Tuesday, December 28, 2021

i-Crafter - You spin right round baby, right round....

 Hello!  Thank you for stopping by!  I'm on the i-Crafter blog today sharing this little baby....


This fun 3D, it stands, it spins, it folds flat for mailing features some fun new dies.  Heart Embellishments by Lori Whitlock, Classic Squares and Dashed Squares by Lynda Kanase.  I do admit that this was inspired by a popular YouTuber who recently shared another company's spinning cards.  Well, I watched that video for about 3 minutes and then shut it off.  I knew that was something I could do!  So I pulled out my dies, my papers and my Scor-Buddy.

I cut the base out using two different sizes of the Classic Squares.  I then I cut a frame using the Dashed Squares, this is how I cut the dashed dots on both edges.  I then cut a piece of card stock that was the same length as the base and 3 inches and scored every 1/2 inch and accordion folded it.  Then adhered to both bottoms.  I made a top piece that's only about an inch or so long that 2 inches wide and then scored at 1/2 inch and also accordion folded.  I also punched a little hole in it to feed the string through.  Then I die cut my elements.  The dies are perfectly symmetrical so they went together back to back super easily.  I sandwiched the string between the hearts and then decorated.  Super easy to do!  This will fold flat for mailing, but I highly recommend a padded envelope.  

Thank you for your visit!

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches - Annual Anything Goes

 Hello!  Thank you so much for stopping by.  It's time for the Annual Anything Goes challenge at Tuesday Morning Sketches. This is the time of year where we, the TMS team, get 2 weeks off to recharge, spend the holidays with our loved ones and get ready for the new year.

My card features the Rocker Step Card base from i-Crafter.  I did share the bird from this set on a card a few weeks ago but I had made it a bluejay instead of a cardinal.  This time, I made a stark white card with an embossed panel, white poinsettias and the majestic red cardinal.



I do wish this picture looked as good as this card does in real life.  I couldn't get the blue to tone down.  Looked perfect at first.

This card was so fun to put together, but I admit, it's not a quickie card.  Of course, I was watching Hallmark Christmas movies while making it so it probably prolonged the process.

Please join us at Tuesday Morning Sketches for our anything goes challenge.  There is a prize!

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

i-Crafter meets Tuesday Morning Sketches (#636)

 Hello!  Thank you for stopping by.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches.  Did I say latest?  I meant last sketch... yep it's the last sketch for 2021.  It's by Andrea and it's super easy going and super fun!  And I decided i-Crafter needed to come along for this ride!

My card features Shadow Happy Birthday by Lynda Kanase and Heart Embellishments by Lori Whitlock.  This is a super easy card and when I made this I actually had one of my bosses in mind.  He's Indian and what screams India to you?  Well, to me (besides the amazing food) is the colors!  It's his birthday today, and although I didn't send this to him, in my mind its still for him.


It's is a very simple card with lots of color.  That large sentiment is perfect as it's own focal point.  It's one piece so you run through your die cut machine twice and there you go, two cards, boom!

I do hope you'll join us at Tuesday Morning Sketches!  We'll see you there.

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #636

 Hello! Thank you for stopping by.  I appreciate your visit.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's brought to us by Debbie.

My card was super easy!  I pulled out some dies (as I usually do) and some old Christmas paper pads.  Actually the paper pads were out because I'm making 7 of the Double Carriers by i-Crafter for my sister.  So I just put more of the paper to good use.



The ornament was made using a die from i-Crafter (Double Carrier set) and a die from Spellbinders (also featured last week).  The white panel I embossed using a cover plate from Kat Scrappiness.  The Merry Christmas sentiment is from Pink and Main.  The sentiment I actually cut into both the white layer and the patterned paper layer.  Then cut out a few more and did a bit of inlaid die but with dimension.  I lost the dot to the "i" so I improvised with a dot of Nuvo Drops red.  I also added a dot Nuvo Drops Silver Lining to the snowflake (snowflake die is also from Spellbinders).  I pulled out some baker's twine that I've had in my stash for a pretty long time to finish of my red and white card.  The paper does have some foil shininess but as you know, I have know clue how to capture that in a photo.

Please head on over to the TMS blog and join us!  We'd love it if you did.  Thanks!!

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

i-Crafter Release Day!

 It's the 1st of the month and that means it's release day at i-Crafter.  There is so much to offer in this month's release. 

I am featuring the Gable Box by Lori Whitlock!  I know!  It's Valentine's Day themed and we, as crafters, have to work on our projects early so we're ready for the special occasion or holiday.  But I know what you're thinking, especially if you've been following me for awhile or know me personally - I am not into Valentine's Day.  But this box is so pretty and is so versatile.  I'm thinking more like this would be a fabulous favor box for a wedding.


 

How to make this box. 

1.  Cut the base of the box twice. 

2.  Cut the front/back decorative panels twice.  Also the side decorative panel (not pictured).  I did cut the back on solid and embossed and the front one I centered that beautiful filigreed heart, embossed the main piece and then glued the heart back in.

3.  Adhere the panels to the box. 

4.  Assemble box using your favorite adhesive.  Mine is liquid glue by Bearly Art.  

5.  Cut out tag and use the words that come in the die set or personalize.


I hope you enjoy this box and if you'd like to purchase it, I'd appreciate you using my affiliate link. 

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #634

 Hello!  Thank you for stopping by.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's a fun one.  I say that - but you have no idea the struggle I went through.  The card I'm sharing is not what I started out to make.

I wanted a Nutcracker.  I actually pulled out my Silhouette Cameo which I haven't used since before the move.  The cut was too small for the amount detail so most of it stuck to the mat!  But I am happy with what I came up with.  It's just not what I wanted to do.



I pulled out the Deck the Halls die set from Spellbinders and some old Christmas paper that I've had for years.  This is fun and shiny even though the red foil isn't captured in this picture.  Not sure how to best photograph shiny stuff.

Anyway, this was simple and quick to put together, which was good after all the time I wasted picking bits off my cutting mat.

Head on over to the TMS blog, the team made some really fabulous cards to share.  See you there!

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

i-Crafter - Christmas Double Carrier

*** Please scroll down for my Tuesday Morning Sketches post *** 


Hello!  I'm on the i-Crafter blog today featuring a really fun idea using the Double Carrier box by Lori Whitlock. 



How to make this adorable box...

Reminder:  You will need a die cut machine that cuts larger dies.  It works perfectly in my Gemini.

1. Cut 2 pieces of the base from Kraft card stock.

2. Cut 2 pieces of each decorative layer panel.  I am using Christmas paper from DCWV.

3. Adhere the decorative panels to the base panels of your box.  Then fold on each score line using your i-Crafter Burnisher or other tool to ensure sharp folds.  Remember all folds are mountain folds except the handle, those are valley folds.

4.  Assemble box by gluing one side to glue tab taking care to line up edges.  Then repeat on other side.  Complete box bottom by folding short sides in first and gluing to one long side.  Then glue other long side.  I like using liquid glue, it gives you a bit more time work.  My favorite glue is Bearly Art.

5.  Now it's time embellish.  I used the bow dies from Scotty Holiday, the circle die which is also part of the Double Carrier set and the wreath (which I cut out several times, snipped in half and then layered to make a bigger, fuller wreath) and sentiment from the Ribbon Rosette Christmas Add On die set.  I made the berries using a small hole punch.

6.  Fill it up with treats!

Tuesday Morning Sketches #633

 Hello!  Thank you for stopping by!  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and this week's sketch is by Debbie.  It's a great sketch that I know you're just going to love playing with it.


My card features some sunflowers that you've seen before on a previous project that I made using the Pop Box, Oval dies from i-Crafter and some much neglected glimmer plates!  I haven't pulled out my Glimmer machine, foil and glimmer plates in MONTHS!! 


The foil I used is gold holographic and shimmers so prettily.  I forgot to mention that I also used the rectangle dots glimmer plate around the edge.

This was a really easy card to put together and yes, I did flip the sketch but I used the biggest sentiment I could find and pull out some tools and supplies that needed dusting first!   Please head over to the TMS blog and join the fun.  Happy Thanksgiving to our US players!!

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #632

 Hello!  Thank you for stopping by.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches.  It's a nice and easy one.

My card features a Mini Delight stamp set from Altenew.  Wait! Did I just stay stamp set?  Yes, (Patti), I still stamp every now and then.  You all know how much I love my dies and I admit,  I do have a lot of them.  But I still have some stamps, too.  This week's card is a very simple note card.  No dies were involved.  Just some stamping, some very neglected Copic markers, my paper cutter and an embossing folder.


This is a Mini Delight set from Altenew that is a monthly subscription.  Honestly, I forgot all about these!  But I really wanted an easy like Sunday morning card and this fit the bill.  I dug up some left over from a card kit paper from Simon Says stamp and a $1 embossing folder.  Easy peasy.  Personally, I think it looks more like a watermelon than a cactus, but who am I to judge?  LOL

And I have to admit, I purposely did this card to show Patti that I can still stamp.  Hahaha!  

Okay - head on over to the TMS blog and join in the fun. Don't forget to leave some love for the team!

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

i-Crafter meets Tuesday Morning Sketches (#631)

 Hello!  Thank you for stopping by.  I am so glad that you're here and I'd appreciate it if you left me a comment so I know you were here.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and this one is by Debbie Foster.  I am also up on the i-Crafter blog today.

This week's sketch was perfect for the card I had in mind using as many i-Crafter Nov release dies as I could!


Let's take a look at all the i-Crafter supplies this card features...

* Impossible Box, Christmas Add On (222214)

* Ribbon Rosette, Christmas Add On (222211)

* Christmas Treat Lantern Add On (222213)

* Buffalo Plaid Stencil (222189)

* Ribbon Rosette (222143)

Now how I made it.  I cut a red panel to 3 3/4 x 5 inches and then cut fishtails.  I put the stencil over the red card stock and using intense black ink and a sponge to get the design.  It's important to use a sponge to saturate the cardstock.  It's harder to cover colored card stock and especially if it's textured.

I then die cut the banner using the fishtails in the Ribbon Rosette die set partially die cutting one end stopping short so that it didn't cut the whole tail.  Then flipped it around and repeated the steps.  This way I make a banner and not ribbon tails.  I repeated it with the white layer.

I die cut the remaining pieces to make the little Santa, Snowman and Sentiment.

This card was so much fun to make - a lot of happiness going on in the process.  If you'd like to try out this idea I'd appreciate if you used my affiliate link to shop, it doesn't cost you anything extra and it lets i-Crafter know who sent you!

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #630

 Hello! Thank you for stopping by.  I am glad you're here.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's a fun one by Andrea.  I know I loved playing with it!

My card features elements from a die set that released yesterday on i-Crafter.  The die set is called Rocker Card and it's a really fun card, kind of a cross between step card and a round card.  It's really pretty, I highly recommend you check it out.


I admit, this card may be a bit more Spring-ish than our current season, but I really wasn't ready to make th is bird a cardinal and have the card be more Christmasy.  So I went with a bluejay.  I love how this turned out!  I had fun mixing some papers from Pink and Main for some different pattern and texture, yet it's not like in your face loud.  I also looked up pictures of bluejays and they have the darker blue lines in their tails, so I created that with an edge of a sponge.  I think this a great note card.  What do you think?

I'd love it if you left me a comment.  Then head on over to the TMS blog to leave some love to the Design Team and join the challenge.  I'll see you there.

Monday, November 1, 2021

i-Crafter November Release Day!

 Hello!  Thank you all for stopping by.  Today is release day at i-Crafter!  I love the 1st of the month.  There are so many great dies being released today, you are going to love it.

For my share, I am getting to feature the new Double Carrier (221006) by Lori Whitlock.  What a fun carrier!  Check this out....


This Double Carrier is easy to put together and has so much possibility!  Let me tell you how I made this one.

1.  Cut out 2 of the bases, 2 of the decorative panels and 2 (or 4) of the side panels (not pictured).  Note:  You will need 2 pieces of 8 1/12 x 11 card stock or 1 12 x 12 piece card stock (do not cut in half.  Place your die down, secure with the piece of removable tape and then with scissors, cut around it.  You should then be able to repeat the process and fit on 1 12 x 12 piece of card stock.)

2.  Cut out embellishment pieces.

3.  To assemble box, I recommend to adhere the panels first.  Score on the score lines.  All are mountain folds except the handle, those are valley folds.  Glue one base side by side to the other base piece.  Then adhere bottom pieces in place.  Then put the handle together (like a Z) and adhere.

4.  Embellish as you like.  Fill with  bottles of bubbles or other fun items.

Note:  Again, the base die does not fit 2 to 8 1/2 x 11 page.  It also doesn't fit in standard die cut machines.  I have Big Shot and the die slightly too big.  Good thing I have a Gemini die cut machine.

Thanks for visiting.  Be sure to stop by the i-Crafter Blog to see what everyone made featuring the great dies releasing this month!  And if you feel like shopping, please use my affiliate link.

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Cute Fall Treat/Lantern with i-Crafter

** Please scroll down to my Tuesday Morning Sketches post ** 

Hey y'all.  I'm on the i-Crafter blog today with another fun share featuring the Buffalo Plaid stencil.


This project also features the Halloween Treat Lantern die set, the Box Pops, Oval Base die set.  As you might know, I've been in a pumpkins and sunflowers mood lately.  So this week it's sunflowers!


How to recreate this project:

1.  Cut two pieces of the base treat box from Kraft card stock.

2.  Place the stencil over the bases and using either sponges or i-Crafter Blender Brushes and ink up both sides of the paper.  Let dry if really saturate the card stock like I did.

3.  Die cut the flowers and leaves from the Box Pops die set.  I did cut two for each flower, cut the top layer in half and removed one petal.  Ink up the edges and then layer the flowers.  The cut one on top one half slightly over the top of the other half so that it's a bit smaller than the bottom layer.

4.  Die cut the centers and emboss for texture.

5.  Die cut the leaves, ink them up and adhere to backs of flowers.

6.  Before putting the box together, I did use one of the Halloween pieces that is meant to cut a design into it and then snipped it out.  Now put the box together as usual.

7.  Adhere the flowers across the window strategically so that they appear to be floating over the window opening.

8.  Place a battery operated tea light inside and add to your Fall display!


I hope you enjoyed my project and that it inspires your creativity!  If you'd like to purchase these items, please use my affiliate link.

Tuesday Morning Sketches #629

 Hello!  Thank you so much for stopping by.  I appreciate your visit.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning  Sketches and it's a really easy sketch.  Which means you can either keep it dressed casually or go all out and dress it to the nines!  

I actually made two cards and they are inspired by dies that are from Honey Bee Stamps.  I don't own any of those but I have plenty of others.  And once again, I'm making pumpkins!  Here's the first card...

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This first one features some black/kraft patterned paper from Hobby Lobby that I have had for years.  I used stitched oval dies from CC Designs to make the pumpkin.  And then used several other dies from Spellbinders.  Honestly, this card fell a little flat for me but I can't exactly pinpoint how.  But while working on this card, I die cut some flowers that I thought I'd use but discovered the colors just wouldn't work so from it another card was formulating in my head.



I thought a bouquet in a pumpkin would be pretty I cut more flowers and viola - here it is.  This one is using the same stitched oval dies that I cut from Neenah Natural card stock, then inked with Carved Pumpkin and Brushed Corduroy Oxide inks.  Then I embossed with the swirls embossing folder.  The flowers and leaves were die cut from dies by Pink and Main.  The paper I used is also from Pink and Main. 

The second card is by far my favorite and my sister said it can only be sent to someone worthy, which means she wants it!  LOL

Thank you again for stopping by and now head on over the TMS blog to check out what the rest of the team made and since you'll be there, you may as well join us!

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches 628

 Hello!  Thank you for stopping by my blog.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's a fun one by Debbie Foster.  This one is perfect for Christmas or winter scenes but I went a way different way.

My card features Amazing stamp set from Simon Says Stamp, oval dies from Spellbinders and ink colors from Concord & 9th.


I did also use Peacock Feathers distress ink for the sentiment - in retrospect it wasn't a great idea.  But I guess it's okay, too.

This was a really super quick, super easy note card to make and can you believe it, I actually used stamps.  I have some really great inks and they are seriously neglected.

I do hope you'll leave a comment, say hello.  I'd love to hear from you.  Then please join us over at the TMS blog to leave some love and join the fun.  Have a great day and we'll see there!

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Scotty Halloween with i-Crafter

 ** please scroll down for the Tuesday Morning Sketches post **


Hey there!  Thank you for stopping by.  My first post is on the i-Crafter blog today.  I had the best time making this card.  The owner, Lynda Kanase, challenged us to think outside the box for our projects.  So who thought Scotty Holiday die set could be a super cute Halloween card?!


Isn't this cute!  I don't make too many Halloween cards but I wanted to challenge myself because this just isn't my genre.

I started with my base of white card stock and pulled out my box of Distress Oxide inks.  I first blended on Squeezed Lemonade, then around that Scattered Straw, building my color out I then used Seedless Preserves, Chipped Sapphire and Stormy Sky.  I love this ethereal background!

I cut the spider web element and snipped it out and glued to the corner of the base.

I cut out a few bats, the dog, the bow, the pumpkin and the sentiment.  The dog I added a few highlights using Pumice Stone Oxide ink.  Then snipping off one of the bat wings I used this for a mask.  I cut out two bows and layered them so that I had two tails to make it look like his mask is tied on.  For the pumpkin and I did ink the edges a little with Black Soot, added a scrap of black card stock to the back and cut a sliver of a strip of black card stock to fashion the handle.  Glued it so that it looks like the dog is carrying his pumpkin bucket.  I sat him atop the Happy Halloween sentiment. 

This was a super fun card and I hope it inspires you to look at your dies with a different eye.

Supplies:

If you're in the mood to shop, I would appreciate you using my affiliate link.


Tuesday Morning Sketches #627

 Hello!  Thank you so much for stopping by my blog.  I appreciate your visit.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's a nice and easy one.

I say nice and easy but I made my card a little wrong.  I really need to stop relying on memory of a sketch because as you'll see my elements are not the right size.  I don't necessarily hate that though because I used some really cute woodgrain paper.


I made this card using some super cute Hello Fall papers by Echo Park.  The sunflower is a die set from Spellbinders.  It was a really simple card to put together.  It'll be a nice notecard.

Please head on over to the TMS blog and join in the fun!  Leave some love.  Thanks for your visit.

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #626

 Hello!  Thank you so much for stopping by my blog.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and I think you're going to like playing with it. 

My card features a lot of dies... Oval dies, letter dies, foliage and scroll dies.  Most of them are from Spellbinders.  


So decorative pumpkins are all the rage and I wanted to translate that to my card.  Too bad this picture doesn't show the full glory of this card.  I'm still trying to learn how to use this Shot Box to the best of the ability, but so far it's not so good.

Please head on over to the TMS blog to see all the beautiful designs the team made to share.  Leave some love, too.

Friday, October 1, 2021

i-Crafter October Release Day!!

 Hello!  Thank you for stopping by.  I have some really exciting news.  I'm one of the newest design team members for a fairly new die company called i-Crafter.  I shared a card a couple of weeks ago  featuring their dies because I just had to play with some of the products I received to work with as a DT member and NOW I can share more.

The October release is now available on the site - its a phenomenal release with so many great dies!  My project features Scotty Holiday  and Buffalo Plaid Stencil


My project also features the Impossible Box, Monsters.  First of all, the box isn't put together exactly as the impossible box should.  That top part (the lid) should go over the box base.  But I didn't want it like that.  I wanted a taller presentation.  So I glued the lid the other way.  And to make it come in the way it does for the ribbon I cut an extra notch.

I cut the cute little dog out of Kraft card stock and then inked with a sponge so I would get those lines to sort of make fur hairs - in my own attempt to make this dog look like a wire-haired terrier.  I then took a black marker to color in the nose and eye.  The bow I cut from orange card stock and then using an orange Pentel pen to draw in some details.  To make the grass I used what should be the hair for monster from green card stock and adhered upside down.


I then took a scrap of white card stock and used Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink and a sponge to make my tag using the Buffalo Plaid stencil.  Then die cut the  "Cheers" sentiment that comes in the Scotty Holiday set from black card stock.  Punched a small hole and tied to my ribbon tie.

So how I see this little gift packaging, I plan on placing a tiny bottle of scotch inside and giving to a friend to celebrate his birthday.  It's the perfect size for 21+ plus gift!

I hope you enjoyed my project and will come back often to see other fun ways to use these dies and stencil.  I have so many so ideas!!  And if you'd like to purchase these wonderful items and others I'd appreciate it if you'd use my affiliate link.

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #625

 Hello and thank you for stopping by!  I appreciate you being here.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's a fun one.

My card features Stitched Star Dies and Sunshine stamps/dies all from Pink and Main.  It is a square card measuring 4 1/4 x 4 1/4.  I do wish I had made it bigger.


I'm still learning to take better pictures with this Shot Box.  Have patience with me!  But I do love how this card turned out.  It was quick to put together and it makes be feel happy.

Please head on over to the TMS blog and leave some love for the team and since you'll be there you may as well join us!

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #624

 Hello.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  I am so glad you're here.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's a great one by Andrea.

My card features a great die set from i-Crafter.  More to come about them in the coming weeks.  But this is a great little die company that started last year at Creativation.  The die is  Ribbon Rosette and has a ton of possibilities!  The paper I used is from DCWV called Hippie Chic.


This rosette comes together pretty easily - it's a little tricky like any rosette is, just takes some patience.  My card is pretty fun and September holds many birthdays for my family, my sister, my half brother and a whole slew of cousins! 

Please come on over to the TMS and join us - leave the team some love!

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #623

Hello and thank you so much for stopping by!  I do appreciate when you take time out of your busy day to visit me for a minute or two.

The sketch for Tuesday Morning Sketches is up and I think it's a fun one.  Gives you a chance to pull out some of your dies!  My card features paper from an old DCWV mat stack called Linen Closet.  I've had this paper forever.  I also used dies from Pink and Main, CC Designs and Spellbinders.



This was a lot of fun to make and I hope it inspires you to mix and match some of your supplies.

We'll see you over at the TMS blog.  Be sure to stop by to leave some love and kind words to the team and since you'll be there for that, join in the challenge!

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #622

 Hello and Happy Tuesday.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  The latest sketch is up on the TMS blog and it's by Andrea.  This is a great one to showcase a favorite image or technique.

My card features stamp from Concord and 9th and dies from Spellbinders.  This didn't turn out quite as I had envisioned, but I guess it's okay....


I also had hoped to try out a new tool that gifted to myself but sadly, it doesn't work so I'll have to package it back up and take it back to Michaels.  I got myself a Shotbox from WRMK and it looked like what they sent me was something someone else returned.

But let's talk about the card.  I used the Wreath Turnabout stamp and stamped in Light Charcoal and then again on a separate piece of card stock in Charcoal.  Inks are by Hero Arts.  I used black card stock for the layers and Dove gray card stock from Concord and 9th for the strip across the middle.  I did turn this sketch from portrait to landscape.  It would've worked either way, but dare to be different, right?

On a personal note, I had a great week this past week.  My son was home for a short time, it'd been nearly 2 years since we'd had him home.  We had a great time. Went to Vero Beach and walked in a beautiful botanical gardens, went mini-golfing and almost had heat stroke (crazy!) and then went to Gatorland and I actually held a snake.  I've never come so close to an anxiety attack but I faced a fear.  I'm still afraid of snakes and no one will get me to hold one ever again.  But it's a memory with my kids and they'll have a story to tell. 

Please head on over to the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog.  We're waiting for you to join us!

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #621

 Hello!  Thank you for stopping by.  I appreciate your visit.  The latest sketch is up and it's by Debbie Foster.  It's a great sketch and I really loved playing with it.

My card features some paper from Moda Scraps that I got in a Simon Says Stamp monthly kit.  Spellbinders Apr 2019 small (?) die of month dies.  I really can't remember if this this small or large.  Personally, with all the flowers in this one, I'd call it large but Spellbinders is pretty generous in their monthly kits.  Anyway... let's take a look at the card.



Isn't that paper gorgeous!  I just love it.  And the die cut flower ties in well with that paper.  The sentiment is from the same DOM and I cut it out 3 times, I thought I'd have the blue on top but then I really liked the white using the blue as a drop shadow.  The flower and leaf layers I cut from white card stock and using two sets of Altenew inks, I colored each of the layers.  I finished it off by adding white dots with my white gel pen.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with my card.  And pretty happy that I did a little more stash busting.

So I am one happy mama at the moment.  My son, who is in the Navy, finally got leave!  I only have him for a week, but I'll take it!  It's been nearly 2 years since I last saw him in person so I am on top of the world.

Please head on over to the TMS blog, see what beautiful cards the team made to share with you.  Leave them some love!  See you there.

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #620

 Hello!  Thank you for visiting.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's a good one for those scraps.


In my case, it was great for some leftovers from a past Simon Says Stamps monthly kit!  I love how this turned out, I'm still feeling feeling like Fall and even though this is more Spring like, it's still outdoorsy.




So I hope you see the colors appropriately.  They look fine on the camera but on my laptop, colors just don't look right for me... on my pictures.  Everyone else's looks completely normal.  Anyway, my card base is natural white by Neenah and the next layer is chocolate brown.  The images and sentiment are stickers.  This is such a quick and simple note card - I love that it came together to so easily.

Please join us at the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog, the design team did a great job and you'll enjoy using this sketch.

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #619

 Hello!  Thank you so much for stopping by today.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's a really fun one.  Open canvas.  I love those!

I was feeling a little Fall-ish today.  I love Fall, one of my favorite seasons (except in FL).  So my card features some rounded corner stitched rectangle dies from Pink and Main and some old leaf dies from MFT.  I pulled out some inks and blender brushes and just had some fun.  The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp.


I love how this card turned out.  And everyone needs to hear that someone believes in them every now and again.

Please head on over to the TMS blog to join us.  You'll be glad you did because I feel the DT really outdid themselves with their cards this week.  Loveliness!!  See you there.

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #618

 Hello!   Thank you for stopping by my blog.  I appreciate your visit.  Maybe you have seen Debi's post wishing me a happy birthday.  It's true, I celebrated by my xx'th birthday on Sunday.  I spent the morning with my sisters via Facebook Messenger, got to talk to my oldest son and my mom and my aunt.  Then spent the rest of the day with my daughter.  I had a super fantabulous time!!

My card this week features stickers from one my planner sticker books, a super old embossing folder and even older card stock from Stampin' Up!.


I love this card!  I can't believe I am actually sharing one of favorite stickers books!  I hoard these, barely use them in my planner.

This picture is pretty good, but let's see if I can get a close up of the sentiment...


Mmmm... maybe not so much.

Please head on over to the TMS blos to join us.  Leave some love!!

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #617

 Hello everyone!  Thank you for stopping by my blog.  Did you miss me last week?  I hope so because I missed you.  I really needed last week off, I had zero creativity in me.  I really liked Debbie's sketch and I know it will be what I choose when we revisit sketches.

But for the present, we have a great sketch by Andrea this week and it's a really good one, too!

My card features baby stamps from Lawn Fawn and letter dies from Spellbinders.


For all it's mistakes, it turned out pretty cute.  My center panel is where all my mistakes are.  I didn't place the dies correctly to have the side I wanted up so instead it was backwards.  Then to fix that I embossed it with plaid embossing folder, but then I had it upside down.  I know it shouldn't matter but it did to me.  And then one more mistake, I remembered to include the inside of the O in the embossing folder but not the pieces for the B.  But pressing on, I continued with it.  I actually love this card, I think it's super sweet and will be a nice accompaniment to a little baby blanket I made.

I hope you like the card and it inspires you to just keep going even if you feel you're making mistakes.  It'll all work out!  Okay, we'll see you over at the TMS blog.  Those girls made some real goodies!

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #615

 Hello!  Thank you so much for stopping by.  The latest sketch for Tuesday Morning Sketches is up and it's a fun one.  I liked it so much, I turned it on it's side!

My card features a couple of Small DOM's from Spellbinders, Floral Fantasy embossing folder and Distress Oxide inks in Cracked Pistachio, Salty Ocean and Spun Sugar.


I inked up the embossing folder with the Cracked Pistachio ink and ran it through my Big Shot for a letterpress look.  But before I did that, I did cut 3/4 inch squares and lined them up along the right side so that they stayed white.  I then die cut the butterfly and colored it using the other Oxide ink colors.  I did forget to mention Black Soot.  I used that, too.  I cut a frame using the rectangle dies from Spellbinders from black card stock as well as the greeting.  This was a really easy card and I love the effect.

Please head on over to the TMS blog and join in the fun.  Be sure to leave some love for the team.


Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #614

 Hello! Thank you for stopping by, I do love your visits.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and I think this one is so much fun.  It's so open to creativity.  With that said, I didn't have much creativity flowing.  I had to draw some inspiration from Pinterest.  I couldn't remember what my card idea was when I drew the sketch.

My card features the Mandala Maker by Gina K and Smile sentiment by Pink and Main. 



I didn't use the template or the MISTI, I freehanded this, hence why the lines aren't right.  After I stamped out the images, I colored in bits of the images with a blue Copic marker and then stamped the sentiment using an ink pad from Altenew.

This was a lot of fun and I am thankful to the person who posted something to Pinterest that helped me. 

Now head on over to the TMS blog and play along with us.  Leave some love for the team!

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #613

 Hello!  Thank you for stopping by.  This week's sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's a great sketch from Andrea.  It looks super easy but I have to admit, it was a challenge for me.

My card features remnants from a very old card kit I bought from Spellbinders several years ago.  Look at me!  Still stash busting. 


 

I also used Sentiment Stackers #2 from Queen and Company.  I scored this stamp and die set for $11 - with points and a credit that I got from PayPal, this was steal!

My craft/work space is nearly complete.  It's more functional then it was last week, so that's progress, right?!

Head on over to the TMS blog and join us, leave some love for the team, too!

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #612

 Hello.  Thank you for stopping by.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches.  I think you'll enjoy it!  Easy going elements that are a great scrap buster or an opportunity to use that collection of washi tapes.

My card features the Rainbow die set from Pink and Main and the sentiment is from the very first Small DOM I ever got from Spellbinders.


I die cut everything from white cardstock and used my Copic markers to color the pieces.  I think this is super fun way to say hello!

Update on the move (Debi) I'm almost all settled in.  I did have a minor set up - I cut my foot on a jar Friday night so it has slowed my progress of putting things away and deciding what will go into a garage sale.  Or in the waste bin.  I wanted to do this before the move but I just simply didn't have the time.

Well enough about me - head on over to the TMS blog to see the great cards the team made, leave them some love and then in the fun!

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #611

 Hello! Thank you so much for stopping by.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's by Patti.  This is a fun sketch with some stash busting elements.

My card features paper and stickers from past (way way past) card kits from Simon Says Stamps.  I did mention stash busting, didn't I?  I used my stash for this card.


The paper is Moda Scraps.  I love the color palette of this paper.  The sentiment is a sticker from a kit and it just hits home with me.  Keep it simple - that's the way I need to live my life right now!

My card base is gray, which also came in the kit and then I added Elegant Eggplant.  That's stash busting all by itself.  I have purchased a single thing from Stampin' Up! in 10 years or so!  Take a look at your stash - what decorative paper do you have that you can combine with Patti's sketch to make a nice stack of notecards.

Update on the move.  I am almost completely out of the old house.  My current situation is boxes and bin EVERYWHERE in the new house.  I hope to get sight of how I want my house to look here soon, but for now it is what it is.  I also plan to have a garage sale and let go of what I haven't used in a long time.

@DebbieFoster, no I haven't found everything yet!  LOL 

We'll see you over at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #610

 Hello! Thank you for stopping by.  The newest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches.  This one is one and really open to your imagination.  I decided to make mine a fun fold.

So my card features dies from Large and Small DOMs from Spellbinders.  I don't remember which months and the dies are at the new house among the piles of stuff that has to be put away.  This is a really neat die that makes the two sides of the gate fold.


I then cut the embellishments that decorate these pieces.  I used both patterned paper and just white card stock that I colored with my Copics.  Then I punched them up a bit with some Nuvo Drops.

Then when you open up the gatefold, there I have a top folding notecard adhered to the inside where I stamped my greeting.  I'm sorry, I can't remember where the greeting is from, I know I wrote it down in my planner, but I'm separated from that at the moment.  Oh!  Yes, it's from a set by Concord & 9th. 


I hope my card inspires you join us!

And for those who have been interested in my moving adventures, the whole craft room is over at the new house but all over the place because I don't have my shelves or desk or anything over there to get it organized.  This coming Saturday is the actual moving day.  Where it all goes over!  And then the settling begins!

Well, that's it for now.  We'll see you over at the TMS blog.

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #609

 Hello! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog.  I do appreciate your visit.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches - I think you'll like it.

My card features paper and cardstock from a very old, past Simon Says Stamp card kit.  I have to use what I have and I have to work ahead because the craft supplies are getting packed up and moved out tomorrow.  But aside from that reason, I really need to use what I have.  Period.  It's just sitting on shelf.


So this card kit came with papers and puffy stickers from PinkFresh Studio.  This made a super easy, super quick note card.  And it's yellow so it's sunshiny, happy!

I have moved a little bit over to the new house.  I have a small dinette table and chairs, that's moved over.  My daughter and I went over and we cleaned.  I wiped out cabinets and cleaned the counters while she mopped.  I took a little bit more over on Sunday (very little) and didn't go over to the house at all on Saturday.  But I have high hopes to move some craft stuff over to the house this week.  I also need to have a serious talk with myself and get rid of stuff I do not use anymore. I don't have a lot of storage in this house, so I can't keep hoarding.

Please head on over to the TMS blog and join us.  We'd love to see you there!

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #608

 Hello! Thank you for stopping by.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and I think it's whimsical and easy.  But I have to be honest, I struggled with it.  But once I got going, it came together pretty quickly and I'm happy with the results.

My card features paper and card stock that's leftover some a Simon Says Stamp card kit  or two.  Reverse Scallop circle dies and Stitched Circle die from Pink and Main, flowers and sentiment dies from two different Small Die of Month kits from Spellbinders and Love Stripes embossing folder from FSJ (I think that's the name of it).  I kept this super simple, no inking, just using my favorite Bearly Art glue to put the flowers together and stick it all down.  It's very pink!


This is a super sweet little note card and it's going in the mail tomorrow to my cancer patient I send cards to.   I think she'll love it.

Okay, well at the time that this blog post publishes I am just a few hours away from being a homeowner.  I am still not excited.  I am scared of what I got myself into.  I know this is going to be a good thing for me.  No more rent, no more moving, this is mine and no one can tell me not to paint my kitchen pink if I wanted to - I don't want to, I'm just sayin' that it's something I can do and it's okay.  I have very high hopes to move out the weekend of the 19th.  I'm actually going to start right away, moving whatever I can that isn't needed for day to day living.  I want to have a garage sale, too.  I want to earn the money it'll take to replace the glass on my curio cabinet that got broken in the last move.  Oh, so much to think about and do and I'm just running on and on.  You don't want to know any of this!  LOL  Go on, go create, I'll see you over at the TMS blog.

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #607

 Hello TMS friends,

Thank you so much for stopping by.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and honestly, I drew this one and it was a challenge for me.  I also think my creativity is super limited right now.  My attention is elsewhere.  More on that in a minute.

My card features different dies from Spellbinders - all from different monthly kits.  I did want to showcase that you can use dies to create a fun background.  I think I accomplished that.  I just wish my "rectangle" elements were a bit bigger.


I mean, it's kinda fun, right?  I do love the leaves!  They sentiment is fun, too.  Great notecard.

Please head on over to the TMS blog and check out what the team made.  I promise, it's more inspiring.

Okay - the house.  The sellers agreed to fix the part of the roof that was cracking.  This enabled me to get insurance.  I don't doubt for  a minute that I won't be replacing the main house roof in a few years.  I am mentally prepared for that.  So I am forging ahead and will be closing on the house on June 1st.  I have to have something.  The lease on my current house is up soon and I can no longer afford the rent.  It's time I have my forever home.  I don't care if I do have to eventually replace the roof and upgrade the windows.  It'll be my house and no one will be able to tell me that I can't live there anymore.

We'll see you over at the TMS blog!  Come join us!

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #606

 Hello!   Thank you for stopping by.  I appreciate your visit.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and this one is by Andrea.  It's so much fun!

Now before I share my card, let me say that when I saw this sketch  I thought sailboat.  I don't know why, but I just did.  I also had intended for the boat to bigger so the elements of the sketch were a little more prominent.  But then again, I say that our sketches are jumping off points for your own imagination and creativity.  I am super happy with what I came up.  The circle elements are there, the strip above them and the sails are the square part of the sketch.


I used a sailboat shaped svg card but only cut out the boat part - I got the cut file from the Silhouette Online store.  The paper is from a paper pack called Beach Bum by Pink and Main and the red card stock I used is either from Simon Says Stamp or MFT.  I honestly can't remember but it is my favorite shade of red.

I did fussy cut out the bottom waves and adhered with dimensionals.  This is a super cute card that could be a birthday card for a little or just a fun summer card for anyone.

The latest house news - I may be walking away from it.  The roof is 17 years old and the wiring has original cloth wiring.  What does this mean?  I can't get homeowners insurance.  If it can't be insured the loan is denied.  I've pushed back to the sellers and they are hemming and hawing so I don't really know where this leaves me.  I'm about to wash my hands of it and start all over.  Say a few prayers, send some happy thoughts and good vibes.  

Anyway, now head on over to the TMS blog and join us.  You'll have a good time!

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #605

 Hello!  Thank you so much for stopping by.  I appreciate your visit.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches.  It's easy but has so much possibility.

My card features the Flowering Cistus stamp set by Altenew, a sentiment from the Stippled Flowers stamp set by Gina K, the card stock and ink color is Dove from Concord and 9th and the decorative paper is from a paper pack called Cowboy by MME.


I send cards weekly to ladies that are going through chemo.  One finished her treatment but, sadly, one lost her battle to cancer.  I made this card to send to her husband.  I am happy with how this card turned out, it's not too flowery or girly so I think appropriate for a man.

I did miss you all last week.  But I think a break here and there is going to be life for awhile.  I am buying a house.  The closing is scheduled June 1st and the lease on the current house is up July 11th.  So I'm taking that month to slowly move out of the house, but that means things.... favorite things get packed up.  I am going to try to work ahead, but we all know how the best of intentions go.

Please head on over to the TMS blog and join us.  Leave some love for the team, too!

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #603

 Hello!  Thank you so much for stopping by.  I appreciate your visit.  The newest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and I think you're going to like it.  Super simple elements.

My card features Beautiful Day stamp set from Simon Says Stamp - it came in card kit that I got a couple of years ago.  I also used an old background stamp from Raisin Boat (out of business).  The butterflies I stamped on gray paper and heat embossed with white white embossing powder and then colored the images using colored pencils. 


I had actually colored these images probably a year or so ago.  I pulled them out of my stash and cut them out.  I then pulled out card stock to match each set of butterflies.  This card kit also came with a stencil so I added a 3rd a butterfly which made this a bit more appealing.


Orange and bright blue is such a happy color combination.


But I'm feeling this purple and teal color combo is my favorite.


What is your favorite color combo?  I'd love to hear what your pick is - please leave me a comment.  Then head on over to the TMS blog to join in the fun and leave some love for the team.

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #602

 Hello and thank you for stopping by.  The latest sketch is up for Tuesday Morning Sketches and you are just going to be blown away by the Design Team's cards.  I mean... wow.... just WOW!!

Yes, the sketch is technically a square card, but if I'm being honest, I forgot it was a square card.  How can I forget when I drew the sketch.  Here's how.... I print thumbnail pictures of the sketches onto sticker paper and cut them out and put them in my planner each week.  If I don't print the thumbnail correctly, the sketch is not quite right.  But I do still have the square element so I'm calling it creative license.  LOL

My card features the latest Mini Delight from Altenew called 'You're one in a Melon' - how cute is that!  I had so much fun making this card.  Clean and simple with striking pops of color!


I am going to buy me that photobox by WRMK - unless it's my monitor, these colors look washed out and let me tell you, in real life this is bright and beautiful!

I also used Love Stripes embossing folder by FSJ (available on Spellbinders) and Reverse Scallop circle dies by Pink and Main.  I embellished using Strawberry Coulis Crystal Drops by Nuvo as well as Black Drops on the seeds.

Now head on over to the TMS blog and join in the fun and leave some well deserved (more than deserved) love for the team.  See you there!

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #601

 Hello!  Thank you so much for stopping by.  I appreciate your visit.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's another fun one by Andrea.  This time we're making mini-slimline cards!

Jennifer McGuire provides a lot inspiration for a lot of people.  I have to admit she's got some great ideas.  She recently posted a video for making some Easy Shadow Box cards and I immediately thought of Andrea's sketch.


In her video she shows how to make these cards using dies.  I designed my card in the Silhouette Design studio.  It wasn't that hard, it's just basic shapes.  Then I used a stamp set from Pink and Main called Bright Side.  I colored the images using my Copic markers - no fancy coloring at all.  I do wish I had brought the top cloud down just a little bit more.  Oh well.  I still think this turned out adorable!

I put the whole thing together using a combination of Scor-Tape and Bearly Art glue.  I could see me making more of these cards.  This was so easy to put together, it went together pretty quickly, too.

I do hope you'll join us this week at TMS, Andrea's offering a prize!  See you there.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Tuesday Morning Sketches #600

 Hello! Thank you so much for visiting my blog.  The latest sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and it's a super easy one.

My card features a layered flower cut file by Lori Whitlock (available in the Silhouette Design Store and Lori Whitlock dot com.  My oldest son bought be a Silhouette Cameo 4, my older machines stopped connecting to my computer so he bought me a new one.  I have the most generous kids.


The paper is from a 12x12 stack I've had for a while and the sentiment I used a letter dies from a Spellbinders Large DOM.  I embellished with some Nuvo Drops.  This is a super easy note card but I think it'll deliver much sunshine and happiness.

Thanks for stopping by and we'll see you over at the TMS blog.