Beach Babe

I live in the United States and the Fourth of July is tomorrow.  We actually already started celebrating by going to see fireworks tonight.  So with that in mind, I decided to pull in some patriotic colors and stars on today's card...Beach Hat Ava put on her star bathing suit, grabbed her striped towel and she is heading to the beach!

My card is based on the final Card Patterns sketch - #172.  I will miss Card Patterns, my Saturday mornings will not be the same without it.  I may not have found time to play along each week, but the sketches were always inspiring and I have been introduced to so many wonderful crafters thru CP.  Fingers crossed that they pass the torch to a new team!

My card is also for the Simon Says Stamp - Sporty and/or Patriotic challenge. 

Plus, the Outlawz 2,000 Member party continues and the deadline to play along has been extended.  The Copic / Promarker challenge is to create something that represents where you are from.  Ava represents the USA and the beach - I live in Connecticut which has one border that is shoreline.  The beach is about 1/2 an hour away!

Smiles,
Julie

Details:  Image - Whimsie Doodles Beach Hat Ava, CS - PTI and SU, Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug, PP - October Afternoon, Sentiment - SRM Sticker.

Reindeer Games

Are you ready for a game?  This week's Christmas Stampin' All Year Long challenge is TIC-TAC-TOE - use 3 in a row on a Christmas crafty project and you may just win a prize from the Digi Doodle Shop!!!

I was lucky enough to get to play with with image Cecil Wrapped Up from the Digi Doodle Shop!

Do you see how I got Tic Tac Toe? I admit, a little subtle, but there is yellow in there, a button and the sentiment is an SRM sticker!

My card is based on Card Patterns sketch #169.

Be sure to check out the rest of the CSAYL team's creations for inspiration and then get crafting!

Smiles,
Julie

Details: Image - Digi Doodle Shop (Cecil Wrapped Up), CS - PTI, Button and Ribbon (PTI), PP - Cosmo Cricket, and copics.

A Smile Sort of Card

I have another new cute Whimsie Doodles image to share with you today...let me introduce "Lady Bug Day"!

This is the sort of image that could be used for so many occasions or just to send a smile!  I definitely need to send out more cards to say "hi".

   

My card is based on Card Patterns sketch #168.  Always good sketches to be found there.

Smiles,
Julie

Details:  Image - Lady Bug Day (Whimsie Doodles), CS - PTI, Ink - Momento, Sentiment - Harold's Alphabet (Lawn Fawn), Ribbon - PTI, Copics and Cuttlebug embossing folder.

Just Ribbon

This week's Christmas Stampin' All Year Long challenge is to use ribbon as the only embellishment.

We are sponsered by Limited Runs Digis!

Check out Little Santa from Limited Runs Digis.

(click on the picture to see a clear photo - why does blogger make my photos a little blurry???!!!)

 I was inspired to create a banner of santas after seeing Amy Tsuruta's canning jar banner card through the Three Cool Chicks Workshop - it's a free workshop with project ideas for the latest trends - go check it out! 

My card is based on sketch #165 from Card Patterns.

Be sure to check out the rest of the CSAYL team's fab creations! Then play along...I see ribbon in your future!

Smiles,
Julie

Details: Image - Limited Run Digis (Little Santa), Senitment - Verve, CS - PTI and Ribbon - SU and stash.

CSAYL - Recipe Challenge

How about some Christmas cheer? 

It is time for another Christmas Stampin' All Year Long challenge and this week we are looking for you to follow a recipe.  It is an easy one, I promise, you do not even have to go to the kitchen to join in the fun.

We are sponsered by Limited Run Digis!

 

The recipe challenge is:

1 image

2 patterened papers

3 embellishments

I combined Chilly Owl from Limited Runs Digis, with 2 different Basic Grey patterened papers, then added in ribbon, a button and embroidery floss to come up with this...

 

My card is based on sketch #156 from Card Patterns.

Be sure to check out the rest of the CSAYL team's fab creations!  Then play along...I can't wait to see what you cook up!!!

Smiles,
Julie

Details:  Image - Limited Run Digis (Chilly Owl), Senitment - PTI, PP - Basic Grey, CS - PTI and SU, Button - PTI, copics, ink - SU, ribbon and embroidery floss.

Christmas Bauble

It has been too long since I played along with Card Patterns.  Each week I put together a "wish list" and then WISH I could finish every challenge on it!  This week I actually found time and put together something on the CAS side using Whimsie Doodles' Reindeer Bauble.

(Card Patterns sketch #146)

All my cards are now in the mail, including this one - phew, I am definitely avoiding the last minute card rush next year. 

Smiles,

Julie

Details:  Image - (Reindeer Bauble) Whimsie Doodles, Ink - SU, CS - PTI, PP - DCWV, Button - PTI, copics and twine.

My Own Bloom

Ribbon
+
lots of Glue
+
6 Pearls
=
1 homemade bloom

Yes, I made my own flower!  And I have Erum Tasneem and Yvonne Yam to thank for it.  Erum is a guest blogger on Yvonne Yam's blog and she issued the challenge to create a flower.  She has a quick pic tutorial and I followed that to get this...

Now, at first I was a bit intimidated, because I have tried making flowers before.  Then I read what Yvonne thinks makes her Moxie Fab (yes, we all knew it, but now it is official - see here) and I decided I should give it a try.  Plus it was midnight and I was wide awake, so why not?  My finished product is certainly not my normal style, but I had fun and it really felt good to get out of my comfort zone.  I do know that I really should look for those Cosmo Cricket Glubers if I want to make more of these ribbon blooms, I imagine that it would have made the process even quicker (not that it really took that long at all).

My card is based on Card Patterns sketch #131 it really felt like the sketch was made for my giant bloom!  It is also for the latest Paper Players' Challenge, Birthdays - challenge #62.
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamps - Verve, Ribbon - May Arts (courtesy of Leigh Ann Baird - thank you for the ribbon!!!), lace from stash, Pearls - Michael's, twine - stash, Ink - PTI and SU, plus lots of adhesive.

Sewing Past and Present

A Little Tykes picnic table in the basement is where I started off sewing on my cards.  Okay, it's a finished basement, but the picnic table is really small ;>) Now, I can't stop sewing and the sewing machine is right next to my crafting supplies.  If you do not see sewing on one of my cards it is either because a) I was too tired to change the thread color or b) I made a conscience effort to fight temptation!
Today's card from the present has just a bit of sewing on it.  I really wanted to sew the scallops on and then could not stop, so I added a bit around the edges.

This cute little bunny, Clementine, is from Stamp Fairy.  The latest challenge from Stamp Fairy is "for the girls" and really, how sweet is Clementine with her bows?!
I took sketch #111 from Card Patterns and moved the sentiment.
This card is also for the latest guest designer challenge from Tesa Broman on Yvonne Yams blog "Do More with Less" - this time around it is to color.  You should really just pop over to see Tesa's creations, she makes it look so easy.
Now it is time for a blast from the past.  Flashback Friday's 10.0 challenge is to re-post your first card with sewing on it.  I knew immediately which card was my first, and the title of that post, "Do Not Try This at Home", should be a clue as to why I will never forget that card.  I sewed the card shut!!!  I ended up matting it on a different card base, but I learned my lesson and always sew the layers before putting the card together.

Have a wonderful week and hopefully you find time to play along with these fun challenges!
Smiles,
Julie
Details for first card:  Image - Clementine (Stamp Fairy), Sentiments - Verve and Lawn Fawn, PP - Hopscotch (Basic Grey), CS - Aqua Mist and Kraft (PTI), Buttons (PTI), and copics.

Flying into Spring

It was windy but sunny all weekend in the northeast, the perfect kind of weather for Fhiona to fly a kite!

This card is all courtesy of October Afternoon's "Modern Homemaker" paper, which I received in the mail on Friday from Laurel Seabrook (thank you!).  I won the paper when Laurel was a guest designer on Yvonne Yam's blog and issued a challenge to paper piece.  Well, I could not help but paper piece away on this card too :>)  Such fun paper and with Fhiona from Your Next Stamp I could not resist creating a little scene.  The text PP mat was cut out with the PTI Mat Stack 5 die.  I trimmed off the bottom of the die cut to turn it into a tag. 

I used sketch #109 from Card Patterns and added some stitching, which is the current Your Next Stamp challenge (#39).
Plus, Wee Memories' Challenge #50 is "color inspiration".  Well, Aqua Mist is my color inspiration because it goes with everything!  Add red to it and life is good.  Whenever I am in a crafting slump, pulling out my favorite color just makes creating so much easier.  
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamp:  Kite Flying Fiona (Your Next Stamp), PP - Modern Homemaker (October Afternoon), CS - Ivory (PTI), Twill- Aqua Mist (PTI), Button - Aqua Mist (PTI), Ink - Tuxedo Black and Ladybug Red (Momento), scallop punch, Twine - (PTI), Copics, and die - Mat Stack 5 (PTI).

Make Believe

Little boys have the biggest imaginations.  I love listening to my sons talk to one another and make up stories.  My sons learned about the planets and outer space in pre-school and they constantly talk about taking a rocket to the moon.  When I saw "Space Boy" from Your Next Stamp I had to have it.  Plus, my supply of "boy" stamps needed some expanding!

How cute is the little astronaut?!!!  He is perfect for a birthday card and this one will be heading to a 4 year old.   I combined quite a few great challenges for my card:

Card Patterns - Sketch 108
Embellish Magazine - Colors and Masculine Theme
Your Next Stamp Challenge - Make it Sparkle (the stars are colored in with a clear Copic Spica)
Desert Island Crafts - Challenge #4 This time around the itinerary includes, buttons, a celestial theme, and fibers - I used thread on the button ;>)

Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamps - Space Boy (YNS), CS - Pure Poppy, Spring Moss and Spring Rain (PTI) & Grey (SU), Button - Pure Poppy (PTI), Ink - Tuxedo Black (Momento), Copics, Spica Copic, embossing folders (Cuttlebug), and dimensionals.

Easter Tree

Like almost everyone out there, I am ready for Spring.  The idea of an Easter egg tree popped into my head and the only problem was that I did not have any "egg" stamps.  That was until I turned the leaves and wings from PTI's Everyday Button Bits into eggs. 

My card uses sketch #105 from Card Patterns.  All that distressing is for PTI's Distressing Edges Make it Monday challenge.  Plus, I am playing along with Desert Islands Crafts Challenge #3 - I took the following 3 from the itinerary:  a square card, distressing, and no sentiment.  You have to go check out the full list for Desert Islands - the challenge is a recipe of sorts, but you only need to choose 3 items.  Fun, fun, fun!!!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamps- Falling Leaves and Everyday Button Bits (PTI), Ink - SU and PTI, CS - PTI, Button - PTI, Embossing folders - Swiss Dots (Cuttlebug) and Plaid (Sizzix), Punch - Martha Stewart, Twill - PTI and embroidery floss - DMC.

Patterned Paper x 8 and a RAK

Yep, there are 8 different patterned papers on this one :>)  I could not resist - once I got started I just kept adding.  I know it would be more impressive if all the papers were not from the same pack, but I sometimes (ok, honesty here, ALWAYS) find it hard to mix manufacturers.  I was so happy with myself last week when I switched up the manufacturers on the Eat Cake card.
So anyway, this is what I came up with...

My card is based on this week's Card Pattern's sketch #99 found here.  I resisted the urge to stitch away on this one since I am earmarking this as a "guy" get well card.  The image is from the Cat's Pajamas set You Sick Thing.  This is where a HUGE THANK YOU comes in.  I picked up the stamp set, ribbon, ric rac and 13 sheets of patterned paper when I went on a shopping spree with an All That Scraps gift certificate that I won from Tasha of Millie's Magical Moments.  Here is a pic of everything.

Thank you for being so generous Tasha!!!  I had fun shopping and got some great bargains :>)Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Image - You Sick Thing (TCP), PP - Blue Mat Stack (MME), CS - White (PTI), Copics, a brad and Ink - Black (Momento).

Catching Best Fishes

I have had the image on today's card colored up and waiting for the perfect sketch.  I took this week's Card Pattern's sketch #97 and grunged it up a bit for a "guy" card. 

When I first saw the swordfish image from Amber Ink's Fish Wishes set I knew it would be perfect for Birthday cards for some of the fishers in my family.  This is one versatile set that works for quite a few holidays (including Valentine's Day) and would be great for so many occasions.

Lots of dimension on this one with the frame and image popped up on dimensionals.  I also could not resist adding a hook that I made out of craft wire (yay, finally using wire that I bought and never took out of the package). 

Here is the Card Pattern's sketch, be sure to check out the blog for all the details.
Smiles,
Julie
Details - Image and Sentiment- Fish Wishes (AmberInk), PP - Oliver (Basic Grey), CS - Black (PTI), embroidery floss, wire - Making Memories, and tons of sewing, plus copics.

Today's Penguin - Baby Slusser With Gift

Today is the second preview day for the November Inktegrity release.  Slusser is back and this time we are flashing back to when he was a baby.  Here is "Baby Slusser With Gift"...

Awww, he was a cute baby!  Do you see that cute hat?  I used flock for the first time - what fun!  Just a wee bit messy, but so worth it!  There was a mini baby boom amongst my cousins this past summer and there are quite a few 1st Christmases to be celebrated.  Baby Slusser is perfect for that occasion, but he would also be fun for any age.  For a chance to win him head on over to the Inktegrity Blog and leave a comment.
My card is based on this week's Card Pattern's sketch found HERE.

Be sure to visit the rest of the Design Team and say "Hi!".

Monica

Joni {owner}

Diane

Kristy

Candy

Becca

Tammylee

Jessy
Divya

Stop back tomorrow to see Slusser's sister who is ready for the snow!

Smiles,
Julie

Details:  Image - Baby Slusser With Gift (Inktegrity), Sentiment - computer generated, CS (PTI & GKD), Buttons and Ribbon (PTI), Copics, Flock - Stampendous and Embossing Folders Cuttlebug and Sizzix.

Togetherness + Me = Happy

I gave in to temptation.  I think it had something to do with the fact that it was the middle of the night and I could not sleep.  I was flipping thru my e-mails and saw that there was free shipping on Two Peas.  I popped over to the store and was casually looking around when I saw what I have been coveting for what must be months now...Cosmo Cricket Togetherness!  Yes, I have seen it on many of your blogs and it called out to me.  I have been trying to use up my stash though, so I told myself that I could not have it.  3 am and free shipping changed all that.

Togetherness may just be my new favorite from CC.  Or close competition for Early Bird.  There are great patterns, plus a soft aqua throughout (my favorite color), and just enough whimsy...I am so glad that I gave in!

Now on to what inspired this card.  I started out making a card for the latest guest blogger challenge on Yvonne Yam's blog Do More With Less - ribbon.  Well, I have wanted to incorporate more buttons with a ruffled ribbon, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity.  I failed to read the fine print however (or I forgot the fine print) - no stamping!!!  Yikes, that really is a challenge and I failed :>(  That does not mean that you still can't give it a try so head on over there and see what you can put together by noon on Friday Nov. 5th.
My card is also for the following challenges:

Card Patterns - sketch
Paper Players - Anything Goes
Wee Memories - Anything Goes
Have a great Friday!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamp - Many Blessings (Verve), PP - Togetherness (Cosmo Cricket), CS - Vintage Cream (PTI), Buttons - Ocean Tides (PTI), Copics, Ink - Blue Bayou & Chocolate Chip (SU), thread and embroidery floss.

Flowers

Have you noticed fan fold flowers everywhere?  I keep seeing them all over the place so I had to give it a go.

Regardless of the outcome, it is good to try something new!  If you are interested in giving one a try yourself head on over to SCS and check out the tutorial.

This card is for Yvonne Yam's guest blogger challenge from Sherryann Eckblad - to make your own flower (check her stuff out - fab flowers are to be found).  It is also uses sketch #86 from Card Patterns.
Smiles,
Julie
Details - Stamp - Moments (LPS), PP - Retired SU, CS - White and Terracotta Tile (PTI), Brad - Making Memories, Ribbon - Stash and Ink - Really Rust (SU) and some chalk ink.

Clean Fall Card

Well I said I was not going to do it, but I saw the color challenge this week on LPS and then I saw the latest Card Patterns sketch, and well, that was it.  I made a card to match my pumpkin box from earlier this week.

The Little Paper Shop's color challenge this week is Green, Orange and Yellow - I threw in some brown to go with all those fall colors.  Add in a LPS quote (there are so many great LPS quote sets)  and Card Pattern's sketch #84, which is a goodie - here it is so you can play along too.
Smiles,
Julie

Got Milk?

I got buttons, cake, Inktegrity, and Perfect Presentation!
First up is a card full of buttons.  It is for this week's challenge on the Inktegrity Challenge Blog, "Anything Goes"!  Now, I know you can all play along with that one :>)  When you create something new this week link it up {here} and you may win 3 digi images from the Inktegrity Store!!!  While you are over at the challenge blog linking up your creation be sure to become a follower.  If you are a follower, you will be able to see more of the creations by the Inktegrity Fall Design Team, which includes myself (thanks for asking me Joni!!!  She makes my super sweet crafter list every time!)!!!  Check out my sidebar to see who else is on the team and be sure to send them some smiles today!

The image on my card is the Butterfly from Inktegrity.  I am a huge fan of butterflies lately and if you have been following, then you know I like to put a single button for the body of each.  Well, the best thing about digis is that I can make the butterfly as big as I want and for this one, I made it large enough to have 3 buttons for the body.  My card also uses this week's Card Patterns sketch #81- a good one as always!

You know how I like to coordinate, so now on to the cake, which matches my card...

One of the new Perfect Presentation templates is a mini cake stand.  I think Leigh Ann had cupcakes in mind when she designed it, but I decided to put this template to the test, by increasing the size to hold a 6" round cake...

it worked!

The directions suggest 4 -6 "legs" to the pedestal, so I went with 6 to be safe.  This cake was heavy (I always torte and fill), but the cake stand had no problem holding up.  I wouldn't recommend cutting the cake while still on the stand, but it created a "Perfect Presentation"!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Card - Image - Butterfly (Inktegrity), CS - Ocean Tides (PTI) & purple in color (SU), PP - (We R Memory Keepers), Buttons - Ocean Tides (PTI) and embroidery floss.
Stand - Template - Mini Cake Stand - scallops come with svg (Perfect Presentation), CS - Ocean Tides (PTI) & purple in color (SU), PP - (We R Memory Keepers), Buttons - Ocean Tides (PTI)

Fall Colors Continued

Fall truly is my favorite season of the year with pumpkin patches and leaves all around (obviously it's my husband who rakes 'em).  I am ready to jump right into Autumn and I am continuing my Fall projects with a card.  The color challenge this week on Little Paper Shop is Orange, Olive and Kraft - that fits in with Autumn for me.  I combined that with sketch #79 from Card Patterns to make this card.

Tons of fussy cutting with the leaves and the flower.  I stamped a rose from the LPS Rose set 6 times and then cut out various parts and crumpled them all, then layered and tied together with twine.  The orange mat is created from a Perfect Presentation cut file - Label Frames 2.  This is one of the reasons I wanted a cutting machine, the ability to cut out frames, etc any size I wanted.  I can just see making a huge label for a scrapbook LO (which I have been sadly neglecting lately).


Have a wonderful day!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:
Stamps - Rose, Moments, Fabulous Phrases (Little Paper Shop), CS - Terracotta Tile & Kraft (PTI) Old Olive (SU), Buttons & Twine (PTI), Die Frame - Label Frames 2 (Perfect Presentation), Embossing Folder - Swiss Dots (Cuttlebug).

More Vervalicious Cards

Today I have 3 more cards to share that will be added to my Verve gift card set which I shared yesterday.  I took advantage of  some fab-u-lous sketches out there and went to work.  I originally wanted the Blue Skies set because of the cute note paper stamp, but I honestly have not gotten past these butterflies.

First up is a card based on this week’s Paper Player’s sketch challenge #11.

 
Next is a card based on this week’s Card Pattern’s sketch #77.

 

Last, but certainly not least, is one based on this week’s Card Positioning System sketch #180.

 

I am almost done, now I need to get working on a box to hold these all…

Smiles,

Julie

Details:  Stamps - Blue Skies and Thankful Accents (Verve), PP - Retired SU DSP, CS - Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, and Bashful Blue (SU), Ink - Always Artichoke (SU), Buttons (PTI), Embossing Folders - Swirls (Cuttlebug), embroidery floss and thread, plus a ton of dimensionals.