Son...

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!! Today we are celebrating our son's graduation from Basic Combat Training in the U. S. Army at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. It has been two and a half months since he left home and yesterday we were privileged to spend quality time with him during Family Day. He'll leave Saturday morning headed to San Antonio, Texas where he will complete his Advanced Individual Training and become a Biomedical Equipment Specialist. Next May he will graduate AIT and from there we are not sure where he will be stationed or deployed. One thing is for certain though, he has a bright future ahead of him and we are honored to be his parents.

I used the Deconstructed Sketch No. 57 for inspiration and I'm also entering this in the Make It Monday No. 95 linky party & The Kraft Journal: Anything Goes challenge.

Here's a photo of the inside using three different stamps to convey our message to him.

Hope each of you have a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping by today!
Hugs,
Lisa xx

Supplies:
Stamps: Compact Family  & Vintage Labels 18 (WMS), Small Phrases (Verve), Greetings (TCP Studio)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Noir Patterned Argyle/Paper Reverie (Making Memories), Whipped Mousse (Bazzill Basics)
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels 18 die #3; French Scroll border punch (MS); diamond ribbon (Michael's); Platinum Liquid Pearls (Ranger); 3D Foam Dots (Therm O Web)

Precious Memories

Hi there, I'm back with a mixed media journal page I created for the current Our Creative Corner : '10' Challenge and I'm also playing along with the MIM #95 Linky Party where anything goes. OCC's DT member, Kristin, challenged us to create something with the #10 on it or to use ten of the same items. I chose to use ten wood die-cuts on this page and for good measure I stamped No. 10 in the lower right corner. It was fun to create and the photo gives it a scrapped feel as well. Here's how I made it along with a few close ups.

I used a *new to me* technique that I found on a recent Inspiration Wednesday video by Donna Downey featuring transfer images, computer copy paper, gesso and gel medium. It worked like a charm and she included a link to download the butterfly sheet that you see in the background of my page. To add some overall color I sprayed Mister Huey's Forever Blue in random spots and added texture through bubble wrap, stamps, rub ons, tissue tape, dimensionals and acrylic paint. I painted all of the wood die-cut pieces with a base coat of acrylic paint and 'dance' received a second coat of picket fence crackle paint. Mister Huey's Pretty Pink color mist was sponged randomly on the letters and adds a pop of color. The small butterflies were dusted with pinkie fairy dust to make them sparkle and pearls add a touch of elegance. A magnetic date stamp records the date of my daughter's ballet recital on a distressed tag. Lace & a punched border help anchor the photo of my little ballerina to the page. A handmade chiffon flower was made using a tutorial by Mona Pendleton at Cupcake's Creations and I added a blue brad to the center. A fun little flower to make and I hope you'll check out both the video and tutorial for some crafty fun. :)

Welcome to my new followers and as always I truly appreciate the support and encouragement your comments give me. They make my day! Thanks for stopping by and hope everyone is having a great week.
~Lisa xx

Supplies:
Strathmore Visual Journal; Butterfly Download Sheet (Donna Downey); Antique White & White Acrylic Paint (Apple Barrel); Baby Pink Acrylic Paint (Folk Art); Mister Huey's Forever Blue & Pretty Pink Color Mists; Distress Crackle Paint-Picket Fence, Antique Linen & Black Soot Distress Ink (T!m Holtz/Ranger); Pinkie Fairy Dust (Sulyn Industries); Studio Calico Die-Cut Wood Butterflies; Expressions Wood Shop-Timber (Pink Paislee); Tissue Tape-Sketchbook (T!m Holtz/Advantus); MS Swirling Lace Border Punch; 2MM White Pearls (PS); Numero Clear Stamps (7 gypsies); Magnetic Date Stamp (Making Memories); blue brad (MME-Market Street)

I've been thinking about you

Hello and welcome! I totally meant to post this yesterday but this week has taken twists and turns of its own beyond my control. So here I am on the final day with my entry for Our Creative Corner-Button 'n Burlap or Bows challenge and I'm using Card Patterns Sketch # 169 for inspiration. I also plan to link up with Make It Monday #94 where anything goes. Here's a little close up of my challenge requirements.

This card is for my mom and I've been thinking about her lately. :) She loves flowers so I used Authentiques's Gathering dp's to put this little number together. Per the OCC challenge requirements we had to use buttons, burlap or bows. Even though my card is relatively small, 4x6, I found a way to include all three which made me happy. The burlap anchors my orange twill ribbon and the button & burlap bow draw the eye to my sentiment banner. I did not want to compete with the beautiful floral dp so I die cut two rosettes from a coordinating dp and anchored it with the smaller rosette {which was not accordion folded} and placed a teal pearl to add a pop of color. The base is bittersweet chocolate and I've been thinking about chocolate chip cookies ever since so I think I'll go now and whip up a batch.

Thanks for stopping by and hurry if you want to play with the OCC challenge and the sketch.
Have a great weekend everyone,
Lisa

Supplies:
Stamps: Small Phrases (Verve)
Ink: Walnut Stain Distress Ink (T!m Holtz/Ranger)
Paper: Gathering (Authentique), bittersweet chocolate cs (Bazzill)
Accessories: Easy Rosettes 017 die (The Cat's Pajamas); Nested Pennants die (Spellbinders) burlap (Jo-Ann's); orange twill ribbon (TE); brown burlap string (WMS); orange vintage style button (Jenni Bowlin); teal pearl (Kaisercraft); 3D foam dots (Therm O Web)

Happy 4th of July USA

Hello and welcome! In the U. S. Independence Day is just around the corner and several challenges are honoring it through our country's colors, our flag {stars & stripes} or the holiday itself. So naturally I played along with Tip Top Tuesday's #79 and Just Us Girls #141 challenges to express my patriotism. My sketch inspiration comes from the one and only, Jen Shults, and her sketches are always a challenge {that's why I love them!}. You can see the current Deconstructed Sketch #56 plus visit the archives for past sketch inspiration. I believe most of them are open to link throughout the year so it's not too late. The Crafty Catz #137 Embossing was great to play with because it gave me another opportunity to use my Stars Impression Plate by Taylored Expressions to emboss my vertical navy panel.

The colors of red, white and blue were established by the JUGS challenge and Independence Day or Stars & Stripes were challenge requirements of Tip Top Tuesday. I incorporated both on the TTT challenge and my stripes are represented by the red/white twine. The patriotic banner in the 4th of July Wreath set make my Picket Fence Border Die look festive. I punched three .5" circles using an EK Success punch and stamped the letters USA from You're My Type-Upper. Blue stars were strung onto red burlap string and red liquid pearls add another pop of color and visual interest. White brads anchor the four chomped corners and finish it off nicely.

Here's a Top Tip for you, to center your sentiments it is helpful to use a grid acrylic block and place all of the stamps & embellishments on it so you know everything will be centered properly. Also, It is much easier to stamp after punching but before when using a die. It just makes life easier! Another thing I did was to stamp my banners in blue ink so it would blend better. Seasoned stampers know this already but maybe it will help a newbie out there. :)

I'd like to welcome my newest blog followers and thank everyone for their encouraging comments. BTW, most of my recent posts have been CAS due to Father's Day and recent masculine birthdays but I'm happy to report that some "girl stuff" is on the way. :) Have a swell hump day {a.k.a. Wednesday}!

Note: I "Caught Their Eye" at Top Tip Tuesday with this Stars & Stripes card. WooHoo!
~Lisa

Supplies:
Ink: Memento Paris Dusk, ColorBox Chalk Ink Lipstick Red
Paper: Choice Snow White (TE), red, blue & white cs (Bazzill Basics)
Accessories: Take Note Frame 3 (TE); We R Memory Keepers 1.5" corner chomper, brads (PS); buttons (Hobby Lobby); red/white twine (Doodlebug); red burlap string (Maya Road); Copics B28 & R29; Ruby Red Liquid Pearls (Ranger)

TE Calendar Challenge-June

Welcome! I'm back today to share my calendar for the Taylored Expressions Calendar Challenge-June and I used the 2012 TE Calendar Download. You can view the current challenge and a recap of the challenge rules if you click on the link above. I'm a big fan of TE's Key Ingredients Kit and I used paper and embellishments from February which featured MME Lost & Found Rosy. The kits make it a breeze to put a card, or any project, together quickly.

One lone flower is all the stamping I did and it's from TE's Friendship Blooms which I die cut with the coordinating die. The satin ribbon and lush pearl were part of the kit which made life easy for me.

Thanks for dropping by today, hope everyone has a great week!
~Lisa

Happy Father's Day DAD

It's all about DAD this week with Father's Day just around the corner. I used the June SFYTT by Jen del Muro which is a fun sketch to work with. I'm also playing along with two *new to me* challenges, Paper Pal Arts & One Stop Craft Challenge, and the Make It Monday #93 challenge. The color scheme for my card came from PPA's challenge which required us to use a red, blue and white theme. The One Stop Craft Challenge is perfect for those making Father's Day cards because the challenge this week is {surprise} Father's Day. Here's Jen's Sketch For You To Try for June 2012 and you can enter anytime during the current month if you'd like to play along.

I embossed the blue panel with a Stars Impression Plate by Taylored Expressions and die cut a Die-namics Solid Bracket Border by My Favorite Things in red to add a pop of color. The Standard Circle Lg. dies by Spellbinders provide a backdrop for my main image and Father's Day sentiment while a Verve Charming Oval Die completes my sketch requirements. The sentiments are also from Verve and I used Dad's Day & World's Best while the main stamped image is from Wild West by T!m Holtz for Stampers Anonymous. Staz On's Azure Blue ink was used exclusively and red satin ribbon, white brads, red pearls and a blue star complete this card and my Father's Day cards for 2012.

Thanks for taking a look today and can you believe this is my second post today. It was actually suppose to be my first post but so much for scheduled posting. Hmmm...
Have a great day and hats off {pun intended} to all those wonderful father's out there.
God Bless You!
~Lisa

Extra's: blue star (Bo Bunny-Block Party Buttons); white brads (PS); red pearls (Kaisercraft); red satin ribbon (Hobby Lobby)

World's Best Father

Welcome! I have a confession to make-at first I was a little intimidated by this sketch and I passed it over. However, it intrigued me and I just decided to go for it. I'm glad I did because it has become one of my favorites now and the possibilities are endless. It really is all about perspective! The sketch is by the uber talented Karan Gerber at Cardabilites and I made this card for my FIL.

For color inspiration I played with the current Colour Q #141 Challenge and here's our inspiration photo.

Great colors for Father's Day! Speaking of Father's Day I am entering this card in the One Stop Craft Challenge-Father's Day and it will close in two days so hurry and link up. ;) I found a dp in the Tradewinds stack by DCWV that was nautical and it featured two of the challenge colors, navy & brocade blue, which left me to find lime and bashful blue. I spotted the Cas-ual Friday's Challenge #56 which required us to use Polka Dots {enter lucky limeade} and a bashful blue dp from MME rounded out my fourth color. The color white was used for my die cut panel and I sponged it with Shabby Shutters Distress Ink to add visual interest. Then I stamped the bass image in Stormy Sky Distress Ink and World's Best FATHER was stamped in Memento Paris Dusk. I brought out my Copic markers to customize my pearl embellishments which completed it.

Thanks for taking a peek and I am always uplifted by your encouraging comments. I also want to welcome my newest followers to my blog and I hope you find some inspiration here. If you are looking for a challenge check out my Challenges page where I've linked up a *few* for you and they are sorted by category. :-)

Have a wonderful day, wherever you are!

~Lisa

Stamps: White Bass (Stampabilities), World's Best Father (Verve)

Paper: polka dot (Little Boy Collection/Echo Park), bashful blue (On the Bright Side-One/MME)

Accessories: Long Cl. Rectangles (Spellbinders); Die-namics File Tab (MFT); Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers); Copics B37 & BG 72; white pearls (PS)

I'm So Glad You're My...

This card is for my sweetie and I truly am glad he's my husband and the father of our two children. When I saw the colors for the new CR84FN56 Color Challenge I instantly thought of Authentique's Blissful Collection. The challenge colors of yellow, gray and a neutral work perfectly with these dp's and I gravitate toward geometric patterns for some reason. It's certainly not from a love of mathematics I can tell you! I've been branching out with new challenges lately and the challenge at Our Creative Corner  caught my attention. The challenge is to use our favorite T!m Holtz technique and I've been wanting to make his tissue tape flower for a while, so I did, and you can view his video here {last one}. Since my DH is an engineer I placed a sprocket gear from T!m's idea-ology line in the center and a black Kaisercraft pearl to finish it off. I did not use a sketch but formulated my own design and any reference to a sketch 'out there' is purely coincidental. The third challenge I'm participating in is the Make It Monday #93 Challenge where all creations are welcome. Here's the yummy beautiful inspiration photo from the CR84FN56 Color Challenge and there's plenty of time to play along with all three challenges.

Thanks for spending some of your day with me and I hope you have a fantastic week!

~Lisa

Supplies:
Stamps: Father Figure, Tag Time & Swirling Hearts (Verve)
Ink: Memento's Tuxedo Black & London Fog, ColorBox Petal Point Chalk Ink-Yellow Citrus
Paper: Authentique's Blissful Collection, Choice Snow White (TE), black cs (Bazzill Basics)
Accessories: Classic Squares Lg. (Spellbinders); Tissue Tape-Sketchbook & sprocket gears (T!m Holtz/idea-ology); 1" circle punch (Fiskars); black pearl (Kaisercraft); Arch Lattice Edger Punch (MS); Tiny Sweet Scallop Die Set (Verve); brads (PS); yellow trim (Hobby Lobby); Inkssentials blending tool & Silver Pearl Liquid Pearls (Ranger)

Sweet Serendipity

Hi there, I'm dropping in to post this card I made this afternoon while taking a break from the heat. I love the colors of the CR84FN55 Color Challenge so much that I wanted to make another card using the fabulous challenge colors. While searching for a sketch I happened upon a challenge {serendipity part} that I couldn't pass up. One of my goals this year was to try new techniques and thanks to the current Just Us Girls Challenge (JUGS) I can check the Acrylic Distress Technique off my list. In their challenge post they've included a link to Beate's tutorial at SCS and I hope you'll check it out. With the colors and the technique down I searched for a sketch and the current Retro Sketches #15 was perfect. I rotated the sketch and I added an inset panel to my base so my ribbon would tuck neatly underneath, otherwise I remained true to the sketch by the uber talented Laurie. 

On a quick note I stamped my image onto vellum, let it dry and die cut it. I die cut two more pieces of white cs, one to back the image and another for my embossed panel. You can see how I did the technique if you visit the JUGS link and I inked the edges of the inset panel with celery just to make it stand out. A polka dot ribbon brings lavender into play in a fun way and my brads finish it off.

I'll admit that I wanted another chance to work with the CR84FN colors because last month we traveled to beautiful Colonial Historic Williamsburg and I fell in love with the gardens there. One in particular, the Governor's Palace Gardens, was absolutely breathtaking. I could not resist coming back for a second look the next day and this time I brought along my macro lens. Here's a photo, or two, from that garden. Can you see the bee in the first one?

There was beauty everywhere that I'd love to share but this post is already photo heavy. Thanks for taking a look and hope the rest of your weekend is awesome! BTW, the color challenge ends today so hurry if you want to play along. Edited for correction: I missed my second entry in the color challenge because the collection closed last night but it still inspired me to make this card and I love it. The other two challenges have plenty of time so good luck. :)
~Lisa

Supplies:
Stamps: Discover Your Wings (TE)
Ink: Hyacinth, Heliotrope & Split Pea (Versa Color/Tsukineko Co.), Peeled Paint Distress Ink (T!m Holtz/Ranger)
Paper: Avalanche White cs (Bazzill Basics), vellum
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels Eight & Twenty Dies; Victoria Embossed Folder (C'bug); lavender polka dot ribbon (TE); brads (American Crafts); Silver Metallic Acrylic Paint Dabber (Ranger); 3D Foam Dots (Therm O Web); sandpaper

Summer Fun

Hi there! I ran across two challenges that were all about summer fun and I couldn't resist playing along. So what does a carousel horse have to do with summer? Vacation! Most of our vacations include a day or two at a theme park and my favorite ride is the carousel. {I love horses!} The colors were determined by the Colour Q Color Challenge #140 and we were asked to make a "summer-y" creation with those colors while the Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge #136 called for a "summer time" theme. I love it when you can combine challenges and it's my first time playing along with the later challenge. I used Tuesday Morning Sketches #149 as my inspiration and the only deviation was the placement of the ribbon and using a paper rose instead of a sentiment. :) Below is the Colour Q inspiration photo with our challenge colours.

and the sketch...

There's still time to play in all three challenges but the sketch & color challenge are wrapping up in a day or two. Thanks for taking a peek at my card today and I hope you enjoy your summertime activities this weekend. If the weather cooperates {in western Tennessee} we'll be on the lake enjoying fun in the sun activities. :-)
~Lisa

Supplies:
Stamps: carousel horse (Inkadinkadoo)
Ink: Memento's Paris Dusk
Paper: white & red cs
Accessories: Cl. Rectangles Lg. & Cl. Scalloped Rect. Lg. (Spellbinders); Copics-BG01,BG15,YG23, R29; pool doodle twine (Doodlebug Design Inc.); red burlap string (Maya Road); lime paper rose (Recollections); lime rhinestones (studio g)

Happy 90th Birthday!

Hello and welcome! I have a birthday card to share today that I made for my FIL who will turn 90 on June 20th. Now that's cause for a celebration, right! I thought the colors of the Play Date Cafe Color Challenge 135 were perfect for a masculine card and the Deconstructed Sketch No. 55 was fun to work with. Last but not least I'm entering this in the Make It Monday #92 Challenge & the Ribbon Carousel Blog #56 Challenge. I have to say that I'd never have put these colors together on my own but the inspiration photo convinced me too {I'm glad it did}.

Since this is a very special birthday I wanted to personalize it so I used two different date stamps to record the year of his birth and his current birthday. I improvised with the sketch by adding ribbon at the bottom and a button & hemp bow. I somehow end up making masculine cards in the CAS style which is hard for me because I always want to add more, lol. I added texture by embossing a pool colored cardstock panel and rubbed Potter's Clay ink randomly over the front. The sentiment panel was cut from an aquamarine dp and I used the same color for the rhinestones on my die cut fishtail banners. Hopefully I tied everything together with clay as my third challenge color!

On a personal note, I promised in my last post to share my golden egg story with my regular visitors so here goes. When I was in 3rd grade my school hosted an Easter Egg Hunt and the grand prize was 'a golden egg'. This particular egg had candy, prizes & money inside but it was the golden exterior that I was after. I don't know why I was obsessed with it but I wanted to be the first to find it and win that egg. Obviously I didn't but a classmate named Lydia did and while I was happy for her I was sad for me. {So silly, I know} My DH & DD were shopping in early April and they spotted a Godiva chocolate egg wrapped in gold foil. They bought it & gave it to me Easter morning, which I thought was so sweet. Finally, after 40 yrs. of waiting I had my golden egg. Only, a greedy little mouse who loves chocolate ripped into it this past Monday night at 1:52am. How do I know this? He climbed up the secretary, which is beside my bed, and was on the desk shredding the foil. Very loudly I might add! :( It woke me up and that started a 2.5 hour unsuccessful mouse chase. My DH set out to trap him the next night but he got away with the chocolaty goods which really infuriated both of us. Yesterday when he came home from work he put his engineering skills to work and created the 'super' mouse trap. At 11:36pm last night that mouse learned a hard lesson in stealing. He's the second uninvited mouse we've had in 13 yrs. and I hope he is the last. As for the egg, it's in the garbage and the moral of the story is this-if I were meant to find that egg in 3rd grade I would have but I didn't. Life goes on! Hopefully you skipped this paragraph but if you didn't please accept my apologies. :-)
Have a great weekend!
Lisa

Supplies:
Stamps: Essential Messages (Hero Arts), You're My Type -Lower & # (TE)
Ink: Memento Potter's Clay
Paper: aquamarine dp-Laced With Grace (Glitz), graph dp-Fly A Kite (October Afternoon), pool & yam cs (Bazzill Basics)
Accessories: fishtale banners-Lacey Pennants dies (Spellbinders); Circles-Texture Fades (Sizzix); Date SMASH stamp (K& Co.) and We R Memories magnetic date stamp; ribbon & button (TE); aquamarine rhinestones (Kaisercraft); clay colored hemp cord

That's What Sisters Are For

Made by Cyndy Worthington

So glad you dropped by today. Recently I celebrated my 48th birthday and while that might depress some ;) I count myself lucky. Every day is a gift and one more day that I get to spend with my family. This birthday was extra special because I received a quilled card from my sister, Cyndy, that is a true papercrafting work of art. My jaw dropped when I saw all of the intricate details, dimension and the amount of work she put into this card. Imagine my delight when I opened my gifts and she'd set me up to quill my heart away too. WooHoo! She also gave me a book on The Art of Paper Quilling by Claire Sun-ok Choi and I was totally blown away by the projects in this book. There is no end to the creations that can be made with this medium and I'm looking forward to getting started. Cyndy used The Basket of Flowers quilling project found on pp. 40-41 in Claire's book to create this card and I hope you agree, it's a beauty. I've got a *few* close ups for you.

Thanks again to my big sis for sharing her talent and generosity with me! I will be rolling quilling paper in the evenings for a while and when I have enough finished I hope to share a project with you. Keep your fingers crossed, will ya? I am not known for my patience as one of her sticky notes referenced. :) Now if only I could stay in and catch up on missed sleep from the previous two nights thanks to weather and a mouse who has a fetish for chocolate. Yes, we have an uninvited guest and it's highly unusual because we never have pest problems but this is one intelligent mouse AND a chocoholic. Imagine my horror to hear him shredding gold foil off the golden egg that I 'finally' {after 40 years} got, this past Easter, at 1:52am this morning. Now there's a story there {the golden egg} but I'll have to fill you in on my next post because I really need to run some errands unfortunately.  BTW, the answer to your question is yes, we do have two cats living in our home and one outside but I suppose their palettes are too refined to dine on mouse. What a shame for my poor DH who I find to be very squeamish about all things concerning mice and frankly catching a mouse {or mice} is NOT in my contract so he WILL have to do it!!! Where is my son when I need him the most, at Basic Combat Training in the U. S. Army. LOL!
Have a great day,
Lisa

Three Challenges and One Card

Hi everyone and welcome! My card I'm sharing today was created with not one but three challenges in mind. First, my color scheme is from the current CR84FN Color Challenge while the sketch inspiration was provided by Card Patterns Sketch 167 and hopefully I met the requirements of the The Doilies & Lace Challenge in a Moxie Fab World. Whew! I can usually handle a color & sketch challenge with ease but throw in a third and I get rattled. I used my doily dies in a pretty traditional way but I'm hopin' that celery green lace makes up for it. :) Seriously, I have been dragging myself around ever since returning home from our recent vacation and I'm just thrilled to be back in my crafty space. Without further ado I'd like to share the beautiful CR84FN55 Color Challenge inspiration photo that features the main colors of lavender, celery and gray. I love the quote too!





When I saw the challenge colors I knew I wanted to highlight the lavender & celery so I used gray as a base and a polka dot dp helps to keep it light & airy. The rectangles were cut with a paper cutter, the corners were chomped and the white panel was stamped with a Lace Background that I've had for a while. Unfortunately it'd never seen ink and that's so sad because I love this stamp. It helps me incorporate lace in a Moxie Fab way and I brought the lace requirement in with traditional lace as well, just for good measure. Dies were a big part of this project and I opted to use my Die-namics Decorative Doily Duo for the doily element. I absolutely love the balance of this sketch and what a winning color combo!  Here's the fabulous sketch by uber talented Michelle Bertuzzi

Thanks for taking a peek and there is still time to play along with the CR84FN55 Color Challenge and Moxie Fab's The Doilies & Lace Challenge but the sketch challenge ends today so you'd better hurry. Good luck & I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Lisa

Supplies:

Stamps: You and I (Verve)

Paper: Gray Polka Dot-The Classics 12x12 pad, lavender, celery & white cs (PS), Diamante cs-base (Bazzill Basics Paper)

Ink: Milled Lavender & Dusty Concord Distress Ink (T!m Holtz/Ranger)

Accessories: Die-namics Decorative Doily Duo (MFT); Spellbinders Squares & Circles Dies; Lace Background Stamp (Hero Arts); celery lace trim (Webster's Pages-Botanical); Purple Fairytale Rose (Prima); celery paper roses (Recollections); lg. lavender pearls on banner (Want 2 Scrap); Lavender Lace Liquid Pearls (Ranger)