Shaped Cards at Back to the Basics and Beyond Challenge

Hello -- I'm so happy you are here!

There's nothing like a pretty vase of flowers to brighten someone's day.

Today, it's time for a brand new Back to Basics and Beyond Challenge!

For the next two weeks, join us by uploading an "Anything-Goes" project as long as a shaped card (as opposed to square/rectangle) is used. 

The team has all kinds of inspiration and a variety of styles to view, so take a look! Hope to see yours there.

I am featuring Bugaboo's Flower Butterfly Vase

Other Products:
Bugaboo's Flower Butterfly Vase
SNS "A Rose for You" (sentiment) Rubber Stamp Set
(also available digitally)
SNS Gold Tinsel Embossing Powder (frame)
SNS Gold Detail Embossing Powder (sentiment)
Spellbinders Grand Labels Four (shape)
Golden Meadow VersaFine Clair Ink

It's a simple style card with a Copic/PrismaColor image, a glittery frame, and a same-shape card fold. I gave SNS the right to sell the colored image, however, I could not locate a link for you. To make the fold:



Then glue the top "full piece" onto the hinged section:
(not sure why the color change - other than my iPhone took the below photo and my iPad took all the others)





The sentiment is cut out of vellum and heat embossed with Gold Detail EP:



The frame was made using 2 of Spellbinders Grand Labels Four dies and cut out. Then using Golden Meadow VersaFine Clair Ink on the frame, I dredged with Gold Detail Embossing Powder and heat set. It is glued on top of the white image panel:

Wishing you a lovely week.

Supporting the following fine challenges:

1. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends "AG" 1/19 (sep post)
2. Catch the Bug Saturday Challenge "AG" 1/12
3. Crafty Calendar Challenge (Jan 5) Make it Flowery 2/2
4. Colour Crazy Challenge #51 AG Colored (I colored this image with Copic Markers and PrismaColor Markers) 1/12
5. Crafting With Friends #77 AG 1/17
6. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #1901 AG 1/14 (sep post)
7. Simply Create Too #145 AG no twist 2/1 (sep post)
8. World Wide Open DT Challenge #12 AG DT (2nd sub) 1/15 (sep post)

stamping hugs,

Shape It Up! {Cardz 4 Galz}

Hello! Hope you have been enjoying a great week, and that you are feeling well.

Beginning today at Cardz 4 Galz Challenges we have a brand new challenge!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #46 is chosen by teamie Maryvonne -and the theme is:  Shaped Cards.  Show us your cards using any and all manner of shapes - just "don't be a SQUARE!" (giggle)
Challenge ends on May 11.

While my shaped card is rather unimaginative,
the fun was in putting it all together,
with lots of whimsy and carefree happiness! 

Often my heart feels that way, even if my body does not.   DOES YOURS? 

***************

The Path of Positivity Challenge this month is:

The BEAUTY OF NATURE.

While we all THINK we know what "Nature" is, I've discovered it is quite a subjective topic in many ways. What it means to me (living in the countryside of central Florida) and what it means to someone who lives in a high-rise in a large city, would mean different things.

But 

Exploring Nature, 

Enjoying Nature, 

being Enamored with Nature

these bring Beauty to all of us. A child sees the wonder of the sky through a 25th floor apartment window. An invalid seems the beauty of Nature in a floral arrangement someone sent. Looking into darkness one evening, we might all enjoy the cool night's air, listening to the wind and feeling its caress through our hair. Relishing the chirping of birds, the flight of butterflies, the photographs of mountains, the TV documentary of far-away lands, a sea shell on the beach, a pet's loving embrace, pondering the Wonders of the Universe - all these things bring us up close to Nature in a variety of ways.

Today my card is about a child swinging under the sky and amidst the flowers in bloom.

We all have an inner child longing to explore the wonders of the world, 

         the thrill of wind against our faces, 

                   the kiss of Nature and Life upon our cheeks...

JUST LIKE THIS LITTLE GIRL SWINGING HER HEART OUT SO MERRILY!

***************

Colored with Copics, this little sweetie is enjoying the shade of a cloud.

Virginal items from my neglected stash:

• this adorable Swinging image (won at another challenge years ago),
• three older unused die sets (SW Petite Peony Cluster, SW Double Pierced Circles set B, PS Twirly Clouds),
• aqua ribbon from my Great Aunt Agnes's stash,
• Pink Grosgrain ribbon never been opened after years of just having to have it!

Have you tried the Nuvo Glue Pens?

To me, a glue pen was a glue pen, and I have my favorites and seldom stray.

However, I acquired one of each of the 3 sizes of Nuvo Glue Pens.

In a single word: GRATEFUL

All the Glitter on these elements was adhered with the Jumbo Nuvo Glue Pen.
I can rub hard with my thumb, and the glitter does not come off. Even if I use a finger nail to scratch it off, only a few of the glitter particles came off.

Very sticky in both the wet state and tacky state for a host of different mediums. There is no odor, and it goes on slightly bluish so I could see exactly where it was needed, and when it was dry enough for mica flakes and such. And for adhering the glitter? I was surprised that the glitter stayed on even after being rubbed rather roughly.

Available in three sizes, they store conveniently, and are very easy to hold and use. There are little ball bearings (or the like) inside the pen barrels so mixing the glue is easy in order to keep the sticky formula at its best.

The flowers below were painted with NUVO Crystal Drops, and the centers are also NUVO Crystal Drops. I painted the petals. They have a slightly pearly luster just like real flower petals:

finished card:

It is always a pleasure seeing your artful treasures,

so please come play with us at
Cardz 4 Galz.

Products:

• Images: Stamp On It Eureka "Swinging" colored with Copic Markers, Co-Motion Stamps Graceful Vine inked with Brilliance inks
• Poppy Stamps Twirly Clouds #1287
• SB Labels 46, Decorative Elements Labels 46
• SB Decorative Grand Stately Circles
• SW Double Pierced Circles A and B
• SW Petite Peony Cluster Dies
• SW Faux Quilled Leaves
• MS Heart
• Nuvo Glue Pens
• Starfire Glitter G1017 on the cloud, branches, other frames
• Peruvian Lily Microfine Velvet Glitter GM2014
• NUVO Crystal Drops, Buttermilk Color and Glow-in-the-Dark Shocking Pink Color
• Lace, Grosgrain Ribbon, embossing folder

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

1. Crafty Creations Challenges #340 Anything Goes  5/10 
2. Crafty Gals Corner  #120 Anything Goes 5/2
3. Creative Moments Challenges  #116 Spring Has SprungTheme 5/2
4. Deep Ocean Challenge #153 Spring Time 5/1
5. Get Creative Challenges #57 Use Flowers and Lace  5/1
6. The Path of Positivity Challenge #48 The BEAUTY OF NATURE (blurb written toward the top of the blog post) 5/1
7. Try Stampin' On Tuesday #319 - Make it Round 5/10 (sep post)
8. Use Your Stuff #261 Use Circles 4/30
9. World Wide Open #21 Anything Goes from a DT 5/15
10. {Pin}spirational Challenges #189 Be inspired by the photo (colors and joy): 5/10

Stamping Hugs,

Stamp Club Heart-Flourish challenge

Welcome, dear blogging friends! I hope you and your families are well.

This month our stamp club was challenged by Terry Weigand to case a card using Papertrey Ink's flourish stamp. The pretty card was created by Lisa at her "I'm In Haven" blog.

Here is Lisa's card we cased:

The images were stamped on 4.25 x 5.5 white card stock, and each person took several to work on.

It was a great challenge and lots of fun!

Two weeks later, here are my four finished cards.

Green-Black-Yellow:

A8 size card

Close Up of papers used in project.

Using the same design elements on the interior.

Green-Purple:

It's so enjoyable using this shape to make cards.

Using long-forgotten-about Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch

Card interior employing the same theme elements.

More cards:

Turquoise and Black:

A7 (5x7) size - the frame is actually my first attempt at cutting out chip board, and then glittering it, of course.

Carried out the shape theme on the inside.

Turquoise and Orange:

First - a little tip to share:

if reading from my blog, please click images to enlarge

Finished Card:

Card Interior Uses the same die cut set.

Thanks for visiting today - and thanks for a great challenge day, Terry!

CHALLENGES I'm playing in:

1. Addicted to stamps - #141 Anything Goes (used PTI Flourish Stamp on 4 cards, and a variety of stamped sentiments) 4/27
2. Deep Ocean Blog - #102 Shaped Card (my Green-Purple card above) 5/4
3. Die Cuttin Divas - #212 National Garden Month - include something you would find in a garden (my last card includes trellis work, lots of flowers, a butterfly, and the love of gardening depicted by the hearts!) 4/26

Products Used: (all cards use PTI Flourish)

Aqua/Black card
Spellbinders 5x7 Modern Stationary
Memory Box Beloved Hearts
SNS Black Ice glitter
Sentiment:  interior by PSX

Green/Purple card
Spellbinders Grand Labels 23
Spellbinders Grand Ovals and Grand Scallop Ovals
Spellbinders Petite Ovals and Petite Scallop Ovals
Cottage Cuts Leaf trio
Memory Box Beloved Hearts
Life Style Nesting Hearts
Martha Stewart Heart Seal Punch
Martha Stewart Hydrangea Punch
Darice 5x7 Dots Embossing Folder
Sentiments: front by Hero Arts, interior by PSX

Green/Black card
Sentiment: interior A-Line Stamps, front by Paper Trey
Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms
Memory Box Beloved Hearts

Martha Stewart Loops Hearts Punch set

Martha Stewart Heart Seal Punch

Cottage Cuts Leaf trio

Cheery Lynn Olive Branches

Turquoise/Orange card

Sentiment: interior PSX Stamps, front by Paper Trey
Memory Box Leavenworth Butterfly Trio (filigree)
Memory Box Cascadia Butterfly Trio (solid)
Martha Stewart Hydrangea Punch

Prills by USArtquest

SNS Waterscape glitter

Spellbinders 5x7 Elegant Labels 4

Life Style Nesting Hearts

Darice Nesting Hearts

stamping hugs,

Mid Month Reminder - "Possibilities" {Path of Positivity Challenge #17}

Clear It Out Challenge 12-2014

Note: for Edith updates, please click here.

Greetings to everyone, and to new followers Lisa, Hippieaud, Lady E and America. Thank you for dropping by. 

This month I am "guest designing" for the Path of Positivity Challenge which lasts from August 4 until August 31, when voting takes place. 

The sponsors and prizes for this challenge are:

• Two images (or three if you use a TSB image on your creation) from The Stamping Boutique, our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.
• Three digital images from Ike's Art for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
• One digital image from Creative Bug Digital Stamps for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

There will also  be:

• One digital designer paper (made to order in a few different ways) from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment.
• One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge.

Today's card share uses the darling TWIGS THE SNOWMAN digital image from Creative Bug Designs:

Possibilities

"Twigs" reminds me that there are seasons in our lives -- each one bringing precious possibilities.

There are seasons of Joy, Family Gatherings, Friendly Get Togethers, Good Times...

But there are also seasons of hard work, self-discipline, poor health, sadness, and even tragedy.

I've learned that the Best of Times and the Worst of Times are equally ripe with Possibilities, depending how we look at the circumstances. I'm going to share one of my Worst of Times with you. This actually happened 20 years ago, and sharing it will be embarrassing, because I don't want anyone to think badly of me. (Do you ever fear that, too?)

My friends had always told me that I'm a very sweet, tenderly kind-hearted person. Probably I was, but the events that led to the New Possibilities, made me realize that something was amiss.

Through a series of "unrelated and unpleasant circumstances", I found myself open to becoming more  aware of the "hidden" blessings we all take for granted. As I reevaluated "myself" and the values of every relationship and situation, what I might or might not do to improve upon them, and so forth, I realized that I could no longer try to be available for everyone all the time. I recognized that I was no longer strong enough (emotionally or physically) to "be there" for everyone else in the way they seemed to want.

The possibility occurred to me that perhaps I was never intended to "be there" for everyone else. We all must travel our own journey, and learn what we can in this dear life. Finding true Happiness and learning to discover Peace is something we must do for ourselves - we simply cannot "give it" to others.

In the journey, I embraced Possibilities that previously I had not considered. My mother died. My health failed. My job became more demanding. Family members and friends did not like the emerging "new me" because I was no longer being the person they thought I should be. 

But my husband responded during the ensuing year of grappling with Possibilities, and our love and respect for one another deepened. Eventually we both changed in good ways, as a result of my embracing the Possibilities. The new Possibilities caused extended family members and friends to avoid me, because I would no longer give what they demanded. I had to quit my job due to failing health. But gradually, without even trying, new friends unexpectedly came into my life. These were friends who liked me for "me", and not for all the things I did for them.

Although I lost my job, my health, my friends, and my extended family, by embracing Gratitude for what remained, New Possibilities flooded my life with a richness beyond what I ever could have hoped for. I am different. I found myself in the process. I learned that sometimes, when certain situations need to change, that it requires we change, too.

It involved a lot of risk-taking, prayer, sacrifice, and over-coming many fears. But now I am true -- all because I was willing to see what the Possibilities were during a catastrophic season.

My card "TWIGS THE SNOWMAN" reminds me of this period in my life. He was built by other hands, and fashioned into an appearance of what others wanted him to be. He found a way to be content in his surroundings, even when he was all alone. He found himself. Like Frosty The Snowman, a song grew in Twig's heart, and even when his snowy self melted away, he found a way to prove that he would rise again, as a new snowman, on another day.

I hope it was ok to share this shrink-wrapped version of my Journey for Possibilities without going into the specifics, and that it will encourage someone else who might be facing problems in some areas of their life.

My wish for all of us:

• To find gratitude for seemingly small things during our hardships.
• To be grateful for being our true selves, despite how others might possibly perceive us, or make us feel.
• To be humble, yet proud, for looking at previously unlooked-for possibilities during the unpleasant events in our lives (or even during Joyous events!).
• To be patient as others journey similarly, knowing we cannot understand what people may be experiencing as they interact with us.

TWIGS THE SNOWMAN is colored with copic markers.
This is a 6.25" x 6.25" card (approx 16cm)

The largest scallop on top is coated with Sparkle N Sprinkle: Diamond Dust Glitter, Jasper Blue Microfine Glitter, By The Lake Embossing Powder, and some white mica flakes.

The large white circular matt is covered with Diamond Dust Glitter.

The sentiments are computer generated. I covered up a huge ink blob next to the word "of" with that white snowflake - not the best alternative, but that's what was on hand (smile).

The "song" and frame on the card base are coated first with Diamond Dust Glitter and then with Jasper Blue Microfine Glitter to fill in the spaces from the larger glitter. The snowflakes are covered with the same combination.

TWIGS THE SNOWMAN digital image was REALLY fun to use, especially putting the hat and twig arm into the sentiment.

Products Used:

Creative Bug Designs (scroll down to see "Twigs the Snowman"
Computer Generated Sentiment
Copic Markers, Pool Dye Base Ink, VersaMarker
Paper: Neenah Solar White, Stampin' Up! and Bazzill blues
Adhesives: SNS Brushable Glue, Aileen's Quick Dry Tacky, Dimensionals Spellbinders: Grand Stately Circles LF-019, Grand Scallop Circles LF-249
Punches: Martha Stewart Snowflake Trim, Himalayan Snowflake, SU Oval and Scallop Oval
MISC: Ribbon, cardinal button, white mica flakes
Sparkle N Sprinkle: Diamond Dust Glitter, Jasper Blue Microfine Glitter, By The Lake Embossing Powder

Fun Challenges I'm playing in:

1. Craft-dee BowZ - August "Anything Goes" 8/30 (bow made with CDB tool)
2. Christmas Cards All Year Long - August - "Sparkles" - (glitter, more glitter, and mica flakes) 8/30
3. Sparkles Christmas Challenge - #43 "Snowflakes" - embellies are "doubled" snowflake punches and a brad. 8/30
4. Winter Wonderland Challenge - August - "Anything Goes Christmas" 8/30
5. Sweet Stampin' Challenge - August - ?Anything Christmas" 8/30
6. A Gem of a Challenge - #126 Stitching (I used a sewing machine around the top image panel) 8/28
7. 613 Avenue Creation Challenge - #85 Anything Goes - 8/25
8. Christmas Card Challenges - #38 Embossing 8/25 (By The Lake Embossing Powder around the outside scallop edge of the top of my card. It is mixed with glitter and mica flakes as well. I hand blended these three items to adhere with the wet EP.
9. Sentimental Sundays Challenge - #220 Monochromatic Theme - blue tones 8/25
10. The Squirrel and the Fox Challenge - #75 Anything Goes 8/21

Thank you for dropping by!

always stamping hugs for you,

Sooo... What's My Name?

Isn't this little Besties Girl darling?

When my friend Lis recently broke her leg, I asked if Sherri Baldy could please create a Besties character with a cast so I could make a card for Lis. This little darling is the result!

Isn't she delightful?

AND

a mess, too!

(Thank You, Sherri!)

Sherri has a FaceBook contest to name this little darling. Click here and scroll down to the image for the details. There are some great name suggestions!

For the time being, she could be Crutch Girl, but that sounds so impersonal.

I will call her Limping Lis until a proper name can be given her. (smile)

Lis is known in the Florida Stampers as the Paper Maker because she makes her own paper.


To personalize Lis' card, I used some of her own "Velvet Fabric" paper (it's the fuzzy pink layer, and what the flowers are made of).


The card is also very GREEN -- for Earth Day -- and -- because Lis is a Master Gardener.

Click here to buy this adorable little Get Well Besties!

My card uses the sketch from Fetch a Sketch Challenge:

The photo below shows the rich texture of Lis' handmade velvet paper.

Soooo... what's her name? Feel free to share your imaginative names in a comment below for an additional chance to win my April blog candy. (being a follower is not necessary - though I love it if you do - and I will do everything possible to contact you through blogger or you may send me your e-mail address - if you win).

Three ribbons were combined with my awesome Craft-dee Bowz tool to create a bow similar to the one in Limpin' Lis' hair and crutch.

The buttons are stitched to their flowers, and the poke a dotted paper is also stitched around the edges.

A snapshot of the interior, using the plush Velvet Fabric hand-made paper again.

Thank you very much for stopping by today. Hope you enjoyed this latest little Besties. Now you know the story of how she came to be, too!

My Get Well card is entered in the following wonderful challenges:

1. ABC All Beautiful Cards - #25 Recycle (the pink layers and flowers are hand-made paper made from recycled paper scraps and pink velvet fabric)
2. Artistic Inspirations - #38 - Card for a Lady (card is for my dear girlfriend who broke her leg)
3. Bestsies Challenge - #15 - Add Some Ribbon (three ribbons in bow)
4. Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Favourite Colour Combo (pink and green)
5. Crafty Bloggers Network - #10 Anything Goes
6. Crafty Boots Challenges - Recycle (the pink layers and flowers are hand-made paper made from recycled paper scraps and pink velvet fabric)
7. Critter Challenge - #161 - Use Buttons
8. Fetch A Sketch - #48 - used sketch inside and outside
9. Forever Friends & Co - #60 Use Lots of Flowers
10. Love to Create - #62 Bingo Card (middle across, Flowers-Die Cuts-Ribbons)

Products Used:

Custom Get Well Image Created for Lis by Sherri Baldy
Inks: Copic Markers, Pink Sherbet Dye,
SB Grand Oval Nestabilities
SB Grand Big Scallop Oval Nestabilities
SB Rose Creations
Cheery Lynn Tropical Flourish
Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish
Memory Box Riviera Corner
Paper: Neenah White, Handmade Velvet Blend, designer paper, Green base
Buttons, 3 ribbons, stitching on sewing machine, brads

xoxx,