Cheryl's Blog Candy

Cheryl is offering Copic markers for blog candy. She is closing in on 400 followers and wants to share her 

great fortune.

there's a link to her blog candy on the right side bar.

AND here's a link right here, too!

Just click on She Stamps

and you, too, could try for a chance at Copic markers and other wondrous candy.

Check out her blog for all the rules!!

Simple sketch

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge has an incredibly easy sketch this week.

To get a better view...click on pic to enlarge.

Both stamps are from Afternoon Tea from Waltzingmouse Stamps.
The paper is GP white and a soft yellow textured paper from Club Scrap.
Inks are distressed...tea dye, weathered wood, and dried marigold.
No time to chat today the girls want to go to the park...the sun is out, the rain has stopped and we need to take advantage of the weather when we can...even if it is 99 degrees outside, o...did I mention the humidity?

Thanks for coming by!!!!

The last Verve of June

I haven't missed a Viva la Verve challenge since I started last year in March. This month I came close to not playing, but then some time opened up and here I am with the last one for this month. Teresa created this awesome sketch and here's the link to her thread at SCS.

The sketch--

and here's my try at it-----

I cut one of the flowers out and placed in the corner of the green and yellow frame. I had some brand new felt, blue and used it with the cotton twine. My papers came from the same SU pack(Greenhouse Gala) and then I pulled some scraps for the solid colors.
Thanks for coming by! Enjoyed the company.

Verve's week three

This is another great sketch and the diva on this one is....Sankari.

for my attempt---------------

Thanks for coming by!!

RX

STAMPS: Feel the Sun by Verve

PAPER: CTMH and kraft, the textured yellow is Club Scrap

INK: Always Artichoke,  Soft Suede

SUPPLIES: MS border punch, velvet ribbon, SU scalloped circle punch, brads, Spellbinders label 14

SFYTT June 2011

I have had all the elements cut and ready to adhere for two weeks, at least, other things and life just got in the way! so Sunday was the day to sit down and get 'er dun!!!! Here's Jen's sketch from SFTYTT
and then my rendition.

 Jen's sponsor this month is Stamping Bella and I chose the 'Cuddly Owls'!

When the sponsor's images are used it makes one eligible to win that month.

 

Thanks for coming by!

RX

STAMPS: Stamping Bella's Cuddly Owlies, Verve's sentiment

PAPER: PPomegranate, Kraft, Natural Ivory, the green strip is was a scrap

INK: PPomegranate

SUPPLIES: Sizzix tag die, Spellbinders label 5, seam binding in three colors from SU, MS punch

Happy Bday with a hot air balloon

It's Daisy Doodles time. This is our free week...no theme...just create what ever using a DD image.
Well, I made a card and it looked perfect for our July 4th challenge of Summer Doodles so I put it aside and got cracking on the hot air balloon. This card measures 4 1/4 by 6 inches just right for the envelopes that are 4 3/4 by 6 1/2 inches.

This card sure could pass for a fun summer card, too, and the colors sure do apply to summer! I must be in  a super summer creative mood!!! Planning on sending this card to an old friend whose bday is July 3rd.
The hot air balloon is available in the Daisy's Digi Store and you can find it in the Summer Fun set.

There are only two days remaining to enter the mini challenge at the Daisy Doodles Creative challenge blog.
Then you have until July 3rd to enter the DDCCblog challenge #36 Stars and Stripes celebrating Independence Day.
Thanks for coming by!

Challenges
Creations by gillm - blue
Secret Crafter - embossing
Wee memories - party time
Card Makin Mamas - Red/white/blue
Inspire Me Fridays - anything goes
poodles parlour - come fly with Me
Sew Many challenges - Dry embossing
Stampin for the Weekend - My Favorite things....blue and hot air balloons
Wags 'n Whiskers - Summertime
Craft Us Crazy - r/w/b or Summer theme
Delightful challenges - fun in the Sun
Paper Crafting Journey - anything goes and a blog hop
Scrapbook sisters - anything goes
The Rubber Cafe - birthday
Sentimental Sundays - Use red, white and blue

RX

STAMPS: Hot air balloon from the DD Summer Fun set, sentiment from SU Punch Bunch

PAPER: Blue scraps, white

INK: Summer Sun

TOOLS: Cuttlebug for the ef's, border punch from MS, sewing machine, 1/8 inch  hole punch

INCIDENTALS: twine

Verviliciousness

Yes, I procrastinated...there...I admit it!!!! the sketches have sat on my desk waiting for some attention.

Here's the sketch for week two by Andrea Ewen----

and here's the procrastinator's card------

The Club Scrap paper had images on it...flowers so I used that for my panel, but you can hardly see them!!!

Thanks for coming by!

RX
STAMPS: Party Time and Elegant Flower by Verve

PAPER: Club Scrap bright green and turquoise, SU True Thyme and Natural Cream

INK: True Thyme, Tempting Turquoise

TOOLS: Cuttlebug for the spellbinders Oval and scalloped oval, SU border punch, Scor-pal

INCIDENTALS: gems in purple, seam binding

More hibiscus.....only hibiscus

There are no cards posted here...just flowers for this post.

Nature at it's best......

Hibiscus

Delightful Inspiration has a beautiful set of images this week, called

Tropical Summer...I just love the hibiscus flowers. We have a fabulous one at the bottom of the stairs

at the entry way. I went out in the rain to see if I could get a good shot. It  rained here all

night and the blossoms are heavy with water. I had to picked them and set them on top of the

leaves to get a decent shot. I was not going to lie in the water to photo these babies while they

were still attached. Brought them inside to see if i could get a better shot and.....

you be the judge.

The color vs the rain drops.

Aren't they just beautiful?

 IRL they are more orange than pink!

Here's the card.....

The set comes with two images one with the frame and the other with out it.

I used both...can you tell? 

Thanks for coming by!

challenges

Mark's finest papers - Make it Sparkle

Alphabet challenge - 'H' is for half dozen..I used six hibiscus w/o the frame

Fairy Knoll - summer

RX

STAMPS: D2D - Tropical Summer

PAPER: SU, CTMH, Club Scrap

SUPPLIES: MS border punch, Spellbinders label 18, sewing machine, Stickles, seam binding, ribbon

Verve Time

I have been so busy working on a project (can't share yet) that my card making has been put on the back burner. Got two Verve sketches done and the third is in the works. Need to have all four done before Thursday and get them posted on SCS to be eligible to win some Verve goodness!!!
The project is completed since the due date was June 24th...hemmed and hawed for months...mojo left the craft room...for this project... so just shoved it to the back of my mind and then wasn't even going to do it and then.....
out came the paint and chip board and tools ...and I can say no more, at this time. Can't wait to show it to you....after July 10th ...I think!!!
Meanwhile back to the Verve challenges....

I dug out 'Blessings' for the sentiment and the scalloped circle punch from SU for the flower.

Thanks for coming by!

RX

STAMPS: Blessings by Verve

PAPER: SU DSP and Orchid Opulence, white, Paper Pizzazz the plaid purple behind the ovals

INK: Pallete Noir

TOOLS: Cuttlebug for the Spellbinders Ovals

INCIDENTALS: ribbon, brad

READ

I confess...i read...i read......i read almost anything....fiction, non-fiction, drama, romance, thrillers, detective stories...i read. I am on the fence about an e-reader because I love going to the library, hunting the shelves for a good read. lately, I don't get past the first shelves...14 Day only releases and LARGE PRINT volumes are right as you walk into my library. there is always a book or two or three that catches my eye and since I only have fourteen days, I limit myself to three at the most. I must tell you that the latest one.."Somewhere Inside" by Lisa and Laura Ling about Laura's capture by the North Koreans was a 'can't put it down READ'!

I used the library due date card for a bookmark. When I saw Casual Fridays and WMSC challenges this morning...they screamed, "Make yourself a bookmark!"
Casual Fridays- clean and simple wanted a color block theme and
WMSC-using WMS stamps wanted to celebrate their one year by using a sketch from the last fifty-two.

AND I wanted a bookmark-------

 I stamped the yellow plaid with a tea cup and punched a few circles and glued  to make a button and attached the button to the oval with the ribbon.

I used WMS challenge 29 for my inspiration.

 The large oval is attached only by the ribbon at the top and the teapot is attached with only the two brads to the tag base.

 Thanks for coming by!

PS. Just found  The Kraft Journal is looking for summer themed projects for Make It Monday!!! Nothing says summer to me like reading and going to the library. So, will add this bookmark to the Summer Challenge.
Mimi's summer camp has weekly trips to the library for books and crafts for my grand daughter, Megan.

RX

STAMPS: WMS Afternoon Tea and sentiments, 'read' I hand wrote

PAPERS: Scraps of purple, kraft, yellow, and a plaid yellow; the tag base was pre-embossed and sent to me by a secret Sis-it's SU paper and embossing

INK: Tea Dye distressing ink, Palette Noir

TOOLS: Spellbinders

INCIDENTALS: Bookplate from SU, ribbon, CAD

Wonderful Friend

Stars and or Stripes are the challenge for the Independence Day challenge at Daisy Doodles.
For my creation I chose the boat from Summer Fun set at the Daisy Doodles store.

I had it printed on blue paper and Spellbinders again to die cut it and then cut off the bottom and add it to the top with some ribbon and white cotton twine. It was an easy ship to set sail! Oh, before I forget...the Stars embossing folder was sponged with red ink and then the white paper was added and had a run through the Cuttlebug. this is only the second time that I tried this technique.
 I have company for the weekend and need to keep this post short, to the point, and go enjoy my dtr and her family! Be sure to check out the Daisy Digi store and the challenge using stars and or stripes.

For a reminder--the mini challenge here is going on right now. Have a Daisy Doodles image? Go get that card/creation done and get it posted. Thanks for coming by!

Challenges
Bloggers challenge - manly
Crafts for Eternity - embellishments that start with the letter 'R'
Glitter Geeks - Male/Father's Day
Mami Doodles - Man or Boy creation
Sentimental Sundays - Summer or Sparkle

Fresh Cut

Designed 2 Delight has the nicest vase for a freebie this week.
I was planning a different kind of fold, but I came to an easel card with the fold going the opposite way.

For your viewing pleasure-- a side shot to see the reverse fold.

 The image is called 'Fresh Cuts' and don't you just think it's the freshest?
Thanks for coming by!!!

RX

STAMPS: D2D 'Fresh Cuts'

PAPER: SU Simply Scrappin pkg 'Just Delightful' ( almost 100% sure that it's retired since I bought it so long ago)

Card Organizer

Bring on the Summer, Sunshine, and Blue skies, Verve is asking us to get our Diva ON!!!!

What says summer and sunshine with blue skies more than blue birds, trellises, and wishing wells?

 I have a bit of news at the bottom of this post!!!

One of the team members at Ellephantastic showed us how to make a card organizer. So so simple.
Jill provided instructions and a link to get the calenders for the album. I did my front and back covers more like a book and used chip board. I like the finished look on the inside, too.
Don't you think this Wishing Well is great already colored? AND the great news...it's free in Helen's SHOP.

I used Ellephantastic images that were pre-colored.... the Wishing Well is the first one and there are a few more on some of the months. Will show the inside at the end of the post.

For the colored and uncolored images check out the Ellephantastic Boutique Shop.

I do not own a binder for crafting, but remembered that I had one that is quite old and there were some combs, too! I had never used it. It was a gift for our SIL while he was in college...he made many of his own spiral notebooks for his classes...and it has come to roost in our home. More specifically in my 

craft closet in the hallway. Googled the maker and found instructions for use, cleared the cobwebs and dust.

And here it is!!!

As I look at my notebook/card organizer the more that I like the old fashioned binder comb.

It's not as ribbon friendly as the more modern ones, but it's available and does the trick.

Thanks for coming by!

Here are the rest of the pics...some ppl would love to see the inside.

Have been holding some news and now is the time to let it out.
I am now officially on the Ellephantastic Design Team.
Their
 challenges are the first Saturday on the month HERE.
They are a superb bunch of crafters and Helen, the creator/designer, has some fabulous images in her Boutique Shop.
Before you go there is a challenge at Divas by Design --Anything But a Card
Thanks for coming by!!

RX

STAMPS: Ellephantastic  images, both colored and uncolored.

PAPER: All paper with the exception of December's is Stampin Up

INK: various SU inks for the sponging

TOOLS: Spellbinders, punches, Sizzix, MS, SU  border punches, SU embosslits, Marvy Palm Tree punch

INCIDENTALS: ribbon, calendars, Docubind P100 comb

Our True Strength

Did you bring your dance card?
I just think the 17th of every month is a great day.

Cuz I just think that Waltzingmouse stamps...ROCKS!!!

The waltz theme for June 2011 is 4th July/Americana

As I have no stamps what-so-ever for Americana from WMS

I have to will improvise.
I thought about the DCWV patriotic papers from last summer...perused my
WMS stamp sets and when I found the sentiment I went with the house
in Celtic Heritage.

PAPER PIECED
The sky and lawn are sponged in blues and greens respectively.
I used the stars from Teeny Trees for the south side of the house.
Oh, yes, the thatched roof is sponged, also. The pathway is kraft paper dotted
with a marker.
The big stars are triple layered and made into buttons with the CAD.
That smaller star has a tiny white star brad in the middle.
The sentiment? Can you guess which stamp set it came from?
Keeping this post short there may be a few more blogs to get to use your dance card.
With the kraft path and small frames this card is good for the Kraft Journal's
Make it Monday Father's Day challenge.
Thanks for stopping waltzing by!

Meet Fredricka

This image from Daisy Doodles is 'Rainy Day Freddy', but I needed some purple going on so Freddy's real name is Fredricka.

I found that ticket stamp in a box of rogue stamps. I do believe that it's from Club Scrap. The 'thanks' senti was just sitting on my desk begging to be inked. Since Freddy Fredricka was so simple I thought that I would cut her out after coloring with my Prismacolor pencils and OMS...just to be different. I very rarely make a card anymore without a Spellbinders on it. Got to use my home made glue gun drops, too!
Thanks for coming by!

challenges
Make it Monday - Anything Goes
The Crafty Pad - Just Because You Can
Poodles Parlour - Anything Goes
Forever Friends - Spots and Dots

Quite Contrary

Here's the latest image from Delightful Inspiration 'Mary, Mary' on my card.

Paper piecing is one of my favorite things to do with a digital image...but it takes more time and some patience with the printer, not to mention the fussy cutting of each layer.
Punched out the little flowers from the papers for a nice match and added the tiny half pearls.
"Grow" was just one word I inked up that was in a phrase on a wooden stamp.
Thanks for coming by!

RX

STAMPS: Mary, Mary; SU Harmony

PAPER:DP scraps, Pink, white

INK: Pink Passion

TOOLS: Spellbinders 21, ticket punch, slot punch, Trio flower punch, sewing machine

INCIDENTALS: ribbon, half pearls

Teapot Tuesday for Lindsay

There's a young Mom ready to undergo chemo for a secondary cancer in her abdomen. For the links to her story go to Splitcoast Stampers Teapot Tuesdays here. Scroll down just a bit and see Destination Station for Lindsay's story. We were asked if we would like to send a card to Lindsay and the elements, also, so she can make one, too!

The digi flower was given to us from Cindy, the tea maker, from one of her friends. We had a teapot for inspiration...and that is also on the link above to Teapot Tuesdays.
Thanks for coming by!

RX

STAMPS: the flower, SU Riveting, Butterfly Prints

PAPER: Cherry Cobbler, white, Pacific Point, Kraft, Baja Breeze

INK: Black, Daffodil Delight, Barely Banana

TOOLS: Spellbinders Fancy Tags, Label 14, circle punches, butterfly punch

INCIDENTALS: dimensionals

Carwash...or not

My friend Cheryl sent me a link...she knew that i was looking for things for the kids to do this summer...

check this out

Got out my pencil and paper and drew MY version of the car wash of my dreams!

The plumber had about 1/2 hour today that he was free of calls and plumbing.

I loved the Homespun version of the night carwash as I am all about recycling and crafting with

                                                     materials at hand. BUT...not the plumber.

He had all the materials on his truck so there was no recycling of old hoses or jerry rigging with duct tape!

AND

this is what he came up with for the girls.....

There was no waiting til the bikes got here for the 'car wash'.

They loved playing and running and dancing and singing through the new sprinkler. The plumber wanted to make it higher so I could ride my bike through there. I nixed that idea.

John cut the pipe, I drilled the holes, and  he did all the 'gluing'.

He even put a valve at the connector so the girls can control the flow of water.

I was in charge of moving it periodically to water different areas of the lawn.

We got our fun and exercise in today!!!

Megan has stated that carwash day is every Thursday.

The plumber was perplexed...I made that for one day a week of play?

Yeppers, I said...think of the water bill!!!!

He smirked...hmmm, one day a week?

Thanks for coming by!

CASE Competition

Waltzingmouse is having another contest-CASE one of the design team member's cards using WMS products.
For the link to the competition click here.
The set that they are promoting is 'Free Spirit Boy' for Day Four where I 'found' a card to CASE. Now, I do not have that set so I had to come up with something great to CASE Laurie Schmidlin's card.

So....what do you think? I like it and it's a great masculine card.

maybe it would have been even more fun if I cased it and made all girlie like.

NOPE...I like it just as it is!!!!

This card, also, qualifies for the Kraft Journal challenge Make it Monday "It's a guy thing"

Thanks for coming by!

rx

STAMPS: WMS Celtic heritage, Irish Blessings

PAPER: Kraft, Natural Ivory, black, Soft Suede, DP scrap

INK: Soft Suede, Always Artichoke, black, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso

TOOLS and INCIDENTALS: Cuttlebug for the Script ef, corner rounders-small and large, black gems, staples, circle punch, paper piercing tool, sponging, dimensionals

CAS-ual Fridays

Found a challenge that just might help me get the hang of clean and simple over at CAS-ual Fridays.
This week a sketch was provided and I tried it.

And of course, my interpretation is off a bit, but the basic idea is still there...I think!!!
I need to remember to punch from the front not the back on both edges.
Thanks for coming by!

RX

STAMPS: SU Warmest Regards

PAPER: Black, white, Real Red

INK: Real Red, Craft white

TOOLS: Heart blocks ef, border punch, Heart embosslit, Spellbinders

INCIDENTALS: Tiny button, ribbon

Hugs, a sentiment and a song!

I made my own sentiment today!!!!! I had to think up something to go with the card that I made for the Waltzingmouse sketch challenge and coordinate it with a challenge at Sentimental Sundays, "Inspired By Song".

Here's the sketch from Miss Edna.....

Funny, how I refer to her as Miss Edna. I have known
two other Ednas in my life and both were called Miss Edna...
no disrespect for Edna Morrisedie, it's just a habit. Ok...that's done...respectfully so!!!!





My card reflects the sketch...some what.....
you be the judge.

RX
Stamps are from WMS Teeny Trees
Paper is from a secret sister..it came embossed and cut...how nice, and white and kraft. They match the inks below.
Ink is Soft Suede, Sage Shadow, and Bordering Blue, oh and a bit of black for the sentiment.
Tools, of course were the cuttlebug to cut out the Spellbinders...the tiniest ones on the front and a medium one on the inside that read:
"Knowing you is like growing hugs on trees."
I used my mini Janome to sew the edge around the card base after I stamped the sentiment. You know me - it couldn't be symmetrical.


I tried a little some thing different with PICNIK in Picasa for the inside of my card......it 'leaks' the ink away from the focal point...cool, very cool.
Just click to enlarge on the pic.
Here's a shot of the inside:

My hug card goes with  Fred Small's Hug song that you can
see at the end of my post.....but caution ...it will stick in your
brain like cement!
Challenges:
Card Cupids - Multiple layers
Dream Valley - Stamp something
Paper Sundaes - Let's get sentimental

Fred Small - The Hug Song lyrics CHORUS: I want a hug when we say hello I want a hug when it's time to go I want a hug 'cause I want you to konw I'm awfully fond of you. I want a hug--what a wonderful feeling I want a hug--to feel you squeezing I want a hug--it certainly seems like The natural thing to do! When I was a little bitty baby child, my momma used to hold me tight My daddy used to come and pick me up when I got scared at night The years have passed, I've grown so fast, and mostly I feel strong But timid or bold, I'm never too old to sing this cozy song. CHORUS Now some folks don't like hugging--they think they're too tough I bet they'd be a whole lot friendlier if they were just hugged enough When you hug the ones who love you, an amazing thing you learn When you give a hug, you just can't help but get one in return! CHORUS Sometimes grownups are grouchy and they put the blame on you Sometimes you make just a little mistake though you did the best you could do Sometimes love is everywhere and it's a beautiful day And every time is the perfect time to open your arms and say:

 Thanks for coming by!!!!