Teal is my Go-To Color

Teal is my go-to color, and that's what I used to create this card for the new Anything Goes challenge over at Art by Miran challenge blog. I found some gorgeous patterned papers while cleaning out my closet and used a piece as my card base. Using Copics, I colored this pretty image called "A Rainy Day" and framed it with black cardstock. I then framed it again with embossed Coredinations paperand popped it on my card.
I used an adhesive flourish border, a line of pearls a flower and a ribbon bow to complete my card.
This is one of my favorite images from Art by MiRan. I think I'll give this to hubby for a Father's Day card!

Anything Goes Challenge at Art by Miran

Today I had just enough time to make one card, so I printed out a freebie from Art by Miran, given out to its Facebook members once 300 followers were reached. The image is called Little Garden Sally and I colored her with Copics. I framed the image with black cardstock as well as some punched borders and part of a paper doily.
I used a tag card base and covered it with pastel rainbow-hued paper. I used pennants cut from leftover patterned paper to embellish the top of my card, placing several small embellies on the pennants. I finished off my card with a Tim Holtz Idea-ology metal sentiment charm.  It reads "Encourage your hopes, not your fears."
I'm entering my card in the Art by Miran challenge blog. Check out all Mi Ran's images at her Etsy Shop.

Paint Chip Inspiration

I have a very messy desk today, so I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't pull anything out of, well, anywhere, without using what's already on my desk. So what did I find first but four large paint chips. I decided to keep them as strips and make the card above. Bim, bam boom. I was done and had leftover strips so I made the bookmarks below.

 I used a punch for the butterfly topper, and I used the tiny butterflies that were punched out to mismatch each bookmark. The stamp is from a Stampin Up set. The projects took less than ten minutes in all!
What can you use with paint chips? If you don't have any, I believe all the sales people are helping other customers in the garden center, so now's your chance to grab a few (handfuls)!
And as always, crafters, have fun!

Cards For the Troops

What do you do when you can't find your craft table for all the fibers, paper pieces and images leftover from previous projects? You make a bunch of CAS cards for the Troops!!

Instead of throwing away pieces and putting away images, I colored up the images, adhered the papers to card bases, and added the leftover embellishments to create 13 quick cards for the troops. I send my cards to crafting friend Melissa who collects and boxes them up for Operation Write Home.
If you're ever looking for a way to do good and have fun crafting, check out their link and then have fun in your craft area! Most deployed soldiers are nowhere near a store to buy cards to send home to family and friends. Whether it's a birthday card or just a Thinking of You card, our men and women over there really appreciate the handmade love we send them!

Anything Goes at Art by Miran Challenge Blog

Time for another challenge at Art by Miran. Today I used a digi image called Spring Blossom. After coloring her with Copics, I used my Epic Six to "frame" her. I added a bit of leftover pink lace to the bottom of the image before popping it onto my card face.
I embellished with a large handmade flower, some assorted fibers, twine ribbon,a Pebble and a Tim Holtz Idea-ology charm that reads: "live in the moment." Oops, did I forget to mention the jeweled flowers I tossed into her hair?!
I had a lot of fun with this image and am already planning another card using her. Come back later in the week and I hope to have something to show you! While you wait, check out the new challenge at Art By Miran!

On the Path toward Wisdom

I know a lot of smart people. Some have great math abilities. Others speak with words that flow like poetry. Still others have amazing memory and recall (envious of this one).  Me? I’m trivial smart.  Ask me a question on popular culture and I can quote little known facts and speak fluently in movie quotes.  Having wisdom does not come naturally to me.

I know fewer people who are wise, who can take their “smarts” and merge it perfectly with their experiences and intuition and offer sage advice or possibilities for improvement on both small and large scales.

I hate confrontation to the point of smiling, nodding my head and slowly but steadily backing away from the discussion and out the room. Call me chicken.  I know it’s a  behavioral flaw that I need to work on.  But how can I work on it without having the wisdom to know when to defend and when to give in?

I truly have been trying to improve my confrontational skills, and have picked up a few “golden rules” in order to play the game.  I have learned that in an argument, there are often more than two possibilities.  Sometimes the answer is not who’s right as much as acknowledging the other person’s opinion and offering other insights into the mix.  “Let’s agree to disagree” is a good mantra (from the movie Men in Black 3).

Another rule I have learned is that there’s no excuse for attacking someone’s character. If strong words are called for, they should always be directed within the framework of the conversation.  By insulting the person, I lose the argument as well as any self-respect.

Finally, just because an idea is popular or it says so online doesn’t mean it’s true. I remember my son coming home and saying that Portugal was a city in Spain. Now,  geography is not my strong suit but I am positive that his teacher (a woman who should have retired 30 years prior to my son’s imprisonment in her class) was pulling his leg or having “a moment.” Of course, children think their parents have the minds of slug worms, so good luck convincing them you’re right and they’re wrong!

See how hard it is to be considered “wise”? It just comes back to forcing myself to THINK before speaking, and knowing when to speak and when to just nod my head and back away quietly but steadily.  Come to think of it, maybe the way I deal with confrontation is a form of being wise?  Mmm, didn’t think so.  I guess I’ll tighten up my laces and continue on my path toward wisdom.
And to point the way down the path of wisdom, I've created a 12x12 mixed media canvas for this month's Path of Positivity Challenge.  I showcased an image from Ike's Art, one of our regular sponsors and a very talented artist.  It's called Sherlock and I fell in love with it from the first time I laid eyes on him. Because of his deductive powers, I'd say he was a fairly wise man, so he is perfect for this month's theme of WISDOM.
I printed out the phrase in Word on my computer. I used Basic Grey patterned paper, acrylic paints, CTMH inks, matte medium, Mod Podge, a photo from TCM magazine and Sherlock to create my canvas.  My embellishments include jewels, buttons, jeweled flourishes and clock face brads from Recollections. I also used letter tiles from a deconstructed Scrabble game to embellish my wording.
When I say MIXED media, I really mean it! LOL
Now for some good news. Prizes for this month are:

·   Ten digital images from Creative Bug Digitals for the person out of the top seven who receives the most votes during voting week.

·    Three digital images from Ike's World for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.

·    Five digital images from Digi Stamps 4 Joy, our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.

·    One digital designer paper from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment.

·    One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles as well.

Crafting Comes in All Shapes and Sizes

This week's Squigglefly challenge asks you to play with shapes, specifically to layer a few different shapes on your card and use a Squigglefly image.  I was on the go when I made this card, carrying with me just a scissors and my paper cutter, so my shapes are very basic, but I managed a square, a rectangle and a triangle! They all framed patterned papers from my stash.
The image I used is called "Say Cheese Please", a new May release from artist Cheryl Grant Alger, and one of my new favorites. I colored this cute boy and girl posing for a photo with my trusty Copics, using a blending tool to color in the background. I embellished simply with jewels, as my papers have enough patterns to make a feast for the eyes.
If I had been at home, I would have brought out my Epic Six and diecut some different shapes, but I like the way my card turned out, and hope you do too!
Now it's time for you to "shape up" your creativity and play in Squigglefly's newest challenge.  Check out their Facebook page for plenty of awesome inspiration!

New Album Card

While at a weekend crop, I learned a new (to me) card design. The front looks like any old notecard. I colored an imaged by Art by Miran called "Catching Hearts" with my trusty Copics. After matting the image, I used a vellum sentiment stickers and punched hearts to embellish.

When opened, the card sports several pages on which I can put photos, stickers, journaling or other images. Right now the pages are just covered with patterned paper, except for one.

I fell in love with this sticker collection from Creative Memories. I would have used up all the stickers but it was a make-&-take and I had to leave a few for the rest of the crafters there (sigh). Since Creative Memories is defunct, I'll just have to comb EBay for more of the same!
So now I have time to decide what I want to place on my card pages, but in the meantime, I'm entering my card in the Anything Goes challenge at Art by Miran.

Keep Calm and Carry a Cupcake

Keep calm and carry a Cupcake--at least that's what grandmother always said. But after Little Red took the shortcut through the woods, she heard the wolf howl and  lost her cool--and her cupcakes! Poor grandmother, will she ever see Little Red again?
Bet you can't guess what the new Squigglefly challenge is this week?! CUPCAKES!!
Use cupcakes in your image, patterned papers, embellishments, and don't forget to use a Squigglefly image! If you do that, link up your card or project and you're in the running for free digis!
I used a Squigglefly image called "Little Red" by the talented Fawn Palmer. I colored her with Copics, distressed her frame with some Tim Holtz ink, framed her again with cardstock, and popped her onto a paper doily.
Although this image comes with two (yes, TWO!) sentiments, I used a 3D sentiment sticker to go along with this week's theme. Patterned paper is from CTMH and I used a few teal-colored skittles for embellishments. My cupcakes come in the form of washi tape and my card is complete!
Now back to Little Red...
When she lost her cool, she ran off the path and straight into the arms of the big bad wolf. But never fear, her basket was full of yummy cupcakes. She shoved a handful of these delightful treats into the wolf's mouth and ran straight to grandmother's house, where she called animal control to take care of that hungry critter so he wouldn't bother Little Red again.  Last they heard he had been adopted by a nice family who owned a bakery and he was fat and happy!
Don't you love a happy ending?

Creating for Christmas

I love challenges that help you grow in your art, teach you new techniques, and help you build your stash of cards for the holidays. The Digi Stamps 4 Joy monthly Christmas Card does just that, and this is my third Christmas card for the upcoming holiday.
I received this image called "King 1-Time to Go" just for playing in last month's challenge. I colored it with Copics and placed it on a background of DCWV holiday patterned papers. The tree s were part of a diecut border I had cut, while the bow and start were leftovers in my Christmas stash. The sentiment is from a SU set.
There are less than 230 days until Christmas, so why not get a headstart on your card making by joining in the challenge at DS4J!

Anything Goes with Art by Miran

I was at an all-day crop this weekend and spent some time in between scrapbook layouts making a few cards. Here's one of them using an image from Art by Miran called "Bubbly Betty."
I very seldom use purples in my card-making, so I thought I would crawl out of my comfort zone and use up some leftover paper and experiment with my purple Copics. I like what I created.
I matted the image with black cardstock, and then carried the black into my embellishments. The background is actually patterned paper and a piece of white cardstock overlay. You can't see it but I used Liquid Glass to give the bubbles some sparkle.
Have you checked out Art by Miran yet? I am totally hooked on her images!
For some fun and inspiration, check out the challenge blog.

Happy Mother's Day

My mom is a BIG fan of Harry Potter (right behind the Blackhawks, 2-time Stanley Cup winners). So this set of Har Repotter digi images from Bugaboo was perfect for a "magical Mother's Day" card for her. I made an easel card and used dimensional tape to layer my characters onto the card. I used Harry Potter designer papers for the background, cutting out the Hogwarts Express train (leaving Platform 9+3/4 in ten minutes).
To all the moms out there, have a wonderful day!

You Must Be Very Wise!

“Turn your wounds into wisdom.”

― Oprah Winfrey

This is a very clever way of saying that wisdom comes with experience and age. Most people gather experience (wounds) as they grow and mature, always confronting, evaluating and learning from each year by year (licking their wounds). So I thought this quote very appropriate for my card.  It’s a humorous birthday card, with the sentiment on the front reading: “Wisdom comes with old age…”

On the inside, it reads: “You must be VERY wise!”

I know the perfect person to whom I will give this card! And being somewhat wise (and a good friend) he will smile and laugh.

My card uses an image from Digi Stamps4 Joy.  It’s called Gramps and is one of many that are endearingly funny…

I would have loved to give this to my dad. He was the one who told me that a person could be smart as a whip but a fool when it comes to life.  Wisdom, he said, is a merging of smarts, experience, understanding, and the ability to balance it all when faced with decision-making and action. And, he added, once the decision was made, the ability to follow through and accept the consequences. 

Even 20 years after his passing, I am still learning from his words, and feeling his love for me, my mom and my sisters.

I made my card for the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog to herald a new challenge for the month of May. 

The MAY challenge theme of WISDOM runs from May 5 until June 1. Any project that reflects a positive spin on the subject of wisdom is welcome. Looking for a blog challenge that showcases your sewing/knitting/crocheting? Scrapbooking or card-making? Altered art or mixed media? Your creative writing/poetry? Everyone is invited to share with the Path of Positivity!

You may come back to vote for the Top Seven posts/projects chosen by the DT members from June 9 - June 16.

Prizes offered this month are:

 ·   Ten digital images from Creative Bug Digitals for the person out of the top seven who receives the most votes during voting week.

·     Three digital images from Ike's World for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.

·     Five digital images from Digi Stamps 4 Joy, our guest sponsor this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.

·     One digital designer paper from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment.

·     One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles as well.

What are you waiting for?  It would be very WISE of you to link up your project showcasing WISDOM as soon as you can!
Now for other challenges I've entered:
Craft Your Passion - Show Us the Funny

May Flowers for Mom

Today I made another card for one of the mothers on my list for Mothers' Day. I used a Squigglefly new May Release called "Spring Heart" from artist Niina Niskanen.
The challenge this week is to "Add something to the border of your card, be it a punch, a piece of ribbon, some lace, decorative paper strips, etc."
I printed Niina's image twice, fussy-cut it and framed it with CTMH patterned paper. I love how the flowers form a freestyle heart. I decided to go to my go-to card design, an easel card. I adhered my two framed hearts to the bottom half of my card face and added a few silver leaf charms and a sentiment.
When standing open, my Mother's Day greeting decorates the inside, along with my punched border and a few jewels. I used my Martha Stewart clearance rack punch for my card.
Go check out the new challenge at Squigglefly Challenge Blog (don't forget to print out a Squigglefly image and pull out your border punches!)

Easy Easel Challenge Over at Your Scrapbook Place

 Today I made an easel card for Your Scrapbook Place Challenge blog. Their guest sponsor, Scribbles Designs, gave the DT images to play with and I fell in love with Carl's Pad. I have a couple of images from the Carl set and I think he is too funny.
After making the easy folds for my easel card, I added patterned paper leftover from a previous project.
I colored Carl with my trusty Copics, then fussy cut him out and added him to the lower half of my card front. That way I can fold the front in and let it stand as if it were on an easel, with some of the image un-adhered and freestanding.
The reason the card stands up is in the embellishments or sentiment used on the "inside" or bottom of the card. I used a row of jewels and the tip of a dragonfly's wing to accomplish this.

Don't you love this sentiment? It's one of several that you can purchase at Scribbles Designs. I think this one is perfect for a two-part card!
So now you have a basic understanding of an easel card if you had never made one before. And you can go play in Your Scrapbook Place challenge as their theme is Anything Goes as an Easel Card. One random winner will win their choice of free digis from Scribbles Designs. Hurry, the challenge only goes through May 14th!