Love Inspired Flowers

Hi everyone.  I have been on a roll making cards this week ... my mojo has returned!!  It never completely left, but for the past several weeks, I struggled over every card I made ... things weren't flowing.  But things are flowing now and I have been having fun playing along with the LOVEFEST2014 challenges to SCS - this one is Challenge F - Color challenge (love inspired) hosted by Sweet 'n Sassy.

I think this pot of heart flowers is so adorable from Bugaboo and I immediately thought of it when I saw the challenge.  I colored the stem and leaves with my Copics and paper pieced the pot, ribbon and hearts.  I added a second layer of paper piecing to add dimension to the rim of the pot, the bow of the ribbon, and the heart blossoms (paper tole).  All the pieces were sponged to add depth and dimension, and I used my white gel pen to add some highlights to the hearts.  A simple sentiment and a shadow for the pot to ground it (drawn with Copics) finishes the card.  Another fun, easy and CAS card.

Stamps:  Flower Pot 4 (Bugaboo Stamps); Love Bug sentiment (Fiskars)
Paper:  White (Neenah), Snap Color Vibe (Simple Stories); Baked Brown Sugar, Real Red (SU!)
Ink:  Baked Brown Sugar, Real Red, Regal Rose (SU!); Copics:  G43, YG67, W4
Accessories & Tools:  sponges, white gel pen

Challenges:
LOVEFEST2014F - color challenge

Candles and Holly

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for the couple of challenges:  Merry Monday #96 - holly and Addicted to Stamps & More #83 - holidays.

I love this beautiful die from Memory Box and when I saw Jennifer McGuire's recent video on Die-cut Inlays, I thought it would work perfectly for this technique.  Your image is die-cut, and then all the pieces are glued back in place to create a flat image.  Click on the link above to take a look at the video - you'll be glad you did!

This technique is fun and easy to do ... although the candle die-cut is very intricate and it took a bit of time.  After all the pieces were inlayed, I used my green marker to highlight the subtle embossed lines on the holly leaves.  I coated all the green card stock with green glitter glue and then did the same for the red card stock, using red glitter glue.  I added just a couple of drops of dazzling diamonds on the "flames".

I will definitely be doing this technique again - easy and fun!

After all the time inlaying the pieces, I was nervous about stamping the sentiment directly onto my card front ... and, of course, I flubbed it! :)  It was too low on the card front and the card wasn't balanced - yikes! :)  Didn't want all that time and effort to go to waste, to I cut around the candles and then popped the panel up on a new card front and added the sentiment below - much better - whew! :)

Stamps:  Christmas Greetings (SU!)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Real Red, Garden Green, Silver Foil, Daffodil Delight (SU!)
Ink:  Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Glowing Candles die (Memory Box), green glitter glue and red glitter glue (Studio G), stamp-a-ma-jig

Challenges:
Merry Monday #96 - holly
ATS&M #83 - holidays

Welcome Spring

Hi everyone.  I am loving making spring cards ... these bright colors make me happy :)

This card is for the LOVEFEST2014 challenge at SCS - Challenge B - Lovey Dovey Spring at SCS.  I used a free digital image I got from Birdie Brown a while ago, called Dreamin'.  LOVE this cute image and it would also be perfect for a baby card or even a "love you" card.  I colored it with Copics, popped it up on my card front and added a fun sentiment from Paper Smooches.  Another quick and easy card.

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After a few days of rain, we are back to sunny skies again.  Since the sun was shining brightly through our windows, I thought I'd share a picture of one of my crafts from many years ago.

About 30 years ago I took lessons and learned how to do copper foil stained glass.  I made many pieces ... unfortunately, the ones I made for us have all been broken over the years of moving, etc.  And a few of the pieces I made for other family members also were damaged, but two undamaged pieces were recently returned to me and I thought I'd share them with you.

This is the first large piece I made and I gave it as a gift to my DB and DSIL - both of whom have since passed away.  My niece and nephew gave this back to me and every time I look at it I think of Dave and Moe ...

This second glass piece I gave to my DFIL and DMIL many years ago when they lived in the Caribou.  Snow owls are a fitting image for up north.  It was the last large piece I made before we moved houses and I no longer had a place to work on stained glass.  My DMIL moved to a senior's residence recently and no longer has a place for the stained glass, so it is now back with us ...

I wish you could see how beautiful the glass is with the sun shining through ... it just doesn't come across in the photos.  Also wanted to mention that my sweet hubby made the oak frames (as he did for all the pieces I made).  Thanks for looking.

Challenges:
LOVEFEST2014 - Challenge B

Graphic Birthday

Hi everyone.  I have a simple CAS card to share with you today that covers three challenges - love when that happens! :)

This is for the Less Is More challenge (#159 - masculine), CAS on Sunday (#27 - masculine), and the CAS[E] this sketch! (#64 - sketch by N@ Ali).

Here's the sketch:

I just bought some cork sheets and wanted to give them a try.  They have an adhesive backing which makes them really easy to use.

I went with a graphic design today, creating a rectangular panel that has one side (exactly half) with a piece of cork.  I die-cut the leaf and then glued the stem on the right edge of the cork.  Since the panel was fairly large, I went with a small sentiment to balance it out.

Easy and quick card to make.

Stamps:  Bitty Birthday (SU!)
Paper:  White, Black
Ink:  Black
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Meadow Leaf die (Poppy Stamps), cork adhesive sheets, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Challenges:
Less is More - #159 - masculine
CAS on Sunday - #27 - masculine
CAS[E] this sketch! - #64 - sketch by N@ Ali