Cards "Lots of Jewels" Challenge

I love to add rhinestones to my cards so the Cards "Lots of Jewels" challenge was right up my alley. :) I chose some patterned paper by Bo Bunny. The rubber stamps are by The {Stamps} Of Life. I used the Sizzix eClips to make some wave diecut borders at the bottom of my card. The alphabet stickers are by Bo Bunny too. The green rhinestones are by KaiserCraft. I tried to make the rhinestones looks like water spraying. Not sure I succeeded though....in any case, the card has A LOT of rhinestones. :) Plus I had fun making it so I guess that is the important part. :)
It has been a busy summer day and my eyes are getting heavy so I'll just close with a "good night and sweet dreams." :)

Three Eiffel's Merci Card

Clearsnap has a new challenge that is called "Out of the Colorbox." This week the colors to use are: Dark Cherry, Cookie Dough and Atlantic Blue. Since I had a new box of Clearsnap Archival Dye ink pads, I wanted to try this challenge. I chose the three colors of ink that the challenge calls for and stamped my image on glossy white cardstock. The rubber stamps are by Hampton Art. I topped the stamped Eiffel Tower images with some dew drops that I won off Ebay. Fast and easy card but I like the way it turned out. This card will also fit two other challenges. Crafty Creations has a "thank you" challenge going on. Simon Says Stamp has a "show a word" challenge so I used "merci." Hope your Thursday has been a good one. Lots of chores today plus a big stack of ironing....but I did manage to create two cards so the day wasn't a total loss. Wink. :)

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger Challenge

The Tuesday Trigger challenge this week is based on a card in the new issue of Stamp It! It's by Tina Fussel and I am in "card love" with it. :) I used rubber stamps by Unity Stamp Company and inks by Clearsnap. The patterned papers and doily are by Little Yellow Bicycle. I added some "sparkle" with yellow rhinestones and a yellow glitter pen by Copic. Shabby Tea Room has a "my favorite things" challenge too. This card uses rubber stamps which are my all time "favorite thing" plus rhinestones (a close second). Crafty Creations wanted to see some "sparkle" this week. I used rhinestones and a glitter pen.
Now all I need is a big glass of homemade lemonade before heading out to the front porch to do one of my favorite summer activities. Yep, reading a good book outside is a "winner" at our house (sorry, I sound like Charlie Sheen there). :) Thanks for dropping by on a rainy Tuesday. :)

Fourth of July "Celebrate" Card

Can you believe that June is almost over? This summer is going by way too fast! I did a Fourth of July card for some challenges today. I used the sketch at City Crafter's Challenge. The Tuesday Throwdown challenge was to use red, white and blue while Party Time Tuesdays was to make a 4th of July creation. The patterned papers are by We R Memory Keepers. The rubber stamp "celebrate" is by The {Stamps} Of Life. The ribbons and glitter brads are by Little Yellow Bicycle. This has been a cloudy and rainy day...some much needed rain too I might add. It also means I don't have to water flowers this afternoon (yipee!). :) I did get outside this morning before the rains and cut some zinnias and sunflowers for a fresh flower arrangement. I put them in a pretty vase which is sitting on our breakfast room table. I brought some "summer" inside. :) Hope your Tuesday has been a pleasant one like mine.;)

Smiling Suit Card

Playdate Cafe's current challenge colors are slate blue, barn red and grey. I had a Diecuts With A View Shimmer Stack that had the perfect colors for this so I decided to play along. I used the sketch at Card Patterns for the base of my design. It also fits the challenge at CASual Fridays of "Getting Edgy." The rubber stamps are by Unity Stamp Company.
I promised to tell you about my "surprise trip" weekend. :) My oldest daughter certainly outdid herself with this one. She had booked reservations at a beautiful bed and breakfast in Jackson, Mississippi (which is about 3 1/2 hours drive away) for a "girl's" weekend. We stayed at the Fairview Inn. We had a beautiful room, a wonderful dinner and breakfast. For an added surprise, she had booked massages at the spa (at the inn) for both of us. After a delicious dinner, we went back to the room and had a girl's pampering night complete with facials, manicures, etc. She had also brought "Fried Green Tomatoes" for us to watch (our room had a 54 inch TV)! Before we came home on Sunday, we did some shopping and went to a movie (saw "Super 8"). What a special and fun weekend. This was my first time at a bed and breakfast and I loved it! :) I didn't want to come home....but afraid that would have upset my hubby and youngest daughter. Wink, wink. :)

Red, White and Blue Birthday Card

Since it was a rainy afternoon, I got to stay in and "play"....I mean stamp. :) This card fits several current challenges. Moxie Fab has a beautiful borders challenge. I used the sketch at Clean and Simple for my base. Stamp Something has a "celebrate" using red, white and blue while Stampin'For The Weekend has a favorite things challenge. My favorite things on this card are my diecuts and stamps. I used my Sizzix eClips to do the borders and stars plus a Sizzix embossing folder. The stamps are by The {Stamps} Of Life which is one of my favorite stamp companies. I love how all of Stephanie's stamps work with each other. She has versatile and fun images.
Do you have fun weekend plans? I do but don't know what they are. What? You say that makes no sense? :) My oldest daughter has informed me to be packed in the morning but won't tell me where our destination is! She's told me what I'll need to pack but nothing else! What fun! I'll have to tell you all about it Monday! Wink! :)

Love You Challenge Card

CASual Friday has a challenge called "Getting Edgy" this week. I thought this would be the perfect time to use my new Sizzix eClips Edges design cartridge. Wow, I love this one! It is full of beautiful borders (which you can also turn into decorative accents). I used an embossing folder also by Sizzix. The metal tab is by Making Memories. I seem to be stuck in a "black and white" color scheme lately but it is always so striking with an ornate border. :)
I'm inside enjoying a heavy rain which means I won't have to water flowers this afternoon. I got carried away this spring with all my planting. It is taking 45 minutes in 100+ heat (not to mention the humidy)to keep my flowers "happy." :) This is the third afternoon this week I have gotten "time off." Nothing better than being inside when it is raining and making cards or reading a good book. I have been reading some interesting books this summer. I recently finished "Before I Go To Sleep" which I couldn't finish fast enough....just to see how it was going to end.
I started "Still Missing" yesterday and can't wait to read more of it. I'm also reading "The Snowman" on my Libre which is lighted. I read it outside at night and read my Kindle "before dark." I resisted ereaders for a long time and now I've ended up with two....love both of them! They have made reading fun again. Enjoy your weekend! :)

Chocolate and Friendship Card

I just found out today The Stampsmith has a challenge going on. Since I have been a long time "drooler"...I mean fan of their stamps, I wanted to play along. Their current challenge is "Friends and Friendship" and you have to use at least one Stampsmith stamp. This card also fits three other current challenges:
Charisma Cardz (White plus one other color...I chose black as my other color.)
Cute Card Thursday (Theirs is a sketch challenge...so I used it to get my mojo going.)
Paper Play (Stars and Stripes....used striped paper and star eyelets)
I stamped the Stampsmith image with black ink on glossy white cardstock. The embossing folder is by Sizzix and I used glossy white cardstock for this also. The striped paper is by 7 Gypsies (Paddington collection). Some white star eyelets and striped ribbon finish it off. Do you ever use eyelets anymore? I have a huge box of them in all different colors and shapes. After using these white star eyelets, I promised myself I would start using them more. :) Hope your Thursday has been a good one. My husband took me out to lunch to a Mexican resturant so I didn't have to fix lunch. Now if I could figure how to get out of cooking dinner. Wink! :) I don't want to be in the kitchen in the summer (or spring, fall and winter either for that matter)....but alas my family likes to eat and even demand "hot" home cooked meals. Imagine! :)

I Love Paris Card

I did a card today just for fun to see how many different challenges I could fit on it. Here's what I came up with:
The Play Date Cafe (use the colors of hollyhock, sky blue and orange)
Oldie But A Goodie (Card inspired by a Country...so my country is France)
My Time To Craft (use extra images...more than one image)
The Paper Variety (Mixed Alphabets....I used stickers that had mixed alphabets on them)
Freshly Brewed Challenges (Put A Little Song In Your Heart...song or music inspired)
Creative Card Crew (Ribbons and Brads)
The Three Muses (Postmark Paris)
Simon Says Stamp Challenge (Bingo...I chose the row of flowers, brads and sentiment)
Moving Along With The Times (Inspired By A Song)
The stamps I used are by Stamp Francisco (woman in Paris image) and Oxford Impressions (Paris postmark). The embossing folder is by Sizix (has hearts and flowers). I chose lyrics from an old Cole Porter song that Frank Sinatra made famous for the sentiment. I hope you enjoy looking at my creation as much as I enjoyed making it! This one was FUN! :) How is your Friday going? This morning we had some much needed rain. Lovely to sit inside and create while it was cloudy and raining outside! :) My husband is on his way home with our youngest daughter who has been at "science camp" for the last two weeks. I can't wait to see her since this is the longest she has ever been away from home. She has already requested her favorite meal so I know she missed the home cooking anyway. Wink! :)
Have a great weekend!

Thanks A Bunch Card

Have a quick post to share a card I did for two different challenge blogs. I need to be up and busy (have a dreaded job coming on.....more about that after I share my card details). :) Try It On Tuesday (Tuesday Taggers) has a tag and butterfly challenge and you know me, I can't ever resist a butterfly challenge. :) I put my "tag" on a card (hope that was all right with the rules of the challenge.) Shabby Tea Room also has a pink, green, neutral and flowers challenge that I tried to fit this in (think I maybe lacking the neutral color though). It all ended up being pink and green but at least it has flowers. Wink. :) The papers are by Diecuts With A View. The little butterfly stamp is by Hampton Art. The large tag diecut is by Sizzix and the flowers are Prima Marketing. The clear sentiment sticker is also by Diecuts With A View. Now to tell you about my "dreaded" job for this afternoon. My hubby and I are going to clean out our large freezer in the garage. (Yep, in this 100+ degree heat.) It has had a shelf collapse plus some ice cream melted to the bottom of it last summer....so you can see this is not going to be a quick or easy job. :) But it is one that really needs doing. I keep trying to think about how nice it will be when it is finished....all the meats, etc. will be put together and organized. (At least for a few weeks....wink). So think about me this afternoon while you are in air conditioning crafting, etc. doing something lovely and I am doing something yucky. :)

Raised On Love Card

Since this is the week before Father's Day, there are a lot of challenges going on to honor dad on his day. :) My card I'm sharing today fits the following challenges:
Cupcake Craft Challenges (Boy Oh Boy)
Sentimental Sunday (Father's Day or Masculine)
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge (Dads or Grads)
Papertake Weekly Challenge (Dads and Lads)
Party Time Tuesday (Father's Day this week instead of birthday)
The pretty little boy "raised on love" image is by Crafty Secrets. The embossing folder is by Sizzix. The cardstock and patterned paper is by Diecuts With A View. The clear word stickers are by Deja Views and the big green chipboard letters are by BoBunny. The flowers are by Prima Marketing and the glazed brad is by Basic Grey.
How has your Tuesday been treating you? I made a run to the grocery store to get some of those "sale" items before they ended. (Our grocery store runs sales from Wednesday to Wednesday). :) The rest of the afternoon has been spent in air conditioning in my craft room....but those flowers outside need watering. I think I'll have to water them in my swimsuit again....that way I can get in the pool when I get hot. ;) I'm beginning to think I planted too many flowers back in the spring. Wink. :) I'm enjoying all the "blooms" just not the forty minutes of watering in this heat and humidy. :)

Girly Carousel Thank You Card

Sharing a quick card that I did for three different challenge blogs. First, it fits the tic tac toe challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays (used the row chipboard, gems, emboss). There is a "Girly Things" challenge at Paper Sundaes (so I used pink and flowers). :) I also used the sketch at Clean and Simple for inspiration. The chipboard is by Crate Paper. The embossing folder is by Sizzix. The clear sentiment sticker is by Diecuts With A View while the flowers are by Prima Marketing. The yellow rhinestones are by KaiserCraft. Thanks for stopping by. Do you have lots of plans for this sunny Monday? :) I think today is going to be a lovely stay at home and create day. :)

Gumball Birthday Card

Here's a quick card for CAS-ual Friday's tic tac toe challenge. I used the row of chipboard, gems, emboss for this card. It also fits the color challenge at Stampin' For Weekend of using lemon and lime. The chipboard is by Crate Paper and has gems on it. The embossing folder is by Sizzix. The stamped sentiment is by Hampton Art.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great Monday. :)

Birthday Boy Card

Cute Card Thursday
has a pin and pearls challenge going on. I love to see cards with pins but I always have a hard time using them. :) I just used some plain straight pins stuck in the ribbon. The patterned paper and cardstock are by We R Memory Keepers. I used a Sizzix die to cut the felt border plus a Sizzix embossing folder for the numbers at the bottom. The vellum words and clear sentiment sticker are by Diecuts With A View. The pretty yellow flower is by Prima Marketing.
Hope your Saturday was a good one. After a busy morning of cleaning house and catching up the laundry (plus ironing), I spent a relaxing afternoon at the pool with my husband. :) I fixed the family a big pot of speghetti with salad and hot garlic bread for dinner plus a wonderful carrot cake triffle for dessert. We then went back outside and sit on the front porch til nine o'clock. I love, love, love staying outside this time of year. :) I am listening to thunder now though as I type this so I guess I came in just in the nick of time. :) We could use some rain as everything is very dry. Stop by again soon. :)

Many Thanks Butterflies Card

How is your Friday treating you? I've had a busy one with no time to visit my craft studio. I had full intention of spending a couple of hours creating after lunch but errands prevented that. Had to visit the grocery store and then pharmacy (in this heat no less....wink). After getting it all put away, I then decided to get a head start on tonight's dinner. Trying some new recipes and it took longer than I expected....so two hours later, I finally get to walk out of the kitchen. But when everyone eats that delicious "Seafood Pie" and Tangy Sweet Slaw, it will be worth it (oh, and did I mention "Carrot Cake Triffle?") What time is dinner, right? Wink. :)
Now on to today's card....Creative Card Crew has a "wings" challenge so I immediately thought of butterflies (which I have a weakness for). So if you are doing a butterfly card, then you need to check out what Flutterby Wednesday has going on too, right? :) Their challenge is to have some polka dots on your crafty creation. Last but not least, Freshly Brewed has a weekly "yellow" challenge going on. I used some Bazzill Dotted Swiss and some polka dot ribbon from Michael's. The stamps are by Unity Stamp Company while the embossing folder is by Sizzix. The sentiment was done with one of my favorite tools...the Dymo Caption Maker with clear tape. Visit again soon....happy Friday!

Two Cards for Challenge Sites

I seem to be back on a daily "crafting mode" after taking some time off. Now that the summer has turned hot and humid I find being in air conditioning the "cool" place to be. :) Today's card fits six different challenge sites:
My Time To Craft (Wildlife)
Tuesday Throwdown (Animal)
Party Time Tuesday (Summer Birthday)
Oldies But Goodies (Lots of Layers)
365 Cards (13 of something on your card)
Papertake Weekly (Anything Goes)
I found an image from Crafty Secrets that has a bunch of "wildlife" animals having a picnic (what could be more summer than that?). :) The birthday stamp is one I've had over six months from Hampton Art. The bottom row of pearls has exactly 13 (found these pearls at Michael's). The diecuts were done with my Sizzix eClips (LOVE that machine). The cardstock is by Diecuts With A View.

I also did this card and it fits four different challenges going on at present.
Creative Card Crew has a "for a diva" challenge plus it fits the Tuesday Throwdown (animal and Papertake Weekly (anything goes) too. The cute image is by Crafty Secrets. The vellum "fab" quote is by Anna Griffin (I placed a clear "diva" sticker over it by Diecuts With A View). The embossing folder is by Sizzix while the flower is by Prima Marketing (brad is by Basic Grey). The pearls are by Recollections (found at Michael's).
Guess I better get up and get the day started. I'll get those pesty household "chores" done and then it's a beautiful summer day to enjoy. I can't wait to see what new flowers are blooming outside. :) Thanks for dropping by.

Party Dog Card

Waking up to a beautiful Tuesday morning (if you don't count how hot it is outside). :) Have a card to share that fits three different challenges. First, Cupcake Crafts Challenge has one called "things with tails." The Shabby Tea Room has an embossing (dry or wet) challenge. Then there is the "show a tag" challenge over at Simon Says Stamp. I decided to use a stamp set by Chicken Girl Designs called Birthday Wishes since a dog and a balloon both have "tails." :) I cut a tag with my Sizzix eClips plus used an embossing folder by Sizzix. The cardstock and patterned papers are by Diecuts With A View. Some small brads and foam tape finished up "Party Dog" card (foam tape under balloons). What are your Tuesday plans? I did all my "ugh" chores yesterday so looking forward to a nice summer day of crafting, reading, and swimming (with a little "cooking" thrown in---since my family is strange and likes "hot" meals). Wink. :)

Here Comes The Sun Card

Quick post tonight since it is late and I'm verrry sleepy (please excuse any typos). :) This card fits three challenges. Sentimental Sunday's is to be inspired by a song (I used an old one by The Beatles). The Cards blog has a "waves" challenge. I based the card on the Unity Stamp Company Sketch Challenge (for their kit of the month club). The waves and striped patterned papers are by Echo Park. I used some Stickles by Ranger to add some "sparkling" waves. :) My friendly sun diecut was done with the Sizzix eClips (Vacation cartridge used). The rubberstamps are by Unity Stamp Company. How was your Monday? Mine was filled with lots and lots of "chores" so tomorrow should be a breeze. :)

Summer Smiles Card

Another quick posts....wow, two in one day. :) This card fits two challenges going on at present. First, Unity Stamp Company has a "tooty fruity" challenge where you have to have fruit on your creation. I used a watermelon stamp from one of their sets released last month. The card was based on a sketch at the Papertake Weekly. I'm pleased with this one but I think it is because I love red ric rac. :) See you soon.

Butterflies Challenge Card

Found some time to "play" this afternoon and did a card that fits three challenges. Sentimental Sunday's challenge is to be inspired by a song. I used the lyrics from a song by Maroon 5. Stamptacular Sunday has a color challenge to use hot pink, tan, black and white. I used the sketch over at Card Patterns for inspiration. The butterfly stamp is by Unity Stamp Company and the embossing folder is by Sizzix.
Hope you are staying cool. The summer heat has arrived in full force at our house. I go out in the afternoons in my swim suit to water all the flowers. :) Not the prettiest sight but better than passing out in the heat. Wink. :) Another first today is my youngest daughter has gone to a summer science "camp" for two weeks. It is the first time I have ever been apart from her that long. I think she will fare better with it than me. :) Visit again soon, I'm going to post some pictures of some of my blooming flowers (but not me watering them in my swimsuit). Wink, wink. :)

Believing Butterflies Card

It's been awhile since I took the time to do a card challenge. I only did one card this week (Gasp!...staying outside too much. Wink.) and it fits three challenge sites. First, Cupcake Craft Challenge's was to use orange, yellow, green and white on your card. City Crafter Challenge was to use paint and recyled cardboard. And last but not least the Paper Play Challenge was a "Summer Citrus Splash" (use oranges, yellows and greens). The paper colors were done with paint chips. I stamped the leopard backgrounds and butterflies with black ink and then rubbed acrylic paint over them with my fingers. I used a big Sizzix tag die to cut the cardboard. The stamps are by Unity Stamp Company, the flowers are by Prima Marketing and the ribbons are from Michael's. I'm in a terrible dilema. I miss my card making but "nature" is calling me outside. :) Flowers, birds, pool, reading outside are a powerful deterrent. Wink. :) Hope you have a great weekend planned. Having a nice quiet one at home....after an exciting one last week. (We went to Memphis and saw Steve Martin "live." Had tickets on the THIRD row. Woo Hoo!)

The {Stamps} Of Life June Release

I can't believe another month has rolled by. I have been a bad girl and not posted on this blog in a month. Yipes, where does the time go? :) Well this time of year, it goes outside. :) I have lots of flowers that need tending plus it is too pretty to stay inside much. The pool is too inviting plus I love to sit outside with a good book. BUT I still found time to play with some new stamps! :) The following are some cards I did with the June release for Stamps Of Life. It is a fun, fun set called kids2love. Hope you are enjoying the pretty warm weather. Summer has arrived at my house! :)