Muggles and 2nd Cake!

So I was in a very literary frame of mind! When I bought them my thought process was - Oh! Love! Must. Have. Then they sat in their little Lavinia http://laviniastamps.com Stamps Folder on my laptop. And sat there. And sat there...

Last time I popped in to take a gander I finally came up with an idea on how to use them. The first one will end up going to daughter Amy's friend Jennie to give to her mama for her birthday. Her mother is an uber-fan of all things Harry Potter! I didn't know that until today. I thought she was just an uber-fan of all things quilts.

When I belatedly realized the store front on Fairy Houses sold WANDS - I immediately thought of HP! I printed more than the one set so I could have a marketplace, downloaded a HP looking font, and got busy!

Inside of card: From One Muggle to Another

HB not HP
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Sweet Blush card stock
~Basic Grey design paper Blush (used outside and inside)
~Crest hand created with Harry Potter like font on white card stock
~Happy Birthday printed on white card stock punched using Stampin' Up Word Window
~Lavinia digital image printed on white card stock, colored with Copics, edges smudged and distressed with Tim Holtz Edge Distresser
~Inside sentiment printed with laser printer
~Lined post it note for additional message (I always use lined papers inside for note writing...don't know about you but I like lines when I am writing!)
Inspirations | Challenges
Allsorts - happy birthday
A Random Fan - anything goes
Fantastic Tuesday - anything goes
Party Time Tuesdays - anything goes

NEXT UP:
This cute Lavinia Hobbit House was obviously, as the name implies, destined for a Hobbit theme card - but what to do with it.... I decided that a Hobbit birthday card would call for an inside sentiment of something about "second cake".

Such fun designs. I will be NEEDING a few more digi purchases from Lavinia Stamps!

Hobbity Birthday!

~Base card - PaperTrey Ink Summer Sunrise card stock

~Layer of DCWV Once Upon A Time mat stock

~Spellbinders Scallop Circle die

~Lavinia digital image colored with Copics

~Sentiment laser printed using Hobbit-like font punched using SU Word Window dotted with Smooch Gold

~Layer of gold glitter tape across the top (had to represent "my precious")

~Inside sentiment Is It Time for Second Cake?

Inside sentiment on both Hobbit cards: Is it time for second cake?

A Very Hobbit Birthday!

~Base card PaperTrey Ink - New Leaf card stock

~Layer of design paper: The Paper Studio Little Safari

~ Two layers of scallop circle die cuts

~Image printed on Cryogen White colored with Copics

~Sentiment laser printed and smudged with Hero Arts Soft Leaf

~Inside sentiment: Is it time for second cake?

Challenges | Inspirations

Make Mine Monday - laugh

Eureka Stamps - masculine

Here's to Hobbits, Muggles, and a second helping of the second cake!

Nancy in Iowa

Hey Ewe Tweety Bird!

This is what happens when you do a mash-up of some of your favorite blog challenges! This is also what happens when you regret not buying the black and white chevron card stock you saw at Hobby Lobby. That's a shout-out to blog friend Julie...sometimes "ewe" really DO need to buy that thing you believe you "just can not live without"! I didn't have any black and white stripe anything on hand so I made my own. And yes I am not too proud to admit that there are four un-salvageable attempts in the trash heap.

So about the mash up. I needed to use the black/white strip photo inspiration at JUGS; use a digi from Just Some Lines and incorporate May flowers; the shiny cherry and heart shape over at {PIN}spirational; use the sketch at Retro Sketches; add feathers for Little Red Wagon; add some metal for Pile It On; and of course post over at LadyBug Crafts with anything goes!

Mash-Up Tweet
~Base card - PaperTray Ink white card stock
~Black/White card stock stripes
~Digi from Just Some Lines colored with Copics, red breast highlighted with Wink of Stella
~Washi tape
~Prima flower with metal rhinestone brad
~Scalloped circle dies
~Feathers
Challenges | Inspirations
Just Us Girls - photo inspiration
Just Some Lines - flower plus Just Some Lines digi
Retro Sketches - sketch
Little Red Wagon - use a feather
{Pin}spirational - shiny and heart shape
Pile It On - metal
Lady Bug Crafts - anything goes (EWE really need to go check out Eunice!)
Blue Moon Creations Crafting Station - washi

Here's to mash-ups, adding to the trash heap, and feeling justified in buying the very next thing I truly believe I "can not live without"!

Nancy in Iowa

Cold Virus 2 Me 0

Not to complain...but I wasn't planning on spending my holiday weekend in bed for 2 days like a freekin' mucous factory! Actually I am blessed because there are so many worse things in this world than a cold. But I will admit to having my moments of 'whiny'. But now from 'whiny' I can go to winey in my Bubble! We all know that wine has medicinal qualities - right? Actually today was my first day with coffee! Three days without caffeine. Hmmmmm...maybe it wasn't a cold at all...maybe it was caffeine withdrawals.

So to ease my way back into finding my Bubble mojo... I worked on finishing the insides of about 10 cards and envelopes for about a dozen....I always leave those minor details so I can moooove on the next card. It's like quilting...make the 'top' and move on to the next quilt...but like quilting "its not a quilt until its a quilted" and a card isn't a card until it has an inside and an envelope....

And then to further 'ease' I opted to let the design paper do most of the work...yummy paper!!!

Greetings From Over the Fence Post
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink Raspberry Fizz
~Prima design paper Madeline Collection
~Fence die cut (Taylored Expressions)
~Label die cut (Stampin' Up)
~Sentiment die cut (Elizabeth Craft) (and yes I am still a Cricut idiot - can't for the life of me get the hang of it - so it sits here on my craft table - leering at me - sneering at me - taunting me to try it {and fail} time and time again)
~Paper flower from the dollar bin at Michael's with two Prima leaves
Challenges | Inspirations
Stampin' with the Dragon - flowers
Challenges 4 Everybody - anything

Here's to Puffs Tissues, oyster crackers, Canada Dry Ginger Ale, and high dose Vitamin C!

Nancy in Iowa

Hooky Fusion

Playin' a little 'hooky' this afternoon. I got out of an off campus meeting early...so I am rewarding myself with some ME time! What better to do with ME time than finish up a card for the challenge over at Fusion. Unfortunately I am too late to submit it - but here it is anyway!

Golden Fusion
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink black cardstock
~Layers of assorted fold design papers
~Hero Arts Flowers/Butterlies stamp and die set - stamped with Versamark and black glossy embossing powder
~Ribbons
~Stampin' Up Framelits Labels Collection
~Layers of black and gold card stock
Challenges | Inspiration
Fusion - sketch and color
Artistic Inspirations - anything plus die
Created with Love - lots of layers
Use Your Stuff - rule of threes (old stash of ribbon - almost all used up!)
Hiding in My Craft Room - embossing

Here's to playing hooky and long lost time in the Bubble,
Nancy in Iowa

Yen Bubble

University graduation 2014 has come and gone! Instead of Bubble time - I was working on the senior slide show (click here if you want to see it). It is a labor of love. Even though it sucks up all my free time I love to hear the student reactions when they see it for the first time. Each year at the senior luncheon we have a 'slide show' as a final farewell.

Anyway...I can come up for air now! Will I miss my peeps? Well sure. And some more than others and some ... not so much! I am so happy to see them begin their newest journeys. Graduate school for some, jobs for most, job hunting for a few...

So what that means is time in my Bubble!

My blog friend Julie is on a design team for Lavinia Stamps. Julie's cards are over-the-moon fabulous! Check out her cards...you won't be able to stop clicking to the next...and then next...and then....next card....... She is an inspiration to me all the time! I decided I HAD to buy a Lavinia stamp (or two) so I could play along!

Yen Happy
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink Kraft card stock
~Layer of mottled purples design paper
~White card stock stamped with script background stamp then run through the printer for the digital Lavinia "stamp"
~Image colored using Copics
~Three buttons with twine
~Happy Birthday sentiment cut using Cuttlebug (outside 'happy' inside 'birthday)
Inspiration | Challenges
Just Us Girls - color inspiration (white, kraft, orchid)
Lavinia Stamps - birthday girl
Crazy for Challenges - sketch
Challenges for Everybody - anything goes
Allsorts - purple passion

Here's to tassels, spare time, and coming up for air!
Thanks for clicking by,
Nancy in Iowa

Marshmallows and Wine on the Dock

Just opened the newest mailing from Hy-Vee the local/regional grocery store. There is a recipe for making marshmallows.

Long pause......

WHY?

AND - Who makes their own marshmallows? I want to meet a person who chimes in a conversation with, "I made homemade marshmallows yesterday! They were__________(delicious...heavy enough to use as a door stop..." (Fill in your own story - mine has to do with me sitting across from this crazy Iron Chef wanna-be, holding back snarky remarks, and barely able to contain exaggerated eye-rolling.)

I actually read the recipe - because I was so dumbfounded that there is actually a RECIPE for marshmallows. Words (work), ingredients and tools like these strike fear into my card-making heart:

• Agave Nectar (didn't know agave's have nectar - which makes sense since I have no idea what an agave is...)
• Candy thermometer
• Unflavored Gelatin (mmmm..THAT sounds TASTY!)
• Opaque, thick, yet spreadable (this sounds like that fine line between turning whipping cream from tasty topping to clumpy near-butter)
• Prepared pan (prepared to me means I washed if after I last used it)
• Oiled spatula (40 weight? OILED?) With a note to ADD MORE OIL if needed... (my stomach is starting to hurt)
• Sift....SERIOUSLY!?
• Collapsible pan? What in the world is that and why would I have one? (Oh!!! In case I should ever want to MAKE marshmallows!)
• Oiled knife....(now my stomach hurts AND is churning)
• Perforated cutting wheel (well of COURSE it would be perforated - is there any other kind!?) 

Did I mention it ONLY takes one hour (THAT YOU WILL NEVER GET BACK OR RECOVER FROM) and there are ONLY 9 (yes NINE) steps to creating your very own Homemade Marshmallows.

You may be relieved to know that you can store these gelatinous-agave-corn syruped, (and slightly OILED)  "edible" spongiform clumps for one week in an AIRTIGHT container in the refrigerator. (Imagine the bad dreams you could conjure up if the mallows were allowed to BREATH in the fridge....) Cue the horror music on the Mighty Wurlitzer....

Some items are just SUPPOSED to be bought ready-made! And in the interest of full disclosure. I hate all things marshmallow - even the store bought version.

This same issue talks about spring cleaning...like I would have time for THAT if I were tied up making stupid marshmallows! Maybe my next card post will tell you what I learned in the spring cleaning article...vacuum my walls... Who are these lunatics that write this stuff???? And here I am wasting your time with my marshmallow rant!

After my exhaustive review of how to make marshmallows I managed to squirrel away a bit of time in my Bubble!

These cards are kind of out of the ordinary for me. A sweet lady that my sisters and I are long distance friends with recently lost her husband. She and husband live in the quaint fishing village of Shellman Bluff, GA. It is a picturesque fabulous place on the coast. Miss Evelyn has been posting photos on her Facebook page of morning and evening photos from the dock of their Fish Camp. I've sat on their dock and experienced these serenely beautiful and awe inspiring views. I wanted to do something special for Miss Evelyn so I printed some of her photos to create some cards to mail to her.

I used my color printer and cut watercolor paper to fit into the printer. I must admit my printer was NOT happy about the weight of paper. I then used Stampin' Up Watercolor Wonder. I colored over the existing photo and then used water pens to spread the color for a watercolor look. After they dried I coated three of them with Distress Crackle Paint - Clear Rock Candy. One I coated with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects. So here they are...

Thinking on the Dock

~Base card Cryogen White from Papertemptress

~Die cut "Thinking" (Elizabeth Craft Designs)

~Inside sentiment "Thinking of you"

~Photo watercolor highlighted and topped with a think coat of Distress Crackle Paint - Clear Rock Candy

Challenges and Inspiration

Keep it Simple - watercolor

Country View - nature's glory

Flat Friends - dies/punches

Promise of the Day

~Base card - vanilla card stock

~Layer of BasicGrey Fusion  Pink Flamingo

~Strip of blue from Paper Company Farm House

~Photo printed on watercolor paper - spritzed with water and colored with SU Watercolor Wonders and topped with moderately thick layer of Distress Crackle Paint - Clear Rock Candy

Inspiration | Challenge

Just Us Girls - sketch

View Through the Moss

~Vanilla card stock

~Layer of Daisyd's

~Strip of Daisyd's

~Photo print on watercolor paper - colored with SU Watercolor Wonder - highlighted with Distress Crackle - Clear Rock Candy

Inspiration | Challenge

Just Us Girls - sketch

Southern Girls - dots and spots

Ocean Friends

~Base card periwinkle card stock

~Layer of Paper Company Farm House

~Blue rectangle card stock from Paper Company Farm House  with the word OCEAN - HOW COOL IS THAT???!!! "Ocean" higlighted with Wink of Stella

~Photo of the coast printed on watercolor paper - watercolor highlighted and water penned and topped with thin layer of Distress Crackle Paint - Clear Rock Candy - dotted with fine glitter

Thoughts of dock sitting, peace, wine, gnats, friendship, and sympathy,

Nancy in Iowa

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

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

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

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

Crimpin' My Style

Oh how I love the challenges over at Just Us Girls! Here is the challenge:

I'm not a huge fan of hot air balloons but this inspired me to get out my crimper! Don't you just love to dust off a long abandoned tool and put it to use? It's like reconnecting with an old chum over a cup of coffee! It is difficult to see but the design paper layer was crimped. I paper-cut an extra balloon and attached it with a foam dimensional.

Did you ever use a crimper on your hair? I never have - I can have that crimp look everyday - it's called wash and go! I DO however use a straightener on a VERY regular basis!

Hot Air
~Base card - Papertrey Ink Enchanted Evening
~Layer of Farm House Paper Co. Fair Skies
~Elizabeth die Thinking of You, highlighted with Wink of Stella
~Paper cut balloon highlighted with Ranger Glossy Accents
~Hero Arts Hello Flags colored with Copics
~Fiskar crimper
Inspiration | Challenges
Just of Girls - photo inspiration
Cheerful Stamp Pad - transportation

Here's to crimping paper, crimping hair, and crimping my style!
Nancy in Iowa

Hellos and Farewell

Sneak preview of an upcoming {PIN}spirational challenge. I am nearing the end of my {PIN} team duties. It has been fun. And I have to admit I do enjoy having a deadline (an excuse for MANDATORY time in my Bubble). From here on out it is work-work-work! The sprint toward graduation at BCU! I have re'sumes to review, job applications to help with, senior programs to prepare! LOVE this time of year! It is always bittersweet as I say farewell to "my" seniors - "my peeps" for the past four years. Yes there are always upcoming seniors...but the current "crop" is always the dearest.

Then they become proud university alum and the best part is many stay in touch! With return visits to campus, with texts, with email, and of course....FaceBook and InstaGram! Gotta love social media and maintaining relationships!

Hello Little Friends
~Base card - Papertrey Ink Stampers Select White card stock
~Layer of chevron Ki Celebrate paper pad
~Spellbinders label die cut (for image and turquoise card stock)
~Two brads
~Flower button
~All Dressed Up digital image printed on Paper Temptress Cryogen White, colored with Copics
~Turquoise card stock
~Pink and white twine
~Hello sentiment die cut using Elizabeth die using the chevron design paper
Inspiration | Challenges
Retro Sketches - sketch
Crazy for Challenges - any
Ladybug Crafts - special lady (I hope 3 special little ladies is okay)
ABC Challenge - H is for hair
All Dressed Up - button + ADU image
Crafts Galore Encore - use digital or stamp image
Pile it On - pretty hair

Here's to old peeps, current peeps, new peeps, future peeps, and favorite peeps,
Nancy in Iowa

Puppies and Pals

Here is the cute photo inspiration over at {PIN}spirational. Pretty sweet- eh?

Pals
~Base card Paper Temtpress Cryogen White
~Layer of Prima design paper: Doddle Deux
~Digital image by All Dressed Up colored with Copics, paper pieced using three different paper pad collections: We R Memory Keepers Anthologie; Prima's Doodle Deux; Fancy Pants Designs' Down by the Shore, flowers embellished with Smooch, Stickles, brads, and rhinestones; puppy double printed and popped up with dimensional foam (paper pieced her hair band, dress, bloomers, boots, and puppies kerchief)
Inspiration | Challenges
Pinspirational - photo
Crazy Challenge - flower frenzy
Through the Purple Haze - anything + bling

Here's to puppies, bling, and Wellingtons,
Nancy in Iowa

Hoot Wink!

I'm not sure why the blue in this card is so deep ocean blue! In real life it is a lovely aqua. The image is a cutie from Sami Stamps. I hope she will forgive me for plopping down spring-time daisies over her sweet holly leaves and berries.

Hello Friend
~Base card AQUA card stock
~Layer of Studio G design paper
~Centered layers of aqua and yellow card stock
~Die cut aqua card stock
~Die cut scallop circle
~Owl digital image colored with Copics highlighted with rhinestones, daisy punches of aqua and yellow, and leaf punches
~Sentiment die cut highlighted with Wink of Stella
Inspirations | Challenges
JUGS - color inspiration
Retro Sketches - sketch
Sami Stamps - use green plus Sami stamp

Here's to spring, the color aqua, and winks!
Nancy in Iowa

Turtle Music

Working ahead with my {PIN}spirational duties. This is for an upcoming challenge - you will just have to wait to see the actual inspiration. It is a fun one! You will see the 'recipe for inspiration' the first week of April.

I got to use a Bugaboo digi stamp - this little turtle cutie!

Just have a few minutes to get this posted. We are on our way to the Symphony to see/hear Cirque de la Symphonie at the Sioux City Orpheum Theatre. We received a gift of two tickets! I need to move faster than a turtle and get ready for Cirque de la Symphnone!

Inside of card.

Slow to Respond
~Base card aqua card stock
~Layer of Paper Grey Archeic paper pad
~Small scallop circle die
~Sentiment die cut
~Washi tape
~Bugaboo digi turtle colored with Copics, highlighted with SU Crystal Effects and Stickles
~Inside sentiment by Stampin' Up
Inspiration | Challenges
Craft for the Craic - include green
Craftitude - add green
Simply Create Too - animals
Crafty Creations - happy birthday

Here's to music, a turtle's pace, and working ahead,
Nancy in Iowa

In Need of Practice

I stopped by a scrap book store, close to town, for the first time. I just HAD to make a few purchases...right? I bought a couple of alcohol inks (okay - and a few other lovelies) and decided to give mixed media a go. I found plenty of inspiration at Donna Downey Studio. I may even make a journal book. Not for journaling of course. I am SO not into that. I just want to make a book! So I practiced on a piece of glossy card stock. And the decision regarding mixed media? I need to practice a huge bunch!

Not one to toss a project...I tried to see if I could make a "silk purse"....as the saying goes. (Okay I lied...I HAVE tossed more than one or two projects.)

Smooshed Greetings
~Base card - gold card stock
~Layer of smooshed, spritzed, embossed, dripped glossy card stock
~Die cut leaves (Taylored Expressions and Sizzix) using Cuttlebug
~Button
~Twine
~Seven different stamps
Challenges | Inspirations
Card Makin' Mamas - splish splash
Stampin' for the Weekend - anything
Cheerful Stamp Pad - anything
Open Minded Crafts - use buttons

Here's to practice, trying again, and more practice,
Nancy in Iowa

Bicycle Springs

Sunday and the sun is shining! It is almost jacket weather! I am tempting fate but I packed away my snow boots. Next....I will be laundering scarves, mittens, and chapeaus! Spring can't be far off...can it? What screams spring more than a bicycle, flowers, and GREEN grass?

Another technique challenge over at Just Us Girls. I do love a technique challenge! Well, I don't always LOVE them but I do like giving them a go!  This challenge is a wood panel look and here is the video tutorial link.

This is a card that will be seen in April over at {PIN}spirational. (You will have to wait to see what the photo inspiration will be.) I "discovered" a Stampin' Up Spectrum ink pad in a drawer that I cleaned out...whooot!!! So I put it to work on the sentiment. I love finding long forgotten treasures in hidden places!

Detail

Pedal Pusher Pink

~Base card - pink Stampin' Up

~Layer of kraft card stock stained and scored to look like paneling

~Bicycle stamp: Unity Stamp, stamped with pink, seat, fenders colored with Copics, pedals, handle highlighted with Smooch, Stampin' Up Crystal Effects added to the fender

~Brads used on the wheels

~Flowers in basket by Fred She Said Design,  Marigolds & Morpho colored with Copics, hand cut, and highlighted with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects

~Hand cut "grass"

~Taylored Expressions Picket Fence die cut

~Sentiment by Unity, stamped with Stampin' Up Fiesta Spectrum

~Die cut label for sentiment

~Two pink pearls

Inspirations | Challenges

Just Us Girls - technique

Emerald Faeries - pretty in pink

Card and Scrap - dies

Pumpkin Spice - rainbow (sentiment ink)

Totally Gorjuss - pink and green

Jo's Scrap Shack - anything goes

Here's to thoughts of spring, packing away winter duds, and found treasures,

Nancy in Iowa

Blessings, Family, and Tea

Daughter Amy is home this weekend! She is out this afternoon with a college chum. I opted for some Bubble time! Looking forward to some family time later today.

This is one of my favorite sayings. I have it, embroidered, in my office. I read it several times per day. I bought the sampler saying while on a sisters holiday so when I look at it I also remember great memories, ample adult beverages, ridiculous laughter, awesome food and shopping! I've been wanting to type this up and use it on a card for quite some time.

I am donating an assortment of cards for a "pink tea" silent auction event. The proceeds go to cancer victims and families to pay for incidentals not paid for by insurance. I thought this sentiment would be a good one to include in the package.

Blessings
~Base card Stampin' Up card stock
~All 5 design papers are by Pebbles: Family Ties paper pad
~Green card stock frame
~Curved punches
~Prima flower (haven't used one of these in a long, long time!)
~Brad
~Sentiment printed using HP printer, cut using Spellbinders oval
~Tree stamped using black ink and colored using Copics
Challenges | Inspirations
Mojo Monday - sketch
Crazy for Challenges - sentimental
Little Red Wagon - punches
Bloggers Challenge - florals
Simply Create Too - shop your stash

Here's to inspiration, family time, and blessings,
Nancy in Iowa

Cold (Mind) Snap

I'm going to share a conversation with dear husband this morning. First off - I love winter. I love snow. But I think I may be close to my breaking point with the insane, seemingly never ending, frigid spell. (At what point do we stop calling it a 'cold spell' a cold snap' and just call it arctic season?) I was having my usual rant about the temperature announcement over the radio quickly followed by "wind chill is ______". Me: 13 below! It is MARCH and it is minus 13 degrees below Fahrenheit! Isn't that cold enough? Why does the weather dude then have to include the wind chill factor of minus 45 below zero? Are they worried someone will hear "it's 13 below zero today folks" and people will start leaving their houses in shorts and tank tops? BUT if they tell us 'it is -13 but it FEELS like -46 THEN' people will rethink the tank top and grab a sweater? SERIOUSLY! I do NOT want to them to tell me it "with the wind it FEELS like 46 degrees below zero"! Dude...cold is cold. It's winter, we live in the Midwest, I can deal with REAL numbers. I get it - it's really REALLY cold outside. I do not want to try to wrap my head around negative 45 degrees Fahrenheit. (I finally take a breath.) Husband: (read in minutely exasperated monotone) Would you like it better if they just announced it as 45 degrees below freezing? Me: "Chilly" silence.

In my defense I hadn't had my coffee yet.....

Oh! Are we here to talk about cards?

I actually created this before Valentine's Day so she has been in hiding until the March 4 challenge reveal over at {PIN}. I selected this image from A Random Fan. 

Shy Sweetie
~Paper Temptress Cryogen White base card
~Layer of red/white chevron Ki Celebrate paper pad
~Horizontal strip of red card stock
~Strip of dry wall mesh tape
~Strip of red/white chevron card stock
~White card stock heart stamped with Hero Arts Flower Lace Pattern background stamp using Distress Ink Fired Brick with black faux stitches and edges smudged using ink blender foam
~Spellbinders Oval embossed with black faux stitches and smudged with ink
~Digital image Gemma's Secret Crush by A Random Fan - colored using Copics, heart highlighted with SU Crystal Effects, pony tail band and barrettes topped with Smooch Sassy Pink
~Sentiment colored with Copics, highlighted with Stickles, and Smooch Sassy Pink
Inspiration/Challenges
Stamps and Fun - hearts
Card Mania - use a sentiment
Digi Sketch - cute
CMC Copic - red
LEJ Designs - Valentine/love

Here's to my mind's cold SNAP, hot coffee, and chevrons,
Nancy in Iowa

Cobbler, Catch Phrase, and Keys

Fun night at chez McGuire's Friday night! One of the university girls who spent the night during the water main break told me she wanted to come over to fix dinner for us as a thank you for letting her bunk here. She loves to cook and bake. So she invited a few other students. I invited an alum - that alum brought another alum. I told the student chef that I would buy the ingredients and she could cook. She insisted on buying everything. I insisted on at least purchasing the dessert ingredients. She always gets her recipes emailed to her by her mama so they are tried and true goodies!

I had all the dessert recipe necessities...all the other student guests had arrived. Everyone but the cook and the ingredients for the Taco Soup. So...the kids plowed through salted peanuts, corn chips, salsa, verde salsa, and cheese as we played board games. FINALLY the baker called, "Oh my gosh, I fell asleep! I'm on my way to the store right now." I asked her to email me the recipe to see if there was something I could get started. Surprisingly, I had most of the ingredients. She stopped at the store for the 2 things I didn't have on hand. In the meantime one of the kids who where trying to stave off hunger with chips and dip started opening canned goods, chopping onion, and browning ground beef.

The official cook showed up at last and completed the culinary tasks. Even though it was a later start to the evening than I would have planned, it ended up being a great evening! Taco Soup, Cran-Apple Cobbler, a bottle of wine (to those who were of age of course), lots of chips/salsa, peanuts, several rounds of "Heads-Up", "Say Anything", "Catch Phrase", and lots of laughter, two alum, and three students later we had a memorable (and VERY late - for me) night! Can't remember the last time I stayed up until 2 am. Oh I forgot the laundry - lots of loads of laundry - the students know when they come to my house their laundry is welcome as well).

Best (or worst) quote of the night? One alum to another (both are 22) speaking about another alum who graduated prior to them: Alum One: "How old is Jarred?" Alum Two: "He's OLD - he is 26!"  By the way, the soup was delicious and the cobbler was delightful.

Keys to _______
~Base card red card stock
~Layers of 7 Gypsies Lillie framed with black card stock
~Brad
~Key charm
~Pennant garland Teresa Collins Far and Away
~Vellum
~Sentiment - stamped with StazOn black
Inspirations | Challenges
Just Us Girls - sketch
Tuesday Throw Down - anything goes
Southern Girls - swinging in the Breeze
2 Sisters - Black, white, one other color
Paula Holifield - are we there yet? (keys | Eiffel Tower | map)
Treasured Times - anything plus layers
Inky Impressions - charm

Here's to peanuts, laundry, and laughter,
Nancy in Iowa