Daisies

Never before have I combined five challenges in one card...I certainly don't have the talent like Neva (aka n5stamper on SCS) but this week the challenges flowed together. If you've never run across Neva's work, check out her blog- she combines challenges like nobody's business. She's amazing!

Here are the five challenges I combines:
CC268- Old Olive, Barely Banana, Ballet Blue
MMTPT91- bring a daisy to the tea party
SC278- 'nuf said
WT268- use chipboard- my scallop frame is chipboard covered in barely banana
F4A10- make a floral card

You know, blue is my favorite color and there are six blues leaving the SU! color palette including ballet blue that I used as my card base above. I love change and new things so I won't whine {too much} especially since there are still lots of blues in the new colors- I count a total of seven. The blue shade faired better than purple; surprisingly only two purples remain~ and no pastel purple/lavender. I you haven't see this, Mary Fish has all the details on her blog, Stampin' Pretty.

I made my flower but using my 1-3/4 circle punch on white tissue paper; then stacked all the layers and free handed cut flower petals, added the corduroy button, and twisted the tissue paper so that the petals were not longer perfectly aligned, and a smooched it a bit.

I added Pearly Glimmer Mist (tattered angels) but it doesn't show up very well.

Have a great day, friends!

FS168 Gloria's Tree

I've been trying all week to finish this card, however, other family things took priority. But tomorrow, I have a vacation day from work to play, shop and otherwise goof off. So I stayed up late tonight and did some blogging, craft site viewing and finishing this past Sunday's Featured Stamper's challenge.

It was a special Sunday because my Shabby Chic blog sister, Gloria {see sidebar}, was chosen as the featured stamper. It's not hard to figure out why when you see her amazing gallery and follow her blog.

I chose this card to case. Originally, I started with the Basic Gray Origins paper and I have some matching felt flowers; I was going to add them like Gloria did, but, well... you know how that goes...my idea just didn't look like I imagined, so I took another approach. I still think you can see Gloria's card reflected.

Congrats again, Gloria!

Supplies:
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes(SU!), Tree (Studio g-Hampton Art)
Paper: Sage Shadow, Sahara Sand Vanilla, Close to Cocoa-textured (SU!), DP-Origins (Basic Grey)
Ink: Photo Vintage (Ranger- Distress Ink)
Accessories: oval and oval scallop-Nestabilities (Spellbinders), MS punch, buttons (Oriental Trading), sponge, household twine
Technique: Distressing, paper piecing

This card was made for my mother in law. My husband and I have been married for 29 years this June, so my MIL is like a mother to me in many ways. She is generous and treats me just like her own daughter. So I wanted to make a very special card for her. This card also satisfies several challenges on SCS. First the QFTD06 game where Cathleen (aka ctorina) was chosen for her skill and kindness. I chose her Dream card to case.

The second challenge was F4A9 where we were challenged to make a vacation card. One of my most recent 'get-aways' was to California this past February. My DH had business and I tagged along. We went to the Botanical Gardens (see Family Life post). One of my many dream vacations is Hawaii. The flowers on this card represent both vacations.

The last challenge was the "ways to Use It" challenge, WT267, where we were to mix pattern papers. I love mixing it up and often do because I love designer paper.

The papers and chipboard flowers that I used in this card are from SEI Mimosa Collection. I purchased them as the CK convention earlier this month. I wish you could see these products in real life as the paper has a shimmer finish, they call it pearl. The chipboard shapes have glitter. My SU! Old olive cardstock matched so I used it for the base. I stamped the blossoms using a retired SU! set called Best Blossoms; first with So Saffron and offset with Summer Sun. The sentiment is in Kiwi Kiss as the Old Olive was just too dark on the white and yellow flowers. What do you think?

Happy Saturday!

Have a great evening!

Here are the final cards for the decorative gift box (see previous posts). I made duplicates of the cards in the first picture so there were a total of four cards with the olive and oragne. I used my Just Right monogram letters and decorative borders. I am really happy with how these cards turned out.

Thanks for looking & Happy Saturday!

Initial Sticker Cards

Happy Friday!!! Here are more cards that were part the decorative gift box (see previous post). The initials are stickers from Michael's $1 bin. I like the colors and the design. Although it is a little difficult to see, the larger cards' paper is white with pale pink (pink pirouette) dots. The bows were made using the 'bow-easy'. If you don't have that tool, seriously consider it. It is inexpensive and really makes a gorgeous bow super fast! Have a happy weekend!

Decorative Gift Box and Cards

It has taken me several weeks working off and on to complete this project. Inside the box are fifteen handmade A2 cards with envelopes and six gift cards with envelopes. Over the next several days, I will share the different cards.

This set is for the wife of my medical director (my doctor boss). For Christmas several years ago, she knit a beautiful winter scarf for me~ it is a real work of art. She has commented on the cards I have sent them for the different holidays. So this past year when she returned to her profession of teaching, I wanted to give her some personalized note cards. When she is done with the cards, she will still have a pretty box with her initial.

The box was made by following Gina K's stamp TV video instructions for the Decorative Greeting Card holder. The videos and instructions from Gina K. are great- the video captures the how-to details and close-ups as needed and the instructions are introduced in an easy to follow manner. The base uses a recycled tissue box, cardstock and decorative papers.

The thank you card below is one of four in the set. I thought she could use a few of these apple cards as a teacher.Please check back tomorrow for a view of more cards. Thanks for stopping here!

Hugs, Marilyn

Fresh Apples

Today's card is a combination of SCS challenges and games. First and most importantly, the Queen for the Day (QFTD05) this past Friday was a wonderful woman and stamper, Coffeestamper, aka Sue. Sue is one of the nicest people on SCS, she is encouraging and supportive. She does amazing things with paper and ink and so I really wanted to make a card in her honor even though it is late. I cased her card called You're a Star. I kept her basic layout, the color of red and blue and the ribbon. I changed the papers, image, and traded the ribbon slide for a brad-flower-bow embellishment.

Last week the Inspirational Challenge (IC228) was crate labels. I had just purchased the retired SU! set "farm fresh', so it seemed like Kismet that I should play. I've loved the 'farm fresh' set since I first started stamping but it retired before I could purchase. It reminds me of home and country living as well as the decor of my first kitchen. I chose this crate label.

The last challenge was Monday's Technique Lovers' Challenge (TLC269) to incorporate piercing.

If you're still reading...I am going to boast a bit because I am so proud of myself, I have finally made a card with sewing that I can feel ok about posting. I know lots of you sew on cards but even with a new little Janome sewing machine, I just couldn't get the hang of it.

Thanks for stopping by! Over the next several days I will be posting a card set and box that I made, so please stop back by.

Hugs, Marilyn

Supplies:
Image: Farm Fresh (SU!)
Paper: White (Neenah), Brillant Blue, Real Red, Not Quite Navy from Pattern Pack (SU!), Red pattern (DCWV mat stack)
Ink: Black craft (SU), markers- Real Red, Green Galore, YoYo Yellow, Creamy Caramel (SU!)
Accessories: Embossing powder (SU), piercer (Tonic-Tim Holtz-one of the best tools ever- it's retractable!), Boho blossoms punch (SU!), red plaid brad (Target-outdoor adventure collection), blue flower (prima), ribbon (Michaels-textured trios), sewing machine, thread.

Buddy

Here's my take on the SCS sketch challenge and Mothermark's Teaparty Tuesday challenge. I used my new stamp set from Stampalicious called "Hawt Dawg". I was the fortunate winner of one of Stampalicious' blog hops; this set was one of the prizes. As you may know, I am a total dog lover (animal lover for that matter) and so I have lots of dog images as well as dog embellishments and I just can't get enough. For example, I also used some of the new papers I got last weekend at the Creating Keepsakes convention in St. Louis. The striped paper is from the Basic Grey's DP- Max and Wiskers. A whole new line of dog, cat and other animals- the other papers have the cutest dog, cat, turtle images plus match background papers like these stripes. And of course I had to have the matching Brazzil cardstock. And more! LOL

Have a great weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by.

Supplies:
Images: Hawt Dawg (Stampalicious), Happy b-day (Target)- I like this little 1/2 inch square stamp- it comes in handy
Papers: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Kraft (SU!), Brown texture, DP- Max and Wiskers (Basic Grey)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento)
Accessories: Gamasol, Red pencil (Prismacolor), cord, 1/4" and 1" circle punches (SU!)

Violet Bouquet

My two days of Creating Keepsakes Convention has come to an end. This was the best time I have had in a long time. Yesterday I took a class where we made four single page layouts using new Basic Grey products. Today, I took a class where we learned a few new techniques & the products were SEI. I'll post some of these things later this week, so stop back by.

I bought lots of goodies, and amazingly I've even put everything away. In addition to spending two days doing my favorite thing, the weather has been gorgeous here in St. Louis. So, I've been able to drive with my convertible top down. It's funny but that really makes me happy!

Today Pat Smethers was chosen as the SCS Featuresd Stamper (FS166). Pat is a wonderful artist and person. I cased this card from Pat's gallery. This card was also made for the Inspirational Challenge (IC227) where we were to make a card based upon our home state. My home state is Illinois & the state flower is the violet.

This card will be for my step-mother-on-law for Mother's Day. She is quite special so I hope that this card will bring her happiness. {and I also hope that my husband likes it!}

Supplies:
Images: Breath of Spring (Just Right), Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU!)
Paper: White, Lovely Lilac
Ink: Black, Lovely Lilac, Lavendar Lace, Handsome Hunter, Sage Shadow, Summer Sun
Accessories: Blender pen, stickles, nestabilities, ribbon, flowers, leaf, brads

Here, there, & nearly everywhere...except in my studio!

Here, there and everywhere...that's is where I have been except in my studio. It has been a whirlwind of personal fun and professional adventures but I have missed my stamps and creating. It all started the week of March 5th with my oldest daughter coming home for her college spring break~ lots of shopping, movies, chit chatting and relaxing with some good meals in between.

The following week, March 12th, my younger daughter gets home for her college spring break. A few days of overlap where we were all together as a family. Exit older daughter- back to college, more shopping, chit chatting, movies and relaxing with some good meals with younger daughter.

Next, I leave for Atlanta for a professional conference~a very special one that occurs only every 10 years & lucky me, I presented a poster of my teams' work. What an honor! I stayed at a wonderfully luxurious hotel in downtown Atlanta from the 18th-22nd of March. {Secretly, I was wishing I did not have to leave my daughter on her last days before she headed back to college and also I was longing for my own bed.}

Fly home from Atlanta, I'm home for a little over a week, where I scramble to get caught up at work & home- answer tons of emails, do taxes, laundry...you know this part of the story. Then Friday 4/2, hubby and I leave for Indianapolis for the NCAA men's final four basketball tournament.

Another hotel, lots of basketball, lots of people talking about basketball, lots of people buying basketball stuff & lots of TV with basketball & people talking about basketball. It was a blast! On Easter Sunday, we went to church at one of the oldest churches in Indy. This is one of my most favorite things to do when I travel- visit the old churches- the architecture, the art and craftmanship is incredible.

We get home late morning Tuesday, I pack another bag & drive two hours to another professional conference. This was a short one & yesterday I got home around 4 p.m. It has never felt so good to sleep in my own bed. But before going to bed, I made this card for one of my best girlfriends who just became a grandmother. I used the SCS sketch challenge, SC275.

Tomorrow is a pure fun day! The Creating Keepsakes Convention is here!! I took tomorrow off work (even though I am still not quite caught up) and I will also attend on Saturday. A girl's gotta have her priorities & I am sure I can count on it still being there on Monday.

So that's where I've been...here, there, and nearly everywhere. There are a few pictures of my adventures. Whew...what fun, and I am glad to be back with a plan to be in my studio for as long as possible!


Card supplies- all SU! products:
Image: Punches Three
Paper: Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, White, DP- Pretty in Pink from retired Print Pack
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo
Accessories: 1/4" grosgrain-Pretty in Pink, 3/4" polka dot grosgrain- Melon Mambo, brads- pretty in pink. I did use my bow easy for the tiny corner bows~ gotta' love that bow easy!