Wedding Plans - Star Fish Boutonnieres

I have been working on groomsmen's boutonnieres for my son's wedding next month.  The theme is tropical, and the bride, her mom and I have been working together to give all aspects of the celebrations that tropical touch.  We went online and found some made with starfish, and I opened my big mouth and said, "I can do that!"

So now I have the ultimate task of turning highly fragile starfish into something worthy to pin onto tuxedos.  Here's where I started:

After carefully handling four starfish, and quickly breaking off a point on each, i thought to use Mod Podge to  "toughen" them up.  While they were drying, they actually felt spongy (as if they were coming back to life on my craft table).  Yikes!!

When hubby proposed we go out to dinner, I gladly left my project to properly dry.  When I came home, they were somewhat stiffer.  So I added some Diamond Stickle on each to make them sparkly (and hopefully make them even more "tough").

After several attempts at putting together a decent-looking piece, the bride and I finally agreed on a final draft.  And here it is:

So this week I am focusing on finishing off a clean dozen of these little guys.  I'm using hot glue to adhere a pinback onto each, with which to attach them to lapels.  There aren't that many guys in the wedding party, but you never know if one of these manly men will be too rough on his and break it.  So I plan to have back ups!!  LOL

Make Your QKD Image POP!

Do you know why I love Queen Kat Designs silhouette images?  Because when I have some absolutely gorgeous patterned paper that is way too busy to showcase a stamped image, you can still use one to make a card.  All you need is a stamped silhouette image in a coordinating color to make it pop on the card front.

Because I'm piling up a few cards for Operation Write Home, I'm leaving this one CAS (Clean And Simple), but if I weren't, I could still use some inking and jewels and ribbon without my image getting lost in the scene.

I did use the same image and stamped the inside again, in red this time.  Just to bring the fantasy theme inside the card as well.

I have three cards finished for the Troops, but will probably make a few more before sending out to my contact.  If you're interested in joining this worthwhile cause, check out www.operationwritehome.org for specifics.

Enabling Alert!!  The QKD Store has been revamped and to celebrate its makeover, there are loads of sales going on--no coupon or discount code needed!!  Choose your favorites that you've been craving to buy, or pick a new image the just now catches your eye.  Either way, it's the perfect time to add on to your QKD collection!

And remember, have fun in your crafting!!

The Long and the Short of This Week's Squigglefly Challenge

Today I made a card from Squigglefly called "Baby Upside Down."  It's a new release this month from Fawn Palmer.

The challenge this week at Squigglefly Challenge Blog is to "make a card that uses something long and something short.  Could be a long piece of ribbon and short sentiment, a long card with a short image or short piece of designer paper."

As you can see, I decided to go with a l-o-n-g tall card.  It fits in a business letter envelope.  I again used up papers from my stash, plus a couple of stickers for embellishment.

Isn't that image adorable?  I know just the new mom to give this to this month!
The image comes with the sentiment you see here.  It reads: "a baby is sunshine, moonbeams and more, brightening your world as never before."

That is the perfect sentiment, don't you think?

So, how are you going to face this crafting challenge?  Wherever your muse takes you, make sure you use a Squigglefly image for your chance to win a free digi this week!!  And have fun!!

Knock knock-Who's there? Doctor. Doctor Who...

Oh my, I am having SO much fun with just this one Mayzy Arts digi image that I decided to make ANOTHER Dr. Who card with the same papers, but a different look!  Don't worry, I have a friend who loves Dr. Who and would love to get more handmade cards from me!  Here's the card:

The two cards together show what you can do with all those leftover pieces of patterned papers!  This time I cut them into strips and snipped the ends to make "ribbons".

I again colored the "Doo Weeeeeeee Doo" digi image with my trusty Copics, framed it with more black cardstock and used the same sentiment to again coordinate with the geometric design of the card.  I added a simple strip of same black cardstock down the left edge, and scattered some sequins along the right, adding shimmer this way and with Stickles on the Tardis light and his flashy pen thingy.

So this will be my second card in the challenge over at Mayzy Arts Challenge Blog.  For your chance to win a gift certificate to the Store, go play in the challenge. At the very least you'll have had some fun, seen some inspiration and stretched your creativity!

Happy crafting!!

The Doctor is In with a Mayzy Art digi!

I've just discovered yet another cooler-than-cool blog and dig store called Mayzy Arts.  There are some fantastic digi's to purchase there, but today I'm joining in their new challenge with one of their freebie digi's called "Doo Weeeeeeee Doo."

I used a Kaleidascope blocking design for my card base, and in keeping with their challenge theme of polka dots, robbed my stash of leftover papers for the design.

I colored Doo Weeeeeeee Doo with Copics and distressed the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in "Faded Jeans".  The sentiment was printed off my computer from my Pinterest Board entitled "Who??"

I distressed (Bundled Sage from T Holtz) and then faux-stitched the punched sentiment circle and popped it onto coordinating black cardstock, which I snipped at odd angles in keeping with the geometric design of my card.

I didn't want a lot of embellishments to distract from the image and design, so I cut strips of black paper and "framed" the image, and my card is finished!

I made a new year's resolution to join in more challenges throughout the year, and this is my third one this month!  It looks to be a fun challenge blog, (as you can see from just these two cards) so get out your polka-dotted papers and embellies and go play for your chance to win a prize.  And don't forget to check out the fun and whimsical digi's offered at Mayzy Arts store!!

A Little Fairy Love

My card today features "Forest Night" by Terra Bidlespacher.  After coloring my image, I tore it and inked the edges with Tim Holtz Vintage Photo distress ink.  After framing it with patterned paper, I found a distressed tag in my stash of leftover supplies and used it to open up the frame, also using some torn pink card stock and coordinating striped patterned paper.

The stripes looked too intense, so I toned it down with some webbing, and then I "had my way" with embellishments.  I finished off my card by inking one edge with gold pigment ink, then rubbing in some Aztec Gold Pearl Ex pigments.

I love the fairies that Terra creates, like this one, don't you?  Check them all out at the QKD Shop!!
And for inspiration, check out QKD on Facebook:

Three Cheers for the Red, WHite & Blue

It's time to do some coloring! Squigglefly offers us this week's challenge:
Create a card using Red, White and Blue.
It can be 4th of July theme or not, as long as you use Red, White and Blue.

I chose another new release from artist Pammie Lehto called "4 Stars."  I colored her string of starts with Copics and although you can't see it in the photo, use Stickles to shine up the white stars.

My card is a Z-Fold, but unlike others I've made, I folded it on the horizontal, so my card is longer than it is tall.  I chose to use up more papers in my stash, and a few patriotic-looking serendipity squares on my card front.

I let Pammie's image decorate the inside of my card, although with a Z-fold, you see part of the inside whether it's flat or open.  That's what I like about this type of card!

A piece of adhesive-backed ribbon embellishes that back part, and hiding behind the card front is a toothpick American flag.  I haven't added the sentiment inside yet, because it's going to be a birthday card for my daughter.  yup, as Bruce Springsteen sang, she was "Born in the U.S.A." on the fourth of July.

I love my little Liberty girl, who has also graduated from high school this month.  Happy birthday, hon!!

Okay, crafters, time to get out your markers, pencils and inks and show your true colors with this week's Squigglefly Challenge.  Don't forget to use a Squigglefly image to be in the running for a free digi!!  And as always, have fun!!

Crafter's Companion June Challenge is SUMMER

I have been itching to make another mixed media canvas, and I finally had the time today to do so!  I love incorporating the different media to create something unique that has texture and speaks to me.  I hadn't played with my stamp sets from Crafter's Companion for quite a while, and thought now would be a great time to try them out on canvas.

I chose a stamp set from Sheena Douglass from the A Little Bit Sketchy collection.  It's called Faith.  Here is a closeup of my stamped and embossed image.  The set comes with three stamps: this sentiment, a sprig from a spruce/fir tree, and a bird resting on a branch.  I chose to use just the sentiment today.

To put my canvas together, I used matte medium, Mod Podge, patterned paper from the DCWV paper stack A Colorful Life, handmade flowers, Sakura white gel pen, white arcrylic paint, Stickles,
a string of beads, and miscellaneous leftover embellies.

Here is my finished canvas.  The smaller sentiment reads: Everything is possible.  I would have loved to do one of those time-lapse YouTube videos on my project, but I'm afraid I don't quite have the tech savvy to make one (and I am by far too messy and unorganized a crafter for it).

But at least I can show you the finished project, which will go on my wall.  I already have a few canvases hanging there-I am new at this type of creative outlet, but I LOVE creating them.

And the Crafter's Companion image from Sheena Douglass worked in perfectly with the background, don't you think??  I'm entering my canvas in their June Challenge.

If you're stuck in a rut of "just" making cards, dig yourself out by using your stamps and images for altered art, and mixed media projects.  It's fun and sometimes beats writing or drawing out your own sentiments, quotes and images.  Go for it!!

It's a Hot, Hot, Hot Summer Party Blog Hop

Welcome Summer, and welcome to the Blog Hop!  We have some hot ideas to get your party on, so if you came from Angela's blog, you're on the right track.  If not, make sure you start at Shannon's blog so you don't miss a single sizzlin' project.

I've been working on a Quinceanera party for a friend.  Her dress is a hot orange and pink, and after the Mass is a Masquerade Ball.  Here are the invitations I made.

Half of them are exploding boxes, with a photo of my friend's daughter inside, as well as the actual wording of the invitation.

The other half are cards that lie flat and can be

mailed.  Both showcase the young woman's monogram, the colors of her dress, carnival masks for the masquerade theme, and white flowers to highlight her innocence.

I made 150 invitations all total!

The next thing I worked on were favors.
I wanted to continue with the orange and hot pink colors, but keep the design simple to keep the focus on the gifts inside.


So as I was browsing the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby, I came upon packs of hot pink favor bags.  I was able to spice them up a little, and give them the same flair as the invitations.

I love taking a cast-off or slightly wounded item and make it sparkling new in a different way!  I don't think I have paid full price for a year's worth of projects so far.  How about you--do you upcycle??

This last photo is of the champagne toast centerpiece.
Since all the young ladies and gentlemen of the court will be underage,
the champagne toast will be done with sparkling grape juice.
But that doesn't make the centerpiece any less of a showcase item,
as you can see.

The base is a champagne glass stand, decorated with the colors of the night.  Each glass is embellished with a small mardi gras mask.  Of course, you can't miss the large mask in the center, which is eye-catching, which is what it is supposed to do!

Did I mention that each table will have its own fabulous centerpiece, each holding a bottle of sparkling grape juice (or champagne if you're at the adults' tables), each colorfully decorated in hot pink and deep orange feather boas and masks!!
That's all for my part in the Summer Party Blog Hop.  Please leave a little love before you hop on over to Lori's Blog.

Enjoy yourselves, and keep on crafting!  Here's the blog order if you get lost or if you encounter a black hole:

Shannon- http://shannonleffew.blogspot.com

• • Daphne- http://craftyscrapsofstuff.blogspot.com
    Angela - http://www.crazy3monkeys.blogspot.com/
    Pat - http://patacakespages.blogspot.com
    Lori - http://www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/
    Robin - http://cutonedesignsbyrobin.blogspot.com/
    Sandy- http://scrapbookblessings.blogspot.com
    Christine- http://hotberrydesigns.blogspot.com/

Wrapped Up in Father's Day Crafting

My granddaughter is sleeping over tonight, so we brought out the craft supplies (my craft room is her bedroom) and made cards and a project for daddy and grampa.

This is what I came up with, a cute card for my honey!  I made it using a Squigglefly digi image set called "A Man and His Grill" by artist Lynne Stansbery.  There are five digis altogether in this set.

The Squigglefly blog has a new challenge this week:  Wrap It Up - use your imagination. Wrap ribbon or twine around a layer, wrap a die cut around a corner, use wrapping paper instead of designer scrapbook paper, use an image with a wrapped gift...

After coloring my image with Copics, I framed it with cardstock and popped it on a base of leftover pieces of patterned papers.  I handwrote  the sentiment and "wrapped" my card with knotted twine. 

If you're going to play in this week's challenge, don't forget to use a Squigglefly image to be in the drawing  for a free digi!!

Oh, and here is my granddaughter working on her own project to give to her daddy this weekend.

He is going to love his present!!  

It's Time to Celebrate - Congratulations to my College-bound Daughter

This month my baby girl was graduated from high school.  We moved into the area when she was 1 month old, unlike my son who was born in Missouri, went to preschool in Dupage County, Illinois, stayed through 3rd grade in Lake County, and finished off his remaining school years in Cook County.

We had a grad party for her, of course, and I made the invitations, but they went out before I could take a photo of them!  However, I did manage to snap a pic of the thank you cards I made for her.  She has them in a pile and while we watch another episode of Fringe off of Netflix, she's writing them out and addressing the envelopes.

I'm so proud of her!  Her class went through some horrific experiences during the four years they were together--from the deaths of classmates through suicide, hit-and-run, and cancer, to the firing of sports coaches for allowing hazing to go on, to their successful attempts to keep extracurricular activities from disappearing for lack of funds.

During those four years, they raised over $100,000 for cancer research and St. Jude's hospital.  During graduation, over 162 scholarships were given out--and one of the recipients was my daughter!!

We're going together to the college to register her for classes and get a feel for the campus on Tuesday.  So while I wistfully look back on her toddler years, the many Girl Scout camping trips taken together, and her journey to adulthood, I can't help but become excited for her--all those opportunities to grow and learn and love and live that will become available to her!  As Dr. Seuss so aptly put it, "Oh, the places you'll go..."

Summer is Almost Here

Well, today was a good day to explore mixed media showcasing a QKD set of digi images from the Queen herself, Vicky D!  The set is called Patchwork Spring and is available in the QKD Shoppe!

I used a manila folder cut to 6x6 for my base, adding a piece of patterned paper.   Next I Mod Podged a square of tie-dye patterned designer napkin, adding some ink to distress it, as well as  the "shadow" cut of a peacock.

After printing the digi set on several pieces of patterned paper, I paper-pieced each flower, adhered it to my "garden" and added stems and leaves.  Same with the butterfly and dragonfly!

I added to the over-all effect with black and white gel pens, pulling out the "bones" of each image, and the highlighting them.  I wish you could touch my card--it certainly has a different "feel" to it!

Have you discovered a technique you want to try?  Did you "pin" something you want to explore?  Now's the time to "get 'er done", and a QKD digi like this set would be a perfect starting point for you!!

Happy crafting!

Dark Side of Crafting

I just discovered a great blog connected to the talented artist Rick St. Dennis called Airless Chambers, and they offer monthly challenges!!  This makes me happy that I again have a creative outlet for the darker side of my crafting and card making! I love the images he creates so I jumped on the challenge and came up with this card.

The challenge in June is to create ANYTHING BUT SQUARE and no sharp corners .  
So I created a rectangular card and after adding a couple layers to the base, I used this great black and white hounds' tooth tissue paper and ripped & adhered it to a black mat.

I colored my image, called Voodoo Skull Man, (a freebie for those who wish to join in the June challenge) with my trusty Copics, tore him out of his cardstock cage, and distressed the torn edges with Tim Holtz inks.

The sentiment is actually a magnet from off my refrigerator (shh, don't tell my granddaughter, who loves making sentences with the whole collection).

I embellished the card with inked edges, a black ribbon and flower, and a fun crop of feathers.  Uh oh, I think my granddaughter has caught on--that must be why he's running.  Run, Skull Man, before she catches you!  LOL

Wanna play?  Get over to Airless Chambers and snag your freebie and create!  And as always, have fun!!

Setting a Scene with Several QKD Stamps

I have been buying up several QKD background stamps for the last year, and today I wanted to show you what you can do with them, besides using one as a standard background for a card or a tag.

For this Tim Holtz inspired tag, I used the following QKD stamps:
Just Batty background and Skulls background, along with the Chinese Temple, Briggitte, and Street Lamp stamps.

The base is covered with book page patterned paper, then distressed it with Tim's inks.  I stamped the Chinese Temple on the left in black ink. I used the Just Batty background stamp on cardstock, ink-distressed it, and tore the inside edge to blend into my scene.  After adhering it, I stamped more bats to give it some height.

The next layer is the Skulls background, which I distressed then used pop dots to give it dimension.  I made the top layer using the street ;amp and Briggitte stamps (she's colored with Copics).

Embellishments include washi tape around the edges, some fun, tiny "dingle balls" trim on the bottom, purple feathers and metal stars, and a cool epoxy pebble.

If I had to use a sentiment on this tag, I think it would be something like:
"Friends don't let friends walk home alone on a street paved with skulls" or some such nonsense! LOL

Anyway, what are your favorite stamp combinations?

In The Good Old Summer Time

Summer is just around the corner!  The pools are open, some schools have let their children escape for a couple months, and we can only hope the weather in Chicago plays nice for those who wish to dip their toes in chlorinated water this year.

Since summer is close, Squigglefly Challenge blog asks challenge players to make a "summertime theme card--think of the outdoors, beaches, playing, leaving school, vacations, summertime holidays.  All the great things we get during the summer time." 

I got to play with a brand spankin' new June release from new Squigglefly artist and crafting friend Pammie Lehto!!  The digi image is called "Fancy Cup With Rose."  I thought it would be perfect for the summer theme.

After coloring the image with Copics, I matted it with the same card stock I used to make the card base.  I used a piece of patterned paper from my stash (of which I keep using for cards and even giving away and I don't see any progress in decreasing the amount).

I kept the embellishments simple, finding organza ribbon in a matching color as well as white.  I tied one around the card front, and the other around the bottom of the tea cup.  A few flowery pearl strands that I received from a friend finish off my card.

Alright, grab your suntan lotion and paper cutter and join the fun at Squigglefly Challenge Blog!!