An ODD Trick or Treat . . .

Hey all!  :)  I think my brain, my hands, and my being has been on a vacation.  I must say, I really needed it though.  It got me to wanna ink up something and color. 

Well, I took the plunge and got me SOME ODD GIRLS!  What did it was seeing that SOG Kimono Kaylee and I had to have her . . . then I got me more!  Some in digi and some in clear stamps.  For today's card, I used Gwen from the clear stamp set, HollyDay Gwen.  The set comes with a couple of sentiments and some holly berries including Gwen.  Since Halloween is just weeks away, I thought I'd tackle my first Halloween card for this year. 

I colored her with copics and stuck to the purple and black theme.  The background behind Gwen was inked with one of my new Tim Holtz Distress Ink Fall Limited Edition set, Seedless Preserves.  I slightly distressed the edges with Black Soot.  Behind that, I punched 7 Spiderwebs with my MS punch and adhered them to the back of the circle.  Added a few spiders, twine and a tag . . . voila!  Done!  :)

Here's a close up of Gwen and her spidey friends.

I decided to enter her in some challenges.  Boy, it's been ages since I've actually done that.  Well, that's it for me.  Thanks for stoppin' in today!

Challenges:

Some Odd Girl Blog - Sketch Challenge

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Halloween or Goth

Pixie Cottage Challenge #91 - Dark & Spooky

Truly Scrumptious #67 - Distressing

Cupcake Craft Challenges 163 - Halloween

Lollipop Crafts #52 - Critters

Cherished Friend . . .

Hope you're having a wonderful Saturday.  This is going to be a quickie post since I've got to be gettin' ready head out the door.

For weeks on end, I wanted to play in Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenge, but couldn't . . . just been busy and swamped.  Well, this week was no different.  However, I was able to put this card together since I had Charlotte with a Rose already colored up.  Here's my take on the sketch - SCRSC38.

I distressed the background around Charlotte with Broken China and also distressed the second doily with the same color.  The beaded pin was given to me by my dear friend Kris (thanks girl!) and thought it was the perfect embellishment!

Anyways, gotta be going.  I'll be back tomorrow for a Farm Fresh Challenge!   Ta-ta! 

Cute as a Button . . .

Hello bloggers!  I'm here to share a card using Cheeky Howdy!  Yee Haw!!!  Ain't she cute as a button?  Thought I'd enter her in Saturday Sketch Challenge over at Club Anya & Friends. 

 I used the Button Boutique set and the coordinating dies from PTI for this card.  To give the buttons some shine, I added Glossy Accents and finished them off with floss.  I used the Banner Borders die to cut a piece of red felt for the border, tied some seam binding and added a couple more buttons, and voila!

Here's the sketch . . .

   

Want a closer view to see the shine on the buttons?

Thanks for stoppin' in!  I'll be back to share another card and I do have to share some great BRAKS from very special friends!

Birthday Fairy Wishes . . .

Happy Friday peeps!   I wanted to share this card that I made for my SIL.  She celebrated her birthday on the 20th.  Actually, there were/are many birthdays in which our family celebrated recently.  Here's a list:

FIL - Feb. 17th

SIL - Feb. 20th

DD & an Aunt - Feb. 22nd

Me! - TODAY!!!  :) 

1LuvnDad - Tomorrow, Feb. 26th

Anyway, I created this circle card using Birthday Fairy from Lili of the Valley.   The edge around the actual card was done with my MS Doily Lace Edger Punch.  The doily behind the image is from PTI (luv it!) and the sentiment too is from PTI.  I dyed seam binding in Tim Holtz Black Soot.  Lastly, the DP is from BasicGrey Sugar Rush paper pad.

I colored the image with copics and distressed the background while still in the die with Spun Sugar.  I also distressed the edges of the DP with my Tim Holtz Distressing Tool & added Lime Green Stickles to the distressed parts.

A closer look . . .

I'm gonna submit this to a few challenges for fun.  What the heck right?  :) 

Well, I just wanted to take this time to say thank you to those of you (you know who you are) who emailed me or left birthday wishes on my previous post.  I adore each and everyone of you . . . thank you from the bottom of my heart and for continuing to stop in to view my itty bitty blog.  :)

CCEE1108 - Distressing - inks & tools

Flutter By Wednesday #143 - fairy

Lili of the Valley Challenge 85 - Circles

Just Because . . .

Happy mid-week bloggers! 

Well, I did it!  I used all 3 Miss Anya's in the TGF Miss Anya Hats Off set.  I just luv this sophisticated chic!  Then again, I luv them all!  :) 

Miss Anya is sitting in front of some really sweet DP, Imaginisce Garden Party Collection.  I used my Labels 12 and embossed the DP with Cuttlebug's Textile.  Then, distressed the raised part with Tim Holtz Tea Dye.  Do you likey the doily?  It's from PTI's February Release . . . I couldn't wait to use the doily die.  The sentiment is also from PTI's Simple Sentiments set.  Lastly, the flowers were cut using C.C. Designs Tag It set. 

Here's a close-up . . .

Thought I'd enter a couple of challenges, "Just Because".  LOL!  :)

Card Positioning Systems (CPS) 206 Sketch

Fresh Farm Friday (FFF) - Terrifically Texturized - 2 to 3 different textures on project - - - I did dry embossing (distressed with Tea Dye on the embossed part) and added Glossy Accents to Miss Anya's shoes.

That's it for me . . . I have another card to share real soon!  I'm really trying to ink up some stamps that have never been used.  Thinking, it's about time I do!  Always buying and never enough time to use what I buy.  Thanks for stoppin' in!

I Have You In My Heart . . .

Hi all!  Just wanted to share this cutie, Darling Marci.  She is one of the new line of Marci's at La La Land Crafts.  I'm slowly trying to create some cards and projects and let me tell you, it sure is a  . . . s-l-o-w . . . process. 

Here I used my Martha Stewart border punch and the DP is also from Martha Stewart called Key and Heart Mat Pad.  The sentiment is from Hero Arts.  I wanted to enter my card in a sketch challenge over at Sketches by Carly #21.  This is the sketch.

A close-up of Darling Marci . . .

Well, that's it for now.  I have some tags I want to share later.  Ta-ta!

Make A Wish

Happy Saturday!  I couldn't resist inking up my Lili of the Valley stamp called Dandelion Clock.  This girlie is one of the new releases and I just had to have her {had to get a few others as well}!  

I followed the sketch for the LOTV Challenge going on right now - Sketch #81 by Dawny P . . . it's been ages since I entered any challenges.  The papers are from the Wisteria paper pad by BasicGrey and the sentiment is from an old Stampin' Up! set.  The edges of the papers were distressed using Antique Linen and sponged the area around the image and the sentiment with Tumbled Glass. 

Here's a closer look . . . I added some glitter to the dandelions and to the wings.  The roses were also glittered up.  I'm entering Flutter By Wednesday's Challenge #138 too.  Since my girlie has wings, I think she qualifies.

So there you have it . . . enjoy your weekend and thanks for stoppin' in!  :)

Battle of the Design Teams - TGF - Week 1

I should've posted this earlier but didn't have the time too.  I am participating in the Battle of the Design Teams hosted by TGF!  I'm sure most of you have heard about the brawling going on over there and let me tell you, the teams are doing a fantastic job! 

I am on a team with some great ladies - - - we are the  FRIENDLY FARMERS!

Christine - Team Leader

Kris

Melly

Lisa
Me!

For the first challenge which was RETRO, each member of our team created a card and we voted which one would be submitted for that challenge.  I don't know why, but the team selected my card.  Here's what I created.

I did a bit of altering on this sweetie.  Can you tell who she is?  Of course . . . it's Rockabilly right?  Partially.  I took Rockabilly's body and stamped Birthday Anya's head minus the cake that should be on her head and her face.  If you have Birthday Anya, you would know that her eyes are closed.  Well, I knew I wanted them to be open so I drew them in! I just had to add the pouty lips!  She turned out as I wanted, a Pin Up girl!

To those that voted for our team, a HUGE THANK YOU!  Please continue to vote for our team as we've made it to round #2!  :)

Going for Gold at the Winter Olympics

I know you must be thinkin', "What is going on?" right?  What's with the Christmas card?  I started participating in a new challenge called I Dream of Stamping.  It's a Winter Olympic relay over at that blog!  Here is what I created for Challenge #3-Ice, Ice, Baby!

I used my Paper Pretties Gliding By Stamp that I receive from my dear friend Lisa.  For the "ICE" I used my Martha Stewart Fine & Course Crystals to create the ice effect. 

Here is a closer look . . . I tried to photograph the crystals.  Sorry if you can't see it, but she's skating pretty on ice with snow falling around her!  I also added some Fun Flock to keep her nice and cozy!

If you get a chance, join in on the fun!  ;)

Seeing RED?

Hey there!  I hope you're having a wonderful weekend thus far!  I've been quite busy over this weekend  with kids activities and some friends booked a last minute trip to come to Hawaii so we were able to spend some time together.  I managed to get in a little crafting in my down time.

My gf Enjoli gave me this really cute stamp from TSRD of a musubi (rice ball with a nori or seaweed wrap).  This is my first TSRD image and I hope to add more to my collection 'cause they're so cute!   I decided to try the TSRD challenge using this image.  Obviously, I was so excited about the challenge that I just jumped right in without reading all the details.  I made a clam box and was quite satisfied . . . oh, boy, I then realized that I had to come up with an altered project instead.  So, I dug up my empty Altoids cannister and altered that!  I added a bag of Japanese Green Tea and a package of Ochazuke Nori (seasoning for rice soup) to the box and cannister.  What a cute gift to give my out-of-town friends . . . a gift to remind them of "home".

The clam box . . .

The altered cannister . . .

Side view . . .

A close up of the musubi . . . I heat embossed the image . . .

The inside with the goodies!

Also, entered these in a couple of other challenges going on:

~ LLWWC26 - RED

~ Cupcake Craft Challenge #78 - Keep It Simple

~ I Dream of Stamping #2 - Embossing (used my heat embosser for this image)

Ingredients? 

TSRD stamp, CS & DP, nesties, corner rounder, Tim Holtz paper distressor (my new tool!), altoids cannister, ribbon, red bling, foam dots, copics.  That simple!

Collapsable Treat Box

Yesterday, I posted a card that I made for a friend whose birthday is coming up.    Click {here} to see it.  Here is a Collapsable Treat Box that I made to put a few goodies in for her.  I got the idea from a video tutorial I saw at Chic 'n Scratch Live.  Angie Kennedy Juda demonstrates how to make a Sweet Pea Candy Box.  I adapted her idea, but changed the dimensions to make a larger box approximately 4-3/4" x 6-3/4" x 1". 

Here is the top of the box.

A closer look at Sophia from Paper Pretties.  I used the Paper Tole technique (for a challenge) to make the image "pop out".  There are 3 layers plus I paper pieced her pretty dress.

This is the front view of the box.

And this is the inside of the box.  I made this one collapsable so that it can be stored flat.  There's a lot of room to place all kinds of goodies. 

Thought I'd enter this in some challenges.

~ Polka Doodle #5 - Paper piecing

~ Cute Card Thursday #98 - Spots & Dots!

~ KLSNS#16 - Pop It Up!

~ Whimsical Wednesday: The Diedrich Dare #21 - Sketch

Just would like to wish {BLEEP, BLEEP, BLEEP} a Happy Birthday!  I'll be sending your card and goodies out on Monday!  :)

Purple & Green Free Standing Pop Up Card

Quick post tonight.  I made a Free Standing Pop Up Card for a very special friend who is celebrating her birthday in a couple of days.  She luvs purple!!!!  I will be sending her a few other things with this card, but just wanted to share this since I've entered it in the Club Anya & Friends Wild Card Wednesdays Challenge:  Purple & Green.

This is the front . . .

This is the back . . .

And this is what it looks like folded up flat!

That's it folks!  I know, so unlike me for a short post.   Gotta get some rest . . . still recovering!  :)

I'm Sending Luv Your Way

I did it!  I finally got up the little mojo that I had left in me to make a card for some challenges.  These challenges gets my juices flowing and I had to force myself to create something.  This is 'Melinda Blowing Kisses' from the Whiff of Joy Stamps Collection (thanks Denise for letting me ink her up!).  I just luv this image!  She's surely spreadin' the luv and sending them your way!  Some of these challenges wanted hearts . . . WELL, HERE YOU GO!  HEARTS GALORE! 

~ Flutter By Wednesdays #95 - Anything with a butterfly, angel, or fairy

~ La La Land Crafts Challenge #24 - Hearts

~ Pollycraft Monday Challenge #33 - Things with wings

~ Stampin' Sisters In Christ #24 - Image of a child or childlike things

~ KL Stampin N Scrappin Blog Challenge #15 - Sketch

~ The Pixie Cottage Challenge #8 - Pink or Red

~ C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #36 - Love/Valentine

~ Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge #3 - Hearts
~ LOTV Challenge #46 - Valentines
~ Whiff of Joy Challenge #65 - Love

Here's the sketch I'm working with . . .

Want more? The Tiffany & Co. Explosion Cake in a Box!

Hey there!  I know, I know, enough about the Tiffany & Co. and those darn WHITE SATIN RIBBONS!!!!  But, you know what?  I just had too!  I can't get that trademark blue outta my mind . . . I realized that I created the Prince Ian card for the TGF CHA Relay Challenge in that color!  So not planned!!!

Since the wedding is on Saturday, I couldn't wait any longer to make a card/gift for my gf.  There's much to do for the wedding - - rehearsal, dinner, manicure, pedicure, check into the hotel, pick-up the dresses, and then the actual wedding.  Phew, thinking about it makes me exhausted! 

Here's what I created for my gf and her husband-to-be, an Explosion Cake In A Box. 

Yup, you guessed it . . . A LOT OF WHITE SATIN RIBBON/BOWS & THE TRADEMARK BLUE!  Not the exact blue, but pretty close to it.  I used a Currency silver CS and embossed the white CS with my embossing folder.  I handmade the paper flowers and used my Sizzix 3D Three Tier Cake Diecut.   I tried to stamp the sentiment onto the vellum, but it came out horrible so I ended up printing the sentiment off the computer.   I also made a pocket behind the cake to insert a gift card or to place the moolah in.

Here's a closer look at the stamped image of the bride & groom.  I got this stamp a long time ago by Juju's Tiny Treasures.  I didn't want my message to the bride & groom to be on the base of the Explosion Box so I inserted my message of well wishes on the inside of the lid/cover.  I hope she likes it!  :)

This project is up for a few challenges.

~ LLWWC23 - Gift Card Holder

~ DCRU #23 - Ribbons

~ Cute Card Thursday #97 - Flowers

~ Pixie Dust Studio Pixie Challenge #6 - 3D Project

~ Stampin' Sisters In Christ #23 - A Tinge of GREEN (my tinge of green is a "TINGE")

Hope to see you all back on Sunday . . . or maybe Monday!  JOURNEY-ing to a wonderful weekend!  Woohoo!

TGF CHA Day 4: My Prince Charming!

I'm feelin' it!  My sweat beads are turning into waterfalls!  I took one look at TGF CHA Relay Challenge digi image #4 & screamed . . . Prince Ian is one good lookin' guy!   Sorry 1LuvnDad!  :{  Well, sadly to report that the Relay had abruptly ended due to some unforeseen problems . . . but I must say, good problems!  There were sooo many participants that the server just couldn't handle the uploads and high traffic.  Amazing!  But, at least those who participated had a blast and got some FREE digis!  Here's Prince Ian . . .

I figured Prince Ian would go great with Princess Anya, but wanted to reflect my "luv" story.  Yes, my hubby is my Prince Charming, but I'm so not the Princess type.  I'm kinda like, well, WS Megan.  She's rough around the edges and kinda "TITA".  TITA, is a slang we use in the islands for saying, "She's so unlady-like."  It is what it is . . . rough, tough, and not girly-girly.  With that, here's my card! 

I did a Gate Card measuring 4-1/4" x 6".  There's my castle on the front!  Thought about tying a white satin ribbon bow, but I would just get nightmares seeing it!  If you don't know the story about "WHITE SATIN RIBBONS" check my older posts!  I, along with some of my gf's, had to tie about 1000 white satin bows for my gf's wedding . . . the wedding is this Saturday so I probably won't be posting come Friday and Saturday. 

Ok, when you open up the card, there we are ~ Prince Ian & Megan.  Together forever!  As the sentiment puts it, "Fairy tales do come true {there's proof} I have you!"  I got that sentiment as a digi wordart by Heidi Larsen.  Do you see the glass tennis shoe Prince Ian is holding?  No stiletto shoes for me!  :)

Well, that's it for now.  How has the JOURNEY & the relay been for you?   I had FUN, FUN, FUN!!!  Stay tuned because I have a little montage & tribute to the TGF CHA Relay to show you (when I'm done with it!)   :)

TGF CHA Day 3: Boy Oh Boy Toby!

Good morning! Another day in the TFG CHA Relay . . . boy, my feet, or I should say hands, are feelin' the aches and pains of this amazing race! :) What's the gain without any sweat and tears? Anyway, meet -- Toby Cub!

OMGosh . . . he's such a sweetie, I adore him!  Toby Cub reminds me of my son - - high energy, always silly, and runs around in his underwear all day long!  My son is ALL BOY & wanted my card to be just that.

I followed the instructions from Beate Johns tutorial on the Tri-Shutter Card, click {HERE}.  So much cutting, but worth it when you see the results!  Toby Cub is playing amongst the frogs and bugs, it just screams FUN!  I've added some cute embellishments to bring this card to life - - a frog charm that's attached to the button on the flower and the frogs that were cut using my Cricut.

I had a jumpin' 'ol time making this card.  Thanks for JOURNEYing with me!  We are almost there . . . the finish line is just ahead of us!