Sweet One (DTC #18) Favors

All of a sudden I know a lot of ladies having babies and two of them just happen to be coworkers.  We are having a small gathering for the mommy-to-be on Thursday so I came up with these "Sweet One" favors for my coworkers.  If you recall, last month they got the cute mason jar cups and decorated straws and now they get these cute little treats.  Lucky ladies!  Lucky they have a coworker who loves crafting and others who keep having babies!  LOL

These little cuties are so easy to make.  They start with a 2x7 piece of cardstock or thick patterned paper, some scoring, a punched hole on top and viola!  Leave me a comment if you'd like the scoring measurements.



Please join us on the Decorate to Celebrate challenge #18 site starting today. Entries should be anything but cards used for parties and celebrations.  If you are like me, there's a party every time you turn around.  Whether it's a birthday, new baby or new bride & groom, celebrations are all around us.  Thank goodness for that!

I hope you join us with your own project or just to browse what the linkers are doing.  Leave a comment or two - everyone loves comments.

Until next time...party on!!

Stamp is an oldie but goodie from Stampin' Up!  It fits perfectly with their scalloped punch.  I paper pieced it to give it some more colors - you could also use markers to get the same effect.  It's hard to tell, but I put some wink of stella glitter on the stars.

Gearing Up For The End of ICADS; Week 8

Week Eight!
Prompt #50 Paisley (Rubber Paws saved me again)

Prompt #51 Purple (this gorgeous little flower is on the newest stamp set from Bloom Arts)

Prompt #52 Staircase but I switched to Stairway (recognize the song lyric?)

Prompt #53 Fortune (an actual fortune I received - do you do that?  Save fortunes from your cookies?) I created this piece by using highlighters at work.

 

FOM Article; Bloom Arts

Check out this article on Bloom Arts featuring me and the Flower of the Month pieces I've done.  I can't believe it's been a year already!  I'm having so much fun working with these digi stamps.

BLOOM ARTS INTERVIEW

I'd love to hear what you think.  I actually sound like I know what I'm talking about.  LOL

These are a couple of my favorites:

See the above link to see all 12 months of pieces.

FOM Article; Bloom Arts

Check out this article on Bloom Arts featuring me and the Flower of the Month pieces I've done.  I can't believe it's been a year already!  I'm having so much fun working with these digi stamps.

BLOOM ARTS INTERVIEW

I'd love to hear what you think.  I actually sound like I know what I'm talking about.  LOL

These are a couple of my favorites:

See the above link to see all 12 months of pieces.

You Can Never Have Too Many Cards

One of the best ideas I've had is to keep a sheet of cardstock to the side when mopping up ink, paints, markers, etc from other projects.  I have used these colorful pieces for so many of my creations.  It's a time saver and inspiration for new projects.

I've been trying to replenish my card rack these past few weeks & have been successful.  Many of these cards were made using these two new stamp sets from Bloom Art Stamps:

Awesome, right?

Now check out the newest cards:

How cute is this couple?  The added sequins give this card some pop!

 I don't know if you can tell, but I followed the Mix-Ability weekly challenge on Splitcoaststampers using non-descript handwriting on the background (MIX186).  I used a gray pen so it wasn't too dark.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how this card turned out!

Using the MISTI for these solid black images is perfect.  I had to go over the bird three times to get a good solid image.  It would have been impossible without the MISTI.  I'm entering this card in the August Mixed Media challenge on Happy Little Stampers.  The theme is metallic and those gold paint splatters make it perfect for this challenge.  Click HERE to see the other entries and be inspired!

The blackberry bliss ink from SU! Is so pretty and the little bit of gold on the top left makes this card so yummy!  Yup, I said yummy.  LOL

Supplies:
Stamps:  Just Rite, Bloom Arts, Unity

ICADS: Finishing Week 7

I can see the finish line!  Only two more weeks to go!  Although I love the prompts and challenges, I'm getting tired of creating index cards.  LOL

Index cards to complete Week 7:
Prompt #47; monochromatic
I chose pink.  I swiped four different color pink ink pads (CTMH & SU!) with a sponge across the card.  I then stamped the image with black ink.  I stamped another image on white cardstock and colored. Cute, huh?

Prompt#48; Aurora Borealis or Aurora Australis (I had to look this one up - Northern or Southern Lights)  At first I thought, yeah right, I'll change the prompt, but then I thought heck, I'll give it a try.  I don't know if this does those amazing lights any justice, but it was still fun to create.  I stamped the silhouette flowers on the card, sprayed blue and purple ink sprays all over.  Then I grabbed a bright green watercolor marker and spritzed it to death with water.  I added the blue/purple marker under it.  I was amazing when it was wet, but dried a little dull.  But I still like it.

Prompt #49; Superhero; Self explanatory.  Supplies:  black sharpie marker, yellow watercolor marker, blue watercolor marker (with water brush), white signo pen for dots.

Well people, I finally broke down and purchased a Gelli Plate.  I'm super excited about playing with it.  I ordered it yesterday and hope to get it by next week.  I've been wanting one, checked out Youtube videos and some blogs and even had a dream about playing with it.  (Yeah, weird, I know)  I had a $30 gift card so I decided to buy one along with a few other things.  SO EXCITED!!  So I'm giving you a warning, you may see lots of gelli prints in the near future.  Smile!

WOYWW #377

Happy Hump Day!
What's on my desk, you ask?

These little squares were given to me and sat in a plastic bag for years.  I pulled them out a week or so ago to make some cards, and decided to make some more.  I will do some mixed media background on these and then make these the centerpiece of some cards.  Click here to see what I did earlier with them.

I'll post the finished cards later.

Every Wednesday, I get to take a peek into people's work areas from all over the world.  Stamping Ground is the starting point.  Join the fun and take a peek.  If you feel inclined, join the link and add a photo of your work desk/area/room or just comment on the other linkers.  This is a lot of fun and a great place for inspiration.

In fact, this is silly, but as I peeked, I noticed that someone had their pink ATG gun resting on it's top and thought, "oh, that's how it's supposed to sit".  You know I didn't figure that one out on my own.  So simple, but so helpful!  LOL

Click on over to the WOYWW now.

ICAD Week 7

Prompt #43
Mint (Supplies: ink pad, glimmer mist, markers, wink of Stella, script stamp)

Prompt #44
Rainbow-Making Machine (WHAT?!?). I just did my own here.  (Supplies: clean off index card, variety of inks, acrylic and watercolor paints, water, dragonfly stamp, sentiment stamp.)

Prompt #45
Play on Words (Supplies: stencil, acrylic paint, inks, stamps, paint spray)

Prompt #46

Lighthouse (Supplies: blue glimmer mist, white spray paint, markers, ink, stamp)

Many of these stamps are from Rubber Paws, Unity, Bloom Arts and Stampin' Up.

FUN!!

Take a Break!

Does your body just tell you, Take a Break?  Well mine did this weekend.  I came home from work early on Friday because I was so exhausted and a little lightheaded.  I came home, took my blood pressure and took a two hour nap.  Even after that I wasn't feeling well.  I decided to call my doctor since I started taking some new meds and thought I may be having a reaction.  Yup, all my symptoms were a result of an allergic reaction to the meds.  So, I stopped immediately.  After resting Friday evening, all day Saturday and today, I feel so much better.

Bad meds and super busy schedule don't mix.

I was able to enjoy the granddaughters birthday and took a couple of photos of her opening the gift Carly got her.  She loves the show Supernatural almost as much as Carly and I do.  She says Dean is her boyfriend and Sam is Carly's.

Love these!

ICADs: Finishing Week 6

Another week down.  I'm struggling to get these done daily and my house shows it.  I really need to do some cleaning LOL!  Starting next week, I'm going to complete a couple (or more) per day for only two - three days per week.

It seems strange that it takes away from my housework since these cards are quick to do.  Basically I'm procrastinating.  There never seems to be enough time in the day.  I can't wait until I can retire.  I really just want to be a starving artist.  :)

Prompt#40; Surfboard
I really wanted to do something cartoonish, but I didn't like my first try.  Hey, live and learn.  That's what's cool about this ICAD challenge.  Hey, it's an index card.  If you don't like it chuck it!  But I kept on it until I ended with something I like.
I drew the surfboard with a pineapple and just colored it with markers.  I spritzed with water and added some highlights.  Then I added some marks using the Elements stamp set from Bloom Arts (previously Lila Grey Stamps).  Added some black marks and now I do.

Prompt#41; Longitude & Latitude
I decided to go to Paris.  My son's girlfriend loves the Eiffel Tower so I figured since I did a card for Krystal, I may as well do one for Melina.  Although I have an Eiffel Tower stamp, I thought I'd hand draw this one.  What the heck, right?  Painted the night sky with watercolor paint.  Click HERE to see the YouTube video by K Werne.  I LOVE how it turned out and it's so easy!

Prompt#42; Yellow
Since yellow is one of my favorite colors, I was really excited about starting this one!  I used yellow markers, yellow acrylic paint and yellow distress spray and a stencil.  I hand drew the banana and then used a brown marker to outline it.  Using a waterbrush, I blended brown, yellow and white paints to complete the banana then cut out the sentiment.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to do a minion, submarine, or banana but I think I made the right choice.

Let's see what's in store for Week Seven.

Side Note:  I really, really love all three of the Elements stamp sets from Lila Grey (Bloom Arts).  These marking stamps are so popular right now, and it's easy to tell why.  I use them in about everything that I do.  Check them out HERE and purchase a set or two!

Filling the Card Rack?

Never mind the Design Team responsibilities, never mind the ICAD challenges or any other challenges, I just needed to play in the Command Center tonight.
I noticed that my card rack was getting pretty sparse, so I decided to make some cards!  Although I love making unique one of a kind cards, it really is more practical to make duplicates.  I mean, why not?  The supplies are already out...crank out two or more at a time!
I received these 2.5 x 2.5 inch pieces of chipboard from Rubber Paws.  You know the story, "knew I needed them, but still haven't used them yet".  Well, I had a bunch of ink sprays out and happened to think of them.  I covered a couple in gesso and then just spritzed away.
Really simple, but oh so pretty!

I am definitely going to make more of these!

Color directly on the sunflower stamp with watercolor tombow markers.  Spritz with water & stamp.  I was able to get two good prints per application.
More watercolor for the background and droplets.  I liked it but didn't love it.  You know the feeling, right?  So, I grabbed my handy dandy fine point BIC pen and started outlining the stamped image with light and fancy lines.  LOVE IT!  Added some washi tape and there you go.

Three out of four cards were given out already; cupcake card to a coworker cupcake with 23 candles to my daughter, sunflower card to another coworker on medical leave.
So much for filling the rack! 


Cupcake from Bloom Art Stamps (previously known as Lila Grey Stamps)
Sunflower stamp and the square chipboard pieces were from Rubber Paws

Sweetest Day Ever!

Since I just started to be on the Design Team for Decorate to Celebrate, I needed to come up with a project for this week's challenge.  Well, I bought the cheese/apples/crackers "bento" box at Starbucks.  After eating the goodies, I tossed the container.  Then I thought, WAIT A MINUTE!  So I grabbed it out of my trash and thought, I can use this.  I made this for my granddaughter - just a little something extra for her 6th birthday.

I cleaned it out and removed the labels.  (Goo Gone works amazing!). Then I bought some candy at our grocery store.  Filled the container, added a ribbon and some embellishments and viola!

Here's a photo of the container with the candy.

Side View:

Top View:

Super cute, right?!

Please join the newest challenge on the Decorate to Celebrate challenge site.  We prefer "Anything but Cards" on this challenge site.  Decorate to Celebrate

Simply Charmed Cricut Cartridge (I found this on the clearance rack at Joanne's for $10 --- SCORE!)
Base Patterned Paper is American Crafts
Other Papers are scraps from my scrap pile
Label Punch from SU!

Week 6

Alright, I need to be honest, I really thought, ok...I'm done.  This 61 day challenge is taking forever.  But then I layed out all the cards that I finished and got inspired again.  :).

Prompt #36
Crystal or Prism
This one is funny.  My future daughter-in-law's name is Krystal.  So, this card is a tribute to her.  She loves giraffes so that was my inspiration on this one.

I used two different blue acrylic paints and just applied directly to the card.  Added lines of a darker blue and white with the edge of a credit card.  I stamped the giraffes on a separate piece of cardstock and colored using a Spectrum Noir pen and brown tombow marker.  Stamped sentiment (SU!)

Prompt #37
Meditation
I don't meditate, but I do pray.

I drew these mandalas earlier.  I painted over them with white gesso.  Then I used a stencil and Ranger orange spray.  Then I grabbed another stencil and went over it with another Ranger purple spray.  Added white droplets (seems to be my fallback move) and handwrote "pray everyday".  I love how this background turned out.

Prompt#38
Folk Art
I checked out Pinterest for some folk art images and then just kind of went for it.  I noticed that one of my stems looked like the ASL sign for "I Love You" so I drew fingers on it for a tribute to my father.  I miss him so much.

I drew the design with a pencil and then filled in with markers.  Then I used black watercolor paint around the flowers and stems.  Handwrote "love you" with a white Signo marker.

Prompt #39

Lens

I went with the obvious, a camera.  I just smoothed red and pink paint on the index card, added white droplets and then used a Sharpie marker to draw the camera and write "smile".  Simple

So there you go, halfway done with Week #6.  Have you started the challenge?  I'd love to hear about it if you are going for it.  It really is a lot of fun and since you are only challenging yourself, you can use the prompts or not and really stop whenever you want to.  Go HERE to read more about it.  Have fun!

ICAD; Finishing Week 5

Prompt #32
Magic

Very simple card.  I squished watered down red, orange and yellow acrylic paint and then stamped the image directly on the card.  I stamped it on white cardstock and then added the red glitter; fussy cut an adhered on card.  Drew border lines and wrote the sentiment.

Prompt #33
Statue of Liberty
I just added paint to the card in random places.  Stamped the fireworks and then left it there.  Dug in my stash of stickers and found this overlay of her.  Perfect!!  I stapled the corners and added silver paint to the fireworks.

Prompt #34
Sunflower
I added watercolor markers to the stamp and spritzed with water.  Added some highlights and painted around the flower with blue paint.

Oh, I almost forgot about the black drops to add some texture.  I also flicked some water on the page to get some puddles.

Week Six...Here I come!