Monday, April 21, 2014

Mulligan Transfers

Not thrilled with how this turned out. Trust me! It was LOVELY in my head! Not so FAB in translation. Don't you hate it when concept doesn't make it to reality? This is in its third incarnation. I tried Prima flowers along the oval bottom. I tried Flower Soft. All screamed "NO. ICKY. YUCKY. GROSS!" So I went with glass beads.

ALSO - watercolor attempt...not so fab! Water and color... Why is it so difficult!? Sounds so simple! Right?! I even used REAL watercolor paper! Missing ingredient: know-how! Must find tutorials...must get on Google...must search YouTube. Is there an APP for artistic talent? Hmmmm.....

The cut-out card was from a recent "transfer of crap" from sissy Gail. I think she purchased these back in her cross stitch days. I thought she had 'transferred' all her cross stitchery out of her house long ago. These lovelies must have been buried DEEP. Or...she hung on to them thinking "one day I may______". Whatever - they are mine now! A set of die cut cards WITH envelopes! Whooop!!! Sorry it wasn't as awesome as it was in my mind when I first thought of using one of these... If I hadn't struck out three times with this I'd demand a Mulligan. But I think I've used up my Mulligan allotment today.

Since it is actually 'Gailey's' card - this will go in the Omaha pile. Oh yes! I TOO have the 'transfer of crap' gene! I will be traveling to Omaha in two weeks! Crap and card in hand - and SO past ready for a long over due hair cut and visit with the sista' and daughter. It will be my only day off until GRADUATION at The Cliff! Weekends are a thing of the past until May 17! Until then it's all re'sumes, helping with job searches, calming panicking seniors, and the beloved senior slide show.



Transfer of Ideas
~Base card - pre-die-cut and embossed vanilla card stock
~Stampin' Up Elements of Style stamped with Tim Holtz Distress Markers, highlighted with Distress Crackle Paint Clear Rock Candy
~Glass beads
Challenges and Inspiration
Fusion - sketch and color
Penny Black & More - blossoms and blooms
Crafty Catz - B is for....blossoms, blooms, beads

Here's to Mulligans, time in the Bubble, and things that scream YUCK,

Nancy in Iowa

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Muwaaahahahaha! Don't Make Me...

I decided to take a break from student résumés and the time gulping annual senior slide show! Ahhhh the annual Senior Slide Show..... Delightful to watch when the seniors see it for the first time… Painstakingly time consuming in the making!

Thank goodness for Facebook! It is a smorgasbord of photos...the mother-load of scrap-bookin' or in this case a schmaltzy slide show! The students actually submit their "first destination/future plan" slide. If they don't send me one in “a timely fashion” ("timely" determined by me of course) I threaten each and every one of them with using their freshman ID photo. The words "Don't make me use your freshman ID photo" strikes fear into their undergraduate soon-to-be-graduating from college little hearts. (Insert deviously wicked sounding high-pitched Wicked Witch of the North laughter here!) Four years of photos - add some 'sappy' music...not a dry eye in the room! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

So...where to pop over to when looking for a challenge while taking a break from reality? Why Just Us Girls of course! Orange..White...and Navy color combo.

Used the 'negative' of this sentiment die cut. You know what THAT means... I have a navy blue 'thank you' to be used an a future card. Now...if I can just find it when I remember that I have it somewhere....

JUST a Thank You
~White card stock
~Two layers of orange card stock
~Two layers of navy blue card stock
~Thank you die cut by Hero Arts
~White Prima flower with orange tack used in place of a brad
Challenges
Just Us Girls - color combination
Pile It On - no design paper
Totally Gorjuss - die cut/punches
We Do Doobadoo - embellishment (Prima flower)
Paper Crafting - no pattern paper

Here's to wicked laughter, fond memories, and threats,
Nancy in Iowa

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Mojo 'Meh'.....

Here is my quandary...is it technically 'playing hooky' from work if it is the weekend...and I REALLY should be doing work?

Busted! I deliberately walked away from weekend work to play in the Bubble.

I'm not sure how I came across this card challenge site - but I think I am going to add it to my REGULARS! Fusion - what a cool name! I just couldn't resist making a card! I love the site - really like the current challenge - but am just "meh" about my card. I think my Mojo was a NOJO today. I'll follow along at Fusion and see if I can't hit one out of the park next time! On the UP side I did get a chance to use this awesome measuring tape twill! I bought it on a Sisters Adventure in Freemont, NE! Oh the unexpected treasures!

Maybe I should go back and add some real stitches - my sewing machine will be in SHOCK if I use it... Upon further reflection it should probably have a button also...Or pearls...maybe some pearls...

Sure NOW my Mojo kicks in...too late sista - I gotta go back to my world of college resume' reviews!


Measure by Measure
~Base card Ripe Avocado card stock (PaperTrey Ink)
~Three coordinating design papers: Material Girl by Cosmo Cricket
~Measuring tape twill 'ribbon'
~Spellbinders oval die cut - edged with Distress Ink Mustard Seed
~Digital image by Mel Stampz - paper cut dress using more of the Material Girl collection
Challenges | Inspirations
Fusion Card Challenge - sketch plus photo

Pile it On - feminine
Just Add Ink - layers
Oddball Art Stamp - digital image
Art Impressions - getting girly

Here's to dress forms, grandmas that used them, and playing hooky!
Nancy in Iowa



Saturday, April 5, 2014

Lazy Bubbles

Finally a wee bit of time in the Bubble! This time of year is so incredibly busy! Twelve hour days and that is if I'm lucky! Last semester for some of dear peeps - I will miss them - but am humbled and honored to have been a part of their collegiate journey.

My life is not my own beginning the end of March! Bubble time will be few and far between...If only I can hold on until the end of MAY! I was going to cut out little birdies to set on the fences but lack of time and PURE LAZINESS pointed me in the direction of a never used dragon fly punch.


Fence Post Friends
~Base card green card stock
~Layer of  Pebbles Family Ties
~Three sections of Taylored Expression Picket Fence Border die cut using Kraft card stock and "painted" with Tim Holtz Distress Stain Picket Fence
~Blue card stock Stampin' Up Word Window punch
~Elizabeth  Hello die cut
~Dragon fly punch - highlighted with Stickles, SU Crystal Effects, and Wink of Stella
Challenges and Inspiration
Just Us Girls - sketch
Crafty Calendar - things with wings
Alphabet Challenge - D is for die cuts
Crafting for All Seasons - die and punch

Here is to hanging on, laziness, and making do!
Nancy in Iowa