Reindeer Wannabe?

Hello everyone - I'm part of the last of the month inspiration team at Die Cut Divas today. We're  wrapping up a month of playing with critters by SheepSki Designs but any critter will do for our June Diva Challenge. Just remember to use an embossing folder or die cut in your design along with your critter.

I'm going the Christmas card route today with a cute critter trio. I feel it's like that game you played as a kid - "one of these things is not like the other...". Remember that? This digi really makes me smile with the doggie & his branch antlers sneaking between the two reindeer.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Paper Studio brights & stripes

Digi Stamp - SheepSki Designs My Spy

Stamp with Die - Hero Arts Beautiful Butterflies Bundle

Dies - Art Impressions Large Snowflakes

Other - Copic Markers; Recollections gems;

ephemera sentiment from a Paper Studio kit

Thanks again to Andrea at Sheepski Designs for sharing these adorable images with the DCD team & personal thanks to teamie Arlene (A Bit of This and That) for printing them off for me. Again Arlene included a couple different sizes so I could do more than one card. For my first card, I started with the larger sized imaged and colored it with Copics. I fussy cut around the chins and added the panel to a striped one, then layered to a red mat & added to an A7 card. A sentiment from the ephemera pack of a Paper Studio scrapbook kit and some die cut snowflakes & gems finished the card.

Here's today's bonus - the doggie with reindeer image sized smaller. Arlene had already cut the panel with a notched die who's name I don't know - resembles a Momenta set I have.... This time I added a single die cut snowflake (same AI set) and a different ephemera sentiment from the same Paper Studio kit. Similar look but not a duplicate - love it! I'd be interested to hear which one you prefer - let me know in the comments!

Remember - you only have until 9p Pacific time today to share your critter project - hope to see you in the June Diva gallery!! 

Thanks for stopping and, as always, Happy Crafting!!

Enjoy Today!

TGIF everyone - hope you're looking at a fabulous weekend! I'm starting mine with a card using materials from the Spellbinders June Quick and Easy Card Kit. 

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders kit; Park Lane black

Dies - Spellbinders Fancy Edged Ovals (retired)

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

My Favorite Things Blueprints 2 (retired)

Other - Tim Holtz sentiment sticker;

Spellbinders kit ephemera; Kaisercraft gems

I came home from the dentist on Monday to find a big box on the steps - yay - Spellbinders club! It's a lot to process and usually I set the box aside but I dug in and pulled out the card kit. I'm making weekly cards for my Blue Stars adopt-a-member AJ and found just what I needed in this month's kit! Card base, envelope, patterned & layering papers, fun frames and butterfly stickers. I knew my stash of Spellbinders dies would have a perfect matching oval frame - bingo, a pretty pierced scalloped one.

Next, a quick share of a card I mailed to AJ today. I upcycled the top of a manufactured card I received from a friend - can't remember what brand but I love the sparkly rays. I cut it down with a stitched rectangle and added to a dotted mat layer, then to an A2 card. A couple gems over the printed eyes and a sentiment sticker from the same Tim Holtz pack - done!

That's it for today, friends. I'll be off to a chorus rehearsal tonight & tomorrow with a special coach coming in from Canada. Hope to have time on the way to do some crafty shopping!

Thanks for stopping & enjoy your weekend!!

P.S.Have you checked out the Die Cut Divas June Critter Challenge? Hope to see you in the gallery - only 7 days left to play! 

Thinking of You Froggies

Hello everyone - my turn to provide Die Cut Diva Inspiration today! We're playing with critters by SheepSki Designs but any critter will do for our June Diva Challenge. Just remember to use an embossing folder or die cut in your design along with your critter. 

Supplies: Paper - Parklane A2 card; Neenah white

Digi Stamp - SheepSki Designs My Pad

Stamp with Die - Hero Arts Beautiful Butterflies Bundle

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; Hero Arts Clear Lacquer; white gel pen

Thanks to Andrea at Sheepski Designs for sharing these adorable images with the DCD team & personal thanks to teamie Arlene (A Bit of This and That) for printing them off for me. She always includes a couple different sizes so I can do my bonus cards. For my first card, I started with the larger sized imaged and colored it with pastel Copics. Added clear lacquer to the eyes and some dots on the body with Copics and on the flower with a white gel pen. Die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle and stamped a sentiment. Adhered it to an A2 panel and added a stamped/die cut/colored butterfly. Done!

Here's today's bonus - the froggie image sized smaller. This time I added some die cut cattails and a bitty dragonfly. The other two dragonflies from the set landed on a previous card. This one went to a friend's hubby who landed in the hospital - he absolutely loved it! Brings me a smile too...

Supplies: Paper - Parklane A2 card; Neenah white & black;

BoBunny Double Dotted 6x6 patterned

Digi Stamp - SheepSki Designs My Pad

Stamp with Die - Hero Arts Friendly Messages Bundle

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Altenew Mix and Match Frames Set;

Frantic Stamper Cattails; Memory Box Little Dragonflies (retired)

Other - Copic Markers; Hero Arts Clear Sparkle Lacquer; white gel pen; 

Versamark ink & Ranger Sea Foam White Embossing Powder

You have until June 30th at 9p Pacific time to share your critter project - hope to see you in the June Diva gallery!! 

Thanks for stopping and, as always, Happy Crafting!!

Couple of Birthday cards

Happy Monday - hope you had a great weekend! I spent a lovely Father's Day with Dad at my brother and sister-in-law's house in Northern Minnesota. Burgers on the grill and yummy chocolate cake, then we played cards and watched the Twins lose against Detroit. Oh well. Try as I might, I won Phase 10 again - was hoping Dad would win on his day...

Today I'm sharing a couple birthday cards. First up, a card for my Diva teamie and long-time friend Dawn (Dawn's World). The Divas are using SheepSki Design digis this month for our critter challenge. I mistakenly thought it was happening in May so was busily making my inspiration cards in early May-oops. A good thing, though, because Dawn's bday in mid June needs a card mailed to New Zealand weeks ahead. It arrived only a day late, sigh - the post goes round the world twice sometimes, I think, going to NZ!!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; BoBunny Double Dotted 6x6;

My Favorite Things Falling for Houndstooth 6x6

Digi - SheepSki Designs For You

Stamps - Unity Many More Birthdays (die sold out) &

Hero Arts From the Vault Cute Animals (die sold out)

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

My Favorite Things Blueprints 13 (retired)

Other - Copic Markers; Hero Arts sparkle lacquer

That sweet ellie really makes me smile and Dawn loved it too! If you want to see another use of the elephant image, check out a cutie HERE by our Diva teamie, Annie at Little Wings Creates. And thanks to teamie Arlene (A Bit of This and That) for printing the digis I needed.

Next a card for my crafty friend Jo (Jo's Blogs); her bday is a couple days after Dawn's. What was I thinking mailing her card (going to the UK) at the same time as Dawn's??? Anyway, Jo's card took less than a week (a new record?) to get there so she could enjoy it longer.

Supplies: Paper - Tim Holtz kraft metallic;

Paper Studio pastel A2 card and marbled & paint shop patterned; MFT vellum

Dies - Altenew Mix and Match Frames;

MFT Stitched Blooms

Spellbinders Layered Mix and Match Sentiments (retired)

Too much gold? Definitely was a bit of a challenge to photograph! I was happy to hear Jo liked it! And that both Dawn and Jo had happy birthdays!! That's it for today, friends. I hope you'll check out our June Critter Challenge at Die Cut Divas and I'll be back Wednesday with an inspiration post. Stop back if you want to see more cute critters!!

Oh, but before you go, here's a photo of a blue heron standing on my brother's dock. I took it from the deck across the yard from the shoreline but if you look closely, you can see him on the end. So beautiful and he didn't stand there long before taking flight.

Thanks for stopping & happy crafting!!

Happy Father's Day!

Hello and Happy Father's Day to all celebrating today!! I'm with my Dad, my brother and his wife for family time; my two sisters couldn't make it but we'll see them later this year. Here's the card I made Dad for Father's Day:

Supplies: Paper - DCWV patterned; Paper Studio kraft A2 card

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Stamps - Hero Arts Past Times (retired)

Stamps with coordinating dies - Lawn Fawn Happy Happy Happy (dies HERE)

Other - Memento Tuxedo Black and Rich Cocoa inks; Park Lane star gem

I used some vintage papers and stamps - really liked how this turned out. The card appeared washed out in my original photo so I tried to warm up the tones via editing; loads of kraft & ivory in real life. I stamped & fussy cut the hand and the balloon. The HAPPY from Lawn Fawn is stamped & die cut with extra die cuts behind for dimension.

Here's a photo of Dad in his usual spot in the kitchen, holding a cup of coffee!! We kids got the cup for him years ago & he uses it often. Of all things, he loves to add french vanilla cappuccino from Kwik Trip - ugh!! Give me Starbucks any day over that stuff!

That's it for today, friends - thanks for stopping & have a beautiful day!

Lots of Stars!

Hey there - I'm popping in today with my first cards for an Adopt-a-Member program I joined. Some of you may remember that I marched back in the day with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps from La Crosse WI. The current corps Director of Organizational Leadership asked alumni to sign up to adopt a 2023 member for the summer. How fun - I signed right up!! We'll send cards, letters, care packages, etc to help boost the members' spirits during the long days of rehearsing and touring.

I got the name of a rookie colorguard member - I'll use her initials AJ for my story. I sent her a card seen later in this post, giving her my contact information and wishing her a great experience with the corps. AJ texted me when she received the card last week (she loved it) and shared some life details. I learned AJ graduated from high school just two weeks before heading off to the corps' spring camp!

I'll lead with the grad card I sent AJ - another pop up bridge card (they are addictive!!). Go HERE if you missed the first one I made....

Supplies: Paper - Doodlebug Designs grad patterned;

Lawn Fawn grey dot patterned; Neenah white: Hero Arts Glitter Basics

Dies - Hero Arts Circle Set and Nesting Circle Infinity Dies

Stamps with dies - Hero Arts Friendly Messages Bundle

Other - Paper Studio star gems; foam tape

Here's a view from the top so you can see the fold - so simple and fun! Be sure to check out Jennifer McGuire's video on this type of card. It flattens perfectly for mailing. The little grad label was fussy cut from the Doodlebug paper; love that paper!!

I'll share this card at Darnell's June NBUS Challenge since my HA Circle Set is getting first play today. I bought this set with a big bundle for the upcoming online Summer Mixed Media Stamp Along - would love to "see" you there! The Stamp Along instructors always share amazing tips and we created a lovely bundle of projects every time.

Next, I'll share the first and second cards I sent to AJ. Since the corps name includes Star - I leaned heavily on that shape!

The card at left used the Poppystamps All Star Collage (retired but found HERE at Frantic Stamper) and Hero Arts 5-Point Stars Infinity Dies. I cut the blue star from a 4.5x6.5" panel and then continued cutting various sized stars to have on hand. When I was done, I had a fabulous negative that I decided to use on card two. I filled in some of the negative spaces with smaller blue stars, then some bitty gold & pastel blue stars from cutting previous All Star Collages, The sentiments come from a couple of retired Hero Arts sets.

That's it for today - hope you're having a crafty week! Thanks for stopping by!!

Yellow Rose Wreath

Hi everyone - hope you're enjoying the weekend! I spotted a beautiful yellow roses card by my friend Joanne (Ambrosia and Iron) yesterday and was inspired to get out my Altenew Garden Picks die set. These roses are such fun to cut and assemble! I decided to add them to a wreath and finished my card this morning.

Supplies: Paper - Authentique Promise & Jubilee 6x6 collection;

Park Lane A2 card; Paper Studio Paint Shop; scrap of brown & kraft

Dies - Altenew Garden Picks;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop;

Hero Arts Nesting Circle Infinity Dies;

My Favorite Things Sunflower Wreath;

Memory Box Floral Window (magazine freebie)

Other - Wplus9 Autumn Splendor enamel dots

I die cut two wreaths and three white flowers from the same MFT set. Arranged them with the Altenew roses & leaves atop a pale yellow gingham circle so it would stand out from the basketweave background. Decided to add a band of orange checked paper behind the circle. A sentiment from a MB die set (free in issue 97 of Die Cutting Essentials magazine) finished it off.

Joanne set the challenge Everything's Coming Up Roses at Daring Card Makers for this week and I wanted to play along. I've not played at that challenge before, despite being inspired many times by Joanne's creations on the DT. Thought it was past time that I joined in! Thanks to Joanne & the Daring Card Makers for the fun!!

My friend Betty (created by bjk) is the featured designer for the current TIC TAC TOE Challenge 212 and my card works for that too - center horizontal line Wreath/Free/Die Cut. 

Thanks for stopping by! Happy crafting!!

Poinsettia Pop up Bridge Card

Happy Saturday! I'm getting some crafty time in and made a card for the June Christmas Kickstart Challenge. Jo (Jo's Blogs) and elf Arlene (A Bit of This and That) offer a fun theme of Festive Fancy Folds. I spotted the challenge on Thursday when I was catching up on blog visiting & that same day I spied a beautiful bridge card by Betty (created by bjk) with a pop-up bridge fold. Betty was inspired by Jennifer McGuire's June 1st post which I hadn't read yet. Made time right then to read it and watch her instructional video. Jennifer made it look easy so I figured I'd give it a go for Kickstart. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah White; Paper Studio prints & solid

Dies - Hero Arts Paper Layering Poinsettia & Nesting Oval Infinity Dies

Sentiment Stamp - Hero Arts Nov 22 MMH kit (sold out) 

Embossing Folder - Simon Says Stamp Geometric Lattice

Other - Hero Arts Gold Hero Pearls;

Versamark ink; Ranger Princess gold ep

When I made a poinsettia card for the May Christmas Kickstart Challenge I had die cut an extra poinsettia. Pulled it out of the bits box & added some gold pearls to match the background paper which has gold foiled flecks. Didn't have any leaves cut so pulled out the tealish piece from the same Hobby Lobby 12x12 paper pad. Decided to emboss the background paper using a Simon Says Stamp geometric ef that I received recently but hadn't used yet. I'll add the card to Darnell's June NBUS Challenge since my ef is getting first play today.

Here's a view from the top so you can see the fancy fold. You press the card flat for mailing then it pops up to stand beautifully.

That's it for today. Thanks for visiting!!

May 2023 Card Chain Reveal

Welcome to another Card Chain Challenge Reveal - they seem to roll around quickly!! You can see the full May reveal featuring cards from thirty-two amazing players HERE. I sent my card to Joanne (Slices of Life) in Connecticut:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Tim Holtz gold metallic;

BoBunny dotted; Paper Studio Navy A2 card

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Friendly Messages Bundle

Dies - Altenew Mix and Match Frames

Hero Arts Nesting Oval Infinity Dies

My Favorite Things Torn Paper Edges,

Stitched Flowers & Sunflower Wreath (flower center)

Our May options:

Color Palette Option

Sketch Option

Theme Options: Hats / Flowers / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Embossing Powder / Ripped Edges

I used something of every category this time! While the photo of the color palette shows a yellow, it says gold so I used a gold metallic oval on my card. Loved the sketch with rips! My "ripped" edges were done with a die - very handy! I first die cut a torn paper edge rectangle (Altenew die) from both navy and turquoise dotted papers. Then I used the MFT torn paper border die to cut the lines into the turquoise panel. Next I glued the pieces to the navy panel, then glued it to the white dot border panel. I die cut an MFT flower from the same navy dotted paper and a white center. Stamped and die cut the sentiment - it comes as one line but I snipped it into two parts for the sketch. Assembled the card, popping the sentiments with foam tape.

My dear friend, Gundi (papierelle) sent me this gorgeous card from Germany. I just love the gold embossed butterfly and her stunning coloring! She also included some fun ephemera and her envelope was posted with a bunch of colorful stamps since she knows I collect them. Thanks Gundi!!

Gundi & I like to exchange book recommendations - I just finished the new Nora Roberts book "Identity". Love her books - the protagonist of this one had her identity stolen but it had a happy ending. Please share in your comments what you're reading, if you like!

There's still time to sign up for the June exchange - check it out HERE by June 6th, if desired.

Thanks for visiting!

Ink Blended Columbines

Hello! Happy June!! The Group of Seven Cardmakers always inspires and for the May 28th technique they have featured ink blending on colored cardstock. I've not had a chance to play along with them yet - it's past time! So I got busy this morning with a fave Hero Arts outline flower stamp:

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card &

Paint Shop cardstock

Stamps - Hero Arts Wild Columbine Bundle

Inks - Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Salty Ocean, Broken China, 

Chipped Sapphire, & Black Soot; Versamark; Memento Blue Danube

Other - Ranger Princess Gold ep; Darice sequins;

Hero Arts White Iridescent Shimmer Mist

I had a piece of blue card with a subtle water splotch print on it. Thought it would be perfect for this technique. Prepped it with a powder tool, stamped my outline florals twice with Versamark, and gold embossed. Next I ink blended the edges and toward the center with blues, then finished with black. Flicked some shimmer spray on there - hard to tell in photo. Adhered the panel to an A2 card base. Stamped and fussy cut a sentiment from the Columbine stamp set; popped it onto card. Added some sequins - done!

They have a linky up to share so I'll add there. And since I used a flower, I'll link up to the Stay Crafty with A Blog Named Hero's Dance of the Flowers Challenge too.

Thanks for stopping & have a crafty day!!