Have a Ball!

Sometimes an idea will come outta the blue that you just HAVE to try, and this beach volleyball card was exactly that!  I've had that fiber mesh for forEVER, and when I first saw summer4Fun I wondered whether I could use some little skewers and this stuff to construct a net.

I used Copic markers to color the ball in traditional beach ball colors...an EK border punch gave a wavy edge to the horizon where sand (GinaK card stock) meets water and sky (a scrap of Basic Grey designer paper). I stamped the sentiment (and immediately wished I would have stamped it a little lower) in Memento Rich Cocoa ink, then punched a couple of holes for the stakes.  It is difficult to tell from the photo, but the entire layer is attached to the card base with foam tape.  

I think this is one where idea was probably better than execution!  The skewers caused the card stock to buckle just a bit, and the netting was difficult to adequately secure without the adhesive being visible.  Still, it came out fun and different!  A beach volleyball fanatic would probably love it!  ;)

Surf's Up!

I found this great designer paper at the LSS...the warm summer colors inspired another summer4Fun beach card!  It came out a little busier than I had planned, but I still like it, and it was really fun to make!

I wish you could see all the texture and sparkle in person!  The Copic-colored surfboard is "waxed" with Glossy Accents and the torn paper waves are white-capped with Stickles foam.  The sun is sparkly too, surrounded by Stickles sunbeams.

Here in Florida it's been in the high 90's with the heat index from 105-110...you don't really wanna be outside unless you're at the beach or poolside!  We're doing our best to enjoy the last days of summer in spite of the heat!  Hope you're stayin' cool!

Thanks for your support!

I was looking through card photos and realized that I never shared this slightly racy Skipping Stones Design card!  I made it a couple of months ago while I was guest designing for Heather, right when I first started with Couture Cardstock.

I adore pink and black together!  I wanted to make a card for breast cancer awareness with this delicate, lacy bra.  I used to work with mastectomy patients as a physical therapist in my "former life" (before child and card-making), and I know how NOT sexy that surgery can make a woman feel...so I wanted this card to have a confident, softly sexy feminine edge.

I am always keeping scraps of paper and fabric...I bought this black fishnet tulle back when I was first invited to be a Dirty Girl for Splitcoaststampers.  I was planning to make a demure bride turned sexy wife kinda project for my first gallery (the theme was "In the Beginning") but ended up taking a different direction so the tulle sat in the scrap bin.  I love how it looks here!

The bra was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then colored with several shades of Copic markers to add some curves and contour!  I added a tiny black rhinestone to the center.

Whisper a prayer for those who are battling breast cancer!  And make sure you go for your annual exam!  I'm overdue for mine!

Fabulous Florals #2

I promised that today I'd share the second card for my class in Ocala, so here it is! Isn't it amazing how very different the two cards are, even though they're made with the same set!?  This one is made using three colors of ink and solid images.  While I like this look and appreciate that solid images sometimes make for faster stamping and card-making, I also must admit that I am partial to line art images because I just love to color!  It is nice to have a set that offers both options!

Fabulous Florals

I am planning to teach two classes in August at Priceless Scrapbooks in Ocala.  Originally they were scheduled for July 20th but the week before CHA was NOT good timing, so we rescheduled them. I cannot believe how crazy busy summer has been and how fast it is flying by!

This card is one of two we'll make using Our Craft Lounge's set, Fabulous Florals.  The set has both solid and line art stamps so it is quite versatile.  Here, I used a line art image colored with Copic markers.  I love these rich, bold colors, inspired by BoBunny's Petal Pusher designer papers.

I'll be back tomorrow to share the second card for this class!  You can take a peek at the cards for the morning class in a previous post!

Zindorf Inspired!

I am absolutely amazed at what Michelle Zindorf can do with a brayer!  She made a gorgeous beach card that simply took my breath away.  I really love the look, and since I am definitely brayer-challenged, decided to try my hand at achieving similar results with a sponge. 

I used GinaK's card stock, a combination of SU dye and craft inks and Tim Holtz tea-dye distress ink, and this month's release from the {stamps} of Life, summer4Fun.  I am very pleased with the results!  I must admit, though...someday I hope to take some of Michelle's classes so I can get over my brayer inhibitions!

CHA!

Here are a couple of cards that I made for the Couture Cardstock booth at CHA before finding out that our team was being disbanded and the projects would not be needed...I'm sure that even though they're made with sets from last Fall, the Our Craft Lounge girls will be happy to have them in their CHA display!  As this post is going live, I'm boarding my plane, on my way to the Windy City!  Chicago, here we come!

I'll be helping to set up, working the booth and rooming with the OCL girls, and also spending some time walking the floor with the i {heart} papers team.  Can't tell you how excited I am to be spending time with my stamping friends!  It is so fun to actually meet in person the friends you've been chatting with online (or over the phone!)...when you finally meet IRL you feel like you've already known each other forever! 

If I had been free to do completely as I wished, I would have added the pop of some bright orange to these, but I was working on strict orders regarding what to use because the CCS booth had been carefully planned with regard to theme, color harmony, and project groupings...I absolutely adore stamping for Halloween, using these bright colors and sharp contrasts! 

No special techniques, except for the sign post which was cut from an extra tree trunk.  I tried to add lots of shading, depth, texture, layers, and detail to these cards.  They were so much fun to make, and I hope you've enjoyed seeing them!    

Notes:
Our Craft Lounge Holiday Cruiser, Ghostly Greetings, Granny's Potion, Peek a Boo
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Copic markers
My Mind's Eye Meadowlark patterned paper 
Silk ribbon
Zva Creative crystals
Stickles
We R Memory Keepers flocked lace (for the "road!")
MS web punch
exacto knife

Combining Challenges

The Dare to Get Dirty challenges are going strong over on SCS, and today is also a new sketch on the OCL blog, so I decided to combine a them for today's card.   I considered trying to fit it in for Dawn's Friday Free 4 All too, but because I chose to go with warm colors, I couldn't make that one fit!

This set is one of my favorite sets for Spring...it is a great fit for Anna's, Joan's, and Melanie's DTGD challenges.  The Joy Ride designer paper and button are just perfect with this image!  The button says "Dreams become reality" and that is exactly what happens when a seed that was dormant begins to grow! I love little details like that!  ;)

Notes:
Cosmo Cricket Joy Ride designer paper and button
Our Craft Lounge Hoppin' into Spring stamps
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Copic markers
Jute thread
SU and GinaK card stock
Sewing machine

Sew Fabulous!

Today it's my turn to host one of the Dare to Get Dirty challenges!  This was such a fun card to make using Asela's set, Sew Pretty, which she so generously gave to me...I'm so blessed that she does this quite often!  She is so sweet to share, and I am amazed at her talent!  Love you, girlfriend!

This image is a combination of paper piecing and Copic marker coloring/shading.  I just love it because it reminds me of the days (before child, LOL) when I sewed all of my own clothes...I loved browsing those big thick books for a pattern to use!

I've been on a Thrift Shop roll lately!  I kept this one monochromatic, adding lots of sponging and stitching to add some interest.  I wanted it to inspire thoughts of dainty, lacy feminine things, pearls, and corsages...and I just love how this rolled flower came out!  I am still debating whether to add a little dusting of clear Stickles sparkle to it!  You can barely see the pearl tucked deep into the center of it.  I'm in love with that gorgeous crinkle ribbon!  It makes the prettiest bows!

Notes:
October Afternoon Thrift Shop designer paper
Nestabilities classic rectangles
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Copic markers
Tim Holtz tea-dye distress ink
Crinkle crepe ribbon
Kaiser pearls
MS border punch
Singer sewing machine

Here's another Dare to Get Dirty card that combines a couple of challenges.  Don't you just love the prints from Basic Grey's Olivia?  Inspired by this Lizzie Anne sentiment, I trimmed a trio of designs into one inch squares to make a little quilt with multiliner faux stitches.  A few colorful buttons, a little bit of black jute fiber (separated into single strands) and a bold black bow really brighten this CAS design.

Surprise!

Here's a project that I made as a sample for the Dare to Get Dirty challenge that Holly's hosting today! Thank, Holly, for inviting me to play! 

The polka dots from The Girls' Paperie that I used on my last project were still on my desk, and they just seemed to go with this image!

I had the worst time getting a photo angle on this that would show you what it's all about!  It is a cool little origami gift box with a belly band that sports a cute beach scene using Our Craft Lounge's Beach Days.  The box sides flip up to meet at the center, and when closed, the belly band hides the "seam."  Here's what it looks like opened.  The instructions for the box are on the Scor-Pal website.

Notes:
Scor-Pal
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Copic markers
The Girls' Paperie designer paper
Red grosgrain ribbon

TSOL design team challenge

It's challenge time for the {stamps} of Life design team, and this month's theme is polka dots!

Please feel free to play along with us!

If you are playing along with the {stamps} of Life stamps or digital images please upload to the gallery on the site - HERE - with the keyword TSOLD14. Please link to one of our blogs so we can see your stuff!

I chose some coordinating prints from The Girls' Paperie, all of them full of dots!  A few aptly placed shiny adhesive brads are in keeping with the theme.

Check out what the rest of our team created:

Beverly
Emily
Jeanne
Joana
Vicki

ihp Design Team Challenge

How many of you have purchased a beautiful piece of designer paper and then let it sit there untouched for ages?  Sometimes if it is a really lovely design and I have only one sheet, I am especially intimidated by the thought of cutting into it.  If you can relate, then today's i {heart} papers design team challenge is for you!  Kate has a phenomenal sale going on in an effort to move out some of her earlier store purchases to make room for the upcoming CHA releases.  That means great savings for you on some incredibly beautiful products!

My card for today features Webster's Pages Short Bread. It was this lovely swirling design that first drew me in...but because I didn't want to cover those beautiful swirls, it took me forever to be brave enough to cut into it.  I finally ended up letting the patterned paper stand on its own, adding only stitched edges with a big beautiful bow and pearl hat pin.

The inside is equally simple...this sentiment from Lizzie Anne's Vintage Verses (stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa) echoes the swirling, scrolling design of the paper.  Although this card is quite minimalist, it is very elegant.

Be sure to visit my teammates' blogs for more inspiration!  Here are the players for today's challenge:

Carolyn
Cathleen
Deb
Gretchen
Kendra
Loretta
Lori
Lynn
Megan
Tracy
Kate

Another Dirty Challenge Card!

This is a combo card for Dare to Get Dirty Challenges hosted by Jeanne and Kim. I used some beautiful October Afternoon Thrift Shop designer paper, one of my favorite Lizzie Anne Designs stamps (January's mix, From the Heart), Memento ink/Copic markers, embellishing with stitching, a trio of buttons and a big red bow.  The floral design and inked edges lend a vintage feel to the design.

Additional notes:
Nestabilities classic ovals
Tim Holtz tea dye distress ink
jute thread

Access to the Dirty Dozen gallery each month, and the annual Dare to Get Dirty challenges are some of the perks to being a fan club member,so if you aren't one, you should be!  Check it out!

"Dirty" White Space

Ryann is hosting one of today's SCS Dare to Get Dirty challenges,to embrace the white space, so I stamped this cutie using two Lizzie Anne sets.  The watermelon image is from Simply Sweet, and the sentiment, a perfect match for it, is from this month's mix, Turn Toward the Sun.  Love that giant green satin bow! 

This was SUCH a fun challenge!  Thanks, Ryann!

Lizzie Anne Design Team Challenge

On the 17th of each month, the Lizzie Anne Designs girls participate in a design team challenge. This month our challenge is to use a product on your card that is not a typical go-to product for cardmaking.

At first I thought I'd use a birthday candle, but the only one I had was a big thick number 3.  Nevermind that!  Then I decided to use some beads for a bookmark, but I didn't really like the way that turned out.

Finally I went digging in my craft stash through all the stuff I normally use for wood-working.  I found this thin gold wire,which inspired me to use this cute bee and matching sentiment from the sixlet, Great Expectations.

I pulled several other things out of the stamping stash...I've had the ghost flowers for forever, and bought this "cute" ribbon right back in February when Lucky You (and the bee tree) was released.  The Max and Whiskers designer paper and paper tape trim are more recent purchases.  I also used Memento ink, Copic markers, and eyeliner black Sparkly Fluff.

It made me smile when I saw that the very first Dare to Get Dirty 2010 challenge (Lost and Found) fits right in with today's LAD DT challenge.  Current and former Dirty Dozen girls will be hosting challenges through the weekend and beginning of the week, so be sure to check them out and play along!  It is gonna be a bunch of fun!

Be sure to visit the LAD blog to see who's playing along in today's DT challenge...can't wait to see what they came up with!

A New Mix!

It's Mix it Up Day at Lizzie Anne Designs! This is one of my favorite images from the new August mix, Turn Toward the Sun!  I used the combination of Memento ink and Copic markers for the image, cut and embossed with a Nestabilities die.  For the layout I used some BoBunny dots, a small textured Prima flower and a great big bow with my favorite American Crafts grosgrain ribbon.  I love the way the flower's texture is like the fabric of an upholstered chair...

There's nothing like a quiet, simple moment with a girlfriend in the middle of a hurried day! 

Getting in Gear!

Here's a fun robot guy using a brand new special release from the {stamps} of Life, robots4build and some Cosmo Cricket Joy Ride designer paper. I thought he'd look kinda cool with a little bit of dimension, so I stamped his belly twice and cut the center out for a peek into his *clockworks.*  The knobs and gears are accented with little black rhinestones, with a strand of ivory burlap cord for a conveyor belt.  What a fun set for a masculine card!

Check out this month's special release gallery for cards made with this set and more!  This gallery is open for club members on the 7th of each month, and on the 11th for the general public.  You'll find lots of great inspiration there!

Lizzie Anne and CPS!

Lizzie Anne Designs is sponsoring this week's CPS Sketch!  I used Copic markers in teals and blues to color a handsome peacock, and paired him with some gorgeous BoBunny designer paper.

Not only are we sponsoring the sketch...we are having a sale!  From now through July 17th you can save 40% off your entire order (excluding retired sets and Monthly Mix)!  Find out more about it on the Lizzie Anne blog!

Card Classes

I love Our Craft Lounge stamps, and in a few weeks I'll be teaching a couple of classes down in Ocala at Priceless Scrapbooks using the cuties from OCL's Beach Days.  It's a fun summer set with a couple of adorable kids and all kinds of fun summer beach/poolside images.

I thought it would be kinda fun to make his and hers versions, so I chose some BoBunny designer paper and different colors of dotted swiss to make a harmonizing pair.  The girl's version is bright pink with ruched ribbon and a fun wavy bordered z-fold.

The boy's version is a tent-fold,with a turquoise background and paper-pieced swim trunks.  Both are colored with Copic markers.

Hope you like these little darlings!  If you're near Ocala, contact Priceless Scrapbooks to sign up for my class!

One HOT Tomato!

Hehe!  This little Lizzie Anne Designs image and adorable sentiment (Simply Sweet Monthly Mix) is SO cute, just makes me smile...since my husband is of Italian heritage and LOVES to cook, I think it's just perfect for a fun and dare I say sexy little card! 

I stamped the tomato with Memento ink, colored with Copic markers and cut it out with paper snips.  [If you accidentally snip off a little of the line-art edge, a multi-liner works great to fix your mistake!  Ask me how I know!  ;) ]  I matted it with a Nestabilities classic circle and nested blossom, then set it atop the intersection of some brightly colored Garden Variety papers (SCS Sketch #38).  Everything was distressed lightly with Tim Holtz tea dye ink.  I used traditional markers directly to the stamp to bring some bright color to the sentiment and added a tiny jute bow just for fun.

This image would be cute on a recipe box or little cookbook cover...we have lots of great tomato-based recipes, including fresh tomato-basil-mozzarella salad and some scrumptious marinara, and it would be fun to gather some of them into a pretty paper-crafted collection!

Celebrating 100 Challenges!

Wow! That's a lot of Color Throwdown Challenges!  Definitely something worth celebrating in a big way, and let me tell you, this party is B.I.G!  The list of sponsors is a mile long!  You've just GOTTA join in the fun!

Here are the colors for this week's historic challenge! Two harmonizing prints from Basic Grey's recently released 6 x 6 Olivia designer paper pad made it easy to bring these colors together.  Using red chalk ink, I stamped a sentiment from Hero Arts onto a nesties label, sponged the edges, matted and framed it with some white Zva pearl "hugs" and and additional pale green pearl accents.  The pretty bow is tied using May Arts' two-toned textured rose/pink ribbon and a Bow Easy, then topped with a small button.

This sentiment works for all kinds of occasions!  I adore the chintz-and-picnic-plaid look of these papers, and the purely girlie-romantic yet not actually Valentine feel of this card.  That's because I love pink!  I hope you like it too!

Be sure to visit the Color Throwdown blog for all the details about playing this week's challenge.  Tell 'em Deb sent you!  ;)

Blog Hop!

The {stamps} of Life and Flower Soft design teams are playing together for this hop! As you make your way through the hop be sure to comment on each and every post (start HERE...official start time is 7 EST). There will be 6 prize winners chosen randomly from among the blogs.

That's 3 prize packages from Flower Soft and 

3 stamps sets from The {Stamps} of Life!!!

The prize winners will be announced on the Flower Soft blog and The {Stamps} of Life blog on Wednesday, July 14^th. Good luck!

My project features the newest monthly release from the {stamps} of Life, summer4fun.  I started with a gradient background sky made with the computer printer, then stamped the sun with Memento ink and colored it with Copic markers.  My colored ink cartridge must be getting low, because the piece came out with faint stripes that give it the appearance of textured card stock, a happy accident!  The waves were printed in the same fashion using the {stamps} of Life digital brushes.

I stamped the cloud (from kites2Fly) traditionally, gave it some faint shading with a pale Copic blue green and a tiny bit of warm gray, and popped it up on pop dots. The surfboard was paper-pieced from scraps of two different designer papers...it was the *fiberglass* look of one of those prints that inspired the entire card.

For the sign, I printed the sentiment with digital brushes, penciled in some jagged edges, cut it out and colored it with Copic markers and a multi-liner to give the appearance of weather-worn wood.  To finish the card, I topped the white-capped waves with polar white Flower Soft sea foam (pun!) and sculpted some dunes with ultrafine toffee sand.

I really love how this turned out, and it's just perfect for this Florida girl to give to a sun-and-surf-lovin' friend!

Want even more inspiration? Do you like video tutorials? Make sure and check out both the {stamps} of Life and Flower Soft TV for weekly videos, specials and product news!!!

Your next stop is Beverly's.  Enjoy the rest of the hop!  Come back soon!

Couture Cardstock

It was only a couple of months ago that I excitedly shared the news that I was joining the Couture Cardstock team, and now I'm sharing sad news. Major financial changes within the parent company, Cardstock Warehouse, have been made, and major restructuring of Cardstock Warehouse is occurring. Despite the recent warm welcome that Couture Cardstock received in the industry, the new structure is leading the company in a direction that eliminates the positions of all the former staff (including Couture President CarrieAnne DeLoach).

It is uncertain what the long-term future of Couture Cardstock or Cardstock Warehouse will be.  Questions may be posed to Cardstock Warehouse staff directly.

It took me a few days to gather my thoughts for this post...the news came completely "out of the blue" when all of us were on a creative high, busy making Couture Cardstock projects for CHA.  It knocked the wind out of my sails and put me in a bit of a melancholy mood for more than a few days.  When that happens it is difficult to create, but it is the very act of creating that lifts the somberness...whether it be lifting voice in song, or putting stamp and ink to paper.

There's always a silver lining, and here the "positive note" is that I met some absolutely amazing designers and made treasured, lasting friendships.  I enjoyed every second that I served on this design team, and I will look forward to seeing where each artist's creative path leads.  To all of you, blessings and warm wishes!

Grand Ol' Flag!

I hope today finds you still celebrating!  We are having a nice, quiet day after a noisy night of fireworks! 

I started this card yesterday before going to church...I just wanted to make a simple, rustic Americana card in honor of the holiday.  I started with an oft-used layout, kept trying to add things to it, and finally settled on a few button-adorned stars.  To me it needed more, but my husband liked it just the way it is.  :)

The flag is Lizzie Anne Designs recently released Grand Ol' Flag.  If you look closely, you'll see that the red layer is stamped with a very faint star background...those are from the monthly mix, Dream Big. 

I'm stamping today...I'm participating in a blog hop (two different teams, two very different but fun-to-combine products) tomorrow, so I hope you'll visit again!

Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July to all of you, especially my American friends!  I hope you're having a fabulous weekend celebrating!  We certainly are!  My birthday is July 2nd, so the festivities start early and last a long time!  When I was young, I thought the fireworks were all about me!  ;)

Lizzie Anne Designs is celebrating its 4th anniversary during the month of July, and so--in honor of that and to celebrate this great land we live in--we're offering our Stars and Stripes digital paper pack FREE!  Go grab it NOW!  Today's the last day! 

Enjoy your long holiday weekend! 

A Creative Mess!

The Lizzie Anne Designs girls must've been peeking into my Life when they came up with this sentiment! Anyone who knows me well would probably agree that this perfectly sums it up! THIS is a mantra I can cling to, especially right now when, STILL in the process of organizing my craft room (it's taking forever), the dining table is covered with paper, punches and other card-making paraphernalia and the hallway remains stacked with boxes!  My mess of a creative schedule has made it difficult to have time enough to get up there and finish mounting shelves and actually move in, but I definitely am making slow but steady progress.  I think I might have to stamp this again and frame it!  ;)

I used Lizzie Anne's new single (two are being released today), Kaisercraft designer paper, Copic markers, BoBunny buttons, and American Crafts ribbon to make today's card.  How's that for eclectic?!  I wanted it to be just a little busy, like organized chaos!  Life is happiest and best when I'm surrounded by pretty paper, ribbons, etc., but they're not in such a heap that I can't find them!  I am SURE that most stampers can relate!

Hope you are gearing up for a fabulous 4th of July/Canada Day weekend, and that the rest of you will celebrate freedom along with us North Americans!  Stay safe!  :)

Have a Sunny Day!

The first of the month heralds a new release at the {stamps} of Life, and this month's release is a fun beach set, summer4Fun, featuring sandcastles, surfboards, flip flops and sunshine.  I would imagine, as the long 4th of July holiday weekend approaches,that most of us are wishing for a few sunny days to celebrate at the beach or by the pool! 

This sandcastle was colored with Copic markers, and given a bit of sparkly sandy texture with a light layer of Stickles.  The sky was colored with a pale Copic marker and then a few clouds sponged in with soft blue ink and a scalloped circle mask.  This card is simple and fun and uncomplicated, just the way summer should be!  ;)