WOYWW #469

Hi there and happy Wednesday! Last week the WOYWW site celebrated their nine year anniversary. That's so cool! That's nine years of peeking into other people's craft rooms and spaces. I haven't been peeking for that long, but I can tell you that everyone is so friendly and creative. It's a neat thing especially if you're looking for some inspiration.

Click on over to the Stamping Ground's site to read more about it, link up your own area or just be nosey.

Here's my desk this fabulous Wednesday morning!

I received my ATC from Sylvia/Little Treasures. Oh my! It is so pretty! I love the vintage look and especially the woman on the card. So fun! I haven't received a response from my recipient yet so I guess I need to send her a reminder. Otherwise, I may have some to swap.

Now it's your turn...click on over to visit the other deskers.

Graduation Time Everywhere Especially at FCCB

Happy Monday and welcome to another Monday challenge at the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog (FCCB)!

Challenge #327-Graduation
Make a project about Graduation.

This Weeks Prize-

  Two My Sentiments Exactly sets-Brand New!

Create a project inspired by Graduation

To qualify for the prize, be sure to use at least 1 Cricut cut on your project and if it's not obvious, let us know what cartridge you used. If you use a Cricut Explore machine, at least one cut must be from the Cricut catalog of images.

If it isn't a card, you will get two entries into the drawing!

I have been knee deep into making graduation cards so this challenge is perfect!

I probably need to change which cartridge I use because I think I always use the Create-A-Critter II cartridge. It’s definitely my go to cartridge. I used it again for this card. I layered the card base with a piece of “congratulations” paper and then this die cut image (free on Design Space) before I adhered the cute graduate doggie and the sentiment.

Quick and easy and perfect for the new graduate!

Now it's your turn, share your graduation themed projects at the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog for your chance of winning the above prize.

I'm entering this card in the Bitten By The Bug blog as well.

QQ3 Coffee Inspiration

Coffee is pumping through the blood stream this month as we celebrate more and more of it on the Quick Quotes blog. I hope you enjoyed the Coffee Lovers Bog Hop on Friday and were inspired to make your own coffee creations. If you haven't yet, I hope this project takes you there!

I decided to take my project from a card to a gift card holder. I've made these before and they are always a big hit! I mean, how can you not love getting a coffee gift card in a coffee gift card holder? I followed the instructions on Splitcoaststampers to make the gift card holder.

With the exception of the white heavy weight cardstock, this card was made with all Quick Quotes products.  I used Spring Garden SG103 patterned paper for the front of the card but before adhering it to the base, I inked all edges with Key Largo PowderPuff Chalk Ink.

The front is embellished with a 2x4 piece of Spring Garden SG102 that went through my crimper for the look and feel of corrugated cardboard. The edges were also inked with Key Largo PowderPuff Chalk Ink.

To emulate the look of a Starbucks cup, I wanted a circle embellishment so I went through my Quotes and Phrases collection and found this sentiment from the Farmhouse FA500 sheet, "Everyday you should have at least one exquisite moment." I inked the circle with Island Orange PowderPuff Chalk Ink before adhering with foam squares for a little more dimension.




Quick Quotes Products Used:
Spring Garden SG102 and SG103
Farmhouse Quotes and Phrases FA500
PowderPuff Chalk Inks Used: Key Largo and Island Orange

TGIF; Thankful Friday #44

On this TGIF; Thankful Friday, I'm thankful for the addition of a new daughter-in-law. DS1 had a civil ceremony this week and we officially welcome a new daughter-in-law.

They are getting married in Mexico but because they are US citizens, the marriage is not official in the US. Hence the need to be married here.

Here are some photos of the celebration:

I am the mother of three sons and one daughter so my DD and I have always been outnumbered by the males in our household. Now I'm happy to say that the females outnumber the males by one!

Now it's your turn...what are you thankful for this week? Please share in the comments!

QQ Coffee Lover's Blog Hop

Hi there! Quick Quotes is hosting a Coffee Lover's Blog Hop today and I hope you decide to follow along.

I love coffee but only have a few coffee themed stamps. I actually bought this one at Michael's a couple of weeks ago for 50% off!

The card is made using both sides of the Quick Quotes Whistlin' Dixie WD107 and Cool Gray PowderPuff Chalk Ink. I love the grunginess of this paper.

One thing to note, I always wanted to buy a coffee themed stamp set with mugs, coffee rings and splashes but just never got around to it. I knew I needed some "grunge" for a coffee themed card so I searched my stash and found items that are perfect for it. I love shopping my own stash - give it a try, you may already have what you think you need!

What I did:

• I cut a 4 x 5 1/4" piece of the WD107 and inked all four edges with Cool Gray PowderPuff Chalk Ink.
• Cut a 2x4" piece of the same paper but flipped it over before inking all edges with Cool Gray.
• I stamped both pieces of paper with circles and splotches stamps to emulate coffee spills.
• I stamped the coffee cup on white cardstock, solid yellow side of WD107 and WD103. Then I fussy cut each paper pieced layer. I added a heart to the coffee cozy.
• Stamped the sentiment and tied string around the 2x4 piece.

After I assembled the whole thing, I thought, "wow! That's a whole lot of yellow!" So I removed the band and added a piece of vellum over the WD107 piece (after inking the edges). Yup! Like that so much more!

Click on over to the Quick Quotes blog to see more Coffee Lover's projects!

Other Supplies:
Bloom Art Stamps Elements 2 stamps (designed by me!)
SU! Gorgeous Grunge and sentiment
Hampton Art
Vellum

WOYWW #468 & Ninth Anniversary

Happy 9th anniversary to WOYWW! I started linking with this lovely group a little bit over a year ago because I remember when they were creating their 8th anniversary ATCs.  Crazy!  Click on over to Stamping Ground to read more about it.

Here's my desk this week:

I just finished a canvas project so the supplies/materials are still scattered around. This is a busy first part of the week for me - Monday I completed the canvas; Tuesday was my son's birthday & all the kiddos came over for dinner & cake; and tonight DS1 is getting married (this will be a quickie ceremony that needs to be done before they have their wedding ceremony & celebration in Mexico). Whew!

I'm excited to work on the PIF ATC exchange for the 9th anniversary. I haven't made an ATC in years so it'll be a fun project - as you can tell from my comment that I haven't started nor do I have a plan. I will however, get it done in plenty of time!

Click on over to Stamping Ground blog to check out the spaces of such talented people from all over!

Raising Arrows Psalm 127:3-5

I was flattered to be recommended to create a canvas piece for a friend's son to give his wife for her birthday. Flattered and nervous. I mean, I like what I do, but when people give you guidelines, I always doubt that I'm giving them what they actually want. My sister settled my nerves by saying “do what you do”. He saw some of my previous work and loved it so why would I change anything? Great advice sis! So I dove into this project as if I was creating it for myself.

This piece had some specifics, but ultimately I had free artistic freedom.

It's a 16x20 canvas and full of mixed media goodies to celebrate their children & their distinct personalities.

It was based on the verses Psalm 127:3-5. They watched the movie Like Arrows and he knew he wanted a personalized pieced based on it. I’ll be honest, when I read the verse, I was like “what?!”. Then I spoke with him and he told me about the movie, etc. After that, I realized how special this piece had to be.

This photo shows the canvas at two layers:

Then I created three arrow masks and then painted white over the entire piece. Here’s how they look after I lined it with a black pencil & some water:

My first attempt of embellishing the arrows:

Then a little more embellishing:

Then I practiced with lettering and spacing:

Which all led to this:

I love the way it turned out and more importantly, the client loved it too. I wish my "hands" would've turned out a little better but I figured I probably would have made it worse if I tried to fix it.

I can't wait to hear how his wife likes it.

TGIF; Thankful Friday #43

YES! Friday is here! Are you going to watch the Royal Wedding tomorrow? I probably won't watch the whole thing, but will definitely take a peek.

This has been a busy week. It's also been a fabulous one! So this week I'm thankful that I inherited a giving heart. I was raised in a household where giving/sharing/helping others was something very normal. I never really thought much about it until this week.

Monday, I assisted my friend's graduating daughter in completing a decorated graduation cap - she was so excited!
Tuesday & Wednesday, I sat and helped my future Daughter-In-Law with a mini scrapbook album for two of her students. (Used a lot of my older stash too!)
This morning - while at Starbucks, I decided to perform a Random Act of Kindness to the person behind me in the drive thru.

I am not tooting my own horn, I'm just mentioning all these things because I feel so good today! It surely is a blessing when you are able to GIVE without expecting anything back.

I hope you get a chance to perform some kind of Random Act of Kindness this week!

Share what you're thankful for this week. I'd love to hear all about it. Maybe you were the recipient of a RAK - maybe you were the blond lady behind me at Starbucks this morning! LOL

QQ and San Antonio Again

I had so much fun finishing the layouts for my San Antonio trip. I used patterned paper from the Secret Garden collection from Quick Quotes.  This collections is so perfect for my photos since it has a Tex-Mex feel to it (or at least I think so). Before putting these layouts together, I inked the edges of all the cut paper pieces using PowderPuff Chalk Inks. The inks I used are Deep Sea, Lipstick, Cactus, Light Moss, Bermuda, Vanilla Cream and Island Orange.

I used my Cricut and the Ole cartridge to cut out the margarita, skeleton, photo mat and the piñatas. With the exception of the solid cardstocks (except the light green which is the back side of GN101), all the papers are from the Secret Garden collection. I just love the bright colors and color scheme of this paper collection.

I’m sharing three different fun and colorful layouts I made using this collection.

The first layout was made by using the back sides of GN102 and GN104. The light green paper is the backside of GN101. I started by inking with Lipstick PowderPuff Chalk Ink and it just looked too dark so I swiped Island Orange ink over the Lipstick and gave it just the right amount of color and grunginess. The light green strip is inked with Light Moss PowderPuff Chalk Ink. I used both Light Moss and Cactus PowderPuff Chalk Inks for the margarita. I love the contrast between the orange and light green papers and by adding the green strip to the left, it balances the page.

I used GN102 for the base of this layout and a strip of teal cardstock inked with Bermuda PowderPuff Chalk Ink. The red/yellow mats are inked with Lipstick and Vanilla Cream PowderPuff Chalk Inks. I layered different labels from my stash to create a base for my skeleton. Added some enamel dots and words/quote that I created myself using sticker paper and my computer. Don’t you just love that skeleton! He’s so perfect for this page!

This last layout was inked with Deep Sea around the striped base paper and Cactus PowderPuff Chalk Ink around the photo mats. I also used Deep Sea along the edges of the Texas paper.

I had a lot of fun creating these layouts for our San Antonio trip. Using the Secret Garden paper collection really made it easy. All the papers coordinate and they are so pretty! Secret Garden is the featured paper collection in May’s Club Q.

Quick Quote Products:

Secret Garden Paper Collection

PowderPuff Chalk Inks Used: Deep Sea, Lipstick, Bermuda, Light Moss, Cactus, Vanilla Cream, Island Orange

Other Products Used:

Enamel Dots by Queen and Company

Cork Arrow by Fun Stampers Journey

Solid Cardstock from my stash

Various Labels from my stash

Fine Point Sharpie

Junk Journal Project #12; Love Us

If you watched my last YouTube video, you saw a quick view of this layout made in my junk journal.  This page was another ink spray mop up and some white acrylic ink. The left side is a copy of an older art journal page. I cropped it into a thinner piece and printed it on a clear label. I've been doing a lot of that lately. I didn't do much else to the "label" except add white paint to the petals and draw a wonky border around it using a fine point Sharpie pen.

On the right side, I used yellow acrylic paint and a stencil and then used the Sharpie to better define the shapes since I obviously used too much paint with the stencil - it seeped through much more than I wanted it to.

Then I added the heart doily that was gifted to me from Rubber Paws and the picture of my daughter and I over it.

I finished the page by writing the sentiment, drawing black hearts and flicking some gold Color Silk from Fun Stampers Journey. Have I told you how much I love the Color Silk product? If you haven't tried it, I strongly recommend them. Splattering is so much fun and these little bottles help the control when doing it.

*If you are interested in Fun Stampers Journey products, go to their website and be sure to

select me, Dorlene Durham as your Journey Coach.*

Paper Bag Album Fun

Hey there! I made another paper bag album and decided to film it. I started out by placing some of my gelli prints to the album pages, front and back covers. If you have ever played with the gelli plate, you know that it's so easy to get a little carried away and make a ton of sheets. Not that I'm complaining. They are great starting points for all kinds of projects...including this one!

Once I covered all ten inside pages and both covers, I continued the mixed media fun and decorated/embellished/mixed media'd each page. The following video shows how I did it.

Take a look:

It's still not done since I need to include photos, quotes, etc. to complete the "Things I Love" mini album.

I really like how it's turning out! I may need to make more of these.

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you won't miss any of my crazy & goofy videos. All I can say is that I'm learning!

Enjoy your day!

TGIF; Thankful Friday #42

Is it Friday already? Whew! This week went by so fast. Not that I'm complaining, but wow!

This week I'm thankful for a busy schedule. Last week I brought a box of cards to work to sell. I call it a Pop Up Sale and sold quite a few, but the thing I'm mostly excited about is that many people outside of work contacted me to purchase some.

I don't necessarily do it for the money - my card rack was getting full so I knew it was time - and a few extra bucks is always nice!

Right now I've got these projects for the month:

1. Taylor Swift concert t-shirt for my granddaughter
2. Mother's Day gift
3. Commissioned canvas for a friend's son
4. Baby shower centerpieces (baby Minnie Mouse)
5. Two DT projects for Quick Quotes

I'm super busy and thankful to be busy!

Junk Journal Project #11

I messed around with my Junk Journal again this weekend.  I added some new splash sprays that I purchased from Fun Stampers Journey to the gelli printed paper in the journal.  The colors are so fun and bright. I added some white thick bodied acrylic paint that I purchased from Hobby Lobby on clearance (how does paint go on clearance?) and a handmade stencil. Then used some black (clearance) acrylic paint stripes on the upper right side. Hand wrote the words with a fine point Sharpie pen.

Added some color silk splatters in gold and cool pool to complete the project.

I’m telling you, if you haven’t started a junk journal yet, you just gotta! It’s so fun since there’s no pressure - I mean it’s all junk!

If you’re interested in Fun Stampers Journey products, go to their website and be sure to select me as your Journey Coach. If you have any questions, leave me a comment and I'll get back to you.

Don't forget to check out my new YouTube channel. It’s under my name “Dorlene Durham” and I’m really trying to post videos at least two times a month. FUN! If there’s anything you’d like to see me do, please let me know.

Have an amazing day!

TGIF; Thankful Friday #41

I know, I know, it's already Monday, but I missed my Friday post but I didn't want to stop being thankful.

I am thankful for my baby girl, Gracie. She's our border collie mix and she's a spaz! I really mean it, she is hilarious and nutty but also so smart and loving. It's so amazing how much personality dogs can have. I'm thankful for her because she brightens my day when I come home from work because she's so super excited to see me. She does her stretches when I'm doing mine. She wants to eat when I eat. (yeah, she's a chunkster just like me) She's my road trip partner when driving around town and now that hubby's home, she's his full time buddy.

QQ May Monthly Challenge

Hi there it’s my turn to host the Monthly Challenge for May on the Quick Quotes blog. I’d like to challenge you to use a 3D element in your project this month. It can be any project from a scrapbook layout, card or anything else you are inspired to create.

I created a card which I will be giving to my friend’s daughter for her graduation. I love this quote from the Farmhouse FA500 sheet, “You were made for amazing things.” I cut this from the full 12x12 sheet, inked with Cool Gray PowderPuff Chalk Ink and attached to the inked and layered patterned papers. The papers for this card is the front and back sides of the Spring Showers SG102. I inked each piece with Tropical Punch and Island Orange PowderPuff Chalk Inks.

The curved floral piece, butterflies, and pearls were all from one of the kits in the March Club Q. I inked each butterfly with either Vanilla Cream, Tropical Punch or Island Orange PowderPuff Chalk inks and then placed a flat back pearl to each. The larger butterfly is attached in the center (body) to allow the wings to be up.

The Tropical Punch butterfly is adhered flat on one side and wings up on the other. Before adhering the panel to the card base, I wrapped some natural twine around it and tied a three loop bow.

This card had no stamping, just QQ products. I think it’s so pretty and I love the sentiment!

Now it’s your turn, create a project using a 3D element and link it to the Quick Quotes May monthly challenge.

Have fun!

PowderPuff Chalk Inks Used:
Cool Gray
Island Orange
Tropical Punch
Vanilla Cream

WOYWW #465

Happy WOYWW!

My daughter and I are packing for our annual Scrapbooking Retreat this weekend! Woo Hoo! Even though I just came back from a weeks vacation, it's still good to leave the rest of the world behind.

Since we're packing, there isn't too much going on with my work desk, so I thought I'd post a photo of the new curtains that I made for the Command Center.

I have to admit, I've had a sheet over my window for way too long knowing I needed to put curtains up. I just couldn't find anything I wanted for this room and the sheet did it's job. I saw these Bohemian style curtains using ribbons, material and other goodies and liked them, but who has that kind of time?

But when my daughter decided to switch out her old curtains, I couldn't waste all that material, so I started tearing strips for this purpose. Then I replaced the curtains in my bedroom, hello more strips! And the rest is history. I grabbed old ribbons that I was going to give away, some big beads, and just scrap material that was taking up space.

I love the look and its so perfect for this artsy, crafty room. Even hubby likes it!

Wednesday is the day that many people share their crafty areas on the Stamping Ground website. Click on over there for more details regarding WOYWW and to take a peek into workspaces. It's a lot of fun and very inspirational.

Creative With Stamps; May Challenge

I can't believe it's May already! Wow, time is flying by and Mother's Day is right around the corner. Which brings me to the May challenge at Creative With Stamps:

Sponsor:

Prize:

3 MHKDesigns 

Products of your Choice

I received these gorgeous images from our sponsor. These images are not something I would normally use and that's why I WANTED to use them.

I arranged the image and sentiment on my computer before printing them onto white cardstock. Once I did that, I pulled out my pastel chalks and an eyeshadow applicator to color the image. I used a gold marker and white pen to embellish the image as well as flat back pearls. Once the image was complete, I printed an extra image on white copy paper to use as a mask. After fussy cutting her out, I placed the mask over the colored image and sentiment using repositionable adhesive.

I stamped two different background stamps with two different colored inks over the entire piece. Once I did that, I splattered gold, black and sparkle silk all over.

Matted with white cardstock and then a pink card base.

I absolutely LOVE how it turned out! Now it's your turn, click on over to the Creative With Stamps website to join the challenge!

Stamps Used for Background:
Floral Lace
French Script

Inks:
SU! Apricot Appeal
CTMH Champagne

Splatters:
Fun Stampers Journey Gold, Black Licorice & Sparkle Color Silks