Quickest Post Ever

I love the color combo so much at Play Date Cafe I had to take another stab at it.


Here is the color inspiration:

Ridges
~Base card PaperTrey Ink - white
~Layer of purple cardstock
~Layer of white cardstock (substituted white for the challenge's grey or silver)
~Layer of Bazzill cardstock Frosted Kiwi, corners scalloped using Fiskars Emboss Plus Punch, Scor-Buddy used to dry emboss the vertical lines, Stampin' Up Lovely Lilac smudged over ridges and along sides
~Green ridged ribbon
~Prima flowers - Petal Poetry - layer of dark purple and layer of green
~Purple metal brad
Challenge
Play Date Cafe - color inspiration
That's it and that's all!
Nancy

Seafaring Citrus

Just one quick post before I call it a night. Also a quick thank you to my proof reading editors - my sisters Judy and Gail. They are the eagle eyed wonders! They usually each find SOMETHING stupid I've posted and hopefully I get the mistakes corrected before they are seen by too many eyes. Being the good sister than I am I usually make enough typos for them each to find separate grammar blunders and typing bloopers.

I have been mulling over the challenge at the Play Date Cafe - to use lime, navy, and gray or silver. I'm going to have to keep this combo in mind next time I'm wandering the aisles of Archiver's. I LOVE this color combination! I've been pondering a re-do of my kitchen...ahhh the possibilities!



Future Kitchen
~Base card white linen pre-made card
~Layer of navy blue cardstock
~Three rectangles of navy cardstock with the edges 'dredged' through Versamark then dusted with Ranger Silver embossing powder
~Three rectangles of K & Company Amy Butler's Belle
~Sizzix die cut flourish in the corner - attached with a navy blue metal brad
ChallengePlay Date Cafe - color inspiration
Have a wonderful week and thanks for popping by.
Nancy

Homecoming

It's Homecoming weekend at The Cliff. Beautiful crisp fall air. Unfortunately we did not win the football game yesterday. However the start of today was a winner.

Sister Arnold, a veteran faculty member at BCU, was 'called back' (retired) in May, to the Mother House in Dubuque. But she was back in Sioux City this weekend for Homecoming. This morning she was back on campus where she looked so comfortable and content - playing the organ at morning Mass. Last May it was a stoically sad departure for her and a tearfully sad departure for the students. Yesterday she attended the football game in her usual team support garb - full nun habit with a Briar Cliff University t-shirt over her brown 'nun-clothes'.

She is a class of 1962 alum of BCU and was on campus for an Distinguished Alumni award. Prior to her 'retirement' she played the organ for mass in the chapel for more than 30 years and today she was back at the 'helm'. I think she blew out all the pipes on the recession song and there were lots of smiles and a few tears on the faces of the congregation. I'm sure the final piece was heard for miles around. As students and alumni gathered around the organ waiting for a slice of time with Sr. Arnold I saw her unflappable eyes moisten ever so slightly.

Here is the output of some time spent in the Bubble.

Bling Worthy Witch
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Plum Pudding
~Layer of free digital printed background (I've had the file for a long time and can't find the original source) - sorry - edges stitched with black thread
~Layer of dark purple cardstock topped with orange cardstock which I needle pierced a web design through
~Layer of purple cardstock - edges smudged with black ink to support the image
~Image is a Mo Manning digi - colored with Copics - dotted Stickles on her belt, hat, and sock
~Ribbon from Archiver's
Challenges
Digital Pencil 2 - Bling plus Mo Manning image
City Crafter - Sketch
Stampin' B's - Use paper piercing
Crafty Catz - stitching
Paper Garden Projects - Halloween
Stamp, Scrap & Doodles Saturday - faux or real stitching

Hats Off to You
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Plum Pudding edges smudged with Color Box Blue Lagoon~Layer of Daisyd's Halloween Collection design paper
~Ribbon from Archiver's
~Image from Doodle Dragon Studios colored with Copics and highlighted with Tsukineko Turquoise embossing powder - I pierced around the witch's hat in the style of 'shadow quilting'
~Sentiment from the dollar bin at Michael's stamped on scallop circle die cut punch and dotted with Stickles Diamonds
Card Patterns - sketch
Crazy for Challenges - bling
Stampin' B's - paper piercing

All good 'witches',
Nancy

Slick Apples and Football Fields

It's not very often that granddaughter Bailey comments on cards I make. She is usually more interested in digging through my embellishments and creating her own cards. And when it comes to Bailey cards - ALL cards require bling - LOTS of bling.

I was working on this trio of caramel apples for some future application to a card. I had finished coloring and the application of Ranger Glossy Accents had fully dried and the completed image was sitting - unattached and non committed to any card in particular. She was fascinated with the glossy effect on the apples. She asked how I did that, she'd pick it up, set it down, pick it back up.

Well it was her 12th birthday Thursday so I used the apples to make her birthday card. It was a hit and now she can run her fingers over the glossy fruit whenever she wants. It may be an atypical birthday card but for her it was perfect.



Glossy Greetings~Base card - edges distressed with Tim Holtz Fired Brick
~Layer of My Mind's Eye Deena's Penny Lane
~Layer of red paper
~Free digital image by Fire Cracker Designs by Pamela printed on white PaperTrey cardstock; colored with Copics and coated with Ranger's Glossy Accents edges torn and smudged with Tim Holtz Vintage Photo
~Twine and button embellishments
~Sentiment printed on ink jet - edges colored with Fired BrickChallenges
Shabby Tea Room - photo inspiration
2S4Y - sketch
Paper Sundaes - Fall (nothing says fall to me like fresh caramel juicy crunchy apples)
Copic Creations - Shading (the apples are shaded and there is shading under the apples giving them a grounded appearance

I'm off to attend the Homecoming Game. It's a crisp fall day - intermingled with pouring rain! But how can I resist the Homecoming of not only my employer but my Alma mater? I have my outdoor voice primed and ready! Go Chargers!
All good wishes,
Nancy

Shared Bubble Time

More Bubble time today - it even included granddaughter Bailey. She wanted to make a card for her Mema and one for her friend Emily. Here is what she came up with on her own.

Get Well Mema, by granddaughter Bailey



For Emily, by granddaughter Bailey


And here is my contribution to card making.





Boo 2 U!~Base card cream colored ready made card
~Striped layer of Daisy D's Halloween Collection~Layer of wide sheer purple ribbon - with satin purple ribbon stitched on top
~Free hand sentiment with faux stitches on orange cardstock - run through Cuttlebug using oval Spellbinder die
~Black Sizzix die cut flourish
~Images by Stampin' Up from Booglie Eyes set - colored with colored pencils and coated with Modge Podge
~Free hand background boxes for stamped images - with brads
Challenges
Stampin' Royalty - use stitching
Paper Players - the sketch (layout)
Paper Sundaes - fall or Halloween theme


Maura
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink
~Layer of DCWV Pocketful of Posies~Digital image is from Digital Pencil Too (Mo Manning) - colored with Copics, edges of dress and panties lined with Stickles glitter, wings dotted with Stickles and Smooch Sassy Pink
~Half circles of green glitter cardstock
~Butterfly button with metallic thread
~Horizontal layer of same design paper layer on pink cardstock and topped with striped ribbon
Challenges
Stamping 411 - sketch
Cute Card Thursday - use a bird or butterfly
Scrapbook Sisters - use scallops
Aly's Sunday Challenge - sparkle and glitter

Angel Sing~Base card white linen
~Layer of PaperTrey Ink white dry embossed using Swiss Dots Embossing Folder and Cuttlebug
~Silver edged white satin ribbon
~Three layers of stacked white buttons
~Image by Mo Manning - colored with Copics and highlighted with Stickles, and silver glitter embossing powder, horn embellished with gold embossing powder - dots of Diamond Stickles around edge of image cardstock
Challenge
Digital Pencil Too - bright white and use Mo Manning image

Another Monday stares us in the face...good thing we have cards to keep us going!
Nancy

Channeling My Muse

Finally some time in the Bubble. Still not sure I have my mojo back but working hard at channeling her. I'm sure my muse is a 'she'. I wouldn't tolerate a 'he' muse. I can just hear a male muse..."do you really need all this paper?" "why do you have so much ribbon?" "isn't one cardstock just like all the other cardstock?" "what is up with all these buttons?" "how does that tool work - can I use it?"

Yes MY muse, while possibly on holiday or maybe just upset with me for my recent lack of time spent in my Bubble' is DEFINITELY a female!

This is the photo inspiration from The Shabby Tea Room.


Fresh Living
~Base card - white linen
~Layer of PaperTrey Ink white dry embossed using Cuttle Bug and Stylized Flowers embossing folder
~Outlining of raised areas colored with Copics
~Ribbons
Challenge
Shabby Tea Room

These are the color inspirations over at Play Date Cafe followed by my interpretation. I'm thinking that perhaps this could be used as a wedding/commitment card. (Some of you know how I LOATH making wedding cards.) I think the trick for me is to just make a card that UN-intentionally could be used for a wedding. I freeze up under the pressure of having to create a wedding card and my muse - well she just says, "you're on your own - I'll be over here taking a nap, or sipping wine - call me when you are finished."





Welcome Home
~Base card - white linen
~Layer of BasicGrey Oliver paper pad - The dots (squares actually) of color along the top were perfect for a night sky! (Thank you sista Gail for buying this pad 'o paper for me)
~House built from aqua Core'dinations - stamped with Stampabilities Le London Script; windows free hand drawn on white cardstock; red cardstock door - edges roughed up with metal ruler and smudged with black ink; black roof is made from black/aqua Core'dinations
~"Bushes" punched using Martha Stewart punch and green cardstock - dotted with white Poster Pen paints
~Sentiment by Just Rite - stamped then torn on aqua cardstock layered on red and black cardstocks
~Black brad for door knob
Challenges:Play Date Cafe - inspiration
Alphabet Challenge - U for unused stash (bought the Core'dinations' long ago and it sat unused until today)

I'm off to dream of muses...
Nancy

Prickly Deadlines

I'm on a roll! Two blog postings in a row!

I actually got asked to be a guest designer over at Digital Two for Tuesday! I was so honored and so darn excited! I got to pick the date and weeks ago when Cora emailed me I thought, 'surely by September 14 things will have calmed down at work...' Okay I was wrong but there's nothing like a deadline to 'get your motivation on'!!!

I had my choice of either of the images or - being the over-achiever that I can TEND to be - I could use both of the images. Actually I couldn't decide so I did BOTH. You can pluck the images from cyberspace over at Digital Two for Tuesday. It's fun, it's free, it's fabulous!

Cora
~Base card Paper Trey Ink - Vintage Cream
~Layer of My Mind's Eye
~Stripe of My Mind's Eye
~Fabric trim
~Image from Digital Two for Tuesday~Image is colored with Copics, edges curved using curve punch, edges smudged with Versamark Sand, clouds dotted with blue acrylic paint using a stiff stencil brush, additional 'sky' added using Versamark Powder Blue and a sponge
~Rose colored Prima flowers with flower metal brads
The layout was inspired by Card Patterns.

I loved this image the minute I saw it! My BSF's (Best Sisters Forever - Judy and Gail) and I went on a fabulous trip to Ireland, England and Scotland - a long time ago - but the memories are fresh and the feelings are warm. I immediately thought of our holiday to Scotland when I clicked open the image of the thistle! I smiled just thinking about the giggles, the laughter, the wonder, the sharing - it was an amazing journey.
Memories of Scotland~Base card - Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant
~Layer of REALLY YUMMY design paper - K & Co Jubilee Bright Flowers I knew the second I saw this design paper that it would be PERFECT for the thistles that awaited me at home. (I was with my dear husband - at Archiver's on Saturday - he said, "what are you going to do with THAT?" I said, "you see this lavender/purple/gray-green corner?" "I need it for a card". His facial expression was - "what makes those neurons fire in that head of yours", he vocalized, "so you are buying that 12" x 12" sheet of paper (REALLY????!!!! HOW DARE he call it a SHEET OF PAPER) because you need just that 4" x 5" corner?" I replied, "Step aside, you're in the light." And YES my husband went in to Archiver's with me - his maiden voyage! He was very well behaved. I left him in the equivalent of the 'tool aisle' (punches, scissors, die cuts and machines) and went merrily on my way.
~Horizontal layers of dark hunter green and very pale green solid cardstock topped with another layer of the same design paper - from the OTHER corner (And he thought I was only going to use 4" x 5" of this scrumptious pulp!)
~I wanted to mirror the prickly nature of the flowers so I tore a strip of very pale green fabric keeping the raveled edges...well....raveled, then I stitched a gathering stitch up the middle and...you guessed it...gathered it up! After it was gathered I smudged it up a bit with lavender and grey inks.
~Large purple metal rivet (Sista Gail bought me a present! A Crop-A-Dile Big Bite complete with a slew of rivets - there just happened to be this lovely purple one in the set.) I used it because I liked the contrast of the smooth and shiny with the dull and prickly of the rest of the card.
~The original digital image is really only two thistles. I wanted a clump of these Scottish beauties so I printed it once at a slightly larger size, once at a smaller size and then mirror image/reversed the smaller size and printed it yet again. (It would never do to have four - had to have the odd number - so it took printing the image three times - but I think it was worth it!)
~Image colored with Copics: V17, V04, YG11, C-3, C-1, G000, YG63, and RV24. I really tried to keep the green to its true gray-green color. Then I topped the prickly little tops with two purple shades of Flower Soft. (These too were an intentional - one card specific purchase - I knew when I saw the images I HAD to use purple Flower Soft! The edge of the cardstock is smudged with Memento London Fog and then adhered to a single layer of purple mulberry paper (again - think prickly...)
Since I use three embellishments I'm going to link this to Paper Sundaes.

Check out all four of Cora's sites:
Paper Flowers
Clearly Vintage
Clearly Vintage on Etsy
and of course Digital Two for Tuesday!

So how cool is this - my cards are on the Digital Two for Tuesday AND she called me a "talented artist"! I think I hear my muse settling in on my shoulder...
All good wishes,
Nancy

Lipstick on a Muse

Have you ever been away from a craft for so long that you are afraid you won't be able to get back in the grove? Well that's where I'm at. I finally carved out some time in 'my bubble' only to find myself staring at my collection of 'stuff', flipping through papers, re-organizing the 'stuff' and not being all that productive. Could it be that my muse got tired of me not being 'in the bubble'?

Life on the hill will begin return to its ebb and flow of activities once this upcoming week has past. I'm looking forward to not only getting home at a decent time but also not logging into my office PC from home!

I'm VERY popular at the moment as both the business and education professors told their classes that if they have me review their re'sume' they get an 'instant A' for the assignment. Ahh...it's so nice to be loved. Too bad they both have the same due dates for these 'instant A's. AND too bad not even half of the students have turned in their drafts to me yet. Who doesn't love a procrastinator?!

So 'muse-less' I eeked out a card or two. It's horrible working in a muse-free zone! It's like singing off key, like showing up dreadfully under-dressed at an event, having an itch you can't quite reach, it's like watching a DVD that doesn't have the audio synched! Knowing you are working sans muse is like workin' without a net. I'm struggling to get my creative spirit back cuz I don't like working alone! You'll see what I mean... These will be my 'get back in the saddle' versions of card making.

Grateful for Fall~Base card PaperTrey Ink Vintage Cream
~Layer of BasicGrey design paper - Recess
~Sheer ribbon
~Stampin' Up Warm Words stamped using Memento Ink and Stampin' Up paper punch Word Window~Image stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black, colored with Copics and topped with Flower Soft. This is my first attempt using Flower Soft. Even with Flower Soft I don't quite have my muse back. All I know is I'm going to have to reach out and grab my muse..might have to bribe the little darlin.... cuz, I'm not in the zone...I need my muse!

Hunting for a challenge to get me motivated I found this image on the Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger:
Here is what I came up with:


Lip-Smackin'
~Base card Paper Trey Ink Vintage Cream~Layer of K & Co Amy Butler Belle~Strips of Amy Butler Belle
~Pink ribbon grosgrain ribbon
~Solid burgundy scallop circle topped with 'fussy-cut' Amy Butler BelleChallenges
Tuesday Trigger
Lord Have Mercy Sketch
This post will be dated Sunday. I will be posting again in just a few minutes (okay maybe not just a few minutes - cuz I do tend to ramble on and on sometimes...)

All good wishes,
Nancy