Retro Sketches #52!

A fun week over at Retro Sketches this time -- as part of the fun of their 52nd challenge, challengees can pick any of the previous sketches. (the fun part!)

I chose from week #40:



And, I got wild and woolly (for me) and pulled out some greens AND a shamrock stamp. Not my usual style, but it was fun.

My patterned paper pieces are from a DCWV 6x6 paper pad, Everyday Occasions. The green cardstock and large green mat is from my CTMH Stardust paper pack. I used the "Year Round Cheer" stamp set, Sweet Leaf gingham ribbon, and green staples, all from CTMH.

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Freshly Made #75 and Dynamic Duos #41

Well I'm slowly but surely getting my mojo back! (I think, anyway.)

Last night, I spent some quality time in my Fortress of Solitude and it was fantabulous. For those of you who know me, quality time means QUIET time. It's thoroughly enjoyable, as I am an introvert of epic proportions!

I paired the Freshly Made sketch with the colors from Dynamic Duos.  I struggle with color challenges lately! I can't seem to get there for some reason and I'd like to get it in gear. :) This one came easier with the blues, probably because blue is my favorite.

  

I was also glad to finally find some inspiration to ink up my new CTMH "Be Still" stamp. I was SO excited when my order came in the mail with this stamp but that's been close to two weeks ago! It came in and then I was stumped. I had four new stamps in that bubble mailer that made me feel like the "King of the World" and then I have barely (if at all) used them. It's shameful.

My patterned paper panel is from a 6x6 paper pack, My Mind's Eye "All Is Bright" collection. I stamped the sentiment in Twilight blue ink on vellum, framed it with Twilight blue patterned paper (CTMH). The silver bow is a Hobby Lobby find. And, if I do say so myself -- I LOVE how the dressy stick pins (CTMH) look with the blue and the silver bow. The silver colored adhesive pearls are from Doodlebug Design; also a Christmas collection. I'm really robbing the Christmas stash these days. I love to make genre specific fit other genres.

Here is a close-up of the sentiment. It shows up better in person!

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Seize the Birthday #7

I am squeezing in a quick post after stealing a few moments of crafty time today. I've been trying to reclaim my card crafty mojo and it's more challenging than it seems sometimes! If I have other "jobs" I have on my brain, it seems to affect my creativity - and the bad part about that is, as you all know, a woman's work is never done. Therefore, creativity is impeded on a regular basis! But I'll get it under control. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Today, I played along with a cute, quick sketch from Seize The Birthday.



For some reason, all I could picture was a party hat in pink. And that's what I made. I guess it's close to what I had in mind, but still didn't blow my skirt up. Perhaps b/c I desperately need a nap! (And I'm not a good "napper". ha ha Don't think I ever was - ask my poor mom.)

It may not be obvious from the photo, but I added Glitter Glitz gel (CTMH) on the hat in each circle of the patterned paper (Authentique). The other patterned paper is Mayberry from CTMH and my sentiment PaperSmooches.

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Happy, Happy Post!

I noticed it's been a little over a week since my last post. I've been remiss in my crafty-bloggy duties. But such as life, right? .... I've been saying for several weeks now, "I've been really busy lately, but oddly enough, I can't tell you what I've been doing!".   Strange feeling. I feel like time has flown and I'm behind on some things, but my reasons for this are up for debate. Even I don't know why. :)

So, no crafty challenge cards to report in this evening, BUT on a semi-related note (and much more exciting one), I have two (YES TWO) cards published in this month's issue of PaperCrafts magazine!
The March/April 2013 PaperCrafts issue has my FIRST publication!!! I've known since (about) September and, honestly, I'm still riding that wave of excitement. I must admit I "showed out" a little bit when I got the email and even as my issue(s) came in the mail, I was still giddily joyful and grinning like a chesire cat. I still can't believe it, even when I look at the issue!

It was the most fun, I have to admit.

Here is a picture of my favorite card and one that was published:

 



This one has quite a bit of stamp-y goodness in it. My two favorite stamp "dealers" Close to My Heart and PaperTrey Ink.  The Giraffe (I am a SUCKER for animal stamps, ask my local CTMH "pusher") is from the CTMH "Zoology" stamp set, the Star is from "Love Life", and the sentiment is from "Baby Love". The hexagons are from PTI's "Happy Hexagons" mini-stamp set.

Please check out the latest copy of Paper Carfts for all the crafty genius throughout. I'm not sure mine quite measured up to the other beauties in there, but I'll take it just the same. After all, we are our own worst critics anyway, right?

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CAS(E) this Sketch! #14

One more post for the evening and I'm free of my "administrative" duties! :) Then I can get on to the FUN STUFF! More creating. I'm sure I'm not alone in my preferences.

Here is this week's sketch at CAS(E) This Sketch:



I used some of my precious Pemberly paper that I've been hoarding for 'lo these many months and finally cut into:

My stamped sentiment is from my "Thoughtful Tidings" stamp set. I die-cut the stamp shape using my Cricut and Art Philosophy cartridge. Even pulled out that Paper Crimper that's been collecting dust in the "graveyard of gadgets my hubby bought me".  (He calls it the graveyard and swears he won't buy me anymore! ha ha. But he totally will.)

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Seize the Birthday #5

I'm trying to keep up with these birthday challenges! It's a great idea for a challenge blog because I know I always need birthday cards. And, I'm not good at using my time to make them. (I'm not sure why - just goes with all the other things I do that don't always make the most sense! Like eat junk, then cry about it later. Get lazy around the house, then get mad at the mess. You get the picture, I'm sure.)

I had fun with this one because I finally broke loose and used some Christmas gift cards at the local scrapbooking supply store! I'm so "thrifty" I'll even hoard my gift cards and barely buy anything with them! Ha ha! I decided enough of that - break loose and have some fun.

So, one big bag of paper (I didn't need, but wanted!) and a couple of stamps (I always need more stamps!) later, I was playing in my room and broke out the STB sketch.

Here is my card using papers from My Mind's Eye (Miss Caroline collection) and a new Technique Tuesday stamp that I couldn't resist. I've got a girlfriend who will LOVE it. I may not even be able to wait til her birthday to make her a card with it!

I also added the Seam Binding Ribbon, Smoothie colored button, and Natural colored Hemp from CTMH -- the perfect finishing touch. (My projects aren't complete until I have ribbon or twine somewhere on them.)

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Moxie Fab - Tuesday Trigger

It's been a LONG time since I've played with the weekly Tuesday Trigger challenge! I'm bad about forgetting to even check it out; I've updated my list now so that shouldn't happen anymore. :)

This week's is really cute - I love the colors.



I took my inspiration from the colors, the heart, and the stitching.

I first covered a chipboard heart in pink chevron washi tape, lining up the patterns to make the cool diamond pattern you see above. I then stamped the stitching from my "Typeset" stamp set (from CTMH kit). I added gray pearls from CTMH and the stamped buttons from the same set I mentioned. The sentiment is Paper Smooches and gray twine is Doodlebug Design.

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Merry Monday #48

The Merry Monday weekly challenge this week is non-traditional Christmas colors as seen here:



This one threw me! I couldn't imagine orange in Christmas colors. :) But once I ran across this patterned paper from my CTMH "Dotty For You" paper kit, I was reminded how it looked like Christmas ornaments. It makes a great background piece for my square card.

 

CTMH colors used are Sunset, Twilight Blue, and Grey Wool. I die-cut the ornament shape using my Cricut and Art Philosophy cartridge and then stamped the snowflakes from my CTMH "Holiday Trinkets" stamp set. The sentiment is PTI, Think Big Favorites; gray twine is Doodlebug Designs.

 

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CFC #88

"Love Letters" is the theme over at CASual Friday's weekly Clean and Simple challenge. Since clean and simple is one of my favorite styles, I love to play along when I get a chance. :)



CFC88: Use letters creatively in your CAS project - die cuts, alpha stamps or stickers etc


I was inspired to use my CTMH "Vintage Type" stamp set. I don't use this set as near as much as I should, but I still love it and keep holding on to it.

Here I loved how the type looks stamped in Black VersaFine ink over my lightly stamped chevron background.

 

My chevron stamped pattern is from the "It's Your Day" stamp set in Cashmere and the heart is stamped from the "Affection" stamp set in Tulip ink, both CTMH. I used Cocoa CTMH cardstock for the card base and Rustic Cream from PTI for the accent panel. The red twine is Doodlebug Design.

 

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