FTL114 - thanks

This card reminds me of spring!  The layout comes from Clean & Simple Stamping's FTL114 - The stamps and paper are from A Muse and the little bit of dimension comes from Liquid Pearls in the flower centers.  TIP:  If you have problems with Liquid Pearls looking "too pointy" when you first apply them try thumping the card from underneath and they will smooth right out.

GS#62 - Happy Thoughts of Fall

You ever see a sketch and just have to drop everything and use it - NOW!  Maybe not, but if you are a papercrafter and read my blog on purpose (not just cause you are nice, mom - but thanks!!) then you are probably a fan of sketches too.

I LOVE this week's sketch from the Get Sketchy blog - That is why I do sketch challenges - there is no way EVER that I would have come up with a layout like this one!

I used some trusty tools - my Marvy Uchida oval punches - I've had them for a LONG time and totally never told my husband how much they cost when I bought them 4 years ago - it was a really big splurge at that time but they have been worth the $$.  Basic Grey patterned paper; Hero Arts tree stamp; Martha Stewart Coarse Clear Glitter; Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type and Stampendous Luxurious Velvet Brown Brocade stickers. 

Isn't it cool how the tree stamp fits in the oval so perfectly - I should make several cards with this tree and punch but right now I need to eat Egg Foo Young (how can something that looks so gross taste so great?)

PDCC#53 - Splash of Burgundy

This card is based on the Play Date Cafe Colour Splash #53 (black/white and a splash of burgundy) and Skipping Stones Design Sketch #48. The patterned paper came from my La Creme pack, sentiment from A Muse, crystals from Prima and I made the flower. The JUGS #57 Wild Card Challenge this week is to make a burnt edge flower - try it - it is so fun!!

Yesterday it was 78 degrees here and today it didn't crack 60. Looks like fall is really here!!

OLW26 - What is black/white and red all over? Letterpress

This week's One Layer Wednesday Challenge is entitled - What's Black and White and Red all over?  Jennifer Styles is hosting the challenge on her blog and she made a super cool card!  My card's best feature is neither black/white nor red but is the embossed filigree.  I used my L Letterpress to emboss this shape that came with the kit.  I haven't had loads of success with the ink embossing but dry embossing is lovely!  I added red in the form of a sentiment from A Muse and the black is Onyx Martha Stewart glitter adhered with Scor Tape. This may be a very simple card but it has lots going on between the shimmer, texture and color.

CAS90 - Gingham and Checks

This card is for the Splitcoaststampers CAS90 Gingham and Checks Challenge. Our 8th Grade son went on an overnight band trip yesterday with dad as a chaperone. The controlled chaos at the school when I dropped my husband off couldn't help but make me be thankful for all the work that the teachers do (I was also very thankful that I am NOT a teacher)! This card also fits into Glenda's Random A Musing Challenge 88 - Pop Up your Sentiment! I cut the apple with my Slice; paper and sentiment are from A Muse.
What has your weather been like today? I spent some time in the hallway with the dog and the fish while the tornado sirens were going off - The field trip bus had to pull over to let everyone shelter in a hospital until the storm passed through - Can't wait for my family to be all together in one room again!

PDCC#52 - Play Date Cafe's One Year Anniversary!

I've been getting teased quite a bit recently that I use a lot of pink despite my dislike of the color!  Apparently, my gal pals Kim, Jen and Roni are right - somewhat!  I will concede that I have been touching my girly side a lot more lately but nothing floats my boat like a nice brown, beige or warm "autumn-y" color!

This card features some of my luscious playthings - Prima patterned paper and blossom, Zva crystals, PTI button and silk ribbon, Martha Stewart doily, Girls' Paperie lettering and handmade crinkle seam binding. Yes, I did dye it pink myself but I used Gimmer mist that I won - otherwise I wouldn't have pink glimmer mist!  It would be bad to let free product go to waste, right - just think of me as a "green" crafter - reduce, reuse, recycle and all that -

The colors come from the current Play Date Cafe Challenge - It is their one year anniversary and I LOVE playing their challenges!!  The sketch is courtesy of Card Patterns #87 and CARDS is looking for projects with bling this week.

Am I the only one or do you suddenly find yourself reaching for colors or embellishments that you wouldn't normally reach for?  It is good for me to be more colorful but now I think I will go sit in my nice, peaceful beige and sage green living room!

A Muse Calendar Class at the Doodlebug!

Another great day at the Doodlebug!! We stamped, punched (paper, not each other), colored with Copics, used the BIA and made lots and lots of adorable A Muse calendars!!

I always feel compelled to share what I came home with - as you can see I scored big time in the embellishments department!  I counted and there are 19 packages of Zva pearls/crystals pictured - why didn't I just round up to 20?!  There are Stampendous velvet leaves/filigree, Jillibean Soup corrugated flowers/birds and Prima patterned paper.  Can't wait to play with my new toys!  Thanks to the ladies that came to class!  You all made my day!