Taylored Expressions March Blog Hop

Good morning!  I'm so excited to participate in Taylored Expressions March Blog Hop!  I did not use the optional sketch because I already knew what I wanted to do.  I LOVE the stamp set:  CreativiTEA.  I knew I wanted to set the table with a table cloth and have a pretty country wallpaper behind it.

I embossed the tea kettle, tea cup and sentiment in pink then colored the teacup with copics adding a little shading on the tea kettle as well.  I distressed them with Tim Holtz antique linen and a tiny bit of tea dye. The paper on the lower portion of the card was so dark that if I cut the doily in half, you could see the base color behind it - so I chose to just fold it in half and adhere it that way.  I added some flowers from Prima including the toole one. I used a Martha Stewart punch for the foliage and added some bling.  

Here's a close-up of the tea kettle and tea cup. Don't you just love the bling for the steam?

I have to admit that I love layers!  Here's an angle showing the 3-D.

One last photo with that includes some of the inside of the card.  I stamped the rose from the same stamp set and added a little corner piece.

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I appreciate your visit and hope you enjoyed your stay.  As always I appreciate every comment!  

In The Moonlight

I made this cute card for several challenges. 

I accidentally turned on the date on my camera and don't have time to figure out how to turn it off and take new pictures... but at least you know that my card is a new one, right?  LOL  I used JustRite's "In the Moonlight" stamp set for this card.  I love this set!  I did a lot of 3-D elements to this card just like my last card - which I happened to use JustRite's Quiet Moments stamp set.

This card qualifies for the following challenges:

Joan's Garden challenge

  This week is:  Anything goes! 

Copic Creations Challenge is to feature COMPLEMENTARY colors!    Complementary colors are found on the opposite sides of the color wheel.   I used light green and pink!  

 

Quiet Moments

I'm so excited to be able to participate in Joan's challenge this week. We are to use any JustRite stamps.  Here is my entry:

 

I used JustRite Quiet Moments for the image.  I love this image... it reminds me of my sweet daughter who would sit by me and lay her head on my shoulder.  We would hold hands and talk and talk.  I miss those moments but am so very thankful for the many wonderful memories I hold dear.  I'll be using this image again, that's for sure!

I colored the image with copics and paper pieced the little girl's dress.  The wings are separate stamps which I think it brilliant - that way you can do what I did and use them as 3-D or even eliminate them altogether.  I was very tempted to leave the image as a mother and daughter (humans) and not fairies... but I like how the wings turned out. I embossed the wings with detail white embossing powder on vellum, cut them out and attached them with mini glue dots.  I also popped the flowers up with pop dots.  This project is VERY 3-D!  Love the third dimension!  I cute the image out with Spellbinders and popped it up on Webster's Pages die.

I also added some shinny glitter (I hope you can see it here):

I purchased the Quiet Moments stamp set at Joan's Garden.  Joan is an amazing friend and I love to order from her - and she only charges what it costs her to ship... that's so nice to know, isn't it?  You can search her blog for the items that she sells (for instance if you are looking for a JustRite stamp set click on JustRite in the labels section or you can even type in the name of the stamp set in the search bar)  If you can't find what you want, email Joan and she will most likely be able to find it for you.
Thank you for stopping by.  I appreciate all comments!

TE Blast From the Past Blog Hop

I'm so excited to participate in today's Blast from the Past Blog Hop hosted by Taylored Expressions.  This month we were to go green by either recycling (reusing or re-purposing) something or by using the color green.  Well, I did both!  I bought a nice journal at my local Michael's craft store.  Here's the before picture:

It was kind of pretty just the way it was but I wanted it to be something extra special.  I also didn't want to use it as a journal, I want to use it as a "To Do List" (hence the re-purpose part).  Here's the "after" :

Dontcha just love it?  I used TE's "Take Note" stamp set for the frame and the "To Do List".  Add some stickles, ribbon, butterfly and 1/2 doily and viola!  A nice book that might be too pretty to use.

Thank you so much for visiting and enjoy your journey through the rest of the blog hop!

Yellow Rose Sympathy Card

*Update* - I've added all the details about this card which was SO FUN to make!

Here's my card for Joan's challenge:

I made this Sympathy card for a dear friend of mine who's husband passed away recently after a long difficult battle with cancer.  My friend, Kathy, also has a son with CHD (congenital heart defects).  That's how I met her online over 10 years ago.  

Here is what you need to do for Joan's Gardens Weekly Challenge #4....
1.  Use Yellow and Green for your colors
2.  a piece of trim
3.  a frame to call attention to your focal point
4.  embossing

You will have until next Thursday (February 3) morning 6:00 AM EST to link your card/project. A winner for the prize will be chosen from a Random drawing and will be announced Friday morning (February 4). You can enter more than once.

You can see that I not only framed the yellow rose but I cut the opening all the way through the card so the rose could be seen.  It's really hard to see in the photos but the butterflies were cut out of glitter paper.  It gives a touch of shine in real life.

I used copics to color the rose and leaves and I embossed the frame so it's kind of shiny.  Below is a picture of the copics I used and the stamp pad color for the frame.  The Spellbinders nesties are also in the photo so you can see how I cut/embossed them in my Big Shot.  I used Scotch removable tape to keep the nesties in place.  I am careful not to put the tape on the stamped area because even though the tape removes easily without tearing the paper, it can leave the paper a little sticky.

I love the sentiment.  I'm so very grateful for all the support I have from family and friends since my daughter passed away 4 months ago.  I hope my friend feels that love and support from me and hopefully many others as well.

Here's a view of all the lovely dimensions on this card.  The white trim did not have the little white pearls on it but I thought it added just the right touch.

Here's a photo where you can see the embossing on the card a little better.  The hardest thing about this challenge is that I kept wanting to add pink to it!  haha!  I'm a pink flower type person but I think this turned out ok.

Thank you so much for your visit and of course EVERYONE loves comments!

What's in it:
Stamps: All from Gina K Designs =  Botanicals, Friends, Year of Flowers, Lovely Labels 2
Paper: Prima's Annalee, Neenah Solar White, Coordination's Glitz and Glam green glitter paper.
Ink: Momento Tuxedo black, Stampin Up Daffodil Delight, copics
Ribbon:  Stampin Up So Saffron Polytwill
Embellishments: white floral trim - from my stash (I don't remember where I bought it), Kaiser pearls
Tools: Spellbinders circle nestabilities and labels fifteen, Big Shot, Martha Stewart butterfly punches 

 This card qualifies for the following challenges:  

           Joan's challenge

           Stamp TV Sketch Challenge STVSKSP11

 

Some Bunny Loves you for the Prairie Fairy

I created this cute card for a chance at being a design team for The Praire Fairy Designs.  They provided the digital image for us to use and we were to make whatever we wanted with it.  I'm afraid I made a mistake and thought it was due by Saturday night and I spent last night (Friday night) watching my son perform with the Thespian Club at his local high school instead of finishing my card.  He played a part in "Drop Dead Juliet" and ended up having to wear a dress and a wig... he also gets stabbed in this play but he kept UN-dying.  It was quite a comedy!  Last night is the only time they will perform this little play here where I can see it... so I HAD to go.  When I came home and started to put the finishing touches on my card I went to the Praire Fairy site and they had closed the submissions.  I was a little down but you know what?  Making the card was so much fun I'm not even going to let it get me down.  I'm going to email them and just let them know that I did make a card.  I don't expect them to set aside their rules just for me (and there's no guarantee that I would win a design team spot anyway)... I just thought they would like to see the card I made with their image.  So without further adieu, here's my card.

 

This cute little guy is sending his heart in the mail to his bunny love.  I used copics to color him, added a little shimmer to the heart when I painted the "love" with red shimmerz.  I used SU Real Red ink to sponge the edges of the die using the Spellbinders as a mask.  I ran the brown paper through my Big Shot with Tim Holts "Postcard" embossing folder.  I then used vintage cream ink to highlight the embossed area. I used Tea Dye Distress Ink around the card base which is SU's Kraft. 

I tied a bow with some red shiny ribbon that I had in my stash.  Then I added a Maya Road Transparency Doily behind the bunny.  

You can probably see the doily a little better at a different angle in this photo. 

I then added some flowers...

and fancied up the ribbon.. (yes, it is secured that way)

and put it all together and here's what you have:

I'm also submitting this card for two challenges:

Friday Sketchers - sketch

CR84FN color challenge - red, kraft & brown

Thank you for stopping by!  Hope you enjoyed your visit.  I truly appreciate every comment left here.

I Won a Waltzingmouse's Top Mouse Award!

I won a Top Mouse Award for the Sketch Challenge #24 on the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge blog  I won that award back in November but with everything going on I either forgot or was too busy to post this award.  I'm so happy that I won it!  Here's the card that I used for that sketch challenge:

Here's the cute award that I get to display on my sidebar.  Cool, huh? 

Thank you for stopping by!  I truly appreciate your time.

I Love You Berry Much

I'm so happy to participate in this month's Taylored Expressions Blast From the Past Blog Hop .  This month we were to create a card featuring any Taylored Expressions Stamps released prior to November 2010! The theme for our January hop is LOVE.  Here's the card I made using TE's Berries and Cherries.  

 

Thank you for visiting!  Please continue your blog hop by going to the links below!

Gift-giving Tildas

It seems that blogger has "improved" it's program yet it seems to be making it harder for me to post my photos where I want and the way I want them.  hhhmmmm....  more time tryiing to post and less time crafting.  NOT what I really wanted to be doing.  But I do want to share this really cute card so I'm going to muddle through.

Here we have two Tildas - they must be twins - and one is giving the other a very special gift.

 

 I used the sketch for this card from the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.  Below is this week's sketch. 

I was going to do this card something like the image below except for having Tilda in the center of the doily but then I got the idea to add another Tilda to the inside!

I really like the seeing the cute Tilda on the inside opening her gift.  If I had thought of this before coloring the girls, I would have made sure that the gifts were the same - but oh well!  Live and learn, right?

Here is the inside of the card.  I thought it would be really fun to adhere the circle that I cut out of the purple dotted paper to make the window behind the Tilda opening her gift.

 

I'm also submitting this card for the Magnolia-licious Highlights challenge which is:

*4 Flowers

*3 types of patterned paper 

*2 Magnolia images 

(any image by Magnolia qualifies/ ie. accessory, background, tilda/edwin, animal, sentiment, etc.)

*1 Ribbon

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another challenge I'm submitting this card for is Just Magnolias.

Their challenge is to use a Magnolia stamp and all your favorite things.  Well, I did!  I love Magnolia stamps, ribbon, flowers (the ones I used here are gems), die cuts, copics, sewing machine, a button... I don't know what more I could have added to this card!  

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed your stay.

Santa Tilda on Winter Mitten

I had so much fun making this card. 

It qualifies for several challenges.  First, I got the sketch from Stamp TV Sketch Spotlight Challenge- STVSKSP5,  There She Goes Challenge which is to use your stash: (I used some polar white flower soft that I bought a YEAR ago and haven't used since.), and Just Magnolia which is to make a Christmas card. 

Here's a different angle so you can see the dimensions and the fun flower soft on her hat.

I colored Tilda with copics and then added the fluff to her hat by adding the polar white flower soft.  The mitten is from Gina K Designs and was stamped in melon mambo and bermuda bay.  The tag was made with Stampin' Up stamps and tiny tag punch and the snowflake was made with both Sizzix die cut and Martha Stewart punch with a little light pink gem in the center.  The circles were cut with Spellbinders.  

Thank you for stopping by!

Thanksgiving Challenge card

Today I'm sharing a card that I made for Joan's Thanksgiving Challenge. Here are the details:

1. Create a Thanks giving card
2. Use something Fallish such as Leaves, Pumpkins or Indian Corn (if you don't have a stamp use a leaf from your tree.
3. The color Green.
4. Some kind of swirl or vine.

I used Heartfelt Open Falling Leaves stamps and Heartfelt Spellbinders dies for the leaves (that I purchased from Joan's store) on this card. I used my copic airbrush to color the paper, stamped the leaves and then used the dies to cut them out in my Big Shot die cutting machine. I used Whiff of Joy's Willow for the main image.


Don't ya just love the swirly pearls? They are from ZVA and to tell you the truth, I don't remember where I bought them! I've had them for awhile and this challenge was just the perfect time to use them.


I stamped and cut out a lot of extra leaves. I airbrushed a whole 8 1/2 x 11 paper and stamped the whole thing with the leaves. I just love the way they turned out.


Close-up of the leaves.

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge

For my second card today I used a sketch from Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge. I LOVE this company's stamp sets. Many of the stamps are designed to work with the Spellbinder's die cuts. The decorative border that is on the cream colored designer paper (with the small pink flowers) is a Waltzingmouse stamp found here. I also used fancy phrases stamps on the fancy tag in the front.


This is my first time to play along with Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge. I hope to play more often, especially after I receive my order I just placed. I could take a little while to get here considering they are coming from Ireland! :)

Thank you for visiting!

I got my crafting mojo back!

Like it says in the title, I've got my crafting mojo back and I like it! I have a few cards to share with you today but I'll post them one at a time because they are made for challenges. I love challenges!


This first card is for 7kids college fund challenge: Give Thanks. I used a Whiff of Joy image that I LOVE. I know it's getting cold outside but this image makes me feel like it's a warm summer day.

This card also qualifies for Simon Says challenge which is sparkle! The shiny red gems and shiny strawberry are my favorites.

My daughter, Jessica Marie Jensen, earned her wings

Jessica Marie Jensen passed away at 3:30 am on Oct 4th with her loving parents at her side. She lived a life full of medical procedures, heart surgeries, strokes, and pain... but she gave love, peace, hope, encouragement and faith. We invite you to celebrate her remarkable life with us.

The viewing and funeral services will be held at the LDS East Stake Center: 6901 E Kenyon, Tucson AZ 85710 on Saturday October 9th

The viewing will be from 8:00am to 9:45am in the Relief Society Room. The funeral will start at 10:00am.

Following the services those who would like to, are welcome to go to East Lawn Palms Mortuary - 5801 E Grand Rd, 85712 We will have a balloon release there as well as a few words and prayer.

If possible, please do not wear black. Jessica has always been so happy - even when in pain. She has always love beautiful colors (her favorites being pink and yellow). Please wear Sunday dress and cheerful colors as that is how she lived her life.

I was asked where to send cards. Please send them to
Jensen Family
3422 S Champlain Ave
Tucson, AZ 85730

We are also in the process of getting an online obituary written which should be ready by Wednesday evening at www.eastlawnpalmsmortuary.com

Thank you for your loving support through the years. Our love to each of you,
Nancy Jensen and family

What's Cooking?

Here is a card that I made for 2 challenges. Unfortunately though I didn't get it finished in time for one of the challenges which was to do a kitchen theme. The second challenge I made this card for was StampTV's Tuesday Sketch Challenge.
(as always, click on any image to enlarge)



Here's my take on it:


I LOVE this fun paper by Cosmo Cricket called Garden Variety. The lady is colored with copics and is from Sew Pretty by Asela Hopkins. I paper pieced the apron from one of the Garden Variety papers too. They are so fun! The flower was cut out of felt with Papertry Ink's Beautiful Blooms II dies.

On the inside of the card I used Papertry Ink's Background basics: tin types and Fillable Frames #5 for the frame. The sentiment and hot pot holders are from the Sew Pretty stamp set.

I've been trying to figure out how best to take photos of my cards. I am usually crafting late at night since my daughter (who is chronically ill) keeps me pretty busy the rest of the day. Below is a photo of a shelving unit that my husband made for me which is above my desk. I have a small (cheap) light that I shine over the card. As you can see, the light it shines is quite yellow. I always have all the lights on in the room when I take a photo to get as much light as I can. When possible, I try to take the photo during the day and then I also open the blinds to let in all the natural light. I usually take several pictures and upload them to my Creative Memories: Memory Manager where I can edit the photo by cropping, adjusting lighting and colors and even changing the size and other fun stuff. I bought it when I was a CM consultant and I really like it. If you have any other ideas on how to take good photos of the cards, I'm open to your suggestions! I'd also like to see how YOU take photos of your cards!



Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I hope you have a great day!

In God We Trust

Life has been so hectic lately that I didn't get a chance to post this card in time for the 4th of July. I finished the card on that day and am now using it at my profile photo on facebook. :)

I made this card for Stamp TV's inspiration challenge last week.


I first stamped the flag image which is from Flourishe's stamps. I water-colored the flag. After it dried I masked it and then sponged the background. I stamped the children's parade with Versamark and then embossed with detail black embossing powder. For the flag decorations below that I also stamped and water-colored them, cut them out and adhered them to the card.

I love Theresa Momber's beautiful sponging. She writes tutorials on each of her projects. I followed one of her tutorials and used similar ink colors (I used a different brand of ink) but I'm quite happy with how it turned out. I practiced on some scrap paper before sponging on the real deal.

Thank you for stopping by! Crafting is my "therapy" and it brings joy to my life. I'm glad to be able to share it wit all of you. Oh, and don't forget to leave a comment!

Once Upon a time

I had a little time to do some stamping and so I made a cute card for two challenges. The first challenge is on StampTV and you can find it here. The second was in celebration of Color Throwdown's 100th challenge!

I love the Magnolia stamps and Tilda is my favorite. Here she is as a Fairy God-Mother.



I used shimmerz to make her dress shiny. The red cardstock was spritzed with Pink Bubblegum Glimmer Mist and Stampin' Up's vanilla spritz. I used copics to color her and the designer paper is from Memory box.


Thank you for visiting! It means to much to me to have you stop by and leave a comment.