Inspired by Bagels

One more post - one more jar...has OCD set in? Really? Another jar? Maybe I can get rid of all my stamps except the jar...think of the space I would have! I did move out of my comfort zone with a square or rectangle. I figured out, by watching a video posted to Pinterest, how to use a die cut to make an 'other than' shaped card.

I noticed "Winter Wonderfuls" printed on a Panera bagel bag and decided I was going to use it on a card as a sentiment. Thus this card was inspired by a dozen bagels!

Wonderfuls
~Base card white cardstock - shaped using a Stampin' Up Floral Frame Framlit, edges dotted with fine point Sharpie
~Layer of patterned paper
~Sentiment laser printed on white cardstock - edges smudged - die cut oval
~Jar and lid stamped and die cut - filled with punch cut snowflakes highlighted with Stickles Diamond
Challenges
Just Us Girls - wild card
Broken Box Stock - winter/snowflakes
Raise the Bar - snow
Die Cuttin' Divas - more holiday

Thank you for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Jar of Winter Sparkle

Still enjoying time in my Bubble - still enjoying my Christmas presents - still playing with the jar stamp and die cut. Also - still watching Lord of the Rings. I'm watching the commentaries and appendices...hours and hours of interesting tidbits and trivia! I love watching the extra features of some of my favorite movies. Go Kiwis!

Celebrate Winter
~Base card Stampin' Up In Color Island Indigo
~Layer of MME design cardstock
~Jar stamped and die cut using dryer sheet technique (used glue instead of Xyron - which may have to go on next year's wish list...) with grey lid
~Jar label stamped and hand cut
~Sentiments stamped in silver and grey inks
~Pearl - colored with Sharpie
~Ribbon
~Spellbinders Fancy Tag label die cut for 'celebrate' sentiment
Challenges
Papercraft Star - snow
Waltzing Mouse - sketch
Crafty Sentiments - all that glitters
Shopping Our Stash - winter

Thanks for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Jar O' Bling

It is still snowing. I hate to admit it but I LOVE it! Today's snowfall is littered with big fat chunky fluffy clumps of flakes - it is just beautiful - in a I don't have to drive in it because the university campus is closed until Wednesday sort of way....

No school/work for me (unless you count shoveling) so that means Bubble time! Bubble time to use all my fabulous Christmas gifts!

I received a Ranger non-stick craft mat. I really don't know how I have muddled through without it! I will have to add it to my list of "favorite things".Who knew? Crafters who use one - that's who knew.

I am obsessed with my new jar stamp/die cut! As you will see in the next few card posts.

Bling It On!
~Base card red cardstock
~White embossed cardstock
~White embossed die cut using Stampin' Up Floral Frames edge colored slightly with blue
~Jar stamp and die cut - with red scallop collar and lid die cut (Christmas presents!)
~Sentiment laser printed on Spellbinders Fancy Framed Tags 2
~Blue bling
Challenges
Pinspirational (not really a challenge - I just love their Merry Christmas card)
Stampotique - old and new (old: white embossed cardstock; new: jar stamp/die and label die)

Off to watch the beautiful snow fall softly and quietly - on the driveway and sidewalks that I JUST shoveled!

Thanks for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Jar of Chill Out!

Christmas! Anticipation over...gifts opened...leftovers parsed...hugs gotten and given...goodbyes said... It is snowing and snowing and snowing!

And now it's jammy time in The Bubble!

Santa sissy and Santa daughter were very generous and extremely attentive to requests for Bubble supplies! Stamps, washi tapes, craft mat, die cuts....I may have to take a month or two off from work to get them all used!

Dreamin' Bout' Sister Time
~Base card white cardstock
~Layer of design paper  - edges smudged with Stampin' Up Lovely Lilac
~Gold print cardstock die cutting using Stampin' Up Apothecary Accents
~Lavender satin ribbon
~Charm
~Oval die cut from the Fancy Framed Tags Two collection
~Jar stamp and jar die cut
~Sentiment stamped with indvidual alphabet stamps
~Drink parasols stamped and hand cut
 Challenges
Play Date Cafe - color inspiration (mint, lavender, gold, teal)
Just Us Girls - photo inspiration
Aud Sentiment - any sentiment

Thanks for clicking by....I'm off to shovel and then return to the Bubble!

Nancy in Iowa

Power Pink Punch

Couldn't sleep this morning so what is the only logical thing to do? Get up at 4 and come to the Bubble!

I received the 'coveted' Chic of the Week award over at Just Us Girls the last week of November. I was pretty excited! The card that I submitted was also a punched wreath. The 'girls' are either going to think I'm a one trick pony or am working on building up super human hand punching muscles!

Snowflake Wreath
~Base card - pink Stampin' Up cardstock
~Layer of PaperTrey Ink pink and green polka dot pattern paper
~Wreath punched using many layers and shades of pink punched snowflakes highlighed with Fruit Punch Stickles
~Green strip of cardstock with sentiment
~Green sheer ribbon
Challenges
Just Us Girls - color inspiration pink, green, white
Pile it On - pile on embellishments
Dutch Dare - snowflakes
Pinspirational - color/image inspiration
Ladybug - anything goes at Christmas

Thanks for clicking by and Merry Christmas!
Nancy in Iowa

Wishin' for Snow

Break time on campus! Lots of happy college students finished with finals, loaded down with dirty laundry, and headed for home! They are looking forward to days of sleeping in late, visiting with friends and family from home, eating home cookin', sleepin' in their own beds, and of course Christmas. I'm looking forward to a week of quiet, great parking availability, and of course Christmas!

We don't currently have any snow so I'm wishing for it...

Let it snow!
~Base card - Cryogen White
~Layer of blue Core'dinations run through the Cuttlebug using a snowflake embossing folder, edges smudged with Brilliance Starlite Silver pigment ink
~Embossed snowflakes sanded using Stampin' Up sanding block
~Sentiment stamped with Starlite Silver pigment paint - cut using die cut and Cuttlebug
~Snowflake charms - top three have sheer ribbon and are attached using dimensionals; bottom snowflake dangles from silver metallic floss
Challenges
Dutch Dare - let it snow
Clean and Simple - sketch
Guylou's Inimitability - snow
Pause Dream Enjoy - snow
Raise the Bar - snow
Stampin' for the Weekend - let it snow

Thank you for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Crumb Cake in the Bubble

I have been missing from the blog-o-sphere - busy at work. Basketball games, musical concerts, recitals...someone remind me why I work in Student Development at a university??? These aren't even my kids and I feel guilty if I miss an activity! Don't these 'kids' understand I need my time in the Bubble!?

Luckily the men's and women's basketball teams are very competitive and fun to watch and the choir is amazing!

I've been in soft tone frame of mind lately - I'm loving my Stampin' Up Neutrals Collection of stamps and cardstocks. Yes - I am my own best (and only Stampin' Up customer). The benefit of being my own customer/demonstrator? I get to encourage my customer (me) to buy, buy, buy; get GREAT customer service (from myself); and I never have to wait for her (me) to return my calls for more orders! I'm going to tell my customer (me) to purchase MORE of the Neutrals Collection cardstock - a whole pack in each color! I think she (me) deserves it! She might even need TWO packs of the Stampin' Up Crumb Cake! I hope my demonstrator (me) buys me a little Stampin' Up item or two or three for Christmas!

Merry Christmas

~Base card Stampin' Up Crumb Cake

~Layer of pattern paper - edges smudged with Stampin' Up Crumb Cake ink

~Layer of SU Crumb Cake cardstork wtampe with Stampin' Up Very Vintage and SU Crumb Cake ink, edge punched - backed with SU Always Artichoke cardstock so it 'peeks' through the teardrop punches

~Layer of beige ribbon

~Layer of brown grosgrain ribbon

~Two step flower (Stampin' Up Delight in Life) stamped with Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler - center highlighted with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects

~Leaves are from the stamped with SU Always Artichoke and colored in with Stampin' Up Watercolor Wonder crayons

~Sentiment stamped with SU Always Artichoke and layered on Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, and Very Vanilla cardstocks
Challenges and Inspiration
Mojo Monday - sketch
PALS - color inspiration
C4C - use favorite Christmas stamp (love the versatility of the 2-step flower in SU Delight in Life)

Off to another university event.... (they will be on Christmas break soon....I MUST hold on!)

Thanks for clicking by,

Nancy in Iowa

Ice Cream and Pirate Jack

Took another break from making the identical photo albums. Yes...still complaining about the boredom! Note to self...next year don't take so many stinkin' photos!

Here is a sample of a couple of the pictures that will be in the albums. Please note that Bobbins our 'traveling gnome' appears in many of the photos.

 Ice Cream Capital of the World - LeMars, IA

 Early evening at Pirate Jack's, Arnold's Park, IA (Can you say INTERVENTION?)

 Bobbins does the stairs at Fillenwarth Beach, Arnold's Park, IA.

 Fall foliage - just outside our deck - West Oaks, Arnold's Park, IA.

 Evening on West Okoboji Lake (evening view from Pirate Jack's).

A completed quilt - the primary reason for the sissy get together! Don't Miss Bobbins!

And now for the card....

Wood N' Wreath
~Base card - red cardstock
~Layer of Stampin' Up Very Vanilla - streaked with brown inks and embossed with wood grain embossing folder
~Wreath created with fern punch and LOTS of shades of green paint chips - smattering of fine glitter
~Merry Christmas sentiment with label die cut
~Red/white stripe flower with bling center
Challenges
Just Us Girls - photo inspiration
Kenny K's Krafty Krew - traditional Christmas colors
Sparkles Monthly - Christmas

Back to the trio of albums tomorrow. Why did I take 270+ photos!?

Thanks for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Trios of Threes

I'm taking a break from putting together a photo album of my annual holiday with my sisters. Well, actually I am creating three, yes - THREE, of the same album - to give to the sisters. It is SO boring. It is fun looking at the photos and remembering where, when, and what. But putting these together is NOT what I call fun. And I won't even be keeping one for myself... I won't need to after making three of these! Why all the same you may ask.

Last time I did this I made three that were similar but not identical. The sibs squabbled over who's was cuter so I decided this time the three memory books will be exactly the same. SISTERS! Now instead of me listening to them whine about who got what embellishment they get to listen to me bellyache about making three of the SAME album.

Yes - it is an album this time NOT a scrapbook. I HATE scrap booking. I am horrible at it! I can't make decisions - I can't ever decide when a page is finished - I keep tweaking pages - ARRRGGHHHH! So this time is it the album method! There will be some scrapbook elements - but the photos are just slipped into little sleeves.

A trio of identical albums - sure makes for a humdrum activity. So! It is card time!! I popped over Play Date Cafe for some color inspiration and this is what I came up with. MUCH more enjoyable than my boring life as an album maker! By the way - notice it has three flowers. What is it with trios today?!

ALSO I recently received my order from Stampin' Up so decided to put it to use! I bought stamps, die cuts, and my FAVORITE: their watercolor crayons - I LOVE them!

I'm my own best customer. Okay - truth be known - I'm my ONLY customer. I don't think I have it in me to be a demonstrator in front of actual people! I would be so nervous - there is no way I could put on a card making demonstration!  I am so impressed with the Stampin' Up demonstrators who are really SERIOUS about selling SU - I really do love their products! So I am just a silent seller... with me as a silent buyer....Ridiculous - eh?

Trio of Thanks
~Base card - Stampin' Up Going Gray
~Layer of design paper (found it in a 'scrap drawer')
~Additional layer of the same design stamped with Stampin' Up Very Vintage (I removed it from the wheel as I have all my wheelies. I find I use them more frequently as a flat stamp rather than a wheel.) I really like the look of the stamp over the design paper!
~Three stamped flowers from the Stampin' Up Fabulous Florets set - colored with Stampin' Up Watercolor Wonder crayons. Flowers were stamped on Stampin' Up watercolor paper using Versamak and black embossing powder, hand cut and attached with dimensionals.
~Sentiment ALSO from Stampin' Up - the Perfectly Penned set - inked onto an oval die cut with the edges smudged with ink
Challenges and Inspiration
Play Date Cafe - color transpiration
Crafter's Challenge - thank you card
Raise the Bar - thank you card
Freshly Brewed - thankful
Penny's Paper - Crafty Challenge - thankful
Crafty Sentiment Designs - thankful

Thank you for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Christmas in ND

Final installment on the Jennie cards. Okay I admit it - I only made 3 fresh cards - I am including one previously made to fulfill her request for 4 Christmas cards.

Fargo Bound
~Base card - Stampin' Up Gumball Green
~Layer of striped design card stock
~White card stock framed with red card stock - embossed with Swiss dots embossing folder
~Stamped sentiment
~Stampin' Up ornaments (Ornament Keepsakes) and Stampin' Up die cuts ( Holiday Ornaments Framelets) - highlighted with Stickles
~Gold braid (gift from sister Gail - thank you!)
Challenges
Bloggers - Christmas
Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - die cut

Thank you for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Snow Go

The request for the 4 Christmas cards is complete. Didn't even break a sweat. Since they are for daughter Amy's friend Jennie they are very very BLINGY and SPARKLY!

This one even has bling on the inside! I like the used dryer sheet technique - but I must admit - I leave a trail of glitter wherever I go....

Since Jennie lives in the North Dakota tundra I thought a card with snow would be appropriate.

Northern Snow
~Base card - navy card stock
~Sentiment double stamped with Adirondack Lights Snow Cap and Brilliance Starlite Silver
~Layer of white cardstock stamped with a variety of snowflake stamps - covered with Gel Medium and a used dryer sheet - slathered with fine glitter - allowed to dry then embossed with a snowflake embossing folder
~Snowflake brad
~Blue metallic embroider floss
~Snowflake charm
Challenges
Ladybug Crafts - snowflakes
Creatalicious - winter
Fussy and Fancy - blue

Thank you for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Blingin' on Christmas

I recently received a text from daughter Amy's best friend. Jennie put in her annual request for a few Christmas cards - only four this time. I can get that done in NO time! Right?

Here is card number one. Thank you Mojo Monday for providing just the sketch I needed to use my poinsettias! I admit I just have a thing for hand cutting images. I double stamped the flowers - topped with glitter glue and Stickles - cut them out - then attached them to layer of green and red card stocks - and cut again. I think it is a throw back to my days of paper dolls!

Forgot to mention - any cards made for Jennie must have BLING - the more bling the better!

 Pointy Poinsettias
~Base card - olive green card stock
~Layer of design striped card stock
~Cream card stock stamped with a tree, highlighted with green glitter glue, misted with glimmer mist, dotted with red Stickles, cut using a scallop circle die cut
~Two poinsettias - glittered up with red glitter glue (yes good old Elmer's glitter glue), highlighted with yellow and green Stickles - one layered on green card stock, one layered on red card stock
~Merry Christmas sentiment stamped on green card stock label cut using my Cricut Mini (Some day I am going to really get into this electronic gadget! I need to get over my fear of the little 'bugger'!)
Challenges
Mojo Monday - sketch
Crimbo Crackers - Christmas anything goes
Tanda Stamps - anything Christmas
Whimsy Stamps - traditional Christmas colors

Thank you for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Pinned Glitter

Pinterest does it again! Found the used dryer sheet technique over there. Thought I'd give it a go! I like the results for the card...the trail of glitter everywhere...well that is another story. Even with the glitter explosion in the Bubble I will try this again. It was fun!

Dry Glitter

~Base card Stampin' Up Very Vanilla

~Layer of red snowflake cardstock

~Christmas ribbon - it was too wide so I sliced it down to a narrower width

~Layer of SU Very Vanilla stamped with a very old Chunky Stamp evergreen tree using Stampin' Up Old Olive, Gumball Green, and Certainly Celery - slathered with Modge Podge, covered with a used dryer sheet, sprinkled with fine glitter

~Embossed with embossing folder (next time I will use the dots folder...)

~Four red rhinestone brads

Challenges

Little Red Wagon - texture

Southern Girls - Christmas

The Crafty Pad - Christmas

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - use something more than 6 months old (stamp, ribbon, brads)

Thank you for clicking by.

Nancy in Iowa

Just Keep Walking

Enjoying our weekend with daughter Amy. She went shopping with me at Kohl's. As I paused to look at a sweater, behind me I hear, "that is hideous - just keep walking". I love her brutal honesty. She makes me laugh all the time!

We watched two Blu-rays - Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace then went to the theater for MORE 007 - watching Sky Fall. I don't normally go to the theater with Amy and my hubby. That is usually reserved as dad/daughter time. I was 'allowed' to go to this one. So glad I got to go - it is a really good flick! Daniel Craig is the ULTIMATE Bond! I love how the three films give the back story of Bond...James Bond.

Right now daughter/dad combo are watching The Avengers on Blu-ray....I'm over in my Bubble. (in the same room - but NOT watching their movie selection...I'm not a Marvel comic fan. They are happy. I am happy. And officially we are all 'together'...

Thinking
~Base card - Stampin' Up Really Rust - stamped with Versamark and SU Blooming with Kindess flower
~Torn layer of a vintage book and stamped with SU Blooming with Kindness using Stampin' Up Really Rust
~Second layer of SU Really Rust on SU Very Vanilla, cut down and attached with dimensionals
~Sentiment - Stampin' Up Curly Cute stamped with SU Early Expresso  - edges burned with flame
~Two sided satin ribbon bow
~Layer of olive green ribbon topped with drywall mesh smudged Really Rust ink (I have a 500 yard role - so expect to see it on LOTS of cards!)
Challenges and Inspirations
Shabby Tea Room - autumn inspiration
Sweet Stampin' - anything goes

Thank you for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Feeling (not so) Blue

Daughter Amy is home! I love it when she is padding around the house, cracking wise, and serving as chief instigator! I took the day off. I'm not sure what she has in store for us today but I'm looking forward to whatever it is we do.

The Blues
~Stampin Up! Night of Navy cardstock
~Layer of blue hues design paper
~Rectangle of Stampin' Up! Night of Navy topped with more of the blue hues design paper
~Leaf die cuts
~Strip of dry wall mesh tape (Lynn! Are you convinced you NEED some yet? hehehehehehe)
~Stamped flower from Stampin' Up! Heartfelt Thanks - flower stamped twice with flower top popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals 
~Top flower highlighted with Crackle Accents
Challenges and Inspiration
Charsima Cardz - feeling blue
Dutch Dare - favorite things (dies, dry wall mesh tape, dusting off forgotten stamps)
I{Heart}2Stamp - sketch

Thank you for clicking by. I'm off to gobble up some Amy time!
Nancy in Iowa

Heartfelt Cheese

I survived the trip to a conference in Wisconsin with my boss. What a long trip! This was my first trip to Madison. Quintessential college town. Found two additions to my 'nun' collection! I learned they really like their cheese up there in Wisconsin. Had a meal that included a taste of a cheese curd (battered and fried cheese curd) and a macaroni and cheese wedge (which is mac and cheese battered and deep dried...) It snowed on the trip home. I was very happy to climb in my own bed after three days away. I am in such a rut. Lucky for me I LIKE my rut!

Heartfelt
~Base card Stampin' Up Early Expresso
~Layer of design paper
~Coordinating design paper - bottom edge burned with a match
~Oval die cut edged smudged - stamped using Stampin' Up Heartfelt Thanks
~Sentiment
Challenges
Just Us Girls - sketch
Tuesday Trigger - color/photo inspiration

Thanks for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Thank You Mr. Miller

I was color inspired by a quilt I recently saw. It was pink and grey. I'm getting reacquainted with some of my oldies but goodies Stampin' Up sets - especially the two-step stamps.

Michael Miller Inspiration

~Base card - pink cardstock

~Layer of BasicGrey pattern paper - edges smudged with pink ink

~Three flower Stampin' Up stamps - from the Delight in Life set

~Flower centers are white pearls that I colored with a bright pink Sharpie (I know.. the photo looks purple....they are pink...really....)

~Oval die cut with 'friends' sentiment and another pink pearl as the dot to the 'i'

~Strip of dry wall mesh (inch by inch...I WILL use that enormous roll my husband bought for me at the hardware store!)

Challenges

CAS(E) This Sketch - sketch

BasicGrey - anything goes

Less is More - pink

I'm off to pack for a trip to Wisconsin. I'm attending at conference with my boss...6 hours in the car with my boss....yikes!

Thanks for clicking by,

Nancy in Iowa 

Day at the 'Bleach'

I got a little carried away with the bleach technique. I really like seeing what a little bleach does to different cardstocks. Some turn white, others yellow, others gray, other vanilla - allowing for a coloring in of any other color - or allowing the natural state of the cardstock to show through. I wanted to see what I could come up with using the same stamp and same color cardstock.

Here is my stuck on bleach series:

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Here is the break-down of each of the cards.

Mixed Vine
~Base card Stampin' Up Close to Cocoa
~Layer of design paper
~Die cut leaves ends covered with narrow layer of back ground design paper
~Mixed Bunch (SU!) stamp using clear embossing powder and bleach
~Orange polka dot button
~Stampin' Up Labels Collection die cut Vanilla with edge rimmed with ink
~Label die cut and stamped sentiment
Challenges
Seems a Little Sketchy - sketch
Die Cuttin' Divas - anything goes
Bloggers - thankful

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Friends Like You
~Base card grey cardstock
~Layer of design paper - dotted with black fine point Sharpie
~Sentiment stamped with black on oval die cut - edges dotted with black fine point Sharpie
~Die cut and stamped leaves
~Stampin' Up Mixed Bunch flower stamped with Versamark and clear embossing powder - and bleached petals
Challenges
Play Date Cafe - color challenge
Card Crafter's Circle - patterned paper
Freshly Brewed - photo/color inspiration
Sparkle Creations - fall color inspiration

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Thinking
~Base card - Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie
~Layer of design paper
~Center die cut pre-printed chip board
~Stamp colored with Copics - printed on Stampin' Up Vanilla cardstock and die cut with scallop and dotted with paper punched grey punches (lots of them)
~Stamped flower from SU Mixed Bunch stamped using Versamark and embossed with clear embossing powder
~Grosgrain ribbon (that I bought at a really fun scrap store in Fremont, NE while vacationing with my sisters - it was the ONLY stamp shop they had to endure - while I on the other hand 'tolerated' quilt shop after quilt shop) (okay I admit - I enjoyed the quilt shops as much as they did)
Challenges
Mojo Monday - sketch
Shabby Tea Room - photo inspiration
Card Makin' Mamas - anything goes

Thanks for clicking by.
Nancy in Iowa

Postal Playful

Whoop-D-Do!!! Crack open the Java and start the brewin'! I was selected by the lovely ladies at Play Date Cafe as one of the the 'Fab Four'! Play Date Cafe is celebrating their third year as a premier blog for challenges and inspirations. Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself - right here - there it is my card. Was I ever surprised and very honored. I've made it to the "Cream in  Our Coffee Level", now the "Fab Four"....dare to dream...someday perhaps the coveted "Cup of the Week" category? It's always some stiff competition over there - I better get my 'card-game' on!

Thank you Play Date Team for the continued inspiration and challenging challenges! Congratulations on the three year milestone! I got so excited about winning and moving up a category that I decided to get going straight away on my next PDC entry!

In the back of my mind was the letter "P" because of the challenge over at Ladybug Crafts where my friend, across-the-pond, Julie is a design team member. So I decided to combine the challenges with this card.

Post-It

~Mint green cardstock

~Layer of design paper

~Layer of wasabi tape

~Punched circle of metallic gold cardstock (gift from sissy Gail - thank you!)

~Envelope punch - tried making it look 'leather' by crumpling it up and smudging it with inks

~Fussy cut 'document' from the design paper used as background

Challenges

Play Date Cafe - color inspiration (mint, leather, gold)

Ladybug Crafts - letter P (postal/postcard)

Thanks for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Counting Blessings

Found myself needing two sympathy cards this weekend. My husband, who never requests a card, asked for a card for a retired colleague/mentor of his. I, sadly, need a card for the sudden and very unexpected death of a colleague's four-year-old granddaughter.

The first card is for my husband to send. The second card is for the family of the four-year old.

Sympathy
~Base Card - Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip
~Layer argyle pre-embossed Core Impressions: Graphic 45 Timeless Collection and sanded using Stampin' Up Designer Sanding Block
~The stamped image was run though my Fiskar's crimper
~Layer of Washi tape
~Natural twine
~Inside stamped sentiment on SU Very Vanilla - edges smudged with SU Chocolate Chip ink
~Strip of Washi tape

I will spend the rest of my evening counting my blessings...
Thank you for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Mixed Chotchkies

Today - not at all as productive as I had hoped for. Made soup...cleaned the kitchen...(what is up with all the YUCKY grease-dust that accumulates in the kitchen...(it needs a name....greast? gree-ust? dus-ease (that one sounds like disease...) I ran the dishwasher three times just cleaning chotchkies! Maybe I should pack away my pitcher collection - but hey they're clean now - so might as well let them stay on display!

I love the Stampin' Up Mixed Bunch stamps but I have GOT to order the punch. I spend way too much time cuttin' and snippin'! I also love using this bleaching technique I 'pinned' from Splitcoast Stampers.

The inspiration for the colors comes from Play Date Cafe who is celebrating their third anniversary. PDC is one of my all time favorite challenge blogs. Go check it out!

Bleached Mix
~Purple cardstock base
~Layer of white cardstock with corners punched and embossed with Swiss Dots
~Die cut leaves
~Three flowers stamped using Versamark and embossing powders - slices in petals bleached and left natural bleached cardstock color - centers dotted with Stickles Diamonds
Challenge and Inspiration
Play Date Cafe - color inspiration (mulberry, grape, flame)

 Thanks for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Pinterest 6 Pack

Another Pinterest Attack!

I learned that you can color pearls with any color Sharpie!
I found a couple techniques for DIY Washi tape!
I searched "one sheet wonders" and hit the mother-load!

My plan was to make a 'one-sheet' - but I didn't pick the correct type of design paper for that type of project. So I made do with what I chopped. It was like making a crazy quilt...just making the pieces work! It was fun but I will try an actual 'one-sheet-wonder' pattern using a more suited design paper.

I made a set of six small cards which will fit into the container I purchased at the Dollar Tree (actually I purchased SEVERAL of these containers - perfect for sets of 3.5" x 5" cards.

Card One
~Base card blue cardstock
~Layer of white cardstock embossed using Cuttlebug
~Frames of blue and red cardstock for design paper
~Design paper square
~Blue grosgrain ribbon
~Stamped cup image (Stampin' Up - Express Yourself) colored with Copics
~Sentiment stamped on blue punch (Stampin' Up Word Window)



Card Two

~Base card - green cardstock

~Layer of design paper

~Square design paper framed with cranberry cardstock

~Strip of dry wall mesh

~Blue round scallop punched and stamped with Stampin' Up Weathered and dotted with Sharpie white Poster Paint

~Green cardstock stamped with Stampin Up Circle Friendship stamped with Black ink punched using Stampin' Up 1" circle punch

 

Card Three
~Base card cranberry cardstock
~Design papers
~Pearls in the corners
~Design paper punched and embossed using Spellbinder's Fancy Label and Cuttlebug
~Sentiment stamped on white cardstock using Stampin' Up Delight in Life

Card Four
~Base card Kraft cardstock
~Layer of red checked tissue paper glued directly to the Kraft cardstock
~Strip of design paper framed with black cardstock
~Green cardstock die cut using Spellbinder's Fancy Label and Cuttlebug
~Prima flower with Sharpie colored blue pearl and punched fronds
~Three corner pearls colored using blue Sharpie

Card Five
~Base card - cranberry cardstock
~Layer of design paper
~Mitered corner cut of design paper
~Pearl swirl
~Squares and rectangle design paper framed with black cardstock

Card Six
~Base card Kraft cardstock
~Layer of blue cardstock stamped with Stampin' Up Weathered background stamp
~Strip of design paper
~Strip of DIY washi tape - double sticky tape and red checked tissue paper
~Three pearls
~Sentiment stamped on oval die cut Kraft cardstock - edges dotted with black Sharpie

Tada! Here they are all ready to be someone's little gift. I'm not sure why I took these photos with everything perched on the GIANT roll of dry wall mesh tape. I saw it used on a card - thought it was so cool - had husband dearest purchase a roll at the local hardware shop. Little did I know there is not such thing as a small roll of dry wall tape. Well, I guess if you were a dry waller - this IS a small roll!

All the design paper used in this set of six is by Graphic 45 - Playtimes Past collection. Found it on a deep clearance rack at Hobby Lobby in Omaha! The collection reminds me of Mary Engelbreit designs.

Challenges
House of Gilli - anything goes
Challenges 4 Everybody - anything goes
Stampalot - punches

Alarming Pins

Just a card cuz it is WAY past my bedtime! Too much Pinning going on on Pinterest instead of sleeping! I will be really sorry in the morning when the alarm goes off to get up for church!

Resist It
~Base card - tangerine cardstock
~Background stamp
~Technique: triple layer using bubblegum, tangerine, pear color inks with green embossing powder ~Layer of bubblegum grosgrain ribbon - and drywall mesh tape
~Pear colored flower button
~Dollop of SU Crystal Effects on a few of the flower centers
~Tangerine ribbon
~Collage folder embossing on top two layers

Fun combination of techniques - I learned from it - will try it again - with different stamp....
I would love to say this is prettier in real life...I'll have to settle with...it is more INTERESTING in real life.

Challenges and Inspiration
Play Date Cafe - color inspiration (tangerine, bubblegum, pear)
Southern Girls - ribbon
Lady Bug Crafts - flowers and embossing

Thank you for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Wishy-Washi

Just a quick post tonight. I'm still recovering from 'chaperoning' at the university's Homecoming dance!

Washi Wishin'
~Base card Stampin' Up Very Vanilla
~Layer of black/vanilla design paper
~Layer of purple cardstock
~Layer of confetti vanilla
~Strip of washi butterfly tape (I finally broke down and bought a set of two rolls {Tim Holtz} on sale at Hobby Lobby!)
~Sentiment - Stampin' Up Warm Words
~Corner image - Stampin' Up Mixed Bunch - stamped using Versamark and purple embossing powder and dotted with white pearls and white pearls colored purple using a Sharpie marker (a Sharpie and a pearl....you can have any color of pearls)
Challenges
Play Date Cafe - black/white splash of color (plum)
Just Us Girls - sketch

Thank you for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

A Deer, a Squirrel, and a Turkey Walk Into a Bar....

A friend of mine captured this photo walking to her car....ahhh...the view from the parking lot at work. Deer, wild turkeys, and a squirrel to complete the vignette! The university is perched on a hill, smack-dab in the middle of a residential area. It is 'crawlin' with animal (and student) wildlife!

It may look all serene and lovely but the deer who visit my yard on a nightly basis have eaten every leafy green of my hostas (no swaying lavender flowers for me this year) and they LOVE geraniums. I have to remember to move my potted flowers every night so they don't feast on my floral salad bar!

You may wonder if I live in the country - no I live in a citified neighborhood!

On to the card...

Line of Thanks
~Base card white cardstock
~Layer of 'frosty' design paper
~Twine
~Tag punches
~Vinyl letters
~Two white eyelets
Challenges
Southern Girls - spots and stripes
Sentimental Sundays - anything goes
Crafty Mess - anything goes
Annabelle Stamps - thanks

Thank you for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Parking Lot Fabric Deals

Just got home from a week long holiday with my sissys! We had a fabulous time. As predicted - lots of laughs and lots of shopping. Not only did the crazy quilters buy enough fabric to cover three football fields but they managed to assemble a few quilts as well. Here is their handy work....don't mind the little 'gnome' (Bobbins) in the photos. He travels with us each year and pops into most of the photos.

 Nila's Sherbet Pie Quilt

 Gail's Americana Quilt (but now MY quilt because she made it for me!)

 Judy's Cappuccino Quilt

 Gail's Turning Twenty Quilt

 Judy's Star Quilt

Judy's Flannel Quilt

Even with all the sewing and shopping we still had time for drinks on the pier, fabulous food, oh...and a LITTLE sleep. I am sorely going to miss our nearly nightly Bloody Mary's served by Rod at Pirate Jacks!

Sadly I didn't encounter one - not even ONE - scrapbooking store! Probably for the best...there wasn't room in the car for even a thimble! I'm not talking about normal shopping. I am talking about MEGA shopping. Granted the car's trunk did have to contain their three sewing machines...but REALLY! Mid week into the holiday - I had to call my husband to meet me half way to the lakes area. We filled the back of his truck with purchases and drove back to the lake for MORE shopping! It was like a parking lot drug deal with transfer of patterns and fabric from car to truck! He was a good sport - making the trip without grumbling after all he did get a meal from Hardee's out of the deal AND he got to see me!

I was NOT productive in any way, shape, or form. I can never quite figure out how to travel with card making 'stuff'. What to pack...what to take... what if I need a piece of ribbon that is back at home...what if I don't have the perfect design paper...and then there is the process of putting everything back when you get home.... I FAIL at mobile card making!

I did manage to get a card made today. I used the bleaching method on the flowers. I am so happy I pinned that on my Pinterest board!

Inside sentiment "make this world a better place for me'.

Friends

~Base card Kraft cardstock

~Design paper by 7 Gypsies

~Stampin' Up Delight in Life flowers stamped on wine colored cardstock - embossed with white embossing powder, bleached and lightly highlighted with Stampin' Pastels - then cut out by hand - layered on to pumpkin cardstock and cut out again

~Leaf die cuts

~Twine

~Pumpkin cardstock oval die cut, sentiment stamped using Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip

~Inside of card - three oval die cuts, leaf die cuts, bottom trim with faux stitches - sentiment

Challenges and Inspiration

Play Date Cafe - color inspiration

Come and Get It - sketch

Gingerloft - faux or real stitching

{PIN}inspirational - photo

Dilly Beans - fall is in the air

Crazy for Challenges - leaves

Sentimental Sundays - 3.2.1 (three flowers, two wraps of twine, one layer of design paper)

Thanks for clicking by,

Nancy in Iowa