Beach Bum

                        

Hello again Bloggers!

I can hardly believe it's been an entire month since I have posted anything! I never imagined having three little grand babies in my life would just truly take it over! We threw in spring break and a couple of birthdays and it just seems like the time slipped away. I had crafted a few things here and there and working a bit on my project life in my free time but just hasn't been my usual fun in the inky world as I would like.

I just returned from a vacation to Myrtle beach with one of my daughters and best friend so I guess I am still on beach mode. My little guy was sleeping so I took the opportunity to grab up some inky fun!

My set is one of Taylored Expressions iconic cupcake stamps called beach bum. I had to pull this one out since for the last week, that was pretty much all I did was bum..It sure felt good!!!!

The cards are 4x4 and I made matching envelopes for each one. I think I may make a little box to go with them but I just ran out of time yesterday. I used copic and stampin up markers to color them. I also added some random glossy accents and glitter to make them shine..I know that part is always hard to see but I think you can make it out a bit. 

I hope you enjoy the little bit of summer I shared!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Classic Pooh Bear Mini Album

My sweet Abigail

My little prince Lucas

Good morning everyone!

I just wanted to share a mini album I put together for my daughter to use for my grand babies!

I originally made the one for Abigail and she adored it so much I made another almost identical for her to keep for Lucas. 

The album measures 3 1/2 by 5 and uses the Disney's Classic pooh paper stack. I added 6 pages with pull out pockets on each page for added pics and journaling. I punched out some letters for their names and added some glossy accents to bubble them up a bit. I hope you enjoy them..

Thanks for taking a peek into my world today :)

A peek inside the albums:

Beauty is in God's Handwriting

CAS(E) this Sketch #68

Hi everyone...I can't get enough of the clean and simple sketches out there! Some just work so well to give such an elegant look to a hand crafted card. This is one of those cards I put together and just LOVED when it was finished. I used white on white and added some scraps from a 6x6 Bo Bunny pack "Gabrielle Collection" The stamped sentiment and leaves are from SU God's Beauty and the butterfly is from K&Co. I used my spellbinders and embossed the edges for the oval and popped it up above the papers. 

Come and play along..you have a few days left. Click on the link above.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Enjoy the Magic of Christmas

Merry Monday #100

Here is my next challenge card to share today!

Merry Monday had a challenge using green, pink and white or the sketch challenge to celebrate their 100th challenge. I decided I would find a way to fit in both together and I just love how it turned out! 

Using Merry Minstrels from SU and a sentiment from Taylored Expressions from the Holiday Wonder set, I think it worked out great together. I used pattern paper form the hip hip hooray pack from American Crafts and colored with Copics. Of course you will notice I added some glitter for the snow..I haven't used glitter in days and it was just calling out to me for this one!

If you want to play too and get a jump on some holiday cards, head on over by clicking the link above!

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!

A Kind Word

The Paper Players Challenge #187

Another challenge card for me to share with everyone!

The paper players have a clean and simple challenge this week. I was very excited to pull out some of my spring goodies for this one. I think a few more weeks of this cold Chicago air and spring may actually arrive..a little late, but I'll take it!

For this card I used Stampin Up's "both way blossom" and "serene spring". I used the SU wheel "dry brush" run on scrap first for a light background effect with some brown sugar ink. I also grabbed some cantaloupe, coral and pistachio for the flowers and leaves. 

If you would like to join, click on the link above and head on over :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Hello Blossoms

Just Us Girls Challenge #232

HELLO blog hoppers!

It's been a few weeks since I have posted and played in some challenges, so I was excited to play in a few this week. First on my list is from the Just Us Girls Blog. They had a color challenge this week using Aqua, Green and Yellow. I was excited to try this combo because I don't think I have really used it before or if I have it's been a while so it's fun to try a little something different.

I kept this one pretty simple using "hello blossoms" from stampin up. My paper is Saffron, pool party and pear with some designer paper from SU "walk in the park".

After I stamped it, I used a 1/4 circle punch on the letters and added a bit of glossy accents to them just to give a little glow.

If you want to try out this weeks challenge for yourself, head on over to the JUGS blog and get crafty!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Let it Snow!!!!

Merry Monday #98

I know how many people are yelling at me..NOOOOOO! I know we have had enough snow for one year, but I couldn't resist the extra cute banner with the faux stitching for this one! I found some fun country like scraps and these adorable snowmen from K &Co and knew they would be perfect for the Merry Monday challenge.I matched the papers with white and night of navy cardstock and added a few buttons to the corner to finish it off. 

One more holiday card finished for me... Check!

Have a wonderful day!

Thanks for stopping by.

Spring Flowers

The Paper Players Challenge #185

Happy Hump Day Bloggers!!!!!

I am so happy to play in the Paper Players Challenge today. 

The challenge this week is for "thankful cards and spring colors". I decided it would be fun to do another flowerpot card...can't get anymore spring than that in my opinion. 

I used SU Sahara Sand cardstock, the new "Sale-A-Bration" " sweet sorbet" collection and a few miscellaneous thank you stamps. Punched the flowers and adhered a 3/4 inch circle and some buttons from my stash. 

If you wish to play too or just see some beautiful inspiration for thank you treasures, head on over by clicking the link above!

Have a great day everyone...Thanks for stopping by!

Simple Sketches

Happy Tuesday!

I have just a few cards I wanted to share that I put together. I kept them pretty simple and flat so I had some good cards for my stash and easy to mail without extra fees. I hope you enjoy them!

SU "simply sketched" 

Cardstocl chocolate chip, wild wasabi

SU "serene spring"

Cardstock mellow moss, regal rose

SU "wetlands"

cardstock chocolate chip, wild wasabi

SU "happy hour"

Ink used for inside glasses- coastal cabana, canteloupe, strawberry and gumball green

Wild About You!

Just Us Girls Challenge #230

Hi everyone...

Today I am sharing another challenge card for the "Just Us Girls" blog.

Sketch challenges are always fun because I can use them over and over in many different ways after the challenge is finished :)

My stamp is one of my favorites from Stampendous..can't love these monkeys enough! My pattern paper is from Reminisce collection "Mighty Jungle". Card stock is chocolate chip and garden green. 

I colored the image with copic markers and fussy cut and popped up the tree leaves in 3 different layers..The photo shows a bit of it, but you know getting those pics just right is something I am still working on ;)

If you get a chance, head on over to the challenge blog and try this new sketch out for yourself. Just click the link above.

Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

Happy Holiday Wishes-Merry Monday #97

Merry Monday #97

Happy weekend blog world!

I know what you are saying..This girl has gone crazy! Yes, I found another fun challenge blog! They are the Merry Monday blog and ooooh, lots of goodies on there!

I must say, what struck me most about this one is if I participate, come the end of the year I will have many many holiday cards in my stash ready to go. None of this procrastinating stuff that I say I'm not going to do each year and actually do it :)

The challenge this week is to make something with Aqua, white, silver/gray. I used some of my holiday "winter frost" paper from SU combined with coastal cabana, silver and white card stock. I used Taylored expressions "the cool crowd" stamp and finished it off with a few bling.

You have a couple more days left to try this one yourself if interested..Just click on the link above.

Enjoy your weekend everyone and thanks for stopping by.

Pennant Birthday Wish

Whew...Last one today :)

Small disclaimer...

I tried over and over and couldn't get this one to photograph just right so it looks MUCH better in person :)

I had my pennant parade stamp set on my craft space from the other day so why not use it again! It's always fun to make a completely different idea with the same stamps. 

Using My Minds Eye 6x6 paper pad "tickled pink" I found some fun papers and scraps inside to put together this fun birthday card. I added the pennants to a few toothpicks and used some hot glue to keep them down. To finish it off, I added some brown ribbon and a bow and just a few bling in the corner. 

Thanks as always for stopping by..

Have a wonderful day! 

Spring Tulips

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

Oh wait..I forgot..spring is hiding somewhere!

This card is actually for a spring swap I am in. I wanted to do something different than just a regular card so I figured everyone's day can be brightened up with some flowers :)

I used So Saffron paper for the pot and some scraps from a baby Deja View stack I had. The leaves were just cut free hand and all glued and popped up together :)

The insert pops out to say "find joy in the little things". 

I hope she loves it as much as I had fun making it.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

I Sea It's Your Birthday (CAS) #66

CAS(E) this Sketch #66

Hi everyone!

Today I am sharing another sketch project from The clean and Simple Sketch blog. I seem to be in a happy spring mood with all my projects today, maybe because we have been having wind chills below zero again or maybe I just am wishing the warm sunshine here!

I used a Stampin Up set "Silly Sealife" and colored with some Copic Markers in the "W" shades. I added just a touch of  Glossy Accents on the water and a bit on the spout. I distressed the sides a bit then I mounted it on Black card stock and grabbed a piece of scrap Baja Blue from my work space and added the greeting from CC Designs "underwater Sentiments". This actually turned into my favorite card of the day, simple, clean and cute of course :)

Thanks for stopping by. You can join the sketch challenge until next week if you want to try..Click on the link above the sketch!

Here is another card just for fun with the same sketch, just a different idea using "yappy Day" set from SU :)

Just Buzzin' By

Hello again!!!

Yes I have been a very buzzzzy girl :)

I actually made this one late last night after a super long day with the family. 

Using the "just buzzing by" set from SU and a super fun new stencil from Memory Box for the background, I just couldn't stop myself in the yellow! I am not usually obsessed with just one color, but I think it turned out pretty cute. 

The background card stock is soft suede and so saffron. The sponging is curry, daffodil and saffron. I just fussy cut and layered all of the pieces together and I'm finished. It really is nice to be back in the zone for a bit..

I hope you like it...I'll bee buzzin' back soon with some more goodies to share.

Have a happy day everyone!

You Make The World Special

CAS this Sketch #65

Hey everyone...

Here is another challenge card I made today. I must tell you I love the challenges at CAS because they are truly clean and simple. There is something said of course to a fancy built up card as you know I LOVE texture but there are always those times when you just need a special card but not over the top. The sketches on this site are just that...and may I also state the design team is just amazing! I'm not sure how they come up with them each week, but I love to keep doing them.

My stamps are from SU "vases in vogue" and my sentiment is also SU "you make me happy" Both were some great older sets that I reached for...LOVE when I can do that!

My colors are from the current collection, coastal cabana, cantaloupe and pistachio. Paper is brown sugar and crumb cake. I used watercolor on all of the floral and vases. 

You have a few more days to head over and play this weeks sketch if you are up for it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Happy Birthday Sweet Friend

Just us girls challenge 229

Happy Monday Everyone!

It's a happy day for me because I was finally able to participate in some challenges again. Somehow I have gotten myself away from them so it was nice to craft something from inspiration given to me :)

I actually was wandering around the internet and getting lost in all of the wonderful projects out there and found a new challenge blog. It's called "Just us Girls" and it looked like lots of fun so I just had to try it. The team has a different type of inspiration each week so of course I couldn't pass it up :)

This weeks inspiration is a "photo inspiration" challenge. I loved the colors in the photo and here is my take on what I see. 

The pattern paper is from Authentique "Gathering" with some black and SU baja blue cardstock. My bird is a stampin up builder punch and the sentiment comes from a Taylored Expressions set "pennant parade"

There are still a couple more days to play if you want to give it a try yourself.

Thanks for stopping by my crafty place!

Dinosaur Birthday

ROAR!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup, that means happy birthday in dino talk :)

Today's birthday project was a little gift bag and card to match. 

Using a Stampin Up set "Dinoroar" and some patterned paper by the paper studio "Jurassic", I created this little bag and card. The bag is just a little 5" treat bag so it's perfect for a gift card, candy, a little toy or anything else a little dinosaur fan will love. The card is a one layer card colored with copic markers and mounted on some Olive and Soft Suede cardstock.

Directions for gift bag:

Cut pattern paper 11 5/8 x 5 inches

Score with paper on the portrait side at 1 3/8 inches

Turn and score with paper on the horizontal side at 2 1/, 5 1/4, 7 3/8, 10 7/16 inches

Fold on all score lines

Remove square from small 1 3/8 x 10 7/16 end

cut all remaining score lines on short section (up to 1 3/8 score line) to make flaps

Taper larger tabs if desired

Pinch top of box closed and add holes for tie

adhere bottom close

Decorate as desired

Cupcakes and Sunshine

Well Hello Blogger Friends!

I know I have been missing for a while. I have been creating a little bit here and there but life has been one incredible roller coaster lately! We had the holidays and I became a Grammie again to one precious young lady! She is gorgeous and I love taking care of her and her Mommy. We cannot forget of course those two adorable grandsons I already just adore!

I have made so many crafting promises to myself for this new year and I am hoping to keep them all. First and foremost, share my love of crafting again. It has been a trying task to get everything all in a row lately and I know it just needs to be done.

I enjoyed making my November thank you cards/projects so much, I wanted to make February my birthday month. It is almost over already, but I want to try and get at least one birthday project per day. Birthdays always creep up and I love to have already made goodies to pull from :)

Today's projects are from three different stamp companies...Kraftin' Kimmie "Mae", My Favorite Things "Hello Cupcake" and an oldie but goodie from Stampin Up "Ladybug Picnic"

Another one of my goals is to pull out some of my oldies and get some new use out of them. 

I used some pretty simple layouts with these just trying to make them a little easier to mail since the rates keep flying up. I'm not going to lie, I LOVE a 3D card, but there is something said for simplicity as well.

I hope you have enjoyed my quick projects today. Thanks for hanging in there and coming on by. I have a lot of ideas in my head and hope they come out on paper as I plan. One never knows :)

Share with you soon...and YES I mean it!