Shimmery, Sparkly Wedding

Hello!

Today's card is for my stepdaughter and her soon-to-be husband (the wedding is this week!).  As it's an all white card, and I don't DO white (much less all white), what better reason to add shimmer and sparkle?  Creative Inspirations Paints to the rescue!

Of course I had to emboss a base layer because let's face it, that much solid, smooth white would make me run screaming for the hills.  (I can't help it, Kristie and Maureen.)  Heh.

The little birdies were a natural for painting with Winter Frost...

...and the double layer heart-shape twiggy die cut lent itself to some strategic and generous helpings of Resplendence Angel Dust.  Oh my, how it sparkles!

Some teeny, tiny pearls for the eyes and sentiment, and some Jeweled Inspirations (small) on the corners finish things off.

I'll admit that this card didn't take the hours and hours that most of my cards take because of the white, so in that regard, white's pretty cool.  Just don't get too used to seeing it on THIS blog.  That is, unless there are more weddings in my future, and my daughter assures me there aren't.  <sigh>

Thank you for joining me, and don't forget to head over to the Creative Inspirations challenge blog.  The current challenge is Anything Goes!

Happy crafting!

CI Supplies used:

Winter Frost paint
Resplendence Angel Dust
Jeweled Inspirations

Challenges entered:

Frilly and Funky - A Time For Weddings
Frosted Designs - Punches
Pile It On #21 - Put a Bird On It
613 Ave. Create #21 - Anything Goes
Fussy and Fancy - Pearls and Lace (Do the lacy background and lacy die cut count?)

Happy Father's Day at My Sheri Crafts

Hello!

Today I'm honored to be Guest Designer over at My Sheri Crafts, and this week's theme is Father's Day and include some embossing.  I love playing over there and play as often as possible, and this is one of my favorite themes.  Well, the embossing part.  Masculine cards are uber difficult for me, but I'm rather happy with this one.  Thanks for the challenge, Sheri!

(Click on the pics to enlarge.)  The background image, the wonderful Antique Map sold by Flourishes, was heat embossed using SU gold embossing powder which is metallic gold, but not overly glittery like some gold embossing powders can be.  Not that there's anything wrong with overly glittery, I happen to like the overdone look usually, but today's card needed manly and subtle.  We'll save "overdone" for later.
 

Love these metal word bands by Tim Holtz, which I've attached with a strip of leather cord...

...and these tiny gears by 7 gypsies.  Maybe that's why this card was easier than those I've made in the past - I finally had some guy embellies on hand!  The fabric is a very loose burlap, and the button is vintage from my stash which I gold leafed and through which I then knotted a piece of linen thread.

Metal corners finish the front.

I watermarked the inside using Versamark and the same map stamp then stamped the sentiment with SU's Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Thank you for joining me today, and I hope you go on over to visit Sheri and her talented design team at My Sheri Crafts.  Have a lovely, lovely weekend!

Happy crafting!

Challenges entered:

Oozak - Anything Goes w/Earthtones
Simon Says Stamp & Show - Favorite Ink (Versamark - I LOVE embossing!)
Pile It On #20 - Add fabric/felt (burlap)
Eclectic Ellapu - Anything Goes
Frosted Designs - Punches (little flags)

Cardabilities Sketch #75

Friends Forever

Hello!

I have a somewhat CAS card today for the Crafty Ribbons challenge, which is Anything Goes with Ribbon.  Because you know what?  In my book, pretty much anything DOES go with ribbon, so this challenge is right up my alley. 

The card is a departure from my usual frilly, shabby style because I also followed this week's Splitcoast Stamper's color challenge to use Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler and Marina Mist, and for some reason the card evolved into a rather masculine looking piece.  Which is fine because not all of my friends are the frilly types anyway.

What?  You don't see the Marina Mist?  Here it is.

And here.  I chose to only use it in the ink splatter as a whisper of an accent.  The stamps are from Inspired By Stamping, including Big Notes II and Background Basics III.

The ribbon and flower are also from the IBS store:  Satin Ribbon and Off White Roses, which I custom colored with alcohol markers.

The satin ribbon is perfect for tying a tuxedo bow, too, which also lends a rather formal effect to the card.  That and a couple of pearls finish things off.

A look at the inside using the same stamps (different sentiment from Big Notes II).

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you're having a delightful day!

Happy crafting!

Challenges entered:

Crafty Ribbons #46 - Anything Goes w/Ribbon
SCS CC427 - Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist
Oozak - Anything Goes w/Earthtones
Divas By Design - Friendship
Eclectic Ellapu - Anything Goes

MFTWSC125 - Sketch

 

Pearls and Lace

Hello!

It's been a wild ride for the past few days with first my computer's router going out (and thus losing internet connection) and then my phone going kaput as well (which was my internet backup connection).  Frazzled?  You bet.  I had to go to my daughter's home and use HER laptop to get my last couple of blog posts up right before leaving town for the weekend, but now I'm back, the phone's working again, I'm using it to connect my computer to the internet until the computer guy comes this afternoon with my new router, and all is well while I get back up to speed.  Technology - it's a love/hate relationship with me.  (And right now I'm back to loving it again.)

Today's card was made for the latest Fussy and Fancy Challenge, the theme of which is "Pearls and Lace."  I love pearls and I love lace, and I love challenges like this because there's a lot of room for interpretation.  Pearls and lace don't always mean frilly pastels.  Today I was in the mood for bold red and black because I might be using this for a masculine thank-you card.

I've used stamps from Inspired By Stamping: All Year Wishes I and Fancy Labels II, the latter of which is from Joanna's newest collection released earlier this month.  I don't have the Fancy Labels II dies yet so I've fussy cut the shapes, but I'll certainly be getting them soon - isn't that shape gorgeous?  So versatile!

I heat embossed the frame and greeting for a little added texture and popped them up on foam dimensionals.

By the way, the pearls were light brown, but I colored them with a black Copic marker. 

And while I'm on the subject of IBS products, check out Joanna's blog to see the latest blog hop, the subject of which is "backgrounds."  She will select 2 random winners on June 17th. These talented crafters will win a stamp set of their choice, plus the lucky winners will be featured on her blog!  

Thanks for joining me today, and I hope you're already having a lovely week!  (My sweet but naughty puppy is in doggy daycare today for the very first time, so my week is starting off GREAT!)

Happy crafting!

Challenges entered:

Fussy and Fancy #89 - Pearls and Lace

Simon Says Stamp & Show - Favorite Ink (Versamark - I love to emboss!)

Eclectic Ellapu - Pink Team Anything Goes

Amelia

Hello!

It's time for this week's challenge over at A Gem of a Challenge, and this week (Challenge #80) we have a sketch drawn by the lovely Lisa.  This challenge will run from 8:00 AM May 18 to 6:00 PM May 24, and the prize for the winner will be 2 individual digi images (NOT SETS) from Pink Gem Designs. So do head on over and see what the rest of the lovely Design Team have created, then join us, won't you? We'd love to see you!

My card today uses one of Janet's gorgeous new drawings, "Amelia."  Isn't she adorable?  And she's a breeze to color, too.

 

Janet includes some shading in her latest images making them very easy to color, but they lend themselves to adding some shading of one's own, too.  I colored her with Copics.

 Close up of the flowers.

 

And a close up of the bow and faux stitching.  I've taken to letting the tails of some of my bows stay a little long lately and attaching them towards their tips.  Some pearls on each corner finish this card.



And that, lovely readers, is today's card.  Please do head over to A Gem of a Challenge to play along, won't you?  We'd love to see you!


Happy crafting!

Challenges entered:

Fussy and Fancy - Pearls and Lace

 

Dream

Hello!

Today's card was made using a chipboard tag that I had painted with Creative Inspirations Paints in Tutu Pink and Mellow Yellow.  I love pink and yellow together as it reminds me of spring flowers (think roses especially), so I use them together every chance I get.  Once the paint was dry I stamped it with the sentiment and some leafy flourishes.

I also wanted to use a piece of background paper that I had made months ago using the acrylic block technique and waterbase markers on a piece of glossy paper.  The finished product looked so like a sunset and I've been waiting for a chance to use it ever since.  The marbled colors on the tag sort of blend in with the sunset-ty colors, don't you think?

Here is a view of the tag and orange mat that show the shimmery qualities, especially of the mat.  It was dark coral, but I brushed the edges with Rose Quartz which turned it a slightly pinker color, then I inked the edges with distress ink. 

Look closely at the tag for a sneek peak of a new product that Creative Inspirations is about to release.  Fun!

A satin bow and some rhinestones complete this card.  Thank you for joining me, and I hope you'll head on over to the Creative Inspirations challenge blog and play along.  This fortnight's challenge is Mother's Day.  See you there!!

Happy crafting!

Challenges entered:

Inspired By Stamping Blog Candy

This is my second post of the day.  For my French-inspired card using Creative Inspirations Paints and IBS stamps, please look here.  (Or scroll down.)

Good morning!

Just a quick note to let you know that Joanna over at Inspired By Stamping is offering two lucky winners some yummy blog candy.

Winners will receive, Fancy Labels 2 Die, Small Fancy Labels 2, Little Leaves, White Curly Flowers, Princess Crochet Trim. Total value of $42.

Deadline May 31st @ 11:59PM Brisbane Time

Head on over to Joanna's blog for full details, and good luck!!

 

Paris (or...I can dream, can't I?)

Hello!

Today's card is a "just because" kind of card that I've made using the ever delightful Creative Inspirations paints.  I love, love, LOVE them, and one of my favorite ways to use them is the marbled background technique, which you can find here.  It is my new favorite technique and I've already done it several times.

This time I've used Tutu Pink, Mellow Yellow and Pink Highlights, the last of which is interesting because it looks ivory until you turn it towards the light, then the shimmery pink shows up.

I had to photograph the card at a couple of different angles to try to capture the shimmery goodness.  See that slight pink?

Here's another closeup.  You can see more of the pink down there to the right.  I really wish I could have a video within a picture so I could move the card around and show you the shimmer.  It is a fascinating way to create an interesting background that can pretty much stand on its own.

I used some lovely product from the Inspired By Stamping shop, including the always versatile Paris stamp set, the new Background Basics III stamp set (behind the word "Paris"), the Fancy Labels Die, and some Colonial Rose Satin Ribbon.  Some dots of gold glitter glue at the bottom finish this card.

And that, dear friends, is today's card.  Thanks so much for joining me and I wish you a lovely, craft-filled day.

Happy crafting!

Challenges entered:

Divas By Design - Anything Goes
Crafty Ribbons #45 - No Design(er) Paper
Delightful Challenges - Stash It (use from stash - gold embossing powder, gold glitter glue)
Fussy and Fancy #88 - Anything Goes

Blooming Heart

Hello! 
 
It's time for another challenge over at Digi Darla's Challenges, and this week's theme is Challenge #62 - "Tag... You're It" which means to use a tag either on your card or as your project.  One winner will receive 5 Digi Darla images, and any entries using a DD image get entered into a SECOND drawing for 3 images, so you could conceivably win 8, yes, eight Digi Darla images!  It's happened before!

 If you use a Digi Darla image, make sure after you link up to add DD with your name so we won't miss you! 
You have until May 19, 9:00 PM EST, to link up to the Digi Darla website.

My project today is a tag that I made for my daughter's college graduation gift (which was this past Friday - hooray!).

I used DD Blooming Heart from the DD website, and Congratulations from the Bonus Area.  You can see that the heart is shiny.  I first colored it with chalks, inked the edges, then applied several layers of Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE), after which I cracked it in several places and applied distress ink to the entire surface.  After wiping off the distress ink with a damp paper towel, you can see where it penetrated the cracks.

I marbelized the tag base, painted some flourishes with shimmer paints, also painted a tiny rose with more shimmer paint, then put it all together with a big fat seam binding bow and some brown and beige pearls.

And that, lovely readers, is my project for the day.  I do hope we see you over at the Digi Darla challenge blog.

Happy crafting!

Challenges entered:

Divas By Design - Anything Goes
Inky Impressions #108 - Mother's Day/For a Lady (my daughter)
Crafty Ribbons #45 - No Design(er) Paper
Delightful Challenges - Stash It (use from stash - pearls, rose, ribbon)
3 Girl Jam #18 - Use a digi w/ribbon
Fussy and Fancy #88 - Anything Goes
Sugar Creek Hollow #60 - Spring Flowers

 

IBS Color Challenge #54

Hello!

Today is the start of a new Inspired By Stamping Inspiration Challenge!  The challenge will last 2 full weeks, from May 11 - May 25, and the prize for one randomly selected winner will be a $25 gift certificate to the Inspired by Stamping store!  Woohoo!!

I made a quick card to showcase the challenge colors using the following stamp sets:  Delicate Doilies, Background Basics III, Fancy Labels 2 and Sm. Fancy Labels 2, the last three of which were released just yesterday!

I embossed one of the doilies using white embossing powder and die cut it with a circle die.  The background music stamp was used on the banner, and a paper doily was cut up and pieces were fanned and placed behind the central piece.

Some embossing on the base layer and a few pearls finish things off.

Thanks for joining me and make sure you visit Joanna's blog for full details - you won't want to miss this challenge!!

DEADLINE is Thursday April 25th at 12pm Brisbane time, Thursday or 9pm Wednesday EST.


Happy crafting!

Inspired By Stamping - Mother's Day Special

This is my second post for the day.  To see today's Big Release by IBS, please look here.  (Or just scroll down.)


Hello!

I just want to make a quick announcement about a special Mother's Day discount being offered by Inspired By Stamping this weekend.

Happy shopping (and crafting)!!  And Happy Mother's Day!

(Please keep scrolling to see all the lovely new stamps which are being released TODAY - they are fabulous!!)

Inspired By Stamping's May Release!

Hello!

Today is the day for Inspired By Stamping's big release when all 7 new stamp sets and die set are for sale!  I have really enjoyed playing with them so much, and now you can too!

Make sure you visit all the IBS design team to see how they've been interpreting these lovely stamp and die sets over the past few days.  

Cindy Blancett

Colleen Dietrich

Deb Hickman

Gloria Stengel

Grace Tolman

Irit Shalom

Joanna Munster - Owner

Kendra Sand

Leah Cornelius

Nazeema Bastian

Pam Bray

Shani Thomas

Shea Marshall (that's me!)

Tina Hale

Vicki Dutcher

Here is a look at all of the new sets (and die):

 Background Basics II

 Background Basics III

Big Hope

 Fancy Labels 2

 Mason Jar Summer Add On

 Small Fancy Labels 2

 Big Notes in French

Fancy Labels Dies 2

One more thing...

• All sets will be available for purchase on May 10th, 7 p.m. Brisbane time (5 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) in the IBS store
• Free shipping on all orders over $20 for 48 hours only -- May 10th, 7 p.m. Brisbane time to May 12th, 7 pm Brisbane time (5 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) -- code word is MayRelease (not case sensitive)
• Save 10% on a bundle of all 7 stamp sets plus die
• Chance to win a $25 gift card to the IBS Store EVERY DAY during the release party, from May 6th - May 10th!  Just leave a comment at owner Joanna Munster's blog each day for your chance to win. 

And one MORE thing...

The next IBS color challenge runs from May 11 - 25, and the prize for one randomly selected winner will be a $25 gift certificate to the Inspired by Stamping store!  The colors are white, yellow and green.  Hope to see you there!

IBS New Release - Fancy Labels

Hello!

Today is our last day sharing projects using Inspired By Stamping's new releases, which means tomorrow is RELEASE DAY when all the stamp sets will be available for purchase!!

Today's projects from the DT feature the stamp sets Fancy Labels 2, Sm. Fancy Labels 2, and Fancy Labels 2 die set.  Aren't they a gorgeous shape?

My card also uses the Background Basics III set again because I just love that French script.  And guess what - yep, I stamped one of the sections upside down.  Again.  Maybe that will be my trademark.  But you still can't tell. 

I also heat embossed the frame and sentiment using copper metallic embossing powder again because I think it gives such a nice elegant effect.  Or maybe it's because I like shiny stuff.

The embellishments are IBS flowers, two of which were ivory that I custom colored with alcohol and alcohol markers.   I also used IBS Scallop Border Crochet trim, along with some vintage velvet ribbon and leafy flourishes.  Some teal rhinestones finish it off.

That's it for today's card.  Make sure to check out each of the DT blogs, there is such lovely inspiration from all of the DT using the new sets:

Joanna (owner)

Fancy Labels 2 

Kendra 
Irit   
Pam 
Colleen
Calypso  

Small Fancy Labels 2 

Tina 
Deb 
Leah 
Cindy
Vicki 

-------------------------------------

Happy crafting!

One more thing...

• All sets will be available for purchase on May 10th, 7 p.m. Brisbane time (5 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) in the IBS store
• Free shipping on all orders over $20 for 48 hours only -- May 10th, 7 p.m. Brisbane time to May 12th, 7 pm Brisbane time (5 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) -- code word is MayRelease (not case sensitive)
• Save 10% on a bundle of all 7 stamp sets plus die
• Chance to win a $25 gift card to the IBS Store EVERY DAY during the release party, from May 6th - May 10th!  Just leave a comment at owner Joanna Munster's blog each day for your chance to win.