Finally!!

Hi Everyone,

Well, I am finally up and running! My computer got infected by a pretty serious virus. My husband and a friend of his stripped it down to it's bare bones then restored everything. One of the things I've lost was the photo editing software. I got a new one, and I am slowly but surely learning how to use it - but unfortunately, I think my inability there will keep me from being in the running for a design team position with All That Scraps. I'll tell ya! That is one company that I have wanted to design for ever since I saw it - I want it so bad I can taste it. I know I'm building myself way high that the disappointment is going to be massive if I don't get selected. I'm crossing my fingers though.

The set is called Hey Chicky, it comes with 4 chicky designs and the sentiment "Hey Chicky" and I think it's the most adorable set! It's the only one I have by CC Designs. I also purchased the decorative paper from ATS - I don't remember what it's called, but it's great! I wish my picture did the colors better justice.

Anyway, it feels good to be able to blog again. To share my creations with you.

Well, I best get back to my swapping projects. November came up way to fast for me! Have a wonderful rest of your weekend. Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour tonight.

Sweets for a Serious Subject

Hi Everyone! I hope that you've had a great week. Mine was very busy at work, well, at home, too.


I have been having so much fun with card candy, I opened up a swap and it makes me chuckle when I see people shy away from it because they are thinking it's out of their comfort zone. When you get into this, you'll wonder why you thought you had a comfort zone. It's really fun. And while I was showering the other morning, I realized that I have yet to put my pink on.

Fall isn't just the glorious colors of yellows, reds, browns and golds. No, it's the color Pink. As I shared this time last year, thereabouts, my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. I have always felt empathetic for those who were diagnosed or for those who have lost special women in their lives to this dreadful disease - but when it became part of my sister's life, it took on a different viewpoint. I never have been one to think "that won't happen to me. That happens to them, not to me," but I know it's always been in the back of my mind and subjects of quickly thrown up to heaven, silent prayers to God that I stay healthy for my kids' sake. However, I know I'm not immune nor a stranger to tragedy.


So I share with you my card candy as a tribute to my sister(s)... and yours. To my mother and yours, my Aunt and yours, my daughter and yours, to my girlfriends and yours. I hope to put a few of these in my LSS to sell with proceeds going into her donation bucket. It's Scrap Pink month at Memory Lane, and I want to contribute in my own way.


Tell me what you think.... This first picture is of the card front, the candy is on the inside. I used Autumn Leaves Swirl set for the background. Then I used pieces that I made (candy) for the focal point of the card.





I used my five petal flower punch from SU! and Berry Bliss (retired) dp to make the flower. I embossed with Hologram Highlights on a piece of card stock and then punched out a 7/8" circle for the center. The sentiment comes from two of my favorite PTI sets - Women of Life and Out on a Limb. I placed all three images on the block, inked it with Pretty In Pink and then darkened "Life" with Pink Passion.


Next is the inside view of the card which is where I adhered my candy to the card with removable adhesive. I made one that is similar to what appears on the card front. A small tag using PTI's Out on Limb and a Michael's bauble. Next, another flower with Pretty In Pink card stock and Whisper White stamped with swirls. And lastly a scallop circle with an inner circle that is stamped with PTI's Borders and Corners - Circles. Then I made the awareness ribbon with a lovely shade of pink obtained during one of my trips to the ribbon outlet, topped with a Michael's bauble.

I hope you like this - I hope you are incline to CASE my candy and send a card to someone who is special to you, let her know you are thinking of her, that she means the world to you. I do have a little poem written that I want to include in the card (Melissa's original writings - they're simple, silly and even corny - but they are all me... that's my disclaimer) that says:

I send you this card candy because I care... Used it to create another card for you to share. Raise awareness with these pretties.... Do what you can to help save the boobies.

Card Candy - No Calories and Lots of Fun!

Hi Everyone - Happy Saturday...

October 1 challenge has been issued. It's Card Candy! I had never heard of this before and now I am hooked. Here's what I made for the challenge.

I cannot believe how incredibly easy and incredibly fun this is. The receipient will then use these tasty treats to create a card. This is the greatest way to use up some scraps.

First, the owl. He's not the cutest thing you've ever seen?! OMGosh!! He was so super simple thanks to another one of Dawn's videos. I didn't have the Boho Blossoms punch for his beak and feet but I think I was able to improvise pretty well. The pumpkin images are from a set that I purchased from a gal who was cleaning out her craft room. The round metal tag contains a sentiment from the same set "The cutest pumpkin in the patch." The oval says "Hey pumpkin!" - a $ stamp set from my sister and then I stamped the star and pop-dotted it on there. The next item is a 1 3/8 circle punch of Summer Sun (heehee, for a moon!) and then I used PTI's Out on Limb tree limb. It's actually a longer limb, but I cut off the bottom and then glued it back on there. OK, the next item is a bit of ribbon. Not candy I made, but candy just the same. I adhered all these items to a piece of acetate with just a bit of removable adhesive. Then behind it I included a piece of black card stock that has been embossed with a Cuttlebug folder that is a spider web - courtesy of my friend Joni. (Thanks Jones!)

I do still need to make a topper to finish the presentation - but this was so simple. I had most of it ready in under an hour. Super simple, super fun.

BTW - I love this so much that I opened up a swap for it. If you'd like to join, click here: Card Candy - I'd love to see you there!!

Every Frankie must have his Bride...

Good Evening Everyone!

I have been inspired. I have the cutest card to share with you! You saw where I posted a CASEd Frankie card that I saw on Dawn's blog. Well, I've come up with my own creation. She's alive!

May I introduce to you Mrs. Frankie! Is she not the cutest thing - you can't help but giggle!! She was really easy to do. With the same basic instructions of Frankie, all I did was use Whisper White and then sponged a bit of Going Grey ink which isn't real visible in the photo. (I thought scanning was supposed to give you superior photos - maybe it's the operator!) Then with about 2 1/4 inch strip of black I cut a goofy curve for her hair line. Free-form cut the lightning bolt hair and adhered it to the black. For her eyes, again they are Whisper White, inked with Going Grey. I hand drew her eyelashes. I wanted a daintier nose then Frankie, after all she's a girl. Then drew her quirky smile. I think she's adorable and I hope you do, too.

Viola! A Melissa original!!!

Have a geat evening!

Dreaming of Fall

Hi Everyone,

I do hope your weekend has been enjoyable. Ours was busy and the weather was very hot and very humid! I'm dreaming of Fall - I've shared how much I enjoy the sunny, but slightly cool days and the crisp nights that are only good for two things... flannel pajamas and a good book!

I have a card to share with you that I hope you enjoy and conveys just how much I love the quick approaching season...

This card is for the Sept 15 challenge for the Card Traders group I belong to. The Challenge: Chalkboard Techniqe. You start with dark cardstock, stamp a solid image with white craft ink and then color with chalks and Q-Tips or sponge daubers. I used an ordinary pencil eraser to clean up chalk that I didn't want on the card. Then I cut a piece of Creamy Caramel cardstock, ran it through my Cuttlebug with an embossing folder. Then using a scrap of (retired) Apple Cider paper and the Word Window punch I created the next layer and a place to tie ribbon. Then using the smallest Nestibilities rectangle scallop die and 1 x 3/4 inch piece of Very Vanilla and "Happy Fall" from PTI's Limitless Labels set, I created the small sentiment pop-up.

I recently (as in about 2 hours ago) applied for a position on the The Purple Onion Designs design team. I didn't supply any specific designs, I just invited them to visit my blog to view my work. So if you are here and reading this, please page through my entries. And for my friends... I hope you like another one of my designs and will cross your fingers for me.

Too Early for Halloween??

I have been enjoying perusing Dawn Griffiths blog... I have been inspired to try many of the cards that she has showcased. This is one of them.....

Is he not the cutest ever!!! I love him!! This was the easiest card ever. Now Dawn used the This Way arrows punch from Stampin' Up! - not a punch I have, so I used the dog tag looking punch, the name escapes me at the moment. I think this looks more authentic of Frankenstien, the knobby things on his neck. Who could ever be afraid of this little guy!?

Supplies: Old Olive cut at 4 1/4 x 11, scored at 5 1/2. Lavendar Lace 4 1/4 by approximately 2", and cut the jagged "hairline" - (2) 1 1/4" white circles, (1) 1 1/4" Old Olive circle cut in half, (2) 1" black circles, (1) Old Olive circle cut in half, (2) Going Grey dog tags. Adhere hair to top of card close to score line. Adhere black circles to white circles and adhere below hairline. Soften the edges with Old Olive and sponge of half the 1 inch Old Olive circle and adhere between the eyes for his nose. Soften the edges of the two halves of the 1 1/4" Old Olive circles. Back with dimensional adhesive and place over the eyes. With a black marker draw a line for the mouth with stitch lines. Place another "scar" where his cheek is. Adhere the Going Grey tags to either side of his "neck." With a white gel pen or other white marker to add a bit of detail in his eyes - his twinkle. Done!

Now, Dawn had a stamp that I can't remember what it's called, I don't personally have the set, but it has a sentiment that says: Friend. Good. Frankenstien --I wanted to re-create something like that, so I found a dollar stamp that says Friends, but blocked off the s.

I hope you like it!!!

Heavenly!

Isn't she just heavenly! I hope that when I post this card, it looks a bit better than it does right at this moment. I put black card stock behind the card so that you get it's a white base...

Anyway, this is Group 1 of my monthly card swap. The image was provided by September's hostess, it's Halobella from Stamping Bella. I used my Stampin' Write markers to color her dress, I used the Twinkling H2Os to color her wings and Lumiere paint with Diamond Dust (warning: don't rub your fingers over the Diamond Dust - it will cut you finger!) to bring the cloud to its billowy presence. I also had more fun with the rectangle Nestibilities (gotta love these!) and I also got a new punch. It's a border punch from Fiskars. I also used PTI Tags, Bags and More set to stamp the metal edge circle and used a (yes I actually used them) sugar-coated purple brad to adhere the tag. Of course, no Melissa project is complete unless it has ribbon. The decorative paper also provided by the hostess is really pretty cloud paper.

I hope you like it!