Photo-Synthesis Challenge #3

Sharing a card I did for the third challenge at Photo-Synthesis. Two photos are posted for inspiration for your projects. I chose the second photo posted there. This card uses rubber stamps by Hampton Art. The patterned paper is by Diecuts With A View. The lattice embossing folder and diecuts are by Sizzix. Four tiny black brads by Recollections finish it off.
This card also fits the "lattice" challenge going on at Crazy 4 Challenges too.
I'm pleased to report that the repairman came and I am now a "cool" crafter again. :) Picture me dancing happily (at least until I get the repair bill or for that matter the power bill). Wink! :)

Sunshine Card

You know you are wanting to make a card pretty bad when your air conditioning is not working in your craft room! My craft room is upstairs and evidently our central unit for the upstairs is on the "blink" today because it is hot! I've called the repairman and hopefully it will get fixed soon. I don't like crafting or trying to sleep when it is this hot. :) I wanted to make a card for three different challenge sites but my brain kept telling me to go downstairs where it was cool. :) It also kept telling me to take some stamps, etc. downstairs but then the "lazy voice" said you can take the heat. :) So I took the heat and this is what I came up with. The challenge at City Crafter is called "Let Your Light Shine" this week (need to have some form of light such as a sun, etc.). Well, how perfect to have three embossed suns on a card when I am burning up in my craft room! :) The sun is an embossing folder by Sizzix. Then Papertake Weekly has a challenge of using just one of something. I used one long strip of ribbon by American Crafts.
Tuesday Throwdown has a ribbon with a twist challenge too. You are to use ribbon in a creative way. I folded and stapled my ribbon....not sure how creative that is but you have to remember how "hot" my brain was when making this card (Wink.) :) The sentiment stamps on this one are by The {Stamps} Of Life. I also used a border punch by EK Success. So there you have a "hot" card made by a "hot" crafter in a "hot" studio. :) Thanks for stopping by. Hopefully I will be a lot cooler tomorrow since the repairman is coming this afternoon.

Vintage Happy Holidays Card

I wanted to do another card for the Paper Sundaes challenge of "Christmas In August." I used the sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You for inspiration. The Pink Elephant's new challenge is to do a card that is mostly white which I think this card will fit also. The patterned paper is by Graphic 45, the embossing folder is by Sizzix and the stamps are by Hampton Art. I heat embossed a snowflake image on the patterned paper plus heat embossed the sentiment with white powder. Three pieces of red ribbon by Offray and a red brad from Michael's finish out the card. Quick post tonight since it's been a long day. Oldest daughter and I are going to watch a movie from Netflix and "chill out" the rest of the night. Thanks for stopping by and visit again soon.

Christmas In August Challenge/Santa Card

Paper Sundaes has a "Christmas in August" challenge going on this week. Every year I say I am going to get a head start on making Christmas cards but then never do. So this challenge gave me a gentle nudge to do so. One down, ninety-nine more to go. Wink. I used new Graphic 45 papers that are in an 8x8 pad. Love to work with this size patterned paper....just perfect for cardmakers. It has an embossing folder by Sizzix that I punched out using a large circle punch by Marvy/Uchida. All the rubber stamps used are by Hampton Art. The teal colored ink is from Clearsnap's Vivid line. The pretty flower is by Prima Marketing. I'm pretty happy with this card, especially the non-traditional Christmas colors. Hope your weekend has been a good one. I used my crockpot today for a new recipe. My youngest daughter brought home a cookbook that her Beta Club at school has published and is selling. I told her I would be happy to purchase it after leafing through it. It is filled with some very tasty looking recipes. I tried a Beef Tips and Rice today that is done in the crockpot. It got good reviews from all of us tonight. My family liked the taste and I liked how simple it was. :) Tomorrow I'm trying another recipe for dressing done in the crockpot. Crafters and crockpots are best friends. Wink. :) Thanks for stopping by and visit again soon....I'll be tempting you with more cards and recipes. :)

Back To School Card

I couldn't resist doing another card for the "Back To School" challenge at Stamp Something this week. This one uses some fun owl stamps by Hampton Art. The alphabet rub-on is by Sizzix and the alphabet stickers are by My Little Shoebox. Found the measuring tape paper when I cleaned out my craft room. It's by Rusty Pickle. I finished it with some red acrylic letters by The Paper Studio and some ric rac from Wright's. Hope your weekend is going well. It's been somewhat cloudy today which means the hummingbirds have put on grand shows. We were watching them this afternoon and they were everywhere! There were five and six trying to feed from one of our feeders while several others flew about. You can't beat that for free entertainment. :)

Thanks Teach Card

My youngest daughter needed a thank you card for one of her teachers. (The teacher surprised her with a sequel to a favorite book just released. How sweet was that?!!! ) The challenge at Stamp Something this week was "Back To School" so I thought I would play along plus get my daughter's much needed thank you card made. There is also a recipe challenge going on at Pile It Up which I followed. (You had to use: 3 patterned papers, 2 stamped images, 7 buttons, ribbon and something clear.) I definitely had to put my "thinking cap" on for that one. :) The 3 patterned papers are by Diecuts With A View. There are two different stamp images. The first is a vintage postmark stamped on the picture which is by Oxford Impressions. The little star circle on the arrow is by The {Stamps} Of Life. I used seven very small buttons by Dress It Up. The something clear is an acrylic tag by Tim Holtz and the ribbon is by The Paper Studio. I found the funny quote and printed it out using my computer. When I finished this card, I showed it to my daughter who loved it. She can't wait to give it to her teacher. :) Don't you love making a card for someone that appreciates it? :) I have been enjoying creating in my new clean, organized and purged craft room. I ordered another table for it this week. This table is long and narrow and will make my work area into a "u" shape. My current "L" shape needed a little more "spread out" space. I also ordered a floor mat for my rolling chair (room is carpeted). It is a zebra pattern floor/chair mat and was delivered yesterday. I'll have to take some pictures and post them once the table comes in and I get it placed. All that work I did for eleven days is paying off but on about day seven I was seriously wondering if I would ever get through!!!! :) And here's to famous last words....."it's never going to get that messy (piled up) again." I don't think I could survive another major craft room overhaul anyway. (Wink.) :)

"Thank You" Butterfly Card

How about a card for two challenges? (As if you haven't heard that before, right?) :) This card will fit CPS 181 sketch plus a challenge site called "Let's Ink It Up." Their challenge was a anything goes but with a twist. You had to have some yellow on your creation. I used a new Hampton Art clear stamp set with lots of pretty butterflies. This card was a good excuse to get out my new Copic markers. I've been wanting to play with them but cleaning and reorganizing the craft room took a lot longer than I planned. (I thought I could do it in five days and it took nearly eleven days. It's so clean and organzied now, I'm almost afraid to mess it up. Not! Wink!) :) The chipboard buttons are by Jenni Bowlin. The frosted looking jewels are by Martha Stewart. Are you staying cool? I can't remember it being so hot! You go outside and feel like you are going to melt. I have a bird bath outside my kitchen window that I try to put fresh cold water in several times a day. This means filling up a bucket outside and goodness, it is hot! The birds have been rewarding me though with great bathing "shows." They are such fun to watch and almost make doing the dishes fun! :) I think they are depending on the cold water too so I can't stop no matter how hot it is. Thanks for stopping by and thank heavens for air conditioning. :)

2 Challenges -- TSOL16 and Photo-Synthesis 2

I have two challenges to share with you today. First there is The {Stamps} Of Life challenge. The design team girls at The {Stamps} Of Life have a challenge every two weeks. You are invited to participate too! Upload your creation to The {Stamps} Of Life gallery -> HERE <-with the keyword TSOL16. Please link to one of our blogs so we can see your work. :) The challenge this time is called "Seeing Red." Make a project that has a lot of red. :) I used the clear stamp set called "robots2build." The dotted Swiss cardstock is by Bazzill. The photo corner punch is by EK Success and the arrow punch is by Stampin'Up! There is also one small black brad by The Paper Studio. Fast and easy which is the only kind at my house at present. Still working on redoing my craft room.....I thought I could do it in a week. Two weeks is more of the reality. :) Be sure to check out the other design team gal's that participated with the Seeing Red Challenge:
Jeanne Streiff
Stephanie Barnard
Emily Niehaus
Tami Mayberry
Joana Studer



My second card is for the Photo Synthesis second challenge. We were to use the above photo of zinnias (or as I grew up calling them "Old Maids") for inspiration. Tiffany Doodles Images is the Photo Synthesis sponser this time too. The design team was given some beautiful digital stamp images to work with. I am always the last person to try anything. :) This was my first time using digital stamps but it sure won't be my last. What fun! I love that you can create your image to the size you want. I used a zinnia image and made it three different sizes (small, medium and large). This seems to be a card for "firsts" as it was my first time to use Copic markers too. I am still learning but I can tell I'm going to become addicted to them. Another addiction is just what I need (as if the paper, punch, stamp one wasn't enough). Wink! I'm hoping I'll be able to take a Copics class soon if one comes close enough to my area. I was excited to see one being taught in New Orleans but it got cancelled. :( Ooops, I digressed on you there. Anyway this card was a lot of fun. The embossing folder is by Sizzix. I also used some Flower Soft and a small jeweled dragonfly by Prima Marketing. I better get up and get busy. My craft room is not going to finish itself. Thanks for stopping by and stay cool (have to have an air conditioner attached to you here for that). :)

CPS Sketch #179/Simple Life Card

Have a quick post for you today. This card is for the CPS Sketch #179. The rubber stamps are by The {Stamps} Of Life. Aren't those birds cute? :) The papers and sentiment sticker are by Little Yellow Bicycle. The lace is by The Paper Studio. The "simple life" sentiment sounds really good to me today. My days are not simple at present. I got the "brain storm" to reorganize/purge and rearrange my craft room. I started this job Monday and I see no light at the end of the tunnel. :) To tell the truth, I have not even started in my craft room yet. I've been working (in a non-air conditioned attic) cleaning out a space (plus putting up metal shelving) to store extra craft supplies. I want my craft room to be more open, less cluttered and generally just look better. :) Wish me luck as I work on for several more days, I'll keep you posted (if I survive). Wink. :)

Zebra Butterfly Card

How about a card that fits five challenge sites? The Cupcake Craft Challenge is to use lace. Paper Sundaes has a metal challenge while it is anything goes at Sentimental Sunday. There is a photo challenge called "Reflections" at Shabby Tea Room. And last but not least, I used the sketch over at Card Patterns. I got to play with my new eClips today and cut the zebra butterfly using it. I also used a zebra pattern embossing folder by Sizzix. The zebra patterned paper is by Diecuts With A View. The rubber stamp sentiment is by Hampton Art. The brad and lace are by The Paper Studio. I had such a good day. After going for a mammogram this morning, I stopped to check out a store called "Dirt Cheap." I found some great bargains (more like steals). :) I got two new desks/tables for my craft studio for $34 (for both of them mind you). I also got a Thomasville TV stand for my youngest daughter's room for $60 (is at Target for $249.99). I also got two great wire shelving units for my attic (to store my ever growing craft supplies). :) I'm almost dancing as I type about it. Isn't it fun to save money? (Wink, wink.)

Little Things Card

Fun recipe challenge at 365 Cards today. Here's the recipe: 5x5 card, 2 3x3 patterned papers, sentiment, 2 images, 2 buttons and 4 flowers. I had to put on my "thinking" cap for this one but I'm happy with the end results. The images are by Crafty Secrets and the patterned papers are by Little Yellow Bicycle (Clothesline Collection). The cardstock sticker is also by LYB. The flowers are by Prima Marketing and the brads are by Basic Grey. The two tiny buttons on the butterfly image are by Dress It Up! I helped my youngest daughter get her closet and clothes ready for the big "back to school" Monday coming up. Even though I was pooped tonight, I managed to cook up this card. Hope you like it and thanks for stopping by.

Survey and Prizes

Today is valuable knowledge day. :) If you would like a chance to win new stamps, there is a non branded consumer study you can take. There will be lots of stamps given away at the end of August. All you have to do is answer a few simple questions about your crafting habits. Easy peasy. I'm always eager to win new stamps, how about you??? :) Here is the link information:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/stamp_survey

Good luck! I'm crossing my fingers, toes and eyes (ouch) for you to win. Wink, wink! :)Now on to today's card. I'm very happy with the way this one turned out. I have a weakness for butterfly stamps. I think I may be a butterfly "collector" in stamps anyway. :) (Course I get excited when I see one outside too. Like yesterday I had the prettiest lavendar colored butterfly in my flowers.) :) Anyway this card used stamps by Hampton Art. Houndtooth seems to be all the rage again, so I used a little of it too (paper by The Paper Studio). The diecut where the sentiment is stamped is by Sizzix.

Thanks for stopping by. I better get a move on. Lots of laundry waiting to be done. I'll be glad when they invent a washer and dryer that can load and unload themselves. (Wink.) :)

"Use Your Words" Challenge Plus The Photo-Synthesis Challenge #1

The {Stamps} Of Life design team is having another challenge. The challenge this time is called "Use Your Words." Make the words on your card the main focus. Please feel free to play along with us. If you are playing along, upload your creation to The {Stamps} Of Life gallery ->HERE< - with the keyword TSOLD15. Please link to one of our blogs so we can see your fabulous creation. :) Because of CHA and other busy summer happenings, the only other design team player is: Joana Studer


My card uses the clear stamp set called "youare2kind" by The {Stamps} Of Life. This set is definitely all about the words. You get 16 different word stamps with it. I also used some patterned paper by Diecuts With A View plus glittered cardstock by them. The flowers are by Prima Marketing and the lace is by The Paper Studio. The small ivory brads are by Basic Grey.


You know how we all love challenge sites, well there is a "new kid on the block." :) Today kicks off the very first challenge at The Photo-Synthesis Challenge site. There will be a new challenge every other week. Make sure you check it out. It's going to be loads of FUN. :) You will use some pretty photos posted at The Photo-Synthesis Challenge blog as your inspiration. My card uses some rubber stamps by Hampton Art and a border punch by EK Success.

Thanks for stopping by. Today is a very important day at our house. It is "locker" day. My youngest had to be at school early to make sure she got a good locker spot. You know how important that is! (Wink.) :)

The {Stamps} Of LIfe August Release

When the first of August rolls around, I am always a little sad since it means school will be starting back in a few days. My youngest will be a freshman this year (sniff, sniff). :) The first of the month also means new stamps though and that is definitely a perk. This month's release by The {Stamps} Of Life is a CUTE one. :) It is called Trees2Build and was so much FUN working with. :)

I'm sharing four cards I made with this new set. The first one also has some flowers by Prima Marketing and a border punch by Martha Stewart. Speaking of punches, have you seen some of the new ones released at CHA? I saw several that I want! I'm going to need a second or third job! :)


The second card is a fast and easy one using one of the bird plus sentiment images from Trees2Build set. All I added to it was some of those "gooley" eyes from Hobby Lobby. :) I love the way this one turned out. :)

The third card uses another little bird plus two of its sentiment stamps. Used some EK Success circle punches and little black brads to complete it. The green gingham paper is by Martha Stewart. Easy peasy. ;)

My last sample for the Trees2Build set used a different tree image plus leaves and apples. The "hi" is also from this set. I used some striped paper by Diecuts With A View, some red rhinestones by Studio 18 and did some stitching with my sewing machine. Fast and fun! :) Thanks for stopping by. I am headed to the kitchen to make a Lemonade Pie. The recipe is in the current Southern Living and looked devine. Perfect dessert for a hot August day. :) I'll let you know how it turns out.