Lions and Tigers, Oh My!

For Card Patterns Challenge #17, I created this cute Birthday Card for a little boy. Kris gave these cute mat packs papers to me and I just LOVED them! I knew right away the card that I wanted to make and it actually turned out the way that I imagined (not all of my cards do- LOL!) My baby has some jungle animal stamps that just worked perfectly with the papers.

For this card, I used a variety of techniques. I used watercolor pencils to color and shade the lion. I stamped the lion in autumn terracotta ink, colored with yellow, orange and choc pencils. I used the acrylic stamp set Adventure for the "grrr", but...inked the stamp in A/T ink, stamped off on a scrap paper, then stamped on my cardstock (which is textured). For the lion's head, I stamped him twice, colored once, cut his head out- he is popped with 3-d foam. I also have these great orange fibers that I wasn't sure what to do with, but used one of them for the main. Cut 1/2" pieces, folded in half, attached under the head with liquid glass (another great CTMH product!) More fibers on the card for the bow at the bottom.

All in all- love how it turned out and now need to find a boy to give it to! My nephew's birthday is approaching, though I think 12 is a bit too old....LOL!!

We are off for a double header of softball today, hubby away for a week, and a dirty house is calling my name! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

RAK and Card Patterns #16

I rec'd a RAK from my sister! How fun to open a piece of mail that isn't a BILL or JUNK! The other day KRISTEN posted this awesome card on her blog! I told her how beautiful and elaborate the details were on the card and that I had never used watercolors before. I guess be careful what you do ask for 'cause I got an piece of CS in the mail (with some other fab goodies- boy it is great to have a sister that shares a passion for a craft just like me, we send each other stuff all of the time!) Anywho...there I go again! So, I pulled out some pencils and using her tutorial, created this card. The only thing I would say: be careful of the other colors in the card! I just really noticed that the image is on white cardstock and my card is cream and the coordinating papers go well with cream. Oh well, lessoned learned. I even fussy cut the leaves outside of the image to give more dimension. How fun this was- I may have to try ordering some DIGI images now. Check out CARD PATTERNS blog, the sponsor is digishack and you could win some images!

Supplies: CTMH choc c/s, K&Co papers, watercolors, Swavorski crystals, olive organdy ribbon, scallop scissors.

Thanks for looking today!

Unscripted Sketches #07

More K&Co papers.....I am just about out of them, so this afternoon I plan to make a few more cards, toss the small scraps and call it a day! This is the 3rd post for today!

BR-T (a fellow consultant from CTMH) is one of the designers on this site. US#7 had the center piece a "flower" design, but the stripes on this paper is so "in your face" that a flower would not have worked so well. I have this new BIRD set from Mike's clearance section, I wanted to try it out. I stamped it first, then 2nd stamped on blue cardstock and cut it out. Added a sparkle for the eye for extra umph! I like how this turned out, but more importantly, I am creating a nice stockpile of cards for the teachers end of year gifts!

Have a great afternoon-

Midnight Madness SC#3

A few weeks ago I was asked to participate in this new challenge blog. Priscilla has some amazing pieces of work- LOVE the use of old jewelry on the cards. Check out her site! MMSC#3 sketch challenge had me using the scraps that were still on my table from last night. Usually for me to be creative, I need a clean slate to start. I just used more of the K&Co papers for this card and used chocolate to accent. Unbelievable even to me, I found some "clips" in my stash that were from a clearance bin and never opened. Who would'a thunk I would find the perfect matching green accent??? Guess I should go thru that stash more often!!!

Used: choc satin ribbon, choc bigger brads from CTMH, Clear STudio $ stamps for tulips (which match the tulips on the patterned paper!), Wood block sentiment, pop dots for dimension.

Thanks for stopping by- have lots more I am trying to get done and posted today!

Mojo Monday #88

I can't believe I actually did this challenge in a timely fashion! Usually by the time I get to it, there are a gazillion posts! This was my after dinner relaxing time- spent the day with a friend helping her to get into the card making business. Spending time with her made me realize how much I was ready to create especially since I took the weekend off to celebrate the holiday with my sister and her family, my BIL for a family cookout and movie, and a day with "just our family" to shop and enjoy a quiet dinner out.

This card is using up some scraps from a K&Co paper pack that I got on clearance. Sketch #88 on Mojo Monday was an unusually easy one for me. Love the color scheme on this card- chocolate,olive and dark pinks! Saw a dress in church on Sunday that was similar and I thought, "I have to make this color combo (her other color was orange...)", but I digress, as usual......

Supplies: Chocolate grosgrain ribbon, olive cardstock (which is a reverse from an ugly print), uber small rhinestones on the corners from CTMH, SU! sentiment, pop dots, chocolate distressing ink from Tim Holz, CTMH choc c/s.

Thanks for stopping by!

Use It! #11 and Midnight Madness #2

Ever need that extra "umph" of inspiration to get you started? Today was kinda that day. I have been extra tired and having stomach issues- think stress of the end of the year is getting to me.

Use It! #11 is a good one (especially on this day as the temps here in PA are hovering around 80+). The challenge is to use 1) a square card 2)punches 3) summer theme w/ bright colors and summer sentiment 4) embellishments such as flower, ribbon, pins and twine.

The sketch on this new site (Midnight Madness) had this great sketch. I turned it on its side to create this card.

So the 2 together gave me this card: Rainbow sentiment by Flair, Patterned paper by K&Co Berry Sweet collection, misc flowers, button, twine, green ricrac, Tulip CTMH c/s, MS Lace Doily Punch, gold brads, White Daisy and Topiary c/s and scallopped scissors.

Unscripted Sketch #06

Whew- crazy week almost to an end! I am trying to do some challenges, but "the road to glory is paved with good intentions" right? So, found some time to create for one of my fave sites, Unscripted Sketches #06 and created this card. Kris lent me a cartridge Accent Essentials and I made some extra cutouts, thank goodness because this was my starting point for a card today!

Sticker border- Bella Borders by K&Co, Old Willow Ribbon (check out the site Just 4 Fun Crafts for the great prices and products....) Brown photo clip, CTMH olive, pansy purple and desert sand c/s and inks, Say it In Style sentiment, and CTMH uber small sparkles! Inkadinkado Nature stamp set (this has been the BEST stamp set EVER!!! Use it all of the time!)

I think that I am going to make a few more of this particular card, just to have on hand. Will come in handy for the September show I am vendoring in. Thanks for stopping by and looking today- off to read a new book. One of my goals for the summer is to read a book a week. Miss reading and discovering some great new talented writers. Will let you know if I catch anything good!

Just "4U"!- Use It! 10 and CP #15

Whew! What a crazy week it has been and even a crazier one to come! For the last few weeks, I have had one sick kid home after another with some sort of virus that turned into ear infections. Then, volunteering at school upon working a few hours. Finally friday had me shopping for....me! Got a great pair of shoes and a sexy sort of outfit to wear out on date nights with hubby (now, just got to get him to go out with me...LOL!)

So, this week will find me in Baltimore on a field trip tomorrow, tuesday the kids have off for election day, my last 2 days of work, and helping my first grader complete a book and diorama for her creepy crawly project, and 3 softball games this week. Is it summer time yet?

I cheated for this card and combined 2 challenges. This one had a different feel in my head- but it is out of the box for me, since I usually use stamped images on my cards, not chipboard. Card Patterns #15 was the sketch and Use it #10! was to 1) monochromatic card - pink 2) rubons or clear stickers (did not use, but used other fun stuff like prisma glitter....) 3) chipboard - 4 and U 4) optional use nontraditional ribbon (used this sparkly ribbon that is a pain to adhere to anything....glad to use this stuff up!)

thanks for stopping by today! until the next challenge.......

Supplies: cuttlebug swiss dots folder, CTMH white daisy c/s, baby pink c/s, baby pink patterned paper (discontinued), Martha Stewart embossed pink c/s, chipboard letters/numbers with prisma glitter, misc ribbon.

Use It Challenge #9

Use It! has become one of my favorite sites. The challenges really make you think outside of the box and be creative in the way you use your "stash". For me, this card used some Svavorski crystals that I picked up at Michael's about a year or so ago. They were on clearance and I had to have them! Then, I thought they were too nice to use on any ol' card and kept them in my accessory box until Rae's throwdown.....

1) use pink, black, white: check!
2) accents, oh my!: used scallop scissors for the black trim, used the crystals on the flowers (in pink)
3) use polka dots: check! ran the flowers thru the cuttlebug swiss dots folder
4) DIY, well, 4 was a bit too much for me and I skipped out on it.

I am not sure that I am crazy about the final product, but it will do for now. I know someone, eventually will appreciate it- so for now, it will sit in my box of cards.

Onto the final days of my employment (2 more weeks) and I am ready for summer. I have grand plans to redo the kids bathroom and try to scrap my wedding album (which was last summers project I never started....LOL!)

Happy Mother's Day- Kelly

Card Patterns #14

The featured designer is Peter and his work is incredibly detailed and right up my alley! Go to Card Patterns and click on his name to see his blog.

CardPatterns helps get me out of my "rut", revitalizes my mojo to create! It has been a crazy few weeks and my creativity muse has disappeared. Thank goodness for these challenges!

Supplies: I used blush cardstock and sweet leaf for the trim (CTMH), the stickers are Bazzil. The flowered patterned paper, suede flower, brown ribbon are from "who knows where" and the brown brad is CTMH. Thanks for looking!

Have a great Saturday!

Unscripted Sketch Challenge #5

While I had these great papers out (designing a card for another reason...)I thought this snowman needed a card that would really make him stand out. These papers I picked up at a LSS, and they are called Snowman Friends, by Adornit, CArolee's Creations. The saying goes: Once there was a snowman, tall tall tall, out came the sun and he got small, small, small (or something like that LOL!) He is a glittery paperclip and worked out well on this card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Unscripted Sketches site, card supplies: BAmboo and twilight cardstock by CTMH, Martha Steward snowflake punch, miscellaneous crystals, white brads- CTMH, chocolate ink for distressing edges.

Mojo Monday Sketch

Usually, by the time that I get this sketch, there are a gazillion entries- today, I tried to do my sketch early! This is my 3rd card today and I am excited (even though there are a few things I should be doing around my house....LOL!)

Not much else to say on this card.....

Supplies: bobunny paper, shabby princess, CTMH cardstock, inkadinkado natures garden and clear g studio sentiment.

Unscripted Sketches #4

BR-T is a fellow CTMH consultant and is an artist in her own right. I have never seen anything like her creations! Each card or layout she has made is, literally, a piece of art. I LOVE to look at her work- where Beth finds the time to do such creativity in her pieces, well, I don't know, but I bow down to her! Check out this new site- Unscripted Sketches.

Here's my take on the sketch this week:

Supplies: Paper is bobunny, shabby princess, CTMH bubblegum cardstock. Martha Stewart butterfly punch, pearls from Mike's, scallop scissors, stamp from Treasure life and Inkadinkado natures garden.

Card Patterns Sketch #13

It's been a busy week- getting ready for the past workshops and the craft show. That was a total learning experience! Never do a "flea market" venue again, it wasn't the right crowd for our cards! Anyway, the best part of that day was spending it with my sister and her family!

Kristen turned me on to this sight (she is on the DT). I just love the sketches. So for this week's sketch, I used all CTMH products (a change of pace for me...LOL!)

I have been loving the 8x4 sized cards. They fit right into the legal sized envies that you can pick up anywhere! Thanks for stopping by and happy creating!

Supplies: Stardust paper pack, Shining Star stamp set, hemp, swirl clip, moonstruck ink and bamboo ink.

Use It! Challenge #8- Winner!

I know that you have been patiently waiting for Rae (simply rae) to post the card, now here it is! I was the lucky winner chosen to design Challenge #8. Use It! is such a great site, it really helps you to think outside the"box" and use up the hoardes of great products sitting in your crafting area. I have had these pins for ages and trying to use them up! I found them at Big Lots and bought, oh I don't know, all 7 boxes!!!! Now, I am trying to use them on EVERYTHING!!! LOL!

Flowers were my inspiration. They are everywhere! This time of year, for as beautiful it is with the new growth, still is tough for me. My mom died 19 years ago (this Memorial Day), so I choose to honor the other women in my life that God has placed before me. I have an incredible mother in law, sister, sister in law, friends and aquaintences that ALL have left their mark on me. All women are teachers, mentors, and "mothers" so this Mother's Day, honor them. Tell them how much they mean to you. You are bound to make someone's day.