Blueberry Cliff

Fixin' to go to work for awhile. I'm wishing I would have brought the files home that I need. The RAs (Resident Assistants) are moving back on campus this weekend (which I forgot about). I'll either have to sit in my office with the door and blinds closed or be prepared for several interruptions. I'm not complaining about these upcoming friendly interludes it's always fun when the students start trickling back in but the whole reason for going in on the weekend is to get caught up!

I only managed to get one card completed. It is not what I had planned for an image as I misplaced the original image I had planned for this. After searching high, low, in the wastebasket, my pockets, the kitchen...I decided to stamp a new image.


Blueberries N' Cream
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Vintage Cream~Layer of black cardstock
~Layer of The Paper Studio Vintage Black Paisley
~Bottom edge of the design paper smudged with extra Distress Ink Old Paper and Memento London Fog
~Top horizontal strip of The Paper Studio Black and Cream Medallions
~Lacey Blueberry 'vintage' seam binding with 'binding blossom' - secured with black thread (and I left the tails of the thread straggling)
~For the center of the blossom I re-purposed an upholstery tack
~Strip of check fabric from my fabric stash
~Black thread stitches around outside edge
~Image/sentiment is a stamp from a dollar bin at Michael's - edges of cardstock smudged with Distress Ink Old Paper~Pale blue Prima flower - with center black shaft button (I snapped the shaft off of the button)
Challenges:
SplitcoastStampers - Ways to Use It -WT207 - frugal finds, re-purpose, recycling (used an upholstery tack found languishing in the kitchen 'junk drawer'
SplitcoastStampers - Free for All - F4A23 - side swiped - something special along the borders (smudged/distressed bottom edge, sewing)
Card Patterns - sketch/layout

Well...I'm off to the Cliff!
All good wishes,
Nancy

Stealth Summer

Taking time for a quick post then hoping to accomplish more than a squirrel in a nut factory. The list of things to do today: Post card, make a card or two, a trip to the farmer's market, and then, sadly enough, go to work. How did this summer escape with such stealthy ease? I have so many things at work I need to accomplish before students start moving back on campus I'm nearly in panic mode. Deadline to 'get er' all done is August 10. Didn't the little darlin's JUST leave????

Oh well...daylight is burning...instead of thinking about all I have to accomplish today I need to 'post-up and shut-up'.
Watermelon Note~Base card PaperTrey Ink Spring Moss~Layer of white cardstock - edges smudged with Anita's Art Stamps Cranberry~Layer of The Paper Studio Blush Checkerboard
~Sentiment - Just Rite
~Horizontal layer of red cardstock with faux stitches using Sharpie Ultra Fine Point Black~Layer of white cardstock smudged with Stampabilities Kelly Green
~Layer of light green textured cardstock edges smudged with Stampabilities Black~Layer of red paper stamped and edge-smudged using Versamark, Stampin' Up Looks Like Spring, and Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Powder Black Soot~Free digital image from Pholkart Blessings (I worked a little digital erasing and deleted the ant that was sitting on the table cloth.) Image is colored with Copics, and highlight dots using Sharpie Poster Paints white
Challenges:
Lord Have Mercy - sketch (layout)
Our Creative Corner - used red, green, white, black
Dare U 2 Digi Stamp - use stitching

Off to attempt over-achieving!
All good wishes,
Nancy

Bling Worthy Dead Zones...and Hold the "H"

My RAGBRAI (the Des Moines Register's Annual Great Ride Across Iowa) friends are spending the night Charles City, IA. They have bicycled a total of 341.1 miles. Today was the longest day on this trek across the WIDE state of Iowa totaling 82.2 miles. They have 109.1 miles remaining ending this rural journey in Dubuque.

And while you may think of the heart of the Midwest as flat it probably doesn't seem too level to some of these riders from 50 states and 44 countries pedaling in the heat and humidity. The first day included a roller coaster elevation of 3,687 feet. I've read a few RAGBRAI blogs and perhaps the worst part isn't the distance or our rolling hills... "hey all, sorry we haven’t be able to post in the past few days…. we anticipated that we could use the smart mobile devices to update the blog, but it turns out that there’s a lot of dead zones in Iowa where connecting to the world wide web is harder than finding a flushing toilet". Well - that pretty much sums up my home state!


Granddaughter Bailey is spending the night tonight. We are taking her tomorrow to visit with her Aunt Amy. I'm preparing myself for a night of knees and elbows as the sleeping calisthenics girl dozes off. Now about these cards...

Detail:

Best Fishes~Gina K Design white cardstock
~Fishbowl template from Ellen Hutson~Fish - Stampin' Up Very Puny colored with Copics
~Air bubbles dotted with Stickles
~Top layer is acetate
~Ribbon
Challenges:Just Us Girls - use a template
Stampin' B's - happy birthday
Caarvarks - happy birthday

Merry and Bright~Base card PaperTrey Ink cream cardstock
~Layer of Daisy D
~Sentiment - Hero Art - Merry Holiday Borders~Image - Hobby Lobby stamp colored with Copics, green dots topped with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects~ Three layers of die cuts - Spellbinders' Labels II edges smudged with cranberry ink
~Gold floss (substituted for the challenge requirement of ribbon) Floss is "Transfer of Crap" item from sister Gail. The ornament is "hanging" from the moon button.
~Moon and star buttons are "Transfer of Crap" from friend Nila
Challenges:
Aud Sentiments - use Christmas sentiment
Little Red Wagon - Christmas in July
The Shabby Tea Room - use 1 ribbon, 2 buttons, 3 die cuts

Friend Nila - Hold the H~Base card is pre-made with embossing
~Purple/green stripe design paper - edges smudged with purple ink
~Layers of green and purple cardstock with black dots added to purple outer edge
~Purple/green rick-rack (gift from sissy Gail)
~Sentiment from Just Rite
~Image from Baby Bud Designs (I HAD to buy this cutie because her name is actually Nilah!) Nilah is colored with Copics, head-band/bow embellished with Stickles (because Nila is "Bling Worthy")
Challenges:
2S4Y - sketch
Digital Tuesday - dazzle plus use digital image


I have one more card but will wait to post it tomorrow or Saturday.
All good wishes,
Nancy

Exhausted Brown Penguins

I'm exhausted. We got up at 5 AM to see the Arizona Penguins off this morning on their 500 mile trek across the state of Iowa. The second team, Gerry's Kids, left around 8:30 this morning. ONE of Team McGuire went back to bed...it wasn't me. Hosting RAGBRAI teams is something I highly recommend. It was great fun having them at the house. I'll post a report with photos later in the week. For now - it's cards, shower, and EARLY bedtime.

First up - this layout challenge from Stamping 411


Heel-Toe~White cardstock
~Layer of solid cardstock from K&Co Happy Birthday 2U~A strip of striped cardstock from K&Co Happy Birthday 2U with top and bottom paper punched using a Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page (which I still haven't figured out how to use - it's back to the YouTube Tutorial for me!) White Sharpies Poster Paint dotted throughout punched holes
~Layer of pink ribbon and a bow using my Easy Bow which required watching ANOTHER video tutorial - which was VERY helpful. Suzanne Dean video tutorials are my favorites.
~Sentiment printed on white cardstock, edges smudged with orange ink, then layered on green and yellow cardstocks
~Variety of stamped and digital shoe images colored with Copics and embellished with Stickles, Glossy Accents, and plastic glitter
Challenge
Stamping 411


Next is a photo/color inspiration from The Shabby Tea Room



Peony Wreath~Base card PaperTrey Ink white
~Layer of Daisy D's Frost Green~Image from The Graphics Fairy, printed on Gina K Designs Pure Luxury White cardstock, highlighted using Copics, edges of cardstock smudged using Distress Ink Antique Linen, Old Paper, and Vintage Photo
~Ribbon from Michael's dollar bin - Christmas BotanicalsChallenge:
The Shabby Tea Room

And lastly a color challenge from The Pink Elephant - use the color brown.
Easy Peasy Bridal Brown
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Dark Chocolate~Layer of My Mind's Eye Out and About (This is really cheating - no stamping, no coloring, the sparkly glitter was already on the cardstock as was the botanical image...)
~Pieces cut from 'Hanging Bridal Spray' purchased at Hobby Lobby - held in place with brown satin ribbon
This has to be the fastest, easiest card I've ever made - but I like it!
Challenge:
The Pink Elephant

I know I said I wasn't going to post any RAGBRAI pictures but in honor of "Brown"... I have to leave you with this one shot from this morning. And yes that is their 'Iowa gift bag' of Jolly Time Popcorn for the trip!


All good wishes,
Nancy

Popcorn, Bagels, and Ink

The countdown continues. RAGBRAI, the 500 mile trek across the state of Iowa, festivities start tomorrow. My 'stranger' guests, from Colorado and Arizona, arrive tomorrow afternoon. Nine people I've never met. All staying at my home. I ask again...What Was I THINKING when I volunteered for this gig?

The house is clean! Don't tell anyone but I cleaned more for these 9 cycling strangers than I do when family is coming to visit! At least I don't have to cook for them...that would be a very UN-welcoming thing to do. I did buy two LARGE bags of pre-popped popcorn from the local popper - Jolly Time Popcorn. And I have bagel's ordered from Panera's for pick-up tomorrow. Nothing like loading up cyclists on carbs and fiber!

My son verbalized some concerns about having total strangers spending the night. I said, "Eric, I don't think serial killers travel on bicycles and if they are here to "burgle" they will be sadly disappointed. I don't think daughter Amy was all that surprised that I volunteered our home. She understands my OCV (obsessive compulsive volunteering) 'syndrome'. My husband takes it in stride knowing all too well that when I say, "sure, WE can do that" it will somehow involve toil and patience on his part.

Last year I volunteered to let the new football coach live in our downstairs bedroom for 5 months as he awaited the move of his family from out of state. I don't know why...I just VOLUNTEER. Trust me, it's not that I'm all that NICE...I have a snarky streak. Volunteering is just something that I do. I actually remember my first time volunteering. I was in grade school and told the nuns I would volunteer to iron altar clothes for them. Again I say...WHAT was I THINKING????? (There is more to this story...but I must get on to the card and then off to bed at a reasonable time.)

Even with my hands crackly dry from all the Clorax products I've used and the Swiss cheese holes in my cerebrum from all the cleaning fumes I've inhaled I managed to get one card created. As I was cleaning and fantasizing about spending time in my Bubble I was thinking that the two classes I would most like to take would be on the subjects of Copics and creating shabby chic/vintage cards. I love shabby chic and vintage cards. I just don't have what it takes to pull it off...maybe I need more 'stuff'...hmmmmmmmmm. Maybe THAT's it...

Inked Greetings~Base card - PaperTrey Ink classic white
~Layer of grey cardstock
~Layer of BasicGrey Manila Paper Pad - stamped over using Stampin' Up Weathered bacground stamp and Versa Color Sand Beige , I smudge the edges of the design paper - which looks like lined school paper - using Memento London Fog~Grey paper frame with black eyelets in corners
~Note card front (image of ink bottle and quill)
~Doily (smudged) with center removed
~Three paper punch flowers (one white, two cream) with chipboard painted flower centers
~Crinkled Cardstock Flowers (tutorial on SplitcoastStampers) using Core'dinations Hocus Pocus for the outer layer and the second layer was the center of the doily that I cut out and distressed and flecked with India Ink, then stacked one white button, one black button, and tied using cream color DMC floss
~All distressing and smudging using Distress Inks Antique Linen and Memento London Fog, I added titanium white acrylic in some areas of the doily.
ChallengePlay Date Cafe - use black, white, cream, and grey
Stampin' B - use a background stamp
Setting my alarm early for final preparations. Also have a wedding to squeeze into the day. Busy, busy, busy.
All good wishes,
Nancy

Frosted Fumes

The cleaning frenzy continues... but a girl needs a break so I managed to squeeze in a couple of cards. Tried a new-to-me technique. Sadly, I don't recall what the name of it is or where I read/heard about it. Is it 'frosted window, stained glass'? I don't know and can't backtrack to find the link. I'm blaming my lack of memory on cleaning product fumes.


Close up -

Little Things~Base card PaperTrey Ink Select White~Layer of Miss Elizabeth design paper from the Dollar Tree
~Sentiment - sticker by Phrase Cafe
~Scallop circle - punched using scallop circle and plain circle punches
~Dots added to scallops using Sharpie Poster Paint (I LOVE this gadget!)
~Flower image, Inkadinkadoo Personal Impression stamped on vellum and on the white cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black and both colored using Copics
Challenge:
Play Date Cafe' use purple, lilac, and lime

Close up -



Scripted
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Vintage Cream~Background stamped using Stampabilities Le London Script with Stampin' Up Not Quite Navy ink and Stampin' Up Weathered stamp and Stampin' Up Really Rust ink; edges smudged using Really Rust and Distress Ink Old Paper
~Navy blue cardstock is re-purposed Berkshire Hathaway folder...no idea where I got this - I certainly don't have any of their stock (The closest I come to it is CARDstock... I'm sorry that is really lame - damn those cleaning product fumes!)
~Flower image stamped on both vellum and cream cardstock using Inkadinkadoo Personal Impressions, Memento Tuxedo Black ink and Copics
~Orange cardstock circle with edges smudged with Not Quite Navy~Assorted ribbons
Challenge:
Just Us Girls - use orange, navy, cream (I just now realized this challenge was supposed to include green as well. Let's see - this faux pas I think I will blame on my bifocals!)

This is all I had time for. Back to preparing for my 'guests' of 9 strangers from Colorado and Arizona. By the way - my shower doors have NEVER looked so good!

You can get up close with the cards by clicking on the images.All good wishes,
Nancy

Colorado, Arizona, and Omaha

What was I thinking? I signed up to be a host home for RAGBRAI bicycle riders. And they took me up on the offer! Oh my goodness! Next weekend I will have 4 people tenting in my backyard (and using the bathrooms) and 5 riders spending the night in my house (and using the bathrooms). The mix in age is from late teen to 60+. One team hails from Arizona while the other team is traveling from Colorado. To ride bikes.... in the heat....and humidity....across the state of Iowa. This year marks the 38th anniversary for this "the oldest, largest, and longest bicycle touring event in the world."

And just what is RAGBRAI? It is a bicycle ride across the state of Iowa. A LONG ride across the WIDTH of the state (west to east). It is somewhere in the 470+ mile range. As the 'kick-off' town, good ol' SUX, my hometown will be 'home' to approximately 9,000 cyclists.

I figured it would be easier to host riders than BE a rider. Maybe I should rethink that since I now have to clean my house AND weed the gardens. What is there with me and my uncontrollable volunteering? I need HELP!

I had a wonderful weekend. Spent time with sissy Gail, daughter Amy, got my hair cut and layered at my favorite hair spa - Pemberley's Hair Design, Omaha, NE.

I have much yet to do before I hit the hay so am going to post a few cards and continue with my cleaning frenzy. My husband keeps saying, "you invited 9 strangers to spend the night in our home...?" I think he is torn between utter amazement and realizing this is just part of the norm being married to me.

With high heat and high temperatures it is the perfect time to think wintry Christmas!



Holiday Heat
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Pure Poppy
~Layer of American Craft The Goods - Wrapping
~Horizontal layer of Paper Studio Tis the Season Stripe, bottom of stripe paper punched using Martha Stewart punch (I have not mastered the corner do-dah yet...) holes punched for the scallop filled in using Stickles - some Diamond, some Candy Cane, layer of 'velvet' ribbon and lace ~Layer of red cardstock edges smudged with green ink and white dots applied using Sharpies White Poster Paint
~Sentiment from Stampendous Doodle Open Holidays - colored with Copics and thickly coated with Ranger Glossy Accents - the ornament is embellished with more Stickles
Challenges:
Stamping 411 Sketch
Shabby Tea Room Christmas in July
Counting Years
~Layer of PaperTrey Ink Rustic White - edges smudged with Distress Inks
~Layer of PTI Kraft cardstock - bottom layer torn, all edges smudged with Distress Inks
~Two layers of coordinating papers from BasicGrey Basics Manila Paper Pad - edges smudged
~Top horizontal layer of dark brown with eyelets on both ends
~Sentiment (Stampin' Up It's Your Birthday) stamped on vellum using Memento Tuxedo Black. Vellum then attached to dark brown cardstock with fold of cardstock and three Stampin' Up eyelets
~Three buttons from the stash
~Brown and white check ribbon
Challenges:
Stampin' B's - use a sentiment as the focal point
Crazy for Challenges - use buttons
I'm off to finish cleaning Miss Bailey's room. Better stock up on toilet paper while I'm thinking of it!
All good wishes,
Nancy

Trip to Omaha, Transfer of Crap and Pampering

Before I get sucked into the swirly vortex of blogland I will force myself to post a wee bit this evening. I need to set a timer and when it 'dings' I must stop all blog surfing and either return to the 'edit post' section of my blog or continue working on a card. Creating - Good; vortex surfing - Bad.

Not sure how many cards I will get made this week. I am leaving for Sister Gail's for the weekend. Spending time with sister and daughter AND getting my hair colored and cut. Sounds like a good weekend to me. Sister Gail spoils me while I'm there and then send boxes and boxes of the 'transfer of crap' as that is the tradition. She told me to have my trunk and backseat empty for the ride to Omaha because they won't be empty on the way back...mon cher!

I won't be able to skip out from work early on my quest to arrive in Omaha early. I'm getting a new(er) desk tomorrow. Actually I trading desks with a person that hasn't been hired yet. I figure he won't know that my 'land-barge' monster desk wasn't in his office all along... My current desk is a patchwork of two different desks. What it lacks in sleek contemporary lines, functionality, and less land mass than the QEII, my current desk has in spades: utilitarian features, drawers that require brute strength to open or close, and heft. Andi, the work study, was helping me unload my desk in preparation for tomorrow's move and EMPTY the biggest guy in the department could only move it the half inch required to make room to retrieve the monitor cord. Once this baby is parked - it's PARKED! My current desk screams - 'Yah I see ya - what do you want - you must want something? Too Bad - just toss whatever it is you want to leave and then you do the same!" My NEW desk says, "I'm so happy you are here...please have a seat...have a piece of candy...what would you like to talk about?"

I have everything cleaned out of both desks ready for the morning move. At first the maintenance staff told me "no" they weren't going to switch the desks for me. They told me I could just swap offices and that would be easier for them. I told them_______________! And they agreed to Thursday. I put a note on my door saying they can get started but to wait until I get there at 8 am to show them the layout for the room that I have planned. I bet anything they have it all done by 7 am and my desk will be facing the wrong wall. Tomorrow should be interesting. I'm planning on holding my own with the maintenance guys. I know there will be one more push to get me to move into the vacant office just so they don't have to move these desks....I'm ready for them! (I'm baking coffee cake).

On to the cards.

Olive to Celebrate~Base Card PaperTrey Ink Vintage Cream~Layer of olive green cardstock
~Layers of Daisy D's Candy Apple Gingham, and Sugarplum Paisley Peppermint.
~Image is a stamp from Michael's dollar bin - stamped using Memento Black Tuxedo, colored using Stickles Diamonds and Inkssentials Glossy Accents - area distressed using Tim Holtz Peeled Paint. Image cut using deckle punch, mounted on olive green and red cardstocks. Eyelets added to side of red folded cardstock
~Chipboard Daisy D tag added to upper left hand corner of red cardstock - layer of cream colored cardstock layered behind the tag so that the punch holes show up a bit more
~Red/Green/Tan plaid ribbon purchased at Hobby Lobby
~Three green eyelets along bottom edge of card
~Sentiment "Live" added as tab is from Just Rite
Challenges:
Sketch Saturday
Paper Sundaes - lots of layers

Tapestry Inspiration
~Base card white cardstock
~Circles cut from raised black and white embossed paper that came with a box of crayons
~Flowers were cut from DCWV cardstock. I just happened to glance down into 'the box of stuff I probably won't every use' and there were these images printed in black and white screaming to be used. I colored them using Copics and Sharpies, and Sharpie Poster Paints and cut them into individual pieces. Here is the original inspiration:
Challenge
Maxie World Tuesday Trigger
All good wishes,
Nancy

Pot and Kettle in the Corners

Sister Gail thought about initiating a Ribbon Intervention after seeing my previous post with pictures of the bulk of my ribbon stash. That is until she paused long enough to review her quilting fabric stash... Glad the pot stopped to reflect before talking to the kettle!

I should have waited and posted all these together but I didn't plan on still being in the Bubble working on cards - yet here I am!!!

Flowers in the Corner
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Vintage Cream
~Layer of brown cardstock then layer of polka dot design paper (this was the remaining scrap - so I don't have the name of it anymore)
~Ribbon from the stash
~Rectangle of cream colored cardstock - I randomly scored horizontal and vertical lines then smudged with pastel chalks and some Distress Inks, also stamped over the area with leaves from Stampin' Up Best Blossoms using brown ink and Versamark
~Left side of the card pierced using a Score-Bug
~Prima flowers with paper punch flowers and brads in two corners
~Sentiment by Stampabilities Thoughts are with You
Challenges:
Our Creative Corner Sketch
Just for Fun - color inspiration - Light Blue, Brown, and Cream
Stampin' B's - use polka dots

I think I'm finished for the evening - but you just never know!
Nancy

I'd Rather Have a Peanut Butter Sandwich for Dinner

My 93 year old mother called she wants to go to dinner at Applebee's. Oh brother! A another Memere Old adventure coming up! I just want to stay home in the Bubble - SHE wants a strawberry-mango margarita. I don't know about this....one alcoholic drink per week...maybe I need to have an intervention with the little woman! I don't even LIKE Applebee's - SHE likes their non-sour/sweet margaritas. And speaking of interventions. I MAY be in need of a ribbon intervention. Here is a shot of some of my ribbon stash. The over-the-door rack is from Wal-Mart with a few dowels added between shelves. The stash on the wall utilizes circular cafe rod clips (transfer of crap from sister Gail).




Black, White, and Lilies
~Base card white cardstock
~Two different design papers - unknown maker mounted on black cardstock
~Red metal slotted brad with several types of ribbon
~Digital image printed (freebie from Digital Two for Tuesday) on white cardstock - edges smudged with black ink - image colored with Copics - center of flowers sparingly dotted with yellow Stickles - black under-layer of cardstock with the edge punched using a Martha Stewart punch - then layered on white cardstock
Challenges:
Splitcoast Stampers - Sketch 287
Crazy for Challenges - Red, Black, and White
Aud Sentiments - no sentiment

All good wishes for the remainder of your day.
Nancy

Getting Corked with Andy Williams at a Provincial Luau

I was without a laptop for a few days. That was miserable. I wasn't really without Internet - just my laptop. I could have used my husband's desktop but that would require entering the man cave. He is a pack-rat..a cluttered, unorganized pack-rat. Don't misunderstand, he does have SOME endearing qualities, it was just more tolerable to be without cyber-connection than make myself enter his unruly region.

The reason I was sans laptop was I unknowingly downloaded a virus. A nasty, ghastly, pornography-filled virus. Every time I tried to open a familiar blog or website I was re-routed to FILTHY porn! I needed bleach for my retinas! And a soapy shower! It was horrible! After two days in the shop I am happy to report to you that my laptop is now 'Porn Free'. Admit it you have Andy Williams singing in your mental background - sing it with me ...."Porn free...as free as the wind blows...as free as the grass grows...."

I have a few cards to report on. One is a revisit - Not Sure What He's Thinking (AKA Owie) was featured at Baby Bud Designs. The digital designs are available on Etsy. Thank you Krista and Mary Anne! Whoooo Hoooo - very exciting for me and for Owie. Here is Owie and I can't help but wonder what mischief he's been up to.



You can read the Owie recipe at an earlier post titled African Breezes.
I volunteered to make a friend at work a card for her granddaughter Sydney's 6th birthday. The theme was a tropical setting complete with flip-flop invitations, tiki lamps and leis. Here is the card I made for Grandma Renee to give to Sydney. I made sure to include 6 candles, flop-flops, and a miniature lei on her card.

This is a side view:

Sydney's Tropical Island Birthday
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Ripe Avocado~Layer of The Paper Studio Summer Floral
~Sentiment is from Hero Arts Birthday Candles (I cut away two of the candles since this is the child's 6th birthday) The candles are colored in using Copics the flames are topped with Stickles Yellow.
~The flip flops stamp is from Studio G (Michael's Dollar Bin) I cut away the Take it Easy sentiment from the stamped image. It is colored using Copics and embellished using Stickles.
~I made an attempt at making a lei by randomly shaping flowers from fabric flowers purchased at the Dollar Tree. I bought a large bag of white preformed fabric rose petals - there is a HUGE amount in this bag. I had no idea what I would use them for - but you know the mental mantra when drawn to some meaningless object while engaging in Dollar Tree Therapy - it's only a dollar...it's only a dollar...it's only...
The rest of the Hawaiian welcome necklace is assembled using monofiliment (fishing line) and beads. I colored some of the white 'rose' petals using ink pads.
~Yellow flower brad was used to hold the lei in place
Challenge:
Caardvarks - create a birthday card
Dutch Dare - Floral inspiration

Provincial Inspiration~Base card - white cardstock pre-made
~Layers (background layer, and horizontal and vertical cuts) of re-purposing a heavy weight IRS Careers folder. I liked the shades of blue and the sheen so I brought one home and chopped away at it. (Is there something Freudian in hacking away at an Internal Revenue Service promotional folder...or GASP.....something nefarious...something illegal?) Wonder if I would get points from the EPA for recycling and re-purposing...But I digress...
~Layer of rust colored fabric rick-rack
~Layer of colorful design paper from K & Co Wild Saffron
~Yellow and blue rectangles of cardstock - with digital image stamped from Paper Garden Projects colored with Copics, glass jar topped with Inkssentials Glossy Accents. I've never colored in glass before - I think I need to find a tutorial! Why didn't I put a water line mark...these flowers are REALLY going to be thirsty! Maybe they are dried flowers...sure - that's my story and I'm stickin' to it! "Dried Flowers in Sea Glass Vase"
~Oval created using Cuttlebug and Spellbinders die cut
~Sentiment from the dollar bin at Michael's
Challenges:
Play Date Cafe - provincial inspiration
Friday Sketchers - sketch

Getting Corked and Smashed
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink Ripe Avocado
~Layer of Bo Bunny Spicy Strips then narrower layer of Bo Bunny Spicy Circles
~Layer of cork (I just happen to have it...could it be from a prior transfer of crap?)
~Layer of hunter green cardstock topped with a glossy square of color using the ink, spray, smash technique (which I've never done before) using Stampin' Up Re-inkers. Over the top of the smashing I stamped leaves using Stampin' Up Best Blossoms and Stampin' Up Old Olive Ink
~The floppy blossom was made using Shabby Vintage Seam Binding by Deb Marcinkiewicz at The Shabby Tea Room. She sells this dreamy trim at Etsy on her Simple Treasures page. This was a giftie from Sissy Gail! She bought me FOUR colors!!! Mint Green Tea, Lacey Blueberry, Cake Crumbs, and Rose Petal Cupcake lucky me..lucky me. Thank you Gail! For this card I dredged the Mint Green Tea ribbon through Stampin' Up Really Rust - just to have it coordinate more with the colors of the card.
~Floppy blossom topped with variegated green button held in place with twine
~Sentiment from Hero Arts stamped using Stampin Up Really Rust and edges smudged with Distress Ink Peeled Paint and layered on orange and brown cardstocks
Challenges:
Stamping 411 - Sketch
Just Us Girls - use the Ink, Spray, Smash technique at Splitcoast Stampers
Our Creative Corner - incorporate cork

I'm off to tackle a few more challenges with what remains of the weekend.
You can get up close with the cards by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy

Bing Crosby, Ann Landers, and 93 Candles

Today was my mother's 93rd birthday. We celebrated with lunch and the BEST hot fudge sundae in the Midwest, MAYBE even in the United States. The Green Gables has been at the same location since 1929. They are literally famous for their Matzo Ball Soup and Hot Fudge Sundaes. It was the after school hang-out for our most famous twins - Abigail and Ann Friedman (AKA Dear Abby and Ann Landers). The building actually looks like this: What makes this Hot Fudge Sundae so incredible? Is it the really good, hand-scooped, vanilla ice cream? The tall fluted ice cream dish it is served in? Is it the chopped almonds or the maraschino cherry? The swirl of whipped cream? Or...is it the Hot Fudge served on the side in a green miniature ceramic pouring pitcher? I know from experience that the top of the wee pitcher is JUST wide enough to allow your spoon in to retrieve most of the contents. Of course if you want EVERY last drop of the chocolaty indulgence the PROPER retrieval method is your finger. Good to the last lick I tell you!

It's not a place to go if you are in a hurry. Every thing is cooked to order and the waitresses...well lets just say they (and I mean this seriously) are the same waitresses that worked there when I was in high school and I'm old enough to have an 11 year old granddaughter. They were probably high school chums of Ann and Abby. It is one of those places that, if you've moved out of the area, you must revisit with every homecoming.

My personal lunch favorite? The Custer Special. The description: "is it a sandwich or is it a salad?" Daughter Amy calls it the Hay Mound. I like it no matter what it is called. She always orders the Chicken Club Sandwich. They even have Liver and Onions as a regular on the menu! Anyway if you are ever in the area - Green Gables is a must do!
Enough about the Sundaes - on to the cards. I was a maniac in the Bubble tonight. I was probably on a sugar high from the fudge...

Ruby Tube
~Base card Paper Trey Ink White
~Layer of bright green cardstock
~Layer of My Mind's Eye Penny Lane (I like the circles that duplicate the round of the inner tube)
~Three flower punches using DCWV Glitter Mat Stock
~Ribbon
~Digital image - this week's freebie by Elizabeth O. Dulemba - colored with Copics, inner tube embellished with three 'ruby' rhinestones and Stickles - I don't know why I "sparklied-up" the inner tube. It had little circles drawn on it and it just screamed 'gemstones'!
Challenges:
Hidden Treasures - sketch
City Crafter - Some Like it Hot (summer theme and use the color red)
Daring Cardmakers - Ruby inspiration


Brush Up on Your Greetings

~Base card Paper Trey Ink Raspberry Fizz
~Striped design paper
~Layer of blue and pink cardstock and digital image printed on white cardstock. Image is another freebie from Lauretta's Digital Stamps - colored with Copics and the bristles are coated with Glossy Accents. The background of the image I sponge-smudged with pastel chalks.
~Sheer ribbons and thin trim/braid for the string of the brush handle
~Challenge
Stamping 411 - sketch

Caardvarks - create a birthday card


Carry Moonbeams Home in Jar...
~Base card Paper Trey Ink White
~Unknown design papers
~Sentiment - Stampin' Up Warm Words~Oval diecut using Spellbinders and Cuttlebug - background sky and ground applied using pastel chalks and dry sponge
~Two digital images colored and attached using foam dimensionals. The girl on the swing is from Little Musings and regrettably I didn't save the artist's name on the Swirly Tree
~Accordion flower with white brad is something I made because I just happen to have a strip of the design paper tossed to the side which I had accordion folded and then never used - so I decided to try to make a circle out of it
Challenges:
Lord Have Mercy - sketch
Dare U 2 Digi Stamp - The Great Outdoors

I think my sugar buzz is melding into a carbohydrate coma - so that' all for me tonight. Thank you for stopping by. Maybe we'll meet for a fountain treat at the Green Gables!

All good wishes,
Nancy

African Breezes

Just a quick note tonight. I need to go to bed early. Granddaughter Bailey spent the night last night. Sleeping with her is like sleeping with a cross between an octopus and a giraffe. At one point I remember something draped over me and vaguely thought, ohhhh, she has her arm around me...no wait...that's a leg! I usually wake up a few times in the night to make sure she is still has a quilt keeping her toasty warm because usually she has it wadded up in a ball or tossed to the floor in which case SHE is wadded up in a ball. Last night I performed my due diligence sitting up to see that she was snuggled in - not only was her quilt on the floor but her head was at the foot of the bed. I'm exhausted.

Here is the output from the Bubble this weekend. I wasn't as productive as I should have been. I have GOT to stop blog hunting and spend more time actually making cards than looking at them!

I'm not sure what part of my brain put this card together. I was cleaning the Bubble and ran across this cool embossed image on a sample paper catalog. I decided to cut him out and use him. I put him with some of my "you bought it - now use it' stash.


Sun Hemp Dance
~Base card Paper Trey Ink Rustic Cream Cardstock~Pre-made embossed image (Paul Jermann, illustrator), surface distressed using Tim Holtz Distress Inks Antique Linen and Vintage Photo
~Swirl brad from Oriental Trading
~Three types of twine braided together and held in place with two metal brads along the bottom of the card
~The background handmade paper and the string of paper and wood beads are from Eco-Africa Hand Made Plant Paper by Provo Craft (I've had this sitting around for years - bought it when daughter Amy was attending the University of Iowa - this definitely qualifies for the 'you bought it....' category. I wasn't even making cards at the time of the purchase. I just LOVE hand-made paper. I had no idea why I thought I NEEDED it...
~Along the right side of the card, partially hidden by the embossed character is a blade of grass that had gone to seed and was dried - this was also in the Africa collection
Challenge:
The Shabby Tea Room - "Let's Make an Impression" (use embossing)

Kind of a funky card - but I had fun putting it together.

The label on the Eco-Africa Paper Craft Kit says, "Hand made plant paper is crafted by women in communities and villages in the African republic of Zimbabwe. Using donated, simple paper making equipment, the women are taught by master papermakers to craft paper using indigenous and replenishable plants that grow wild and plentifully near their homes in the rural and urban areas. They include such plants as river reed, elephant grass, wild fig, cotton, and sun hemp. Traditional household tools like the 'duri' and the 'guyo' are encouraged as production methods which are ecologically stable. These earth-friendly techniques support the use of various new fiber sources. The use of these new fiber resources results in Tree Free Paper which reduces dependence on forest, indigenous woodlands, and wildlife habitats and wast to land fills. The paper making projects create work opportunities and develop skills which help women to achieve financial independence for themselves and their families.

Whheeeezzzyyyyy Breazy~Base card Paper Trey Ink White
~Layer of design paper which has purple green and blue
~Free digital image from Little Musings (one freebie a week - posted via Facebook) - colored with Copics, actual twine cut and pieced for swing rope
~Vertical layer of purple cardstock with edges smudged and topped with coordinating design paper - top and bottom flower brads
~Horizontal layer of green cardstock and a piece of plastic trim (I think it's from a Happy Meal) this would fall under the category of re-purposing
~Sentiment by Just Rite - stamped on purple cardstock, punched using Stampin' Up word window, attached using foam dimensionals and embellished with small green flower brads
Challenges:
Just for Fun - use colors purple, green, and blue
Paper Garden Projects - Summer Cool (I wasn't paying attention and missed the deadline...see? too much time surfing for inspiration - not enough time paying attention to details and deadlines!
Stampin' B - Vacation Fun
Dare U 2 Digi Stamp - The Great Outdoors


Not Sure What He's Thinking~Base card Paper Trey Ink white
~Layer of My Minds Eye Penny Lane Collection~Ribbon from Hobby Lobby
~Image from Baby Bud Designs - a recent promotional - buy one get one free - this was my freebie, colored using Copics and Sharpies
~Label die cuts - Spellbinders using Cuttlebug - inked stitches on long vertical sides (Thank you Gail I bought a new die cut stencil using part of the Hobby Lobby gift card you gave me.)
Challenges:
The Pink Elephant - use 3 layers, 2 die cuts, and ribbon
2S4Y - sketch
Now I'm off to upload this to the appropriate challenges then it's off to the land of winkin' and nod.

Thank you for clicking by.
All good wishes,
Nancy

Babies, Beer Gardens, Bands, and Buggys

It must be the 4th of July holiday - heat, humidity, 30,000 people, back-to-back bands, it's Saturday in the Park! Depending on where you're from 30,000 may not sound like much but for a city with a population of 80,000... This annual family event, now in it's 20th year, is held at a hillside park in the middle of the city. The stage is a 1930 WPA era bandshell. It is a fun event if you're into listening to music in a sea of humanity in 90 degree heat and sauna like humidity. I features the usual festival foods and age ID'd Beer Garden. That's my hometown - SUX as designated by the FAA.

Did I attend this outdoor musical extravaganza? Even for the chance to hear, live, Steve Winwood and Santana? NO WAY. I chose to stay home, alone, in air-conditioning making cards! (Yes, die-hard music loving hubby is at the sweat-fest.) I WAS momentarily contemplating attending just so I could have an AUTHENTIC 'tavern'. (Tavern is a local colloquialism for...loosemeat sandwich...Maid-Rite, Sloppy Joe sans tomato sauce.) One of the churches in town was the recipient of the coveted Ye Olde Taven Recipe in the will of this restaurant (now closed) owner's will. The church is always at Saturday in the Park and Artsplash selling these tasty loosemeat and their que of 'diners' is always the longest! Even the promise of a tavern didn't get me out of my Bubble and into the crowd.

Now...on to the cards.

Shaken Not Stirred
~Base card Paper Trey Ink Vanilla Cream
~All design papers by Daisy D's (five different papers), edges smudged with Tim Holtz Distress Ink
~Daisy D's die cut flower with olive green brad
~Daisy D's die cut tag with olive green brad
~Layer of olive green cardstock - image layer cut with deckle edge punch - stamped using a Michael's dollar bin stamp
~Scallop punch used on one of the vertical layers
~Image stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black, stem of glass topped with Stickles, olive colored with Sakura Gel Pens, glass coated with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects
Challenges:
Friday Sketchers
Little Red Wagon - use a tag

Cowgirl Cupcake
~Base card Paper Trey Ink Lemon Tart~Layer of American Craft design cardstock Patacake~Ribbon from the Dollar Tree
~Blue eyelets
~Layer of blue cardstock topped with American Craft design cardstock Colored Eggs, top and bottom pink brads
~Large green button
~Digital image (freebie) from Treehouse Stamps colored in using Copics, 'frosting' is Liquid Applique, sprinkles are Stickles
Challenges:
Treehouse Stamps - use the cupcake digital image
Sketch Saturday


Welcome Wagon
~Base card white cardstock
~Layer of DCWV Nana's Kids~Layer of purple edge punched cardstock, layer of yellow cardstock, layer of zig-zag trim (gift from Sista Gail - thank you)
~Sentiment by Just Rite Stamps
~Prima flowers with yellow buttons
~Digital image purchased today from Baby Bud Designs, colored using Copics, Stickles accents and yellow buttons for wheels
Challenges:
Just Us Girls sketch plus use a Just Rite stamp

Bazooka Pink~Base card Paper Trey Ink white~Layer of The Paper Studio Hot Pink Gingham~Vertical layer of hot pink cardstock topped with layer of polka dot ribbon - with additional ribbons
~Layers of cardstock, curve punch edges, three pink eyelets, digital image from Sassy Cheryl's colored using Copics and highlighted with Stickles. I printed her on vanilla cardstock because I wanted to try to get her dress colored in white - I used a white colored pencil - it is difficult to see on the photo. I'm on the hunt for Sharpie Poster Paints - need a white fine tip according to a very informative how-to-highlight tutorial video I watched. It does have some depth to it IRL (I.R.L. = in real life) (for my texting/chat deficient sisters).
~Challenges
Crazy for Challenges - use more than one ribbon
Play Date Cafe - use Pink, Red, and White colors
S2G - summertime plus sparkles (she has on a sleeveless summer dress)

Overall, I'm pretty happy that I stayed home in the bubble and let the rest of the world enjoy a day in the park.
All good wishes, Comments are welcomed and appreciated.
Nancy