Blue Bird

Today was such a fabulous day! My crafty girlfriends & I went to the Creating Keepsakes Convention. We took a class together; I went earlier & took one on my own. I have a few more things to do to the scrapbook pages, but I'll post soon. THen we shopped & had a nice dinner together. And to top it off, it was such a nice weather day I drove with the convertible top down. Honestly, in my book, it doesn't get any better than that. I'm still smiling! :)

Here's a card I made tonight after returning home; it was for the Splitcoaststampers Inspiration challenge (IC279). I chose these bird postcards as my inspiration as I have the new SU! Nature Walk stamp set & I've been anxious to ink it up. I started with K & Co's Brenda Walton Flora & Fauna DP. I stamped my bird in Bermuda Bay except the feet; then masked the birds body to add the feet in soft suede. With the bird still masked, I stamped two-thirds of the DP with French Script background stamp in Pumice Stone Distress Ink, I left the background off the floral image. Next I added the to the corner a seal image in Melon Mambo from the retired SU!Travel Post.

I placed the stamped DP on Bermuda Bay & then Craft cardstock. At the top of the Kraft cardstock, I used a stitch template & then zig-zaged with embroidery floss. The crocheted lace is from Making Memories. Last I used some retired SU! hardware & topped it with a Melissa Fraces felt flower with a fabric brad. Then the entire panel was put on an Early Espresso card base.

It was really cool today because I got to meet Melissa Frances. I walked by her booth & she was teaching a make and take...I walked right past & then did a double take & went back to say hello. The felt flower on this card came in a little $1 grab bag with more flowers, bling, ribbon, crocheted flowers and polka dot alphabet. Of course I had to buy more things like glass glitter and crystal chandelier drops.
I hope you had a nice Saturday! Hugs,

Marilyn

Lavender Dreams

A little lavender floral card that I made a while back that I had not had a chance to blog it. Things are busy around my house- I am still stamping but not posting near as much. Hope you are enjoying your summer!

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.

Altered Notebook

I love notebooks~it probably has to do with my desire for organization. This one is altered with the flower bunch image from The Digi Shack. The notebook background of pink and green squares is part of the original notebook cover; I replaced the center image with the flower bunch. One of the hot trends in scrapbooking is stitching so I opted to try it on this pretty image. One of my former hobbies was embroidery and cross-stitch so this technique was like an old friend. I still enjoy the needlework but have found a new passion. {wink} The stems were created using a stitch called backstitch. It is really quite easy.

Here are pictures- the original notebook & backstitch . There are some nice instructions on this blog. After stitching, I colored my image and then masked it prior to using the spritzer tool for the background.
Recipe:
Image: Flower Bunch- The Digi Shack
Paper: Regal rose, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, WW
Ink: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Embroidery floss and needle, Spritzer tool, Blending pen, Ribbon, Notebook ($1 bin)


Thanks for looking! Have a great day!!

P.S. There is a great sale going on over at the Digi Shack- through the 22nd. It’s 25% off of your $10 or more purchase. The code for the discount coupon is 82994712.