You OTTER love this set! {Dare 2B Artzy)

Surprise! A post from me! (giggle)

Even though I cannot leave many comments, or post to my own blog, it doesn't mean I'm not thinking fondly of my blogging buddies. I hope you are all well! Today's card share is a Valentine for my Jacky, AND using stuff from my unfinished box. Five or Six years ago, my friend Ana brought her Otterly Awesome set to share. I did manage to color these cuties in with Prismacolor Pencils, but was unable to finish in the allotted time. I like how it came out all these years later, and was the perfect sweetheart card from my Most Favorite Person in the whole wide world.

Using LifeStyle QuicKutz heart dies, a frame was created to complement the Martha Stewart lacy heart punch. Papers and dies are older than 2015.

The interior was customized a bit to match the Valentine theme:

Products: Quickutz Nesting Lacy Hearts and Plain Hearts dies, Martha Stewart Lacy Heart border, Walnut & Spun Sugar distress inks, Prismacolor Pencils,

featuring this cute Otterly Awesome set from Dare 2B Artzy

May I please play in the following fine challenges?

1. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2506 AG 02-16
2. Crafty Animals #91 AG with animals 3/1
3. Coloring With Pencils Kleuren met Potloden (Feb 10) AG with pencils 3-6
4. Unicorn Challenge #106 Dots and/or Stripes 2/26
5. **NEW** Neglected Stuff Challenge #1 3/1 (stamped images were in my unfinished by from at least 5 years ago, papers, dies, punches from past life - giggle - at least 10 years old. D&D, thank you for establishing another fun challenge! 
6. Christmas or NOT Bingo #11 Used Column "I" with Square, Layers, Free, Stamped Images 3/1
7. Halloween Crafts (and Valentine's Day in February) #23 3/1
8. Critter Crazy Challenges #95 AG with a Critter (SOB! LAST CHALLENGE!) 3/1
9. Sunday Stamps SSC353 Pretty Frames Sketch Challenge 2/15

Stamping Hugs,

de

Lavinia World Challenge Blog Premier!

Hello, dear blogging friends!
Like many of you, we are experiencing a heat wave with temperatures ranging from 93 - 96 (34C-36C). Be safe in this heat, and keep hydrated!


This is my premier Challenge Post for Lavinia World! While Lavinia World is located in the US and ships worldwide, these delightfully sweet images from the UK are extremely detailed and reasonably priced. Even better, buy $25 and get free shipping! Lavinia World carries other brand coordinating products for your convenience.

Details of our Challenge:
Every second Thursday a new Anything-Goes challenge will be posted. Use a clear or rubber stamp - no digitals. If your project features Lavinia World stamps, your chances to win a $15 gift certificate to the store are doubled. 

Store -- Facebook -- Challenge -- Instagram

I stamped with Paradise Blue VersaFine Clair, and heat set with clear detail EP. A heart was die cut from 2" wide Post-it Note "tape". After being inked with a masking technique, clear glitter was adhered to the heart shape, wings, and parts of the flower stem:

The sentiment was stamped using the same color ink as the masked background after being stamped off one time:

It's definitely not a conventional creation using silhouette images, but was lots of fun using tropical, oceanic colors:



Products Used:

Lavinia Clear Stamp Aurora LAV463
Lavinia Clear Stamp Silver Lining LAV323

Dies: Spellbinders Borderabilities, QuicKutz Nesting Hearts, Sue Wilson Double Stitch Octagons, Tonic Autumnal Oak
Other: Flowers, Blue EP and Blue Glitter, Clear Detail EP, Citrus, Sail Boat Blue and Spun Sugar inks

I'd like to play in the following challenges please!

1. A Bit More Time To Craft #92 AG 6/2
2. Creative Crafters Challenge #16 AG 6/15
3. Creative Cottage Challenges #118 "Use Ink" (inked background, inked image and heat embossed) 6/7
4. Penny's Paper Craft Challenge #431 AG 5/30
5. Scrapyland Challenges #114 AG SL dies (see dies listed above) 6/5
6. Crafty Creations Challenges #391 AG 6/5
7. Classic DT Open Challenge #4 May - AG DT 6/1
8. World Wide Open DT Challenge #5 AG DT 6/16

Stamping hugs,

Have A Heart - Moving Along With The Times Challenge

Greetings my wonderful blogging friends!
Hoping this finds you well and enjoying yourself.
The inspiration for this project came from Sue Dree's Card.

And now... 

It's time to share a Project for the new Moving Along With The Times Challenge!

Challenge #89's theme is HAVE A HEART - for the next 2 weeks upload your creations that feature hearts in one way or the other!

Applying EP after dry embossing:

After dry embossing the blue pearlescent cardstock, 

VersaFine Clair Blue Belle ink was "swiped" on top because it so easily covers fine surfaces. Then it was dredged with a semi-transparent embossing power called "Pearl". It looked like an opaque silver until it was heat set, allowing the blue to show through on the pearly finish.

VersaFine Clair Blue Belle ink was "swiped" on top of a piece of plain white die cut heart which had been embossed with the same EF. The same Pearl EP was heat set, which makes it coordinate beautifully with the pearlescent blue cardstock.

I repeated the same technique on the white interior cardstock, using VersaMark. It was more difficult to control because it required firmer "pressure" to apply the ink. So it's distressed (giggle).

Shaping the Leaves:

Spellbinders Foliage die set was used. I cut apart the leaves in Navy cardstock, wet the cuts, pinched the center together, and added a drop of glue.

After the leaves were dry, I coated them with a VersaMarker, dredged with Sparkle Embossing Powder, and heat set. The flourish and cherish dies were done in the same manner.



Tonic Studios "Follow Your Heart" dies is a two piece set. I sprayed adhesive on the back of the white die and laid it atop the navy pearlescent cardstock. Then applied Starfire Glitter. That 3M spray adhesive is strong!

Dies: Cheery Lynn "Cherish" and "Fanciful Flourish" dies, Quickutz "Nesting Hearts" and "Nesting Lace Hearts" dies, Spellbinders Foliage die, Tonic Studios "With Love" and "Follow Your Heart" dies Embossing Folder: Die'sire Embossalicious EF Rose Vine 8x8, Inks: VersaFine Clair Blue Belle, VersaMark Ink and VersaMarker Pen, EP: Sparkle Embossing Powder, Glitter: Starfire Glitter

(for an extra 10% off the linked items use code DonnaDT10 during checkout)

On a personal note:

Here in central Florida, we are thin-blooded wimps when it comes to cold weather. We made it into the 50s today (about 12C), but night-time 30s with frost. So this is how we enjoy the cold weather:



(let's hear it for the wimps! - giggle)

Challenges I'd like to support:

1. Scrapyland Challenges #106 AG with SL dies (Cheery Lynn, Quickutz, SB, Tonic listed above) 1/30 sep post
2. Cardz 4 Galz #88 Dimensional Elements (dry embossing & wet embossing on top of dry embossing, dimensional leaves which have been shaped and wet embossed, and a dimensional flower - with more on the inside) 2/1
3. Crafting with an Attitude #47 AG 2/1 sep post
4. Shopping Our Stash #386 Hearts on Fire 1/22 (C13) T3 Sat sep post
5. Sparkles Forum Monthly Challenges #112 "New Year New Stash" (both Tonic die sets are new) 2/15
6. World Wide Open DT Challenge #1 AG DT 2/16 sep post
7. DRU #113 Anything New (both Tonic die sets are new) 2/1 sep post
8. Try It On Tuesday (Jan 8) Something Old Something New (both Tonic die sets are new, The SB die and Nesting Hearts are old old old) 1/22 sep post

Stamping Hugs,

Butterfly Challenge {Fred She Said} {Cardz 4 Galz}

Welcome, friends and visitors! It's great to see you this morning, and I hope you are doing well.

Time for a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz Challenges today!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #51 is chosen by teamie Babs -and the theme is:

  BUTTERFLIES  

Show us your projects using any technique and medium!
All paper-crafting projects are welcome.
Challenge ends on July 19.

My cards today feature Fred She Said's fabulous new Butterfly and Background sets.
The colors are so brilliantly happy, that I chose the artist's amazing precolored images, and simply could not limit myself to one card - but tried using the same images in different ways, with the same color schemes. Not too much glitter, though, so that the artist's pretty coloring shows through.

Buy Now

Each card is a 5"x7" design. The sentiments are also available at the FSS store (Fred She Said "Butterfly Dreams" Sentiment Set).

While the same color butterfly is used on each card, 
the backgrounds are an assortment from the many being offered at Fred She Said's collection.

First, an oval with blue and green, using one of the pretty watercolor backgrounds:



Next, a pretty blue garden with a less detailed background. The backgrounds are also available preformatted in an oval and look fantastic cut in an A2 rectangle shape:



I added a touch of orange to the pretty precolored images. this sentiment comes in solid black as well as blue highlights. The butterfly also is available in a magical rainbow color scheme!

A simple green card with some gems. flowers have been added to the background. The flowers are available in a number of colors, and can be used with or without the backgrounds! (click on the image below for a better view):

And LASTLY, a fun pocket card - using glossy card stock on the pocket.
A belly band accompanies pocket card "just because":

Click on the image below for the dimensions to make a pocket 5" x 7":

Tag is inside, and the belly band adorns the outside:



Back side of the tag:



Front side of the tag uses the pretty very detailed distressed watercolor sketch background with added flowers. The butterfly, bottom left leafy twig, and the right flower are all popped up for dimension::




Don't forget to upload your Butterfly Creations to the
Cardz 4 Galz Challenge.

Products Used:

• Fred She Said Store    Buy Now

• Fred She Said Distressed Butterfly and Blossoms Colored Set
• Fred She Said Watercolor Backgrounds for the new butterfly set
• Fred She Said "Butterfly Dreams" Sentiment Set
• 1/4" Tear-ific Tape
• NUVO Crystal Drops Wedgewood Blue (butterfly body)
• Cerulean Star EP433 glitter embossing powder (coating the leaves)
• Sue Wilson Double Pierced Rectangles
• Spellbinders Detailed Scallops, Fleur de Elegance, Fancy Tags Sets
• Memory Box Chloe Stem die
• Quickuts Scallop Oval die set
• MS Bangle Chain Trim, Craftwell embossing folders, DLR ribbon
• Lace, Copic Markers, Distress Inks, Glossy and Matte card stocks, sticker rhinestones

ON A PERSONAL NOTE:

The weeds are abundant during our hot and steamy summer weather in Florida - mulching helps, but certain tiny seeds have a way of making big plants everywhere!

I suppose it is like that in our lives, too. We try to keep unwanted "weeds" from taking root, but they are always finding new ways to sneak in.
On the plus side, that gives us lots of opportunities for personal growth, right?
Your encouragment helps me pull those "weeds" out and plant beautiful "flowers".
Hopefully, I do the same for you (smile).

Our pool area, with caladiums (they are our summer color in the humid heat).

Jack's barn and workshop is in the background:

Part of the old cow corral (we have retired from the cow business LOL). All the cross fencing is gone, too:

The hummingbirds, butterflies, and all sorts of bees and wasps cherish the blooms from the lowly coleus - again, one of the few colorful plants that grow in the humid heat. In the background is our front yard, front pasture. To the far left is our driveway:

The front grew crazily with the colorful caladiums and coleus. A few volunteer pentas and periwinkles help feed the hummers, but it quickly became an overgrown jungle:

Challenges I'd like to Support:

• Crafty Card Makers #192 Tic Tac Toe (SHOWN BELOW) 7/16 (diagonally gems-digital stamps-die cuts) 

• Creates and Makes Challenges #13 Anything Goes Plus Create a Sentiment (I created all the sentiments shown on these cards) 7/25
• Crafting By Designs (July) Anything Goes 8/2
• World Wide Open DT Challenge #23 anything from a DT post (7-15)
• Scrapy Land #69 Anything with Dies Scrapy Land sells (listed above in ingredients) 7/19
• Creative Sketchy Girls Challenge #13 Bingo Card (below) middle row BUTTERFLIES-YELLOW-RIBBON for my blue card and my pocket card  7/16

• Craft Rocket Challenges (#39) Anything Goes 8/3
• Crafting With An Attitude #29 Anything Goes 8/3
• Crafty Girls Creations Challenge #38 Anything Goes 8/1
• The Alphabet Challenge (July 7) "I is for Insects" 7/21
• Tic Tac Toe Challenge #TTTC005 (chart below) horizontally middle row PEARLS-DIECUTS-BUTTERFLY (my green card with oval center) 7/12

hugs,

Love is in the Air {Scrapy Land}

A Big Hello to my Sweet Crafting Friends!

Welcome to Scrapy Land Challenge #34!

Theme: "Love Is In The Air" - (Valentine's) PLUS use Die Cut brands sold by Scrapy Land. 

Up for grabs is a $15 gift card to the Scrapy Land Store, and several badge opportunities, as well. 

We love being inspired by your pretty card submissions to our challenges.

You have until January 31 to submit your pretties!

My 6" square Project uses the following Scrapy Land Products:

QuicKutz Nesting Hearts, and Nesting Scallop Hearts

Crafter's Companion Die'Sire Rose Vine embossing folder

Crafter's Companion Die'Sire Floral Wonder embossing folder

Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing Folder (around image)

Memory Box Butterflies: Cascadia Trio, Leavenworth Trio

Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish

Spellbinders Grand Square Scallops Nestabilities

Boo Boo Time!

It's fun showing off my boo-boo's LOL

I wanted to use lots of embossed textures on this card, soooooo...

that meant using the dotted embossing folder around the image, but not ON the image!

I carefully fussy cut a mask from THICK CHIP BOARD to match the mice in a cup. 

Then ran the entire thing through my Grand Calibur.

Guess what? Those embossing folders are STRONG! The EF embossed right through chip board!
Next time I'll try cutting a piece of thick plastic.

Therefore, my mice look like they have some sort of pox. 

What can I say? Here is the close-up!

I am in love with the Crafter's Companion Die'Sires Embossalicious embossing folders! BEAUTIFUL! The FLORAL WONDER was used on the white heart layered, and covered with Lime Pearlescent Brilliance ink. I hated layering on top of the green background. The card base is really too pretty to cover up. The VINTAGE ROSE VINE folder is gorgeous! I used a sanding block on the coordinations paper to bring out the texture:

To provide  shaped visual interest, a thin frame was creating using the Nestabilities Scallop Squares. The actual square was used in another project, leaving this pretty frame. It's a great way of using the negative portion of our "left overs" when die cutting.

Inside:

I recently hit the jackpot! A drawer of forgotten lace holders was rediscovered.
These are laces from the 1940s, 50s and 60s, formerly belonging to my Great Aunt Agnes.
How surprising to discover one of the laces was pale yellow with blue detailing for my second card!

Please notice that these mice have not been afflicted with the pox in this card:
(giggle)

The stamp set includes the sentiment.
The Nesting Hearts contains 11 dies, and the scallop hearts has five dies.

Now it's your turn to share your projects with us!

Scrapy Land Products:

• QuicKutz Nesting Hearts, and Nesting Scallop Hearts
• Crafter's Companion Die'Sire Rose Vine embossing folder
• Crafter's Companion Die'Sire Floral Wonder embossing folder
• Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing Folder (around image)
• Memory Box Butterflies: Cascadia Trio, Leavenworth Trio
• Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish
• Spellbinders Grand Square Scallops Nestabilities, and Bitty Blossoms

Other Products:

• Paper: SU designer paper, SU green CS, SU pink CS, Express-it White, DCWV Glittered paper
• INK: lemonade distress, Brilliance Lime Pearescent
• Yellow Heart Brad, Lace (on both cards), pink prima flowers, Copic Markers
• MS lace heart edge punch
• Images: Stamping Bella "Little Things"

Challenges I'd like to play in please!

1. 2 Creative Chicks (Jan #6) "Anything Goes" 2/1
2. Dies R Us #41 "Stitching" (zigzag stitch around frame Blue and Yellow card) 1/28
3. Crafty Friends Challenge #23 "Anything Goes" 1/29
4. Let's Color Linky Party #2 "Anything Goes option use pink" 1/29 (see tab top of blog)
5. Crafting From the Heart #95 "Anything Goes" 1/24
6. Hiding in my Craft Room #234 "Embossing" (used 3 different embossing folders listed under the SL Products) 1/24
7. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #26 "Anything Goes" 2/5
8. Craft Your Passion #295 "Anything Goes" 1/24
9. Love to Scrap! #70 "Anything Goes" 2/1
10. Simon Says Wednesday Challenges (Jan 20) "Create With Critters" Stamping Bella's Mice 1/26 (sep post)

Stamping Hugs,