diamond?  I am sure the results are better if done one way over the other, but I can never remember which.  Plus, the order does need to vary for optimal results depending on the color of the cardstock and or ink used.  I don't think I followed the correct order here, but if I forgive the rather skewiff stamping and squint a little, it kind of works.  Ah well, I had fun and that's what counts, right?  

Thanks for swinging by and here's to a marvelous day!  

Supplies:

• Stamps:  Papertrey Ink A Little Argyle and Bitty Birds (Sentiment), Waltzingmouse Stamps' Holiday Labels #14.
• Paper:  Papertrey Ink's Rustic Cream, Aqua Mist, Sweet Blush, and Ocean Tides
• Accessories:  Papertrey Ink Bloom Builder #3 and Lined/Canvas Impression Plate, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 14 and Lacey Banners, WRMK Corner Chompers in 1/4 and in Deco (botton edges), Pearl Brad from Stash,  and Acrylic Paint in Baby Pink.

Some Birthday Wishes...See?

As many of you know, I sell my cards each weekend at the local markets and ocassional festival most weekends.  Well, this lovely lady came up to my stand the other day and said, "Gosh, I really wish I knew some sick people so I could send your wonderful cards to."  My eyes nearly bugged out of my head and I did one of those demi-chokes upon hearing this. I then coyly replied, "Thanks. I have a fair few Get Well cards there, do I?"  She smiled at me and said, "Sort of.".

I instantly had to laugh, because on further inspection, one must admit that I do have a heck of a lot of Get Well/Feel Better/Buck Up/The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow, etc. kinds of cards currently on offer.  Yikes!  Unknowingly, I had created this overabundance of Get Well type cards.  I, had to concede that I was certainly a bit light on birthday cards, congratulatory and wedding type cards, for sure.  What's so hysterical about this, is that I have only just recently seemed to come out of the scourge of plague and pestilence that has invaded my house of late. All the kids were sick with colds and my husband is only just surfacing from another bout of Man Flu ( I know, I know).  Even my darling mother-in-law is just now on the mend and she is generally so unsuffering and never complains that it requires a keen forensic eye to even discern that she is sick as she always soldiers on with such unwaivering aplomb.  She's amazing.  So, I obviously was crafting either under great duress or with those I love clearly in mind.  Please note, I am unwilling to confirm nor deny which was the true mitigating factor at this stage.  *wink*

So this week, I am going to try and make a concerted effort to boost my cards on offer with loads of well wishing, birthday, congratulatory-like cards.  Hence the card I made today which presents my more sunnier, bug free disposition.  Ta da!

So to continue on with the festivities, I am going to list this card in both my beloved CR84FN Color Challenge and Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday Challenge (as it had been ages since I have done one of those) and only Papertrey Ink Stamps were harmed in the making of this birthday card (Think Big #7, Fancy Flourishes, and Iconic Images). Love.  CR84FN is showcasing the colors Bright Pink, Black, and Gray.  So very cool.  This week's Make It Monday is all about making your own background stamped paper using their non-background stamps.  Definitely fun.

Thanks so very much for stopping by.  I appreciate your visits so.  Have an extraordinary day!  Hugs.

I Just Couldn't Decide.

I actually made these two cards early last week when the latest CR84FN Collor Challenge went live.  I was instantly smitten with the color combination and the inspiration images showcasing Light Blue, Turquoise, and Neutral.  Yum.    I delayed in posting my entry though,  simply because I couldn't decide which one to enter.  Sigh.  Seeing that the fortnight entry period was starting to draw to a close, I didn't want my dithering to have me miss the boat entirely. So, apologies in advance for the two entries,  but what's a girl to do?  

I made the Happy Birthday card first and then the Coffee Shared card just after.  Funnily enough, they aren't all that dissimiliar really.   Papertrey Ink Stamps were used across both cards (save the Stampington & Co. Sheet Music Woodblock on the first).  I employed Ad Sense and Warm Happiness stamp sets.  I can't recall where the pattern papers were from.  I'm kind of thinking October afternoon and Authentique?  Hazards of dipping into your scrap bucket I guess.   The cardstock used is the sublime Papertery Ink though, that I do know.  I had major issues photographing these two cards and watermarking them also proved rather interesting, hence the variations in size and general poor imaging.  I am starting to think I am not meant to post or enter these cards, period. *shifty* Maybe they're cursed? Or I'm cursed? Dunno?  Ack!   I give up.  Sorry. *wink* 

Three Precious Words.

This is my offering to this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge.  Again, I have taken slight liberties with the sketch by turning it on it's side and utilizing the heart shape as the best kind of circle that I know of, but it felt right.

The card was initially going to be the first of my Christmas cards, but I ended up reworking the holiday sentiment I first stamped, by restamping and hiding it under those three precious words, "I Love You".  So I guess this card is actually an incognito Christmas card, if I were to get down to brass tacks.   I know I should really get a wriggle on and start making my holiday cards in earnest, but my days seem to be just zooming by and I just want to relish in the Now a wee bit longer.  Silly perhaps. Although, I am not as devil may care as I'd like to make out on this forthcoming holiday crafting bee, which I know I will enjoy once I get into the swing of things, because I have recently received an order of some new holiday themed stamps and designer paper. Plus, I am sure to order a few more festive bits and bobs in any case within the next little while.  Tragic I know. But for the moment, I am just going to enjoy things as they are and work on not pressurizing myself too much, just yet. 

I really enjoyed using my beloved Waltzingmouse stamps on this card.  I utilized stamps across the Cameo To Go, Oval Classic Frames, and Seasons Of Love Tags.  It's amazing how well Waltzingmouse Stamps play with one another. Lucky for me too, Waltzingmouse Stamps also play equally as well with other quality stamps, because I used Hero Arts Designer Woodblock stamp in Envelope Pattern on the Papertrey Ink Aqua Mist cardstock base.  Kinda cool effect, eh?

Well, I better limit my ramblings for now as I have a small open window for crafting as all the little kids are out of the house at the moment and I am happy to ignore all the other chores mounting up before my very eyes for a bit of nourishing time feeding my spirit.  Here's hoping you get some crafty time in too!

Catch ya soon! xo