Saturday, May 11, 2013

Hello! Welcome to my blog and thank you for stopping by. I design and create handcrafted greeting cards. I like to call this passion of mine "visual poetry" ....imagery on paper. Please feel free to browse the photos of my cards and leave a comment.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Praying for You



Hello, everyone! This card is another one that I made to include in the boxed set that I am donating to my church's fall festival next month. It will be one of the door prizes given out at the event.

I wanted to make a get well card that was a bit more appropriate for a serious illness. I came across this sentiment, computer generated, and thought it would be a good one to use on this card.                                                 

Starting with white card stock for my base, I added a layer of red. I embossed a white layer with a Couture Creations embossing folder, added red dots with a Memento marker and adhered it to the red layer.

After printing out my sentiment, I die cut it with Spellbinders Adorning Squares and matted it with another panel in red cut from the same die set. This was then popped onto the card with dimensionals.

The leaf branches were created with Marianne Creatables Vintage Swirls and adhered to the focal point panel.

This card will complete the boxed set. I hope whoever wins this will enjoy sending or giving them and I hope the recipients enjoy receiving them.


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
TTCRD - Anything Goes - Jul 29-Aug 5
Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #91 - Anything Goes
The Outlawz  -  GCC0729 - Anything Goes


Monday, July 29, 2013

Daisy Blues




Hello fellow crafters! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! Mine was spent cleaning out clothes closets which was a task that was long overdue. Next stop.....the linen closet. 

But I did get time to make this card for a challenge at Joan's Gardens. The project was to include a floral background, a doily, and three dimensional flowers with greenery. And this is what I came up with....

I knew I wanted to make a square card so I started with my base, making it 5x5 in white card stock. Next, I die cut my layers. I cut the floral designed digital paper using the scalloped edge die (second from largest) from Marianne Creatables Anja's Squares. I matted that with blue using the largest die from the same die set. 

My next step was to create a doily. However, I only have one doily die but I felt it was too large for the card, so I used a circular die from Marianne Craftables Tiny Hearts. I then cut two circles with Spellbinders Standard Circles dies (large and small), one in white card stock to stamp my sentiment (GKD Spring Mix STV Kit) and the other in blue to mat that sentiment circle. The matted circle was than adhered to the center of the doily. This doily was then adhered to the base card.

If you look very closely at the floral designed paper you'll notice that there are small blue flowers that look a little like daisies or asters. So....I made the three flowers using two different size dies from Heartfelt Creations Delicate Asters. I used both blue card stock and blue vellum to make these. I added Ranger Star Dust Stickles to the centers of the flowers and arranged them around the doily edge.  The greenery was punched with a MS punch and adhered to the flowers.

This completed my project....now on to cleaning out the linen clost.....(sigh)


This card is being entered into the following challenge(s):
Joan's Gardens -  JG0725
Word Art Wednesday  - Challenge #90 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  - Challenge #17 - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create  - Challenge #30 - Anything Goes
The Outlawz  -  TT072513 - Anything Goes - Summer Flowers
The Outlawz  -  GCC0729 - Anything Goes
Marianne Design Divas  -  Layer It Up 

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Thinking of You Ivy



Hello fellow Crafters! I am working on preparing a boxed set of all occasion cards to donate to my church's fall festival which is taking place next month. This card is just one of twelve that I will be including in the set which will contain a few CAS cards as well as more intricate ones.

As you can see this particular card is a CAS one. I started out with a white card base. I die cut a blue layer with Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics B and a white layer with A2 Matting Basics A. These were then adhered to the base. 

I used smaller dies from the same sets to make the panels for my sentiment, which is from GKD Framed Greetings. This was then popped on with dimensionals. The ivy leaves were cut with Marianne Ivy Corner dies.

And that was it. Easy as pie!




Monday, July 22, 2013

Floral Birthday Wishes




Hello there! Hope the weather has cooled down for many of you who have had to endure extreme temperatures. It's cooler here in my neighborhood but the humidity is still a bit uncomfortable. Not to worry.....autumn is just around the corner!

For today's card I began with ivory card stock for my base. The bottom edge was then die cut with Spellbinders Scalloped Borders One. Of the various borders in that set, this particular one is my favorite. 

Next, using the second largest die from Spelbinders Decorative Labels One, I cut a panel in ivory. Then I cut another panel in peach using Spellbinders Labels One and adhered it to the ivory panel. The sentiment, from GKD Elegant Florals, was stamped and embossed on ivory and then cut with the next to the smallest die from the Spellbinders Decorative Labels One set. The sentiment layer was popped onto the peach panel and then the entire panel was popped onto the base card.

The flowers were die cut from Memory Box Bella Bouquet. While still in the die, I sponged the flowers with Memento ink. I adhered the bouquet to the card and added some greenery using a MS fern punch.
 

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
MFP FOSTV - Challenge #82 - No Designer Paper
Crafty Cardmakers  - #96 Birthday
Sister Act - Challenge #16
613 Avenue Create - Challenge #29 - Anything Goes

Sunday, July 21, 2013

White Christmas Poinsettia



Here is another Christmas card I made for this week's challenge at Joan's Gardens. However, the glitter on the poinsettia and the holly branch doesn't show up at all in this photo.

I started out with an ivory card base. Next, I embossed a green layer using a Darice Interlocking Circles EF and adhered it to the base card. The holly branch was cut from ivory card stock with Memory Box Holly Vine die and adhered to the green layer. Red pearls were added to the vine to represent berries. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up Bells & Boughs and was stamped on ivory and then cut with Marianne Passe-Partout Oval die and popped on.

The poinsettia was created in ivory using Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia dies. While still in the die, I sponged each petal with Memento Desert Sand ink. Next, I added glitter to the petals, shaped and layered them to make the flower. I also added glitter and shaped the poinsettia leaves. I felt the poinsettia needed something more so I added additional leafy branches cut by an MS punch. And finally, I added a pearl for the flower's center.

I'm disappointed that the photo does not show the glitter on the poinsettia and leaves. It really sparkles!

Thanks for visiting and here's hoping you've been inspired to create today!


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
Joan's Gardens  -   JG0718
MFP Speedy TV  - Challenge #54 - Simple Salutations
613 Avenue Create -  Challenge #29 - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown - Challenge #156 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  - Challenge #16 - Anything Goes
Oozak  -  Challenge #18 - Anything Goes with Texture


Friday, July 19, 2013

Thanksgiving Wishes

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This card was made for a challenge at MFP Speedy TV which called for any type of holiday card. I chose Thanksgiving as my holiday creation.

I started out with GKD Sweet Mango card stock for my base card. I added a layer of brown from PTI.  Next I die cut a panel in white card stock using Spellbinders Radiant Rectangles and then layered it with some fall digital paper. This was then adhered to the brown layer. 

The wheelbarrow is an image from GKD Beyond Baskets stamp set and the pumpkins are from GKD Heartfelt stamp set.  These were colored with Copics and then popped onto the background. 

The sentiment was computer generated and then cut out with Spellbinders Distressed Edges die, sponged while still in the die, and then popped on with demensionals.

That's two holiday season cards in one day....and in the middle of July! Is this wishful thinking that this torrid summer be over???

Hope you're having a summery day!


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
MFP Speepdy TV  -  Challenge 54 - Simple Salutions
Sister Act  - Challenge #16 - Anything Goes
The Outlawz  -  Twisted Thursday - TT071813
TTCRD - Anything Goes - Jul 16-Jul 22
Tuesday Throwdown -  Challenge #156 - Anything Goes
CMC Copic Challenge  -  Challenge #73 - Anything Goes

Christmas Poinsettia




It's 94 degrees in my neighborhood and I'm making a Christmas card. Right now it's a most refreshing and cooling thought. It's a pleasant distraction from this tremendous heat.

Actually, this card was made for a challenge at Joan's Gardens in which traditional Christmas colors were to be used along with the addition of something from nature.

I made my base card from white card stock. I added a layer of dark green (GKD All Spruced Up). I embossed a white layer with a Sizzix Peace Poinsettia EF set and adhered it to the green layer.

I cut a red and green oval from Marianne Small Ovals by Petra die. I adhered the two together, the green a bit higher than the red to create a shadow of sorts. Next I cut another oval in white from the same die set and adhered that to the red oval.

I created the poinsettia petals with Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia dies. I  layered them and added gold glitter. The pine branches were cut in green using Impressions Obsessions die. I created the effect of snow with Liquid Applique. The sentiment is from GKD Wishing You Joy STV Kit and was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on a panel cut from Spellbinders Distressed Edges die.

And that was my very first Christmas card of the year. Although, I do start working on my personal Christmas cards in August since I send a different one to each recipient. Lots of work but I love it!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed your visit!


This card was entered in the following challenge(s):
Joan's Gardens  -  JG0718 
The Outlawz  -  GCC0715 Challenge
Tuesday Throwdown  - Challenge #156 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  -  Challenge #16 - Anything Goes
TTCRD  -  Anything Goes - Jul 16-Jul 22
Oozak  -   Challenge #18 - Anything Goes with Texture
Marianne Design Divas  -   Layer It Up
ABC Challenge  -  R for Roses are Red (red flowers)


Sunday, July 14, 2013

Basket of Birthday Wishes

 

My very creative sister-in-law, who lives in Georgia, celebrated her birthday this weekend and I made this card for her.

I started out with a base card in ivory and cut the front bottom edge with a die from Spellbinders Scalloped Borders One. Next, I used brown card stock and cut the bottom edge with another die from the same set. This was then adhered to the base.

I cut a panel of digital paper slightly smaller than the brown layer and cut the bottom edge with the same die. I stamped the floral basket image (HFC Sun Kissed Tags and Basket) and the flower image (HFC Tattered Blossom Swirls) and  colored my images with Copics. I added my sentiment (GKD Floral Wreath) using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and embossed it with clear EP. I adhered this layer to the brown layer.

I then stamped a few small flowers from HFC Sun Kissed Fleur background stamp on white card stock, colored them with Copics and then fussy-cut them out instead of cutting them with the coordinating die. The cut out flowers were then adhered to the flowers in the floral basket to give them some dimension. I colored pearls to coordinate with the flowers and adhered them to the centers.

Hope my sister-in-law had a wonderful birthday and liked her card as well!

This card was entered into the following challenge(s)
CMC Challenge  - Anything Goes Challenge #72


Harvest of Memories




It's not apple harvest time yet, but I wanted to use a new stamp that I just received from Gina K Designs. So I opted to use it for today's CAS challenge at The Outlawz.

This challenge project required stamping an image(s) right on the base card, no extra layers. So I prepared a 5x5 inch card using white card stock and stamped my basket of apples image (GKD Harvest Memories). Next, I colored it with Copics. I used a circle die from Spellbinders Standard Circles Large to create an embossed edge around the image. Leaving the circle die still around the image, I sponged with Memento New Sprout ink. The sentiment, from the same stamp set as the basket of apples, was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black.

This was an easy card to make and I loved coloring the basket of apples image. 
Thanks for stopping by and please, come again!


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
The Outlawz  - CAS Challenge
613 Avenue Create  -  Anything Goes Challenge #28
Sister Act  -  Anything Goes Challenge #15
CMC Challenge - Anything Goes Challenge #72

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Peach Pretty




Hello, Crafty Ladies (and Gents)! Today is an absolutely perfect day....sunny, low 70s, not a cloud in the sky. It would be even more perfect if the entire summer were like today. But alas, such is not and will not be the case because we must endure two  more months of heat and humidity. Sigh.....

But neither rain nor snow, nor sleet or heat will keep me from making cards! And today I made this card for this week's challenge at Joan's Gardens which called for pastel peach, green and white colors, a fancy corner, a layered flower and a heart.

I started out with making my base card from white card stock. I didn't have any pastel peach paper so I ended up finding digital paper on line. I cut one corner of the peach paper with Marianne Creatables Anja's Corner die. Next, I matted it with some dusty sage card stock and adhered all to my base card. In the center I added a lattice frame cut from Marianne Creatables Anja's Vintage Frame die. 

My flower was made from vellum using Marianne Creatables Flowers Fantasy die. I used two shades of peach colored vellum and adhered the floral layers, alternating the colors ending with the darker peach on top.  I wanted the flower to be darker than the layer it was adhered to in order that it didn't get lost in the background.  I added six tiny pearls to the center.  Next, I cut and embossed leaves in dusty sage with Marianne Creatables Flowers and Leaves die, adhering two sets to the flower and a third set in the lower left corner.

Finally, I cut two heart shapes, one in white and the other in dusty sage, using Spellbinders Classic Hearts dies. I embossed the white heart shape with a Darice embossing folder and matted it off center with the sage green heart shape to make it look shadowed.

No sentiment, but if need be, one can still be added to the top or lower right. This card can also be presented for a number of various occasions without a sentiment on the front, leaving one to create their sentiment(s) on the inside.

Hope you enjoyed this card and hope you come back again!



This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
Joan's Gardens  -  JG0711



Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Thinking of You Always




According to our local weather forecasters, we have had 14 days of rain in my neighborhood. Today was the most severe but it is all over. Many areas have had flooding issues as the rain has no where to go because the ground is so saturated. But luckily, we are headed for a dry spell and I know everyone is relieved to hear that. 

The rain kept me inside so I made another card for this week's challenge at Joan's Gardens the criteria, for which, was: plain background, double ovals, 2 or more colors and a sentiment.

 I used white card stock for my card base but cut and embossed the bottom edges of both front and back with Marianne Creatables Anja Lace die. I added a pink layer and adhered a lace corner design (Cheery Lynn Lace Corner Deco B) to opposite corners.

For my focal point, I printed out a digital image of flowers and colored them with Copics. Next, I cut the image using an oval die from Spellbinders Radiant Rectangles and sponged around the image with Memento Angel Pink. I layered that onto another oval made with a Marianne Creatables Vintage Frame die. This was then popped onto my card.

For my sentiment I used a stamp from PTI Year of Flowers: Lily of the Valley and cut it with a Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Ovals die. I sponged around the sentiment with Memento Angel Pink ink and adhered it with dimensionals. I added a green leafy swirl cut from Marianne Creatable Anja Swirls as the final step.

Hope your day is sunny and dry and filled with creative ideas!
Have a great one!


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
Joan's Gardens -  JG0704
TTCRD  -  Anything Goes Jul 9-Jul 15
Sister Act  -  Challenge #14 - Anything Goes
MFP FOSTV - Challenge #80 - Monochromatic

Monday, July 8, 2013

So Sweet




Fresh fruits abound during the summer months. Sweet and juicy cherries are one of my favorites. And that's the reason I chose cherry pie as my focal point for the CAS card challenge at The Outlawz,  the theme of which was "something sweet."

Using red card stock for my base card, I layered it with cherry patterned digital paper. For my focal image, I colored a cherry pie digital stamp (from CDS) with Copics.  Next I cut and embossed it with a die from Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Ovals Large. Before removing it from the die, I lightly sponged PTI Aqua Mist ink around the image. I matted it with red, which was cut with a Spellbinders Petite Ovals Small die.

For my sentiment, I created it using my computer. Then it was cut using a Spellbinders Scalloped Ovals Small die and matted with red, cut with Spellbinders Petite Ovals Large.  The two red cherries were cut twice with Spellbinders Assorted Fruit dies, once in red and a second time in green and then paper pieced.

Thanks for visiting today and maybe this card will even inspire you to bake a couple of pies.  Mmmmmm.....I can smell them baking already!


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
The Outlawz  -  CAS Challenge -  CAS070713
613 Avenue Create  -  Anything Goes Challenge #27
Sister Act  -  Anything Goes Challenge #14
TTCRD  -   Anything Goes - Jul 2-Jul 8


Saturday, July 6, 2013

Basket of Get Well Wishes




Hope everyone had a safe and happy Fourth of July! I had BBQ ribs and some other good side dishes here at my home with family. The food was good, the company was even better. 

With the holiday now over and gone, it's time for more card making. For this week's challenge at Joan's Gardens we were to make a card with a plain background, double oval, at least 2 colors and a sentiment.

I chose white for my base card. I added a yellow layer for my background. However, I cut and embossed one edge with Spellbinders Scalloped Borders One dies.

I have several oval dies yet none seemed to meld just right until I came up with this one. On white card stock I used a Cheery Lynn Polynesian Sails Oval die to make my larger oval. Next, I designed my sentiment on my computer and printed it out, also on white card stock. Then it was cut with a Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Ovals Large die. This created my second oval which was then adhered on top of the larger oval.

The basket of flowers (which I just love!) is a stamp from HC Sun Kissed Tags and Basket stamp set. I colored the basket, flowers and leaves with Copics and cut it out. Next, I stamped the HC Sun Kissed Fleur flowers stamp on some white card stock and then colored several of the flowers and cut them out. These were then adhered to the basket flowers. I colored some pearls to match the flowers and then adhered them to the centers of the cut-out flowers. I also adhered a cut-out flower and a leafy swirl cut from Marianne Creatable Anja's Vintage Swirls die to the edge of the larger oval. The floral basket, as well as the single flower, were popped onto the ovals with dimensionals.

This completed my project. I hope you liked it and maybe even got inspired to create something today!


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
Joan's Gardens  - JG0704
Sister Act  - Challenge #14  - Anything Goes
TTCRD  -  Anything Goes - Jul 2 - Jul 8
Oozak  -  Challenge #17 - Anything Goes - Girlie Theme

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Butterfly Blues




"Butterflies" was the theme of this week's challenge at Joan's Gardens. I took several photos of my card hoping to capture the detail and dimension. This appears to be the best photo of the lot but the card still looks so much more soft and delicate in real life. 

I made my open cut-out butterfly from blue vellum and the solid one in white dotted swiss vellum. I adhered them together, added three tiny pearls and popped them on with dimensionals. I also made my flowers in blue vellum and then added white to the petals with a Gellyroll pen while still in the die and added a pearl to the center. The leaves, which look black in the photo, are actually green.

Here are the products I used for this  project:

Card Stock  -  GKD white and green, digital patterned paper, vellum
Stamps  -  GKD Framed Greetings
Ink  -  Memento Tuxedo Black
Dies - Marianne Creatables Anja's Vintage Frame, Spellbinders Les Papillions Two, Memory Box Cottage Leaf, Delicate Fern
Other:  pearls, white Gellyroll pen, adhesive, dimensionals

Hope your day is filled with inspiration and creativity!


This card was entered into the following challenge(s);
Joan's Gardens - Challenge #27 - JG0627
TTCRD  - Challenge Jul 2 - Jul 8


Monday, July 1, 2013

Sweet as Pie




I tried to incorporate several challenge themes into this card: a color theme, a "girlie" theme, and lots of layers theme. I'm not sure I succeeded with lot's of layers but I think I got the color theme and "girlie" theme right.

The color theme included melon/mango colors. I used GKD card stock for my base card which was a melon like color. I used green and yellow/orange as two more melon/mango colors in coloring parts of my image with Copics. And the image itself is the "girlie" part.

The focal point image is a digital stamp from Whimsie Doodles called Pie Lizzie. I colored the image with various Copic markers and then cut it with a Marianne Creatables Small Ovals by Petra die.  With the image still in the die, I sponged around it with Memento Tangelo ink.

I added a layer of coordinating digital patterned paper to my base card and then popped on my focal image with dimensionals. I created my sentiment using my computer and then cut and embossed it with a die from Spellbinders Beaded Ovals and popped it on as well.

Don't you think this might also make a nice "welcome to the neighborhood" card to present (along with a pie, of course) to new neighbors? But then you'd have to make two pies just in case you can't avoid the temptation of taking a slice out of the one you're planning to give to your new neighbor. YUM!

Hope you're having a wonderful day!


This card was entered into the following challenge(s)
The Outlawz  -  Greetings Challenge - GCC0701
OOZAK  -  Challenge #17 - Anything Goes - Girlie Theme
ABC Challenge  - Q for Quite a Few
613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge #26 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  -  Challenge #13  - Anything Goes