If Friends Were Flowers, my garden would be empty!

My take on CardPatterns sketch #8 (thank you Kristen for the link!)

This card took too much time to create-IMHO. How it started is not how it ended. I think part of my lack of "mojo" was that this was the first card that I made using this paper. Since it was so out of my ordinary colors, I really struggled with how to put the pieces together. But, in the end, I am very happy with how this card turned out, and the 3 of these cards (scroll thru the rest of todays postings...) will make a nice pack of cards to sell at my next craft fair.

The card size is 6x6. An usual size for me to use, but it worked for this layout. I think I hold off on making this card since it takes extra postage (LOL! remember stamps increase in price in May 2009, again!)

I used some prima flowers, a felt flower Kris gave to me, but it is on top of some green cardstock that I used scallops on to make a mat. The circle sentiment was typed on the computer. I didn't line it up correctly using the cricut, but love the offset! Felt butterfly by K&Co., embossed white paper with cuttlebug. Like I have said before, I love the green and orange color palette. I think I will have to do some more summery cards!

Have a summery day! thanks for stopping by-

A Life filled with Cupcakes is a Good Life!

Mojo #80 and Papertake Weekly easy 1-2-3.....

I adore Cupcakes. Yep, any kind of cake will do me just fine. But, love the simplicity of a small sampling of a cake, my sized, but it must have TONS of icing! Vanilla cake with vanilla icing is now my favorite. Onto the card......

Oh how on earth did I miss these websites in the past? I stumbled onto this site, MOJO MONDAY sketch blog a week or so ago and just had to try my hand at these sketches. Papertake Weekly was just this morning! Well, trying to condense my challenges into one card- that took some thinking (hard to do at 5:30am....) So, pulling out this combo from Kristen (she gave me lots of love the other week!) I went to work. This is my 1st card using this set of papers. I just love the colors green and orange together!

Mojo monday, was to follow the sketch design- which I did. The Papertake Weekly, the challenge was to use: circle (yep, good life stamp!), ribbons (yep, used ricrac) and stamps or images (yep- digi stamp of the cupcakes)! Followed all of the instructions!

I used a digi stamp for the first time and had some trouble with it, but did my best and just printed it off from Adobe, not being able to resize it. Used liquid applique on the icing, with Prisma Glitter- let it set overnight and heated it this morning to raise it up (3D effect!). The dew dots are pink, but look clear on this card. All in all, I am very happy with the way it ended- will definitely be back onto this site for more challenges!

Use It Challenge #4

So, this weeks challenge on the USE IT! blog, was a little bit more difficult for me. First, I have been eyeing up this paper and love the complete brightness of it, but it is way out of my comfort zone. I am not a brights person, I love jewel tones.

So: use scraps of any kind, punches or die cuts, 2 or more different ribbons, and 1 or more embellishments that you once loved and haven't used for a long time.....

Let's see: scraps: well, this paper is actually the 3rd card I made using these papers, so I am counting them as scraps and the thin pink ribbon (had less than 12" left of it!). Punches: broke out my new nesties for this! Ribbon: by my count, I used 4 different ones. Embellishments? Well, that was more tricky since I only buy what I use. However, I love prima flowers and have had a stash of them from a long time ago and rarely use them- I tend to do more "classic" cards, not fun and flashy, so this was a great card to pull them out for. Cupcake was a digi image, which is the first time for me to use and I love how my icing turned out! Used my stick glue pen, outlined the icing and sprinkled my absolute fave product- Prisma Glitter (from CTMH). For something different on the card, I cut off 1" of the right side of the card and lined the inside edge with a scrap of green cardstock (see it a little on the right??)

Thanks again USE IT! and to Judy L for the choices of stash products to use-

Have a great morning and check back again, I did 2 more challenges that I am going to post!!!

Happy Birthday to You!- Cute Card Thursday Challenge

In honor of my oldest's birthday yesterday, I created a few birthday cards one for her and a few for the fundraiser I am participating in tomorrow. This card is also for Cute Card #53 Challenge:

Challenge 53 - "Family Affair"A nice easy one for this week!! We want you to make a card for a member of your family. As simple as that. Could be mum, dad, husband, son, sister - anyone!!


I cannot believe another year has come and gone for "M". She is turning into a beautiful young lady. Her big surprise was 2 pairs of pierced earrings. Now, to most, this would be NO BIG, but for her, it signified that Daddy was finally going to let her get her ears pierced! 5 years of asking and she finally has grown into the responsible person to be able to care for her own ears. It was the highlight of the evening! Today, despite the rain, we are going into the City of Brotherly Love for a "REAL" cheesesteak sub (you are not allowed to call it a hoagie, that is for ham/cheese and then no mayo is allowed all oil/vinegar- trying to figure out Philadelphia-ese can be frustrating!) This will be a photo op for the scrapbook. Now to choose between Pats, Genos or Tony Lucs....hmmm....


In keeping with the birthday theme, this is a simple card. But what is great about it for me, I am finally using up some things around here that I am just plain tuckered out of seeing. First the sunkiss yellow cardstock from CTMH. I rarely use it, don't know why, but I prefer more jewel tones. The ribbon is one I purchased from Michael's on clearance and have never found the right project to use it on until now. Really goes with the "heart" cut from the Cricut. The heart is popped up with foam and really makes an impact on presentation. I think any young lady would appreciate this card. This is what the USE IT! challenges have done to me...my paradigm has changed and now I am looking at my stash through new eyes! Check out the site if you have TOO MUCH stuff- if there ever is such a thing!LOL!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you......

Supplies: C/S- CTMH baby pink, white, and sunkiss yellow; Ribbon from Michael's; striped paper CTMH a retired baby girl paper pack; brads; Got Deux Flowers; 3d foam; Happy Birthday sentiment, CTMH acrylic set "happy birthday" (love this set, there are 15+ H/B stamps each a different font and size!); finally my fave tool, the scalloped scissors!

De- Clutter Anyone????

Did someone say it was spring? Oh that's right, last weekend, just when I got back from visiting my sister, Kristen, I realized it was spring. Well, for me, that means spring cleaning! How appropriate Kris, that you gave me all of this wonderful pile of products to sort through! See, she went through it over the past few weeks and then offered it to me to see if I wanted anything. Just in time for SPRING! Perfect timing, right? Well, it has taken me a week to go through the laundry basket that had 2 stacks of paper completely filling it to the top. What I had left after sorting by product line is one stack that is 11 inches tall. As you can see by the other shots, I sorted and stacked all of this great paper/stickers by season and line, creating some nice packages to try to sell at a yard sale, mine in PA and hers in MD. Think we can sell it? Hope so! But, doing all of this sorting has made me realize how bad my dining room looks and needs some cleaning and decluttering- Kristen, see what happened? You are making me do MORE work!!!! Paper anyone? Ribbons? Stamps? I think I am in paper hell........

Corset Card and Use It! #3 challenge

This card used the CardPatterns sketch, my interpretation of it and the challenge from USE IT!

Close up of the corset.....

When I saw Heidi Van Laar's challenge yesterday, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. The challenge posted on USE IT! was to 1) use some eyelets, 2) use something more than 1 year old, and 3) use something with polka dots.

The eyelets made me think of corsets. How sexy are they???? I found a website that had a template and went from there. The eyelets are oh, about 5 years old, and the same with the mini black ribbon. The paper is Anna Griffin that Kristen gave to me from her stash, it is dated 2007 (old for her, new for me....does that count?) The polka dots are embossed by the cricut machine. The pink lace is $1 store find.

If you don't speak French, the saying is "Si J'ai dit que vous aviez un beau corps, le tiendriez-vous contre moi?" Loosely translated: If I tell you that your body is beautiful, would you hold it against me?

My husband went "WOW! Love the card! But I don't know what it says." You know, it is just the tone of the card, the way it looks that makes me say "Who cares what it says, it is just plain sexy, the french makes it speak LOVE!"

It's Springtime!

Happy Spring, for it being the first day, here in lovely Holland, I awoke to the ground covered in snow and the temps hovering in the 40's. Drizzle this afternoon- but I'll take it as this weekend it is to warm up quite nicely!


A few weeks ago, I challenged my sister to make a card using some jewelry charms that I mailed to her. I sent her some birds and I bought keys. I cheated, though, and went back and bought some butterflies (of course, me being the frugal gal I am, tossed through the clearance aisle...).

Back to my story- so Kristen and I designed cards and today, presented them to each other. The fun part of this story, includes you! Create a Spring Card, post onto your blog, visit her at , Blankety Blank Blank , link your blog address and enter a comment on her page with her Bird Challenge. You will be entered in a prize drawing for some awesome blog candy (she even posted a shot of the fabulous stuff she is giving away!!). Her cards are gorgeous and would put a smile on someone's face as they opened the envie! So what say you- are you excited for Spring? Show us your fabulous creations!

Supplies: white cardstock, embossing tools for the basket weave, Martha Stewart pink satin ribbon, Martha Stewart pink paper, CTMH breeze cardstock, Martha Steward butterfly punch, pink cardstock, scallop scissors, michaels' pearls, CTMH stamps/sentiments, Heidi Grace pin, beads and Blue Moon Butterfly charm.

USE IT! #2 Challenge

My sister, Kristen Swain, from Blankety Blank Blank hooked me up to this website the other day, called USE IT! and their main purpose it to help us use up the tons of supplies sitting in our scrapping area/room.

I have decided to accept this weeks challenge, and this is the card that I made. The challenge was to:
-use spring colors (peach and light green were my choices from the Tea and Silk collection from Prima, very oriental in nature)
-use 4 flowers, any size or any material (I have so many of those danged prima flowers in the oddest color combos sitting in my stash from an ebay purchase when they were the hottest trend item around!)
-finally, use a tag (I cut one from my wonderful fantastical cricut machine!)

I also used vellum, which has been in my cardstock stash for about 2 years. My printer won't accept it, so it is just sitting around. I used grograin ribbon, new purchase but alas, the wrong size, my bad! And, when I first started as a consultant with CTMH, I purchased these beads. They have been around for 5 years now, so I added those to the top of my tag, which can become a bookmark. So, my effort to going "green", using up, and following my mothers adage "waste not, want not" ---by the way, what does that phrase REALLY mean???? Oh, I digress....I love how this card turned out! Thanks for stopping by today. So, I challenge you, stop by the site and use up what you have to create a wonderful piece of art, today!

supplies: CTMH stamp "Aspirations", Tea and Silk collection paper, ivory grosgrain, CTMH beads, ivory brads, prima flowers, vellum, desert sand and sorbet inks, waxy flax.

Erin Go Bragh!

A little Irish history for those that are interested:

The phrase is a corruption of the Irish "Éire go brách", or "Éirinn go Brách". The term "brách" is equivalent to "eternity" or "end of time", meaning the phrase may be translated literally as: "Ireland until eternity" or "Ireland until the end (of time)". The form "Éirinn go bráth" or "Éire go bráth" which also means "Ireland forever" or literally "Ireland until the Day of Judgment", is also used.

Supplies: My Minds Eye: Wild Asparagus Pack, Cranberry organdy ribbon, ClearG stamp set, cranberry and white daisy cardstock.

Quick and simple for today. I made 2 very different styled cards for St. Patty's Day- one more playful, the other more sentimental. The 2nd came together as I was looking for a "heart" stamp for another card and realized how simple it would be to use a heart for a part of a clover. I know many of you out there do the same thing, it just took me a bit longer LOL! The first card used a challenge from SCS, #219 I think....

So a blessing for you before you go-

When Irish eyes are smiling,

Tis like a morn in spring.

With a lilt of Irish laughter

You can hear the angels sing

When Irish hearts are happy

All the world is bright and gay

When Irish eyes are smiling

Sure, they steal your heart away.

May your blessings outnumber

The shamrocks that grow

And may trouble avoid you

Wherever you go.

Supplies: All CTMH products unless noted: Topiary B&T paper (reversed), topiary ink, Heartfelt stamp set, black cardstock, white daisy cardstock, black bigger brads and ClearG stamps Kiss Me I'm Irish set for the sentiment.

Tweet, Tweet

I was inspired by a card similar to this posted on Splitcoast yesterday.
I pulled out my
Inkadinkadoo birds and K&Co botanicals sets to make this card. I think it is very serene and can be used as a sympathy card, just thinking of you, or for an adult birthday card.

Supplies: chocolate c/s and ink, twilight c/s, paper, and ink, Say it in Style stamp set, 3/8" ivory grosgrain ribbon, Martha Stewart paper lace doily punch, Inkadinkadoo birds and K&Co botanicals.

The love of my life!

Fifteen years in September- where did the time go? Seems like yesterday we were dating, then living in 4 different states (moved 4 times in 6 years!) and having children, to today. We have so many memories and I love to look back on our life. It is not often that I make it into the photos as I am usually on the other side! My MIL actually took this shot, I cropped it to focus on us (not her kitchen) and just wanted to make a simple layout. I had a terrible time of finding paper to work with this, so I made my own. I did lots of stamping in this one- paisleys on the grey flannel, the hearts for the letter V, sentiments and faux stitching. But I am thrilled with how this turned out and by making my own, I was able to really pull in the colors of his sweater and my sweater. Sometimes, just a little extra work can reward your efforts. I am counting on us being Always and Forever.....

What do you do with "masculine paper" when you have all girls?

You can make only so many Father's Day layouts and cards with a paper pack. As much as I liked this paper, I needed to use up my stash. My girls are all into softball, turned a great shot into SEPIA tones and there you have it. Doesn't matter anymore- it all just works together! The letters are chipboard inked in bamboo and you know- love to distress (chocolate of course!)

Summertime, Summertime

Ever have one of those moments where everything just comes together perfectly? This was one of those for me. This paper pack was just down to scraps and I was, honestly, sick of looking at it. I took a favorite summer pose and turned it to black and white. CTMH premiered some plastic clips that I altered, tried my hand at scoring, distressed a few things and viola! simple layout. The shot of my girls makes me remember that during the trying times of "sibling rivalry" they really do get along and play well together. This is love.

I Am An Athlete....

My "M" is truly the athlete in our family. She is aggressive, hates to lose (like her dad!) and loves the movement in any game. This year playing (2 weeks ago to be exact) she broke her finger playing ball. As she told her dad about her finger, in his capacity as assistant coach- told her to "suck it up and be an athlete! no bellyaching!". So, my poor baby (see, us moms are just a bit more sympathetic....) went onto the court and played the entire game.... even so far as being the high scorer for her team! Yeah M! When she arrived back home to tell me the tale- I took one look at that finger and said "Your finger is broken", and that led to some animated conversations over the lunch table and a trip to the ER to have her in a cast from tip of the finger to the elbow. Of course, playoffs are this week- will she or won't she play?

Harmony

Harmony- I think we all try to live a life in harmony. Maybe peace is more the word that I am looking for. Quietness, no strife, relaxation, calmness......that is what this morning is. I had the whole house to myself! Kids are in school, at least for the morning, and work-at-home hubby is out playing basketball today with his work buddies. I know as sure as I am typing this, peace is not what my house will be tonight. Hubby bellyaching about his sore knees, kids complaining about sleepovers, arguing over who gets to choose the family activity for the weekend.....so, for now, I am relishing in the calmness of the house and working on harmony. Peace be with you.

supplies: ivory satin ribbon, SU stamp set, CTMH Unforgettable papers. Used a technique of 2nd generation stamping on the 3"square- bamboo and sorbet inks. Stamp set is called Aspirations. Card design- Splitcoaststampers.com challenge

My First Publication- "Beauty"

This was "inspired" by someone from a LONG time ago and so very different from the way I typically scrap. We were at a local park one summer day, and always camera ready, took lots of pictures of my favorite muses! I see this picture and am reminded of "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" LOL! The flourishes are a set of stamps called: "My Mom" from CTMH, which is long ago retired. Oh my, is that more distressing that I see? Brown ink edging everything. I just love how this turned out and yes, I am quite proud of being published. This was a HUGE accomplishment and changed the way I work. Ready, Set, Create is a great online mag and has lots of work in there to be inspired by- yes this is a shout-out!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Until next time.....

Kelly

Sweet and Sassy Give A Way- $50 smackaroos!

Who would like a gift certificate in the amount of $50 to Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps?
I thought you would.

This blog candy is for one Fifty Dollar gift certificate to shop for anything in the Sweet 'n Sassy store.

Click on the link http://createdbycourtney.blogspot.com/ , follow the steps given to be entered into the drawing!


Good Luck!

Have A Wonderful Day

Another cloudy and dreary day here, am really looking forward to the first day of spring. Creating soft pastel cards is my way of bringing it along a little bit sooner. My youngest came home today telling me she learned that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb-LOL! She showed me pictures of how we dress during the first weeks of March (in parkas) and the last weeks we are wearing short sleeved shirts and lightweight jackets. I think I like the month of May better- the temperature is more reliable, mild and breezy, warm not too hot, and the trees are in full bloom.

Supplies: blush cardstock, olive printed paper, vellum, matching inks, prisma glitter (I LOVE this stuff, very fine and just soooo sparkle-y!), organdy ribbon, dew dots, and ticket punch for the corners. The 2 stamp sets used are: Life is So Good and Birthday Script by CTMH.

As far as techniques, I doubled stamped the flowers 1x with baby pink, then just to the right with blush. Makes it look like watercolors. Same with the olive leaves/stems. Inked up the stamp, stamped off 1x, then stamped my paper. The sentiment is in Smokey Plum ink.

Like the card says: Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

Simple, yet Elegant cards

Manic Monday is what today has been. Ever have one of those days? On the go, go, go and I am still not done. While waiting to go to my next appointment, I made these very simple, yet elegant looking cards. They make more of an impact as a group. I think the person that receives these will be quite thrilled! No sentiment, means use them in any manner you see fit: birthday, I am sorry, thinking of you, prayers, thank you, the list can go on.

Supplies: Off white cardstock, flourish stamp set, Martha Stewart flowers and doily punch, pink grograin ribbon, CTMH papers.

It's a Bright Bright Day....

With temperatures here hovering in the high 60's, I have a bit of Spring Fever. Our yard is full of mud and muck from the melted snow of last weeks nor'easter.

This card is soooooo out of the box for me! I am a vintage kind of girl- greens, reds, pinks and browns, all in muted colors are what I gravitate to in my creative moods. I ordered this pack of paper by K&Co, loving the brightness of each piece. So, with the new bird mini set (Clear G stamps) that I picked up on clearance, my mojo led me to make this bright, springy card. Hope that you like it! On a cloudy day like today, here in PA, I certainly feel my spirits lifted!

Want to try your luck? This website has BlogCandy up for grabs!

My wonderfully creative sister is about to reach the 10,000th hit on her blog! As part of the celebration, she put together a GREAT blogCandy package to go to the winner! Check out her website:

http://scrapinkris.blogspot.com/

You must leave her a comment! Let her know I sent you and if the winner comes from my blog, I will give you a little something too! Leave me a comment letting me know that you visited!

Have a great day! Kelly

technique-Stamping my own paper

I wanted to make 4th of July invitations for a family picnic. I couldn't find the exact paper for the look I wanted to achieve in my invites. So, CTMH had this great Picnic set, that I just decided to incorporate all of the stamps onto one sheet of paper to make this very colorful invite! Colors used were Outdoor Denim, Cranberry, Black and Sunflower.

Here's a closeup shot of the paper.....

One of the ways I like to relax and de-stress from the day is to stamp. Now, I don't bang the blocks onto the table and take out my frustrations- the paper and table did nothing to me! I use it in a more healthy and constructive way- making my own papers. Haven't you ever gone to buy paper and can'f find the one that you are looking for? Here are a few samples, and once you have the technique down, you will be busy creating your own papers to match exactly what you wanted to in the first place.

The trick to Random Stamping is working in a TRIANGLE shape. Choose your stamps. I use 2/3 large, and fill in with 1/2 small, to tighten up the look. Remember, when you cut your paper, you will be surprised at how much open space was left on your sheet of paper! Start with one image and start stamping, change inks and images and remember to work the the 3 triangle shape. Keep rotating your paper- never leave it straight on! And stamp off the edges of the paper to make it look like something that you purchased. It will take some time to practice. Using the smaller image that you chose, fill in the small spaces, you can overlap, but not too much! This fall sheet, the acorns are embossed in gold powder, then the entire sheet was sponged with goldrush ink to further distress my paper. Another time, I will tell you how to make realistic looking fall leaves. Until then, enjoy the beautiful weekend and happy stamping!

Favorite #2, Paper Garden

I really struggled with the papers in this grouping. I decided to clear out the "old" stock to make way for "new". I really wanted to move this packet out, so I needed to come up with something-fast! Why fast? Had a workshop to prepare for! The card on the left, is actually a pattern from Close to My Heart's Originals Book (patterns for cardmaking). I have said that I need to distress my cards- see the chocolate Walnut Ink used on all of the edges of the papers?! Found the hat pins (Heidi Grace) at Big Lots and have fallen in love with a new embellishment to put onto my cards! The card on the right was inspired by a 9x9 display album. K&Company stamps for the butterfly, cut out and pop dotted (hard to see from this angle). Scallop scissors are my next new fave tool- use the big and small ones just about all of the time! These were cardkits in my last workshop and only a few were left to make for the fundraiser I am vendoring in March. "Why a few left" you ask? Well, there were almost 40 card designs and about 325+ kits to purchase from, I am guessing guests wanted a little of everything!LOL!

This particular workshop was a hit! I was completely shocked by the number of responses that came in- was up for many nights preparing kits, designing cards (which went from the most basic of cards, meaning no stamping, I heard that "gasp!", to cards that were quite detailed in stamping, tearing, distressing, and assembling). So much positive feedback that I am preparing for the next one in April, just not as big or elaborate. My husband still hasn't recovered from the last one- there was so much estrogen floating around in this house.....between 3 girls, 3 female dogs, 17 women......I was lucky that he returned home to me that afternoon- LOL! Don't want to push my luck, at least so soon.....

Favorite Card #1

There are a few cards in my inventory that are favorites. This card I "CASEd" from someone about 4 years ago. I don't remember their name, but love this color combo. It is Pansy Purple, Bamboo, and Garden Green. The stamp set is Sweet Floral, retired and one of my faves! I did the "linen" technique on the bamboo textured cardstock. Using sandpaper in 2 different angles, makes the paper look just like linen! I crimped the purple cardstock (broke the crimper in the process!LOL!). As I was layering the images for the matting, tore the bottom edges of the paper. I love distressing my cards and have a hard time creating clean lines. "Just a little note" is my interpretation of a card I make time and again.

That's Amore!

That's Amore- the newest papers from the Spring '09 line of Close to My Heart. I finally took some time to scrapbook and actually created 2 layouts! First time since Christmas that I broke out the photos and was inspired. This paper pack is amazing- I love vintage colors and the chocolate is DEVINE! I was able to create this simple layout, using a sketch from PageMaps.com and the glitter letters are from K&Company (valentine's clearance at Michael's gotta love sales!). Used a plate to make the circle and cut out with a pair of large scallop scissors. Love the mimic of scallops in the bottom of the letters, the flowers, and edges of papers.

Mostly, I made these beautiful any occassion cards with this paper pack. I used my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder, figured out how to do paper pleats for the bottom edge, used some miscellaneous pins, chocolate satin ribbon, SU stamp set for the flower and sentiment, and prisma glitter for the sparkles on this card! Whew- lots of products and techniques....I received so many compliments on this card! Thank you!

Tuesday, the first day of my blogging life!

Well I did it! I joined the blogging bandwagon. I spent hours searching the web (getting lost in the black hole of cyberspace) and found tons (I mean tons) of blogs! Wow, there are some really incredibly talented people out there! Thank you for sharing your talent, your work is inspiring many people. I am going to spend the next few days figuring out this site, updating the wallpaper, and eventually adding artwork. Stayed tuned.........