{sketch} cardabilities

Cardabilities has a great sketch up this week!

Here is my card:  XO



I combined this challenge with a "cardstock only" challenge Bev is having at My Sketch World.   I created the grid on my base with some mist and a plastic cross stitch canvas.  At the last minute I added some glitter to the end of my flower petals and it got all over so now it looks like the glitter exploded on the card!  :)  Live and learn, right?  Next time I will glitter before the flower goes on the card.  *laugh*

Thanks for a fun sketch Cardabilities and an equally fun challenge, Bev!

Happy Friday, friends!

{friendship quote} the paper variety

This week's challenge at The Paper Variety is all about a wonderful quote on friendship!

Here is the inspiration:



Let this piece of wise decor inspire your creativity with a friendship card, layout or project. Use the quote as your journaling or sentiment - or substitute your own favorite friendship saying.  Easy, right?

We have a new sponsor this week!  That's a prize worth playing for, right?

How sweet is that?  If you want to be considered for the "Submission Spotlight" link your project (not more than 2 weeks old please) before Sunday evening.  Otherwise have linked by Tuesday noon EST to be in the running for the prize!  I cant wait to see how our challenge inspires you!

Here is how it inspired me:

I cant help myself, I see a cross stitched project and I think hoops!  Before scrapping and card making came into my life, cross stitching was a hobby I really enjoyed.   I have plenty of these hoops laying around so I knew I wanted to incorporate it into my project.  This picture of Brian & Maggie (they are cousins and friends), along with that Cosmo Cricket bird paper inspired the quote! 

So, go play with some paper, get your fingers sticky and make something that you love.

{the girl's loft} guest designer

Thrilled doesn't even begin to describe how I felt when I was asked to be the Guest Designer at The Girl's Loft this month!  I think you all know my affection for Margie.  :)   The Girl's Loft is a Kit Club that she runs with her beautiful daughters, Meg and Brooke.  January's kit was full of wonderful papers by Cosmo Cricket,  Fancy Pants and Sassafras, some fun trims, bling and some awesome odds and ends!  :)  I had a lot of fun creating with this kit!  I even altered a few things, which I haven't done in a while!

Here is a layout I made in a cheap plastic clock from Target:  I Love You 24-7

Here is a German Gift Cone:

A close-up:

 

I cut the end off of the treat bag we received in the kit and lined it inside the paper cone.  Added some bling to the flower centers and tied it up with a bit of twine. 

Here is an antique washboard Ive had for years.  I turned it into a message center:  Loads of Love

Some close-ups:

No, I didn't name my boys, "1,2 & 3".   :)  They do however all have the same initials, so I had to figure out a way for them to know who the message was for so I numbered them in their birth order.  

 Here is some wall art.  I found this frame at Target on clearance for $2. 

This will be something I can eventually change out with new papers.  Cant wait to see the new Girls' Paperie lines!

Another layout, this one of my niece with her very special babysitter:  (she)



 

And finally a card:  thanks





Thanks for letting me share my exciting news with you!

Happy Monday, friends!

{snr} decemeber projects

Yay, I get to share some of the projects I had in the December issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine!    Have you checked them out recently?  Katie is revamping the site and adding some new features that will make it a very exciting place to hang out!  We work hard to make the message board fun and exciting.  If you are interested in Mixed Media, check out that thread on the message board!  Whether you are a beginner or well versed in the mixed media arts, there is something for you!  Some very talented, knowledgeable folks post some really great information there!  Stamping? Cards? Scrapping?  All there.

Here are some of my favorite projects I had in the December issue:

My love for the Girls' Paperie Tinsel and Twig line is unmatched!  :)

 Here is a close-up of the stitching I did on the big photo:

I love the texture it gives this photo. 

 

Here is a stocking GC holder I made.  Looking at it now with fresh eyes, I think it needs some contrasting stitching on the heel and toe patches!

 

Here is a simple layout of my parents.  I tucked little journaling strips in the ruffle, things they liked to do and little facts about their life together:

A layout, based on a sketch, of one of my favorite photos of my Dad.



Thanks for stopping by my blog.  I appreciate your kind comments more than I can say!

{one hour} sketch challenge

About once a month, My Sketch World does a fun activity, a One Hour Sketch challenge!  Lucy gives us a brand new sketch (or sketches for a card challenge) and we have one hour to complete a layout using the sketch.  We are generally given a few hints by the challenge hostess before hand so we know what size/orientation of photos we will need and maybe a few hints about embellies and such.  Bev was this week's hostess and did a wonderful job, throwing in a bit of a twist with an inspiration photo to go with the sketch.  I have yet to complete the sketch in one hour! *laugh*  But, I like to play along and watch the other gals do their stuff!  I finished mine today and wanted to share it.

Here is the fabulous sketch:

 

Here is my take on it: Snow Fun

Here is a close-up of the foam snowflakes that I sprayed with 2 colors of Glimmer Mist:

I love the way they turned out.  I dried them a bit with my heat gun so they curled up a bit, which I like.

Happy Monday, friends.  



{twisted} card

I loved last weeks card sketch at Twisted Sketches!  And get this, the twist? Ribbon.  I love it when the scrappy planets align and I can combine an awesome sketch using an embellishment I adore!

Here is the fabulous sketch:

Here is my card: Happy Birthday

My friend Patti sent me some beautiful Strano ribbon for Christmas. While I was working on this card and kind of stuck on what to do, Patti called me!  Such a nice surprise, love chatting with her so much!  So, I got off the phone, saw the lovely jar of ribbon she had sent and found the solution to my dilemma, that pretty pink polka dot ribbon!  Thanks, friend!  :) 

I'm also using this card for a challenge Amy has going on over at My Sketch World.  Her challenge is to use a recycled item on your card.  See that cute little snowman on my card?  My sister used it as a tag on her gift to me at Christmas.  I hid the ribbon hole in his hat with the snowflake button.  :)  There are lots of great challenges going on at MSW this month!  The message board is full is wonderful people and there is some awesome inspiration in the gallery!  

Brian and I are taking this card to a birthday party this afternoon.  He is happy with it and that's all that matters to this momma.  Happy Saturday, friends! 

{8,9,10,11} art journal

It has been a busy week and today the boys are all home after a half day of school.  Just wanted to share my art journal tags I've done.  I love that I am staying on task with this project-I'm hoping to see it though.  That isn't always the case with me and projects that last longer than my attention span.  *laugh* 

Day 8:  grow

Some cut out of fabric (Amy Butler) and little misted chip bird.

Day 9:  never stop

I loved school.  I love to learn new things. See that gold star?  That was the prize when I was in elementary school and I worked really hard to get them!  :)  Oh boy, did I just date myself.  ;)

Day 10:  light

This tag is really pretty in real life, the gold pearlex shimmers beautifully.

Day 11:  special date

simple. simple. simple.

Day 12: inspired

A new technique for me: molding paste with distressed embossing powder.

Thanks for indulging me, friends!  Have a lovely weekend!