How boring are we? It is the eve of a New Year and here husband John and I sit watching a DVD and I'm posting to my blog.
Sister-in-law Jayne was in town and stopped by today! Man she has lots of energy! Wants to go Iowa silo ice climbing. I told her she could go ahead - I would have the hot cocoa waiting for her when she climbs down.
Even with the wonderful company I managed to crank out a few cards today. I'll start with the final sketch challenge for the year at Our Creative Corner (SASSC46).
Cheerful Christmas
~Base Card - Paper Trey Ink
~Base layer of design paper - American Crafts
~Layer of red cardstock with red cardstock file folder punch
~File folder stamp is an oldie from the Michael's dollar bin (Katie & Co.). This is actually the lower part of the 'martini' glass - I just stamped it separately by masking the glass.
~Another layer of American Crafts
~Image area is several layers of red, green, and black cardstocks with a layer of striped Paper Studio design paper - Stickles dotted around edges - all edges curved
~Martini image colored with Copics and topped with Stampin Up Crystal Effects
~Green brads in corners of red cardstock
~Lower left sentiment also a Michael's dollar bin find (I masked away the Christmas tree which is a part of this stamp.) Sentiment stamped on white cardstock, punched using Stampin Up Word Window, edges smudged with Kelly Green
These two are from the 'Same but Different' category. The sketch is from i {heart} 2 stamp.
The base cards are both Paper Trey Ink and the design papers are from Basic Grey. Mug on 'Cozy Christmas' is from Stampin Up Express Yourself.
Cozy Christmas
Believe in Miracles (and I do)
And as if I really needed to go looking for another challenge - I was so excited to find a Thursday challenge at Dutch Dare Card Challenges! I have to admit when I saw how many cuts and fold this one required I almost passed on it... after all I AM on vacation! But I'm glad I stuck with it and completed the challenge.
Let's Hear it for Recess!
~Base card - Paper Trey Ink
~All design papers - Basic Grey Recess Collection
~Embellishments - buttons, eyelets, twine
I also have to admit I have a few "oops" on this one...But I'm not saying where they are - see if you can find them! I REALLY hate to admit there are THREE oopsies! The process really isn't difficult - the clue (my learning moment) was to PLAN ahead for embellishment placements.
This is the inside of the card:
In the words of many years of my French family greetings at this time of year Bonne Année (Happy New Year)! And as I always say:
All good wishes,
Nancy
P. S. You can get up close with the cards by clicking on the image.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Treasures and Twine
It is so cool working in higher education! I love having the week off between Christmas and New Year's Day. (Now if I could just arrange having SUMMERS off...)
It would be wise to use this time to clean, get caught up at work, pack away Christmas decorations...yet here I sit in the Bubble. Just me, my card making STUFF, alternating between cups of Douwe Egbert coffee and Twinings Earl Grey tea (thank you Gail) and yes, both are decaffeinated, occasionally checking Facebook, browsing card maker blogs, and just in general, enjoying Bubble. Go away guilt, go away visions of cleaning, fleeting thoughts of working on student re'sumes: I need to concentrate on CARDS! I say NO to drudgery - YES to card making.
Daughter Amy and Nearly Daughter Jennifer decided it was easier (and more fun?) to have me make them cards as they need them rather than create their own. Because of this decision I was the recipient of all their card making/scrapbooking goodies!
Arrrrggghhhh, now THAT is mighty fine Me Matey. I got all treasures-a-plenty including papers, stamps, markers, ribbons, brads, adhesives, containers, stamp pads, chip board, embossing powders...they must have been VERY serious about ALMOST making cards! YIPPPPPEEEE for me! It's better than dubloons!
Why does this stamp set have me writing like a pirate?
This layout is a challenge from Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #54
Treasures from Me Girls!
~Base card - PTI white cardstock
~Layer of print paper DCWV - Color Block collection - corners curved to blend with the oval and polka dots
~Assorted ribbons - including polka dot horizontal ribbon
~Ovals cut using Spellbinder's Nestablities - edges smudged with Stampabilities Black Dye Ink - layer of red cardstock and layer of DCWV Color Block
~Image stamped with Stampin Up Ahoy, Matey - colored in with Copics, topped with Ranger Glossy Accents
~Sentiment from Stampin Up Ahoy, Matey - stamped on white, layered on red, green, orange, and navy blue cardstocks
Thank you Amy and Jennie!
Next up is a challenge posted over at Whimsical Wednesday. It too is a sketch challenge. This was just the layout I needed for a grape vine I colored while on vacation in Shellman Bluff.
Wine and Twine
~Base card - Paper Trey Ink Soft Stone cardstock
~Layer of design paper from a huge pad of papers that I almost got rid of... I realized making this card that I don't have much purple design paper. I may have to remedy this situation.
~All four corners curved with 4 metallic purple eyelets
~Horizontal layer of same purple design paper
~Layers of solid green and purple cardstock - edges curved
~Assorted ribbon and a couple of strands of twine (kinda' like grape growers use on real vines)
~Image from Clipart Etc, colored with Copics, and coated with Ranger Crackle Accents - surface smudged with Tim Holtz Distress Ink Old Paper
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
It would be wise to use this time to clean, get caught up at work, pack away Christmas decorations...yet here I sit in the Bubble. Just me, my card making STUFF, alternating between cups of Douwe Egbert coffee and Twinings Earl Grey tea (thank you Gail) and yes, both are decaffeinated, occasionally checking Facebook, browsing card maker blogs, and just in general, enjoying Bubble. Go away guilt, go away visions of cleaning, fleeting thoughts of working on student re'sumes: I need to concentrate on CARDS! I say NO to drudgery - YES to card making.
Daughter Amy and Nearly Daughter Jennifer decided it was easier (and more fun?) to have me make them cards as they need them rather than create their own. Because of this decision I was the recipient of all their card making/scrapbooking goodies!
Arrrrggghhhh, now THAT is mighty fine Me Matey. I got all treasures-a-plenty including papers, stamps, markers, ribbons, brads, adhesives, containers, stamp pads, chip board, embossing powders...they must have been VERY serious about ALMOST making cards! YIPPPPPEEEE for me! It's better than dubloons!
Why does this stamp set have me writing like a pirate?
This layout is a challenge from Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #54
Treasures from Me Girls!
~Base card - PTI white cardstock
~Layer of print paper DCWV - Color Block collection - corners curved to blend with the oval and polka dots
~Assorted ribbons - including polka dot horizontal ribbon
~Ovals cut using Spellbinder's Nestablities - edges smudged with Stampabilities Black Dye Ink - layer of red cardstock and layer of DCWV Color Block
~Image stamped with Stampin Up Ahoy, Matey - colored in with Copics, topped with Ranger Glossy Accents
~Sentiment from Stampin Up Ahoy, Matey - stamped on white, layered on red, green, orange, and navy blue cardstocks
Thank you Amy and Jennie!
Next up is a challenge posted over at Whimsical Wednesday. It too is a sketch challenge. This was just the layout I needed for a grape vine I colored while on vacation in Shellman Bluff.
Wine and Twine
~Base card - Paper Trey Ink Soft Stone cardstock
~Layer of design paper from a huge pad of papers that I almost got rid of... I realized making this card that I don't have much purple design paper. I may have to remedy this situation.
~All four corners curved with 4 metallic purple eyelets
~Horizontal layer of same purple design paper
~Layers of solid green and purple cardstock - edges curved
~Assorted ribbon and a couple of strands of twine (kinda' like grape growers use on real vines)
~Image from Clipart Etc, colored with Copics, and coated with Ranger Crackle Accents - surface smudged with Tim Holtz Distress Ink Old Paper
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Ice Cream Comments
Had a jammie pants day today - how will I know when it's time to go to bed?
Only have time for a quick note this evening...I HAVE to do some general picking-up before bedtime (if I can decide when bedtime will be). I spent most (okay almost ALL) of my day in the Bubble yet only managed to complete two cards - what's up with THAT?
By the way, I LOVE reading the comments to my posts. Thank you all. Affirmation is such a wonderful thing! I made it a point to comment on other card-makers blogs today I figured if I take such delight in reading comments it is only fair for me to comment on other's blogs.
Make Mine a Double
This is in response to Our Creative Corner "Celebrate Food or Drink" challenge.
~Base card - Paper Trey Ink white cardstock
~Two layers of BasicGrey 'cupcake' collection
~Image - Stamp Happens Inc, colored in with Copics, coated with Glossy Accents and sprinkled with Stickles
~Assorted ribbons
Mixed Mojo
MoJo Monday inspiration. I like the Mojo layout but am not sure I like my rendition. My personal jury is still out on this one.
~Base card - Stampin Up cardstock
~Layers of design paper - all Stampin Up
~Circular scallop cut using Spellbinders and Cuttlebug
~Stamped image - Inkadinkadoo Personal Inspiration colored in with Stampin Up markers and Copics; center flower topped with Pearlescent acrylic
~Prima daisy layers attached with brad
I'm off to check out AND COMMENT on other card-maker's blogs! Now if I could just talk my sister Judy into becoming one of my blog followers...
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
Only have time for a quick note this evening...I HAVE to do some general picking-up before bedtime (if I can decide when bedtime will be). I spent most (okay almost ALL) of my day in the Bubble yet only managed to complete two cards - what's up with THAT?
By the way, I LOVE reading the comments to my posts. Thank you all. Affirmation is such a wonderful thing! I made it a point to comment on other card-makers blogs today I figured if I take such delight in reading comments it is only fair for me to comment on other's blogs.
Make Mine a Double
This is in response to Our Creative Corner "Celebrate Food or Drink" challenge.
~Base card - Paper Trey Ink white cardstock
~Two layers of BasicGrey 'cupcake' collection
~Image - Stamp Happens Inc, colored in with Copics, coated with Glossy Accents and sprinkled with Stickles
~Assorted ribbons
Mixed Mojo
MoJo Monday inspiration. I like the Mojo layout but am not sure I like my rendition. My personal jury is still out on this one.
~Base card - Stampin Up cardstock
~Layers of design paper - all Stampin Up
~Circular scallop cut using Spellbinders and Cuttlebug
~Stamped image - Inkadinkadoo Personal Inspiration colored in with Stampin Up markers and Copics; center flower topped with Pearlescent acrylic
~Prima daisy layers attached with brad
I'm off to check out AND COMMENT on other card-maker's blogs! Now if I could just talk my sister Judy into becoming one of my blog followers...
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
Monday, December 28, 2009
Merciful Mammogram!
The day is almost over and I am proud to announce I still have not done one shred of housework. I did rearrange a few items in the Bubble. Sometimes I like organizing as much as I like card making...weird huh? Maybe it's not so much enjoying the organizing as it is rediscovering goodies, finding stuff I couldn't find previously, or just making my Bubble a better place.
So my house isn't clean (but the Bubble is)! Thank goodness there are leftovers - so no cooking today either! I was, however, productive. (I actually started my day EARLY an 8 am mammogram. Nothing like a stone cold vice grip to get your day going. Regarding mammograms - I only have one question - what is up with the 'now hold your breath'. As if breathing is an option this extremely compromising position. To make things even odder - the room with the mammography machine - has a LARGE window - with no shade, no curtain. Now before you type OMG in the comment section - the window looks out over a South Dakota field - but REALLY!!! Between the vice and the world wide window...)
Yippeeeee I found a new challenge at Lord Have Mercy! Cool beans! Just what I needed! The layout challenge is MTSC #53. I've never made a square card but bought some square envelopes today - then I clicked into Mercy's site - it was serendipity! I had square envelopes the challenge is for a square card! MTSC53.
Mercy Squared
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Soft Stone cardstock edges smudged with black
~All the design paper is K & Co Amy Butler 'Lotus' (used 6 companion prints)
~Base layer - strip
~Rectangles and squares have gray cardstock bases
~The circular 'medallion' layers: smudged (Memento grey) and trimmed doily (does anyone REALLY use paper doilies - not anyone I hang with that's for sure!); circular layer of design paper - row of dots added; another circular layer of design paper; scallop circle is punched stamped and colored (Copics and Stampin Up Dual Tip Markers); brad center.
The Same but Different
Same layout different different looks.
A is for Apricot
~Base card - Stampin Up Apricot Appeal
~Background and upper images stamped using Stampin Up Petal Prints
~Sentiment - Stampin Up Warm Words
~Petals of flowers coated with Crackle Accents; centers accented with Stickles
~Entire card spritzed with Memories Mists: Mango Lemonade and Orange Juice
B is for Brads
~Base card - Paper Trey Ink
~Four companion prints from K & Co Wild Saffron collection
~Flowers (Autumn Leaves - Flowers - Rhonna Farrer) embossed with Distress Black Soot, colored with Copics and topped with Stampin Up Crystal Effects - brad centers
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
So my house isn't clean (but the Bubble is)! Thank goodness there are leftovers - so no cooking today either! I was, however, productive. (I actually started my day EARLY an 8 am mammogram. Nothing like a stone cold vice grip to get your day going. Regarding mammograms - I only have one question - what is up with the 'now hold your breath'. As if breathing is an option this extremely compromising position. To make things even odder - the room with the mammography machine - has a LARGE window - with no shade, no curtain. Now before you type OMG in the comment section - the window looks out over a South Dakota field - but REALLY!!! Between the vice and the world wide window...)
Yippeeeee I found a new challenge at Lord Have Mercy! Cool beans! Just what I needed! The layout challenge is MTSC #53. I've never made a square card but bought some square envelopes today - then I clicked into Mercy's site - it was serendipity! I had square envelopes the challenge is for a square card! MTSC53.
Mercy Squared
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Soft Stone cardstock edges smudged with black
~All the design paper is K & Co Amy Butler 'Lotus' (used 6 companion prints)
~Base layer - strip
~Rectangles and squares have gray cardstock bases
~The circular 'medallion' layers: smudged (Memento grey) and trimmed doily (does anyone REALLY use paper doilies - not anyone I hang with that's for sure!); circular layer of design paper - row of dots added; another circular layer of design paper; scallop circle is punched stamped and colored (Copics and Stampin Up Dual Tip Markers); brad center.
The Same but Different
Same layout different different looks.
A is for Apricot
~Base card - Stampin Up Apricot Appeal
~Background and upper images stamped using Stampin Up Petal Prints
~Sentiment - Stampin Up Warm Words
~Petals of flowers coated with Crackle Accents; centers accented with Stickles
~Entire card spritzed with Memories Mists: Mango Lemonade and Orange Juice
B is for Brads
~Base card - Paper Trey Ink
~Four companion prints from K & Co Wild Saffron collection
~Flowers (Autumn Leaves - Flowers - Rhonna Farrer) embossed with Distress Black Soot, colored with Copics and topped with Stampin Up Crystal Effects - brad centers
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
Bubble Bed
Somewhere in this photo is my garden bench...
Snowed in family members are back in their own homes - all safe and snuggly. Two feet of snow and closed interstates resulted in extra family time!
Of course my first response to an empty house was to have husband John undo the temporary sleeping quarters in 'my bubble'. Daughter Amy and Sister Gail hadn't even made it to the interstate and the twin bed was out of the craft room, back in storage, and I was poised ready to dig in to some serious card making! Poor Gail - between the card crafting and bed - she practically had to dive into bed and close the door with her toe! Granddaughter Bailey wondered if Gail was going to get up in the night and secretly work on crafts. Between Gail's anti-craft mantra and not enough room to swing a cat - FAT CHANCE of THAT happening!
With family gone I haven't done any cleaning - I decided I deserve some bubble time!
Here is a double hitter for two challenges - Stampin B's (incorporate a candle image) and a layout challenge (C4C17) from Crazy 4 Challenges.
Sparkle Plenty
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink (edges smudged with SU Really Rust)
~K & Co Wild Saffron - five designs - background, angle, horizontal strip, sentiment, and scallop circle
~Sentiment - Stampin Up Warm Words - punch - SU Word Window
~Image - Stampin Up Send a Celebration - colored in with Copics, candles and star topped with Glossy Accents, flames topped with Stickles
~Brads
~Teal cardstock circle punch (Marvy)
~Scallop punch (Marvy)
~Small punch holes placed around scallop, and occasionally in horizontal strip and angle
Christmas is over and I for one am SICK of sweets. This is my remedy for calorie free sweets! I was browsing through previous sketches at MoJo Monday and found just what I needed! I knew I wanted to use the lollipops, found a suitable background - and POOF - a card is born!
Calorie Free Sweets~Base Card white PaperTrey Ink
~Layer of orange cardstock
~Layer of DCWV Color Block Matstack
~Navy cardstock circle - with three brads
~Orange cardstock scallop
~DCWV Color Block Matstack Circle
~Images - Stampin Up Very Punny colored in with copics, topped with Crystal Effects
~Horizontal design paper DCWV Color Block Matstack - three navy cardstock circles, lollipops, and brads
Now that I think of it...there is some pumpkin pie left over....
Another important note to self: when doubling a recipe, in addition to DOUBLE ingredients - make sure there is container large enough to HOLD it all!
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
Snowed in family members are back in their own homes - all safe and snuggly. Two feet of snow and closed interstates resulted in extra family time!
Of course my first response to an empty house was to have husband John undo the temporary sleeping quarters in 'my bubble'. Daughter Amy and Sister Gail hadn't even made it to the interstate and the twin bed was out of the craft room, back in storage, and I was poised ready to dig in to some serious card making! Poor Gail - between the card crafting and bed - she practically had to dive into bed and close the door with her toe! Granddaughter Bailey wondered if Gail was going to get up in the night and secretly work on crafts. Between Gail's anti-craft mantra and not enough room to swing a cat - FAT CHANCE of THAT happening!
With family gone I haven't done any cleaning - I decided I deserve some bubble time!
Here is a double hitter for two challenges - Stampin B's (incorporate a candle image) and a layout challenge (C4C17) from Crazy 4 Challenges.
Sparkle Plenty
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink (edges smudged with SU Really Rust)
~K & Co Wild Saffron - five designs - background, angle, horizontal strip, sentiment, and scallop circle
~Sentiment - Stampin Up Warm Words - punch - SU Word Window
~Image - Stampin Up Send a Celebration - colored in with Copics, candles and star topped with Glossy Accents, flames topped with Stickles
~Brads
~Teal cardstock circle punch (Marvy)
~Scallop punch (Marvy)
~Small punch holes placed around scallop, and occasionally in horizontal strip and angle
Christmas is over and I for one am SICK of sweets. This is my remedy for calorie free sweets! I was browsing through previous sketches at MoJo Monday and found just what I needed! I knew I wanted to use the lollipops, found a suitable background - and POOF - a card is born!
Calorie Free Sweets~Base Card white PaperTrey Ink
~Layer of orange cardstock
~Layer of DCWV Color Block Matstack
~Navy cardstock circle - with three brads
~Orange cardstock scallop
~DCWV Color Block Matstack Circle
~Images - Stampin Up Very Punny colored in with copics, topped with Crystal Effects
~Horizontal design paper DCWV Color Block Matstack - three navy cardstock circles, lollipops, and brads
Now that I think of it...there is some pumpkin pie left over....
Another important note to self: when doubling a recipe, in addition to DOUBLE ingredients - make sure there is container large enough to HOLD it all!
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
Labels:
photo,
snow,
SU Send a Celebration,
SU Very Punny,
SU Warm Words
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Princess Java
Note to self...next time I decide to double a recipe - make SURE I have DOUBLE the ingredients. My cooking skills are legendary (and not in a Food Network, 4-Star, Culinary Creative kind of way)!
I really DO need to walk away from the Bubble and get some work done. I still have Christmas shopping to finish, baking (once I get the rest of the ingredients), some cleaning, and university work to still accomplish. Why am I sitting here making cards and blogging? I need to get domestically productive!
This is a very loose interpretation of a sketch challenge at i{heart}2stamp.
{Heart} of Bling
~Base card - Paper Trey Ink 'Plum Pudding'
~Background - DCWV Matstock 'Once Upon a Time'
~Horizonatal cardstock - same collection - 'decorative strip' cut and added with foam dimensional for raised 3-D look - gold metal medallion (glitter added) attached to square
~Chipboard flower is from 'Once Upon a Time' collection - pink rhinestones added to tips of petals
~Chipboard princess attached using foam dimensionals- clear rhinestones added to the hem of her dress and metal pansy added at neckline
~String of iridescent beads
Maybe I'm still in the Bubble making cards as a form of domestic procrastination...
This is Whimsical Wednesday sketch challenge (think I spend too much time on the web mining for challenges, muses, inspiration, and 'I-NEED-just-one-more-card-making-e-newsletter'?).
Is That Coffee I Smell?
~Base Card - Vanilla cardstock
~Layer of Chocolate Truffle cardstock
~Solid and polka dot design papers are from My Mind's Eye
~Image is digital (now if I could just remember where I got it...If you recognize this - leave a comment and I will include the artistic credit) colored in with Copics, topped with Pearlescent Glossy Tempera Paint
~Stickles added to the sugar cubes
~Brown brads
~Row of double sticky tape - with real coffee grounds
~Corner brads - (formerly yellow) painted with acrylic beige, topped with Pearlescent Glossy Tempera Paint - with sprinkles of more coffee grounds
You can get up close with the cards by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
I really DO need to walk away from the Bubble and get some work done. I still have Christmas shopping to finish, baking (once I get the rest of the ingredients), some cleaning, and university work to still accomplish. Why am I sitting here making cards and blogging? I need to get domestically productive!
This is a very loose interpretation of a sketch challenge at i{heart}2stamp.
{Heart} of Bling
~Base card - Paper Trey Ink 'Plum Pudding'
~Background - DCWV Matstock 'Once Upon a Time'
~Horizonatal cardstock - same collection - 'decorative strip' cut and added with foam dimensional for raised 3-D look - gold metal medallion (glitter added) attached to square
~Chipboard flower is from 'Once Upon a Time' collection - pink rhinestones added to tips of petals
~Chipboard princess attached using foam dimensionals- clear rhinestones added to the hem of her dress and metal pansy added at neckline
~String of iridescent beads
Maybe I'm still in the Bubble making cards as a form of domestic procrastination...
This is Whimsical Wednesday sketch challenge (think I spend too much time on the web mining for challenges, muses, inspiration, and 'I-NEED-just-one-more-card-making-e-newsletter'?).
Is That Coffee I Smell?
~Base Card - Vanilla cardstock
~Layer of Chocolate Truffle cardstock
~Solid and polka dot design papers are from My Mind's Eye
~Image is digital (now if I could just remember where I got it...If you recognize this - leave a comment and I will include the artistic credit) colored in with Copics, topped with Pearlescent Glossy Tempera Paint
~Stickles added to the sugar cubes
~Brown brads
~Row of double sticky tape - with real coffee grounds
~Corner brads - (formerly yellow) painted with acrylic beige, topped with Pearlescent Glossy Tempera Paint - with sprinkles of more coffee grounds
You can get up close with the cards by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Martini Mittens
Most of the time volunteering has its perks. Husband John (AKA Poppy) and I volunteered last night to serve as ushers at the Orpheum Theatre for the annual Briar Cliff University Christmas Concert. (Okay - I volunteered us BOTH...but I knew he would LOVE to help...there was music involved and besides he used to be a Cliff Singer.) The Cliff Singers were amazing - and it was probably a thrill for them to sing with the Sioux City Orchestra.
I can't sing, can't carry a tune, can't harmonize, so I really appreciate vocal talent. Sure the acoustics at the Orpheum are phenomenal - but all those voices! A combination of the (large) university choir, a church choir, and a high school choir from Council Bluffs, IA - well it was very moving!
Because we were ushers we had to be there an hour ahead of time so we got to hear them practice. One of my 'peeps' saw us up on the the loge - and hollered - "Hi Nancy"...pretty soon almost the entire choir is waving and saying my name. Most of them know I've been 'under the weather' so they were surprised to see me there. I felt very loved and appreciated when they started waving. They are such great kids, oh I mean, young adults!
The challenge over at Stampin' B's was to feature a beverage. Okay - so most of the cards they have uploaded for inspiration are cocoa, coffee, tea... But I was thinking different kind of beverage...and a martini is just so ... vintage-movie-civilized.
Civilized Celebration~Base Card - PTI white
~My Mind's Eye 'Wild Asparagus' - I added the 'pimentos' to the 'olives' using an office paper punch and dotted each red with Crystal Effects
~Layer of black then white cardstock
~Layer of pale olive green - with left edge 'notebook' punched (Stampin' Up) and some smudging with Distress Ink - Peeled Paint
~Red cardstock folder tab and smudged with black ink and topped with pearlescent acrylic paint
~Sentiment is from Stampin' Up (Lexicon set) - Stamped on white - with red smudging - stamped with black - then Versapen and black embossing powder added to just the large font 'celebrate'
~Martini stamp - purchased long ago from the dollar bin at Michael's - olive and pimento filled in with gel glaze pen, glass filled in the Crystal effects - reflections added using Stickles
Challenge at Our Creative Corner was to feature snow... well we certainly have plenty of that outdoors for inspiration!
Wear Your Mittens!
~Base card - Pure Poppy PTI
~Layer of black cardstock
~Layer of design paper from Daisy D's Winter Fun Pad
~Glitter is sandwiched between the design paper and a layer of acetate
~Two rhinestone brads and two snowflake brads
~The mittens were stamped, topped with glue, glitter, and a snowflake (punch)
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
I can't sing, can't carry a tune, can't harmonize, so I really appreciate vocal talent. Sure the acoustics at the Orpheum are phenomenal - but all those voices! A combination of the (large) university choir, a church choir, and a high school choir from Council Bluffs, IA - well it was very moving!
Because we were ushers we had to be there an hour ahead of time so we got to hear them practice. One of my 'peeps' saw us up on the the loge - and hollered - "Hi Nancy"...pretty soon almost the entire choir is waving and saying my name. Most of them know I've been 'under the weather' so they were surprised to see me there. I felt very loved and appreciated when they started waving. They are such great kids, oh I mean, young adults!
The challenge over at Stampin' B's was to feature a beverage. Okay - so most of the cards they have uploaded for inspiration are cocoa, coffee, tea... But I was thinking different kind of beverage...and a martini is just so ... vintage-movie-civilized.
Civilized Celebration~Base Card - PTI white
~My Mind's Eye 'Wild Asparagus' - I added the 'pimentos' to the 'olives' using an office paper punch and dotted each red with Crystal Effects
~Layer of black then white cardstock
~Layer of pale olive green - with left edge 'notebook' punched (Stampin' Up) and some smudging with Distress Ink - Peeled Paint
~Red cardstock folder tab and smudged with black ink and topped with pearlescent acrylic paint
~Sentiment is from Stampin' Up (Lexicon set) - Stamped on white - with red smudging - stamped with black - then Versapen and black embossing powder added to just the large font 'celebrate'
~Martini stamp - purchased long ago from the dollar bin at Michael's - olive and pimento filled in with gel glaze pen, glass filled in the Crystal effects - reflections added using Stickles
Challenge at Our Creative Corner was to feature snow... well we certainly have plenty of that outdoors for inspiration!
Wear Your Mittens!
~Base card - Pure Poppy PTI
~Layer of black cardstock
~Layer of design paper from Daisy D's Winter Fun Pad
~Glitter is sandwiched between the design paper and a layer of acetate
~Two rhinestone brads and two snowflake brads
~The mittens were stamped, topped with glue, glitter, and a snowflake (punch)
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Holy MOOOOOJO
Inside text.
Holy MooJo~Base card - PTI
~Stamp from Stampin' Up Very Punny
Sunday, I just couldn't get the image of a necklace, daughter-in-law Shannon had made, out of my mind. The necklace had an image of a cow with spots and the text said, "Holy Cow"! Thus is the inspiration for the theme of this card. I stamped, Copic'd, and top coated a row of Stampin' Up cows from the Very Punny collection. Since I had to let them dry overnight I was sure that once Monday arrived I could check out the layout over at MojoMonday and they would have the PERFECT sketch that I could incorporate my 'herd' into.
And they came through - thank you MojoMonday designers! Here is my MOOOOOJO Monday Card. The outside is a trio of dairy darlin's. The outside sentiment is U R (You are). The inside text is another from the herd with the sentiment "like no udder".
Holy MooJo~Base card - PTI
~Stamp from Stampin' Up Very Punny
~Layer of DCWV The Glitter Stack cardstock (thank you Gail!)
~I don't have a scallop edge punch so I 'made due' with the curvy lines of the background - horizontal strips of Apple Crush and Tangerine Blast cardstock - with ink stitching
Random letters - vinyl sticker "U" and chipboard "R" (dredged through the pink in pad to make it pop)
~Outer scallop circle - DCWV Metallic Stack - Lime Green - punched using Marvy Scallop Circle
~Inner circle - same as background - punched using Marvy Circle
~Circles for dairy divas - punched from DCWV Indian Summer Metallic Cardstack (another THANK YOU GAIL)
Not my regular type of creation but darn that Holy Cow - he MADE me do this!
Not my regular type of creation but darn that Holy Cow - he MADE me do this!
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
Monday, December 14, 2009
Mickey Monday
Monday - First day back at work. Many well wishers, hugs from students, cute notes on the dry-erase board outside my office, and door to door service since I can't drive for another week or two - not a bad day all-in-all. (Except for the 300 + emails...and I actually checked my email from home last week!)
Daughter Amy requested a Mickey Christmas card...wow - pretty specific! I had no idea how to proceed until I ran across this ornament stamp at Hobby Lobby...Round ornament - with circles - it screamed MICKEY!
Floor parent activity update. The three 'moms' went up the 4th Alverno to 'judge' dorm room door decorations. The 'dads' will judge tomorrow. Once the judging is tabulated one room (dual occupancy) will be named the WINNER! How exciting. There were some really clever 'door decs' as they call them. One even had lights strung around the entire frame. We floor parents decorate a door or two ourselves! We decorated the 4th floor lounge door last night. We used a snowflake theme - and changed the door sign from lounge to lodge. Every year we also put up a small Christmas tree in the lounge and put candy around and in the tree - restocking it about every other day. Today we put small Christmas stockings in their campus mail boxes filled with candy - nothing like keeping 'kids' on a sugar high!
Daughter Amy requested a Mickey Christmas card...wow - pretty specific! I had no idea how to proceed until I ran across this ornament stamp at Hobby Lobby...Round ornament - with circles - it screamed MICKEY!
~Base card - Papertrey Ink
~Layer of K & Company - Meadow and Breeze
~Circles of cardstock for the Mickey heads - outlined with glitter
~Ornament stamp - stamped with Versamark, embossed with clear embossing powder, colored with Copics, gold glitter for the ornament topper
~Gold cord (thank you Gail!)
~Word Window punch- Stampin' Up
~Sentiment by Just Rite
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
Merry Mickey Days to All,
Nancy
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Cool to Be at School
Heading back to work tomorrow. I am one of those extremely fortunate individuals who really likes their job. I was cleaning out my purse today and found a 'report card'. Okay, so I know college end of term grades are not 'report cards', but this is what it reminded me of. One of 'my' students came to my office at the end of the term and handed me her list of grades. I looked them over, congratulated her on a job well done, and started to hand the list back to her. She said, "No, that is your copy." She wanted me to have it because I'm 'her family'. She was an emancipated minor (now 21). She has 'adopted' me and I am happy to fill the bill. Her family life was rough and she is miles and miles away from 'home'. We got to know one another because of my volunteer role as 'floor parent'. I told her I would bring it home and put it on the refrigerator!
I've been home from work for a week (story to follow 0n THAT one). I've had so many e-mails, texts, and instant messages from students this past week... they make going to work something to look forward to.
I decided to check things out over at BasicGrey Challenges. The challenge was to use cream, pink, and blue, and of course BasicGrey. Pink and blue - wow - now THAT is a challenge for me - sounds way too pastel for me to work with but as I've said before - that is the point of a CHALLENGE. This is what I came up with.
Salvaged Time
~Base card - vanilla cardstock
~Layer of BasicGrey 'Blush'
~Ribbon assortment
~Layers of brown, cream, pink, blue cardstock
~The stamped image was made weeks ago. It was a 'failed' attempt to collage using stamps. I saved it thinking I would use the parts of the paper I had not stamped for other stampings. I pulled out a stamp set to use for this challenge and this was lying on top of it - I had forgotten all about it. I actually salvaged a previously deemed 'looser'! Here is a list of the stamps I used:
Stampin' Up's The Art of Life and Peaceful Wishes; Stampabilities' Le London, Composer's Dream, and Antique Key; and Image Tree's Cultural Review. The lower left area I smudged with acrylic metallic bronze paint. Images stamped using Stazon. Some of the edges I curved using a punch.
~Embellishments: swirl clip, ring, corner clip with brad, and clock face w/brad (Spare Parts - Clock Icons - I just bought these - they have been on my 'have to have' list for a long time)
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Bling IS the Thing
OBVIOUSLY, I got NO housework done today... I did manage to make muffins this morning. I now have ALL the ingredients for the Hot Chicken Salad so that is on the agenda for tomorrow. How very DOMESTIC of me!
Thinking of You
~Base card - PTI - purple edges
~Layer of stripes
~Layer of purple and hot pick cardstocks - purple is smudged with black ink and stamped with the flower bouquet stamp using purple ink
~Sentiment is from Hero Arts
~Vanilla cardstock stamped with an image from the Dollar Tree - colored with Copics and watercolor pencils, then topped with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects, sheer olive green ribbon bow
~Three purple eyelets (thank you Gailey!)
~Diagonal ribbon from Archiver's
Autumn Sparkle
This is a challenge from Kraftin Kimmie Stamps ( I have GOT to buy a couple of the stamps over there - they are ADORABLE!!!) The challenge was to use sparkle and bling. (KKSC10)
~Base card - PTI white cardstock - teal edges
~Plaid layer of DCWV matstock 'Indian Summer'
~Polka dot vertical DCWV matstock 'Indian Summer'
~Blingy leaves purchased at Hobby Lobby long ago
~Layer of solid Indian Summer, print Indian Summer and vanilla cardstock
~Sentiment - Bountiful Blessing - Stampabilities - colored with Copics topped with Glossy Accents
Color of Friendship
~Base card - PTI white
~Layer of striped paper
~Varigated ribbon placed vertically - pierced top and bottom with flower brads
~Layer of purple cardstock then another layer of same stripe - placed perpendicular
~Layer of yellow cardstock then green
~Image is - Stampin' Up Send a Celebration - stamped on white cardstock - colored in with Copics - topped with Glossy Accents
~Sentiment from Just Rite stamped on blue cardstock
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
Thinking of You
~Base card - PTI - purple edges
~Layer of stripes
~Layer of purple and hot pick cardstocks - purple is smudged with black ink and stamped with the flower bouquet stamp using purple ink
~Sentiment is from Hero Arts
~Vanilla cardstock stamped with an image from the Dollar Tree - colored with Copics and watercolor pencils, then topped with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects, sheer olive green ribbon bow
~Three purple eyelets (thank you Gailey!)
~Diagonal ribbon from Archiver's
Autumn Sparkle
This is a challenge from Kraftin Kimmie Stamps ( I have GOT to buy a couple of the stamps over there - they are ADORABLE!!!) The challenge was to use sparkle and bling. (KKSC10)
~Base card - PTI white cardstock - teal edges
~Plaid layer of DCWV matstock 'Indian Summer'
~Polka dot vertical DCWV matstock 'Indian Summer'
~Blingy leaves purchased at Hobby Lobby long ago
~Layer of solid Indian Summer, print Indian Summer and vanilla cardstock
~Sentiment - Bountiful Blessing - Stampabilities - colored with Copics topped with Glossy Accents
Color of Friendship
~Base card - PTI white
~Layer of striped paper
~Varigated ribbon placed vertically - pierced top and bottom with flower brads
~Layer of purple cardstock then another layer of same stripe - placed perpendicular
~Layer of yellow cardstock then green
~Image is - Stampin' Up Send a Celebration - stamped on white cardstock - colored in with Copics - topped with Glossy Accents
~Sentiment from Just Rite stamped on blue cardstock
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
Mission:Bling-Free
Back to work on Monday so had to squeeze in LOTS of bubble time today. Miss Jennifer had a request via Miss Amy for three Christmas cards and four non-Christmas cards - so here are a few of them.
Lady Jennie has a 'thing for bling' so she had already asked if I would make some cards for her to give as gifts to her 'pod-peeps' at work. I made a mistake by making most of the cards for her to give away - with lots of bling - know SHE likes bling. Well, she decided she liked the bling cards so much she couldn't give them away as gifts and is keeping them for herself to use later (as cards). Needless to say - she now doesn't have enough cards to give as gifts AND I will be making her a NEW set of cards as bling free as possible!
Looking for inspiration I checked out some of my favorite challenge blogs and wasn't disappointed when I clicked into the Paper Garden Projects blog. The current challenge calls for a card inspired by music. I remembered that long ago I had downloaded images of sheet music and the best part???? I even FOUND them!
Faithful Joy (Paper Garden Projects Challenge)
~Base card - PTI white cardstock - edges smudged with forest green
~Layer of hunter green cardstock - edges smudged with black
~Ribbon from Hobby Lobby
~Candle stamp colored in using Copics, topped with Crystal Effects - flame is yellow Stickles
~Wishing You Joy stamp - dollar bin at Michael's - stamped using forest green, vanilla paper grundged up with Tim Holtz Old Paper Distress Ink and layered on cranberry and hunter cardstocks
~Red star metallic brad from the Dollar Tree
~Sheet music is a free downloadable here (printed on glossy paper). I gave it a 'grundging over' with Tim Holtz Old Paper Distress Ink
Angel Dots
~Base card - PTI white cardstock - edges smudged with forest green
~Layer of green with green and red dots - Paper Studio
~Two layers of ribbon - sheer dotted green was in a "Transfer of Crap" from sister Gail; red/green dotted ribbon - from Hobby Lobby
~Layers of red/green cardstock topped with 3-D angel sticker, black ink pen 'stitches', and four red brads
Okay - so this is kind of a cheater card - very simple, very quick, but the angel is really a cutie, and I DID have to draw ALL those FAKE stitches...that should count for SOMETHING!
Confetti Tree
~Base card - PTI Vanilla Cream - edges smudged with forest green
Layer of hunter green cardstock
~Layer of Paper Studio Snowflakes on Red - I added the bling using Stickles Icicle (how appropriate!)
~Layer of hunter green cardstock
~Layer of vanilla confetti cardstock stamped with green using Stampin' Up's Solemn Stillness (I don't actually own this set - I just stamped up a couple of sheets of cardstock long ago using my daughter-in-law's set) Versapen and Ranger Evergreen Embossing Powder (hmmmm this EP was on my 'I bought this - WHY?' list....COOL!!! I used it!)
~The gold metallic stars are confetti - attached using glue dots (because the pop off with regular glue)
~The tree topper is a star brad with slits for ribbon
~Sentiment is Stampabilities (Holly Merry Christmas)- holly berries Stickled in red - stamped on re-purposed file folder and .... you guessed it - edges SMUDGED using cranberry ink
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
Elfin Amy
There's No Business Like Snow Business.... was the challenge over at Crazy 4 Challenges. Well actually they said to include snow.... I got a little carried away with the challenge title.
Daughter Amy bought this adorable elfin Cloud 9 Design paper for me. I liked it so much she bought me several sheets! Lucky me - Lucky me....Sweet Amy - Sweet Amy.
Well, I cut the strip and then trimmed a little elf so he could 'swing'.
I Could Be Swingin' On a Flake
~Base card - PTI Vintage Cream edges smudged with Distress Ink Fired Brick
~Layer of lime green Archiver cardstock
~Three metal snowflake brads - originally silver - I coated them with Versamark then Ranger Seafoam White Embossing Powder
~Layer of burgundy cardstock with horizontal layer of Sparkle Trim the Tree (Cloud 9 Design); topped with Window Word punch from Stampin'Up - sentiment Stampin' Up Small Script
~Layer of hunter green and layer of the elfin magic cardstock
~Snowflakes punched topped with Crystal Effects and attached with red and green brads
~Swingin' elf - well...because I love old tunes... "Would you like to swing on a ..."
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
Friday, December 11, 2009
Mojo Pear
Finally a post - I'll post later on why I have been in abstentia lately. For now suffice it to say I'm making time to blog because the way I blog - I may have something to yada yada to share but have no recently created cards or I may have cards to share but may not necessarily have any yada yada. What a dueling challenge I've made for myself!
Since I wanted to post a few challenge cards to the challenger's blog-sites - I am forced to not bore you with details from my personal life - and just get these babies uploaded!
Birthday Mojo
Layout inspiration from Mojo Monday.
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink Soft Stone Cardstock
~Layer of hot pink Miss Elizabeth paper scrap pack ($ Tree)
~Layer of green from the same Miss Elizabeth pack
~Three scallop circles of teal cardstock topped with gold color swirl paper (same Miss Elizabeth) pack - used Spellbinders and Cuttlebug
~Ribbon from American Crafts
~I held the bow together using a silver eyelet and my Crop-A-Dial (I thought the silver circular eyelet mirrored the look of the silver metal birthday tag)
~The metal birthday tag was a $Tree purchase long ago
~The pink clip at the bottom is from Spare Parts (purchased by sissy Gail at Hobby Lobby)
~The scalloped edges of the circles were dolloped with Stickles
Wrong Tree Right Fruit
This was a challenge from Our Creative Corner with the inspiration - The Twelve Days of Christmas
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink Vintage Cream cardstock - edges smudged with Distress Ink Peeled Paint
~Layer of BasicGrey Fruitcake (used the front and back)
~Numbers/words tags - die cuts (BasicGrey)
~Stamps: Christmas and Bird (Martha Stewart); Pear (Stampin'Up All Natural); Musical Notes (Composer's Dream Stampabilities)
~Assorted stuff: drum button (clipped off shank); gold ring (it was silver - painted it with acrylic paint); gold floss; felt tree (Make it Christmas - Hobby Lobby)
~Bird and pear colored in with Copics and topped with Glossy Accents (bird) and Crackle Accents (pear)
~Ribbon (Hobby Lobby - Make it Christmas)
You can get up close with the card click on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy
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