Tiny (and Timely!!) :)

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Hi, all!  About to head off to work, so thought I'd pop in for a quick (and I mean QUICK!) share!

I created this card for the current Ten Minute Craft Dash -- I find these so fun…  I'm kinda a little hooked  ;)  The colors this go-round were a buttery yellow, red, and light blue…  Gotta admit that this one was a bit of a challenge for me….

So, I thought of the sage advice of my crafty friend, Melissa Shea, and channeled the words I've seen from her so many times: when stumped, go small!

So, here it is, my little 4" square 10-minute card!  :)

     

Anyway, hope you like it!  Have a great Friday!  :)

DeNami Blog Hop -- Patterned Paper! :)

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Good morning!  Welcome to another DeNami Design Blog Hop!!  This month's theme is Patterned Paper -- which I am totally stoked about!!  (You know I love me some patterned papers!  :)

If you are hopping in order, you should be arriving here from Annette's fabby blog -- I'm sure she had something really fun to share!  Remember if you get lost along the way or just want to start over from the beginning, you can always go to the DeNami blog for a full list of participants!

So I mentioned I might have a teensy-weensy thing for patterned paper…  I just love it -- and rarely do a project where there isn't some little morsel of it included somewhere…  So, for this blog hop, I definitely included some patterned paper, but I also wanted to create some using my very favorite DeNami stamp -- the Garden Bunch!

Can you see why I love this stamp so much??  It's super-fun to color (and you can make it match any color scheme you're working with!) and it's just so sweet!  And I also really love it on this printed patterned paper from Simple Stories -- stamping on printed cardstock has totally become one of my go-to techniques lately, too!  ;)

I paired it all with this little sentiment stamp from the Everyday Greetings Petit Fours set and finished it all off with some sweet sequins from Neat & Tangled...

Thanks so much for stopping by; I hope you like my card!  I'm about to send you on your way to one of my favorite bloggers, Emily Keaton, but before I do, I wanted to remind you that DeNami Design will be giving away two mini shopping sprees to two lucky people just for commenting along the hop!  :)  You have until 11:59 pm PST on Monday, June 10th to get your comments in!  :)  Good luck!

Thanks again for visiting!  Have a great day!

Flying High!!

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Good morning!  TGIF!  :)

Normally, Fridays are work days for me -- and busy ones, at that! -- but today, I am off!  :)  There's a stamping/scrapbooking convention in town, and I'm planning a big day of rummaging through all kinds of crafty fun!  I always have to be careful about these things to remind myself there is actually a difference between "I want!" and "I need!" (and I have found through past experience that that difference has a dollar amount!  It can be the difference between my spending a little today or WAY TOO FREAKIN' MUCH!  ha!  Wish me luck!!  :)

But before I head out, I wanted to stop in to share a card I made for a sweet young man I know who just had a super-great week at school!

I was inspired by two challenges in making this card, the Coloring challenge over at Lawnscaping and the It's a Man's Man's Man's World challenge over at A Blog Named Hero.

             

The clouds and the airplane are from Lawn Fawn's Bon Voyage set.  The die cut is Hero Arts' Heart Frame, the background stamp is from Four Hearts, and the sentiment is from Everyday Sayings.

I was super-happy with the way this one turned out and I know it'll be a hit with my little neighbor!

Hope you have a great day!!  Thanks for stopping by!  :)

Scootin' By the Milestones!

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Hello!  Just popping in tonight with a quick post to share a card I made (with the help of my mom -- who is the world's least fussy fussy-cutter!) for my sweet niece Kenzie.

Kenzie is graduating from the 5th grade tomorrow!  I can't believe she's old enough for this already -- I know people say that all the time, but it's so true.  She is my oldest niece, and therefore the first to reach this milestone… and, though she's certainly ready, I'm not sure I am… :)

Kenzie has the sweetest personality -- she is kind and caring and generous with her affection.  She is a good friend and a great big sister.  She has a wild imagination and can spin a yarn, to be sure…  She has a flair for the dramatic and has never been one to shy away from the spotlight (some of my favorite memories are of her and her younger sister standing on my hearth like it was a stage belting out {all the romantic} songs from their favorite Disney movies, or spinning each other around and attempting actual lifts like they were on Dancing with the Stars, or filming videos of themselves acting like weather reporters on my iPhone…).  She gives the best hugs and still lets me kiss that sweet spot on the bridge of her nose that I have loved since she was a baby…

I know the day is coming when she will be too cool to be playful and silly, and probably too hip for me or her parents or her Grammie (I think my sister and I already embarrass her more than we would want to admit!)  But that day isn't here yet!!  :)  Today, even as a soon-to-be middle-schooler, she is still our sweet girl.  And we love her to pieces!!!  :)

There She Goes Clear Stamps:  Scootin' By & Scootin' By Accessories

 Love you, Kenzie!  So proud of you!!!  :)

They Call Me Mellow Yellow!

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Hello!  Hope your week is kicking off with a bang!  :)

I am officially on my last day of vacation, but I can honestly say I'm ok with that!  I have had lots of time to rest, to just do *fun* things, whatever!  This obviously means I have spent many hours in my craft room this week…  Lots of fun!  :)

I wanted to pop in today with a card I made because I had this color scheme in my head and just had to do something with it!  It's an aqua, buttercream, and a gold yellow.  (incidentally, I used PTI's Aqua Mist and Harvest Gold, and HA's Butter Bar)

{Sidenote:  Last weekend, I was finally able to convince my mom to spend a little crafty time with me (this just isn't really her thing usually…).  I talked her into making a card and even let her ink up a brand new stamp set I hadn't even had a chance to play with yet (you stampers understand…)!  In this process, we spent quite a while trying to pick a color scheme she liked and I stumbled into this one -- which I loved, but she didn't!  lol. }  

The layout of this card is inspired by this week's sketch over at (CAS)E This Sketch! 

Hope you like it…  I'll be back soon -- like I said, I've got lots to share over the next several days!  ;)

Donkey Dash -- Caught on Camera! :)

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Hello!  Happy Thursday!  :)  

I have been on vacation this week (despite having to work yesterday -- boo!) and have thoroughly enjoyed my time…  I have been able to spend some time with some family, do a little work around the house, work on organizing my stamps (!), and even get a little inky!

But yesterday was a new kind of crafty for me -- techno-crafty!  :)

I decided to film a video of my 10 Minute Craft Dash (have you participated in the 10MCD yet?  I am loving this challenge hosted by Paulina of Pretty Pink Posh…  Frantic, Frazzled, Fun -- and a completed project in under 10 minutes!! :)

I am playing along with a past color scheme, just to hone my skills, so this isn't for an active challenge…

Please remember this is my first-ever video…  be kind!!  :)  I filmed it with my iPhone and edited on my Mac…  Would love any little bit of advice you might have if these things are "in your wheel-house…"  :)

{ETA:  I have had a couple of reports that the video isn't working here on the blog -- not sure why not…  It is, however, working on YouTube if you click that option on the video…  Gonna have to keep tinkering on my new skills, apparently! }

Here's my completed card:

And proof of my finished time -- think that's the closest I've ever cut it!!

Hope you liked my video -- I would love to hear from you!  Thanks for stopping by!

I'm off to enjoy what looks to be a beautiful day here…  Hope you're having a great week, too!  :) 

Hexed by CAS!

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Hello!  I know it's been a few days since my last post, but I have good reasons -- I promise!  ;)

First, let me start by saying I am officially on vacation.  Finally!  So last week was a little crazy at work trying to make sure I had all my loose ends wrapped up before I left…  It was a lot of long hours and very little sleep, which made for one super-crabby me…  :-/

But we had a terrific weekend, how about you?  We had some good family time celebrating my aunt's big birthday (we went to place called Painting With a Twist -- a little bit of painting and a little bit of wine! -- and had a great time…  Let me tell you…  I am no painter -- and no amount of wine could turn me into one!  My "masterpiece" may find itself gifted in a White Elephant exchange this Christmas!!!  ;)

But in the midst of all of that, I did find time for some late-night crafting…  and here's what I came up with…

I love these soft colors and think they'd be perfect for a baby card, too…  I tried to keep it as CAS as I could, because the challenge this week over at A Blog Named Hero is to Clean Up Your Act :)  And, I have to tell you, this is about as CAS as I get…  (and it's darn near the flattest card I've ever done…  not a lick of dimensional adhesive on this one!)

Thanks for stopping by…  Hope you have a stellar week!  :)

Floral Frenzy! :)

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Good Morning!  If you haven't guessed already, I am here this morning participating in the Fresh Florals Blog Hop for DeNami Designs!  I am sooo excited about this hop because florals are just right up my alley!  (is that a Southern term?  Or does it translate where you are?? :)  Regardless, I love working with florals -- stamps, patterned papers, embellishments -- you name it!! 

Hopefully, you have arrived here from the very fun blog of Tina Milbourn, who always has such fun things to share -- no doubt she did it again today!  :)  If not, or you want to catch the hop from the beginning, head on over to the DeNami website...

One of my favorite floral images from DeNami is this little cutie called Garden Bunch.  Seriously, how cute is this???  :)

I hope you like my card…  I had a really good time putting this one together!  (If you've been here before, you probably know I kind of have a *thing* for patterned papers -- I never met a 6x6 pad I didn't like…  ok, that may be an over-statement, but you get the idea! ;)

Before I send you off to see what kind of fabulousness Wendy Elliott has in store for you (can't wait to see myself!), I just want to remind you that DeNami Designs will be giving away two mini shopping sprees to people who comment throughout the hop…  You have until 11:59 pm PST on Monday, May 20th to leave your comments to be eligible for one of the prizes!  :) 

Hope you enjoy the hop!  Have a super-fab Sunday!  :)

Got a minute?? :)

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Hello, and Happy Friday!  I am excited for several reasons today…  First, my beloved Spurs won last night and are advancing to the NBA Conference finals…  (whew!).  Second, I am officially beginning my countdown to vacation -- one week from tomorrow, I will be starting a 10-day vacation (only seven work days to go!!!).

And, finally, I have several projects to share with you today that I am super-excited about!  :)

All of these have been inspired by the PaperSmooches Sparks Challenges -- a couple are from sketches and one from am inspiration photo…  Sooooo…  without further ado…  Here we go!

PaperSmooches:  Get Outta Town & My Guy

This card (which I LOVE!) was based on the sketch above (translated quite literally, I might add!).  I think it's a super-fun take on our "need to get away" every now and then!  {Side note: The last time I thought I would be super-swanky and cool and rent a convertible on my vacation, we were in Florida. In August.  It was 140 degrees with 98% humidity.  The top never came down, not even once.  True story.}

PaperSmooches:  Spring Groves,  My Guy,  &  Word Salad

Photo credit here

This card was inspired by this adorable picture (who doesn't love burlap and buttons??).  I loved the look of the stacked buttons and wanted to play with that on my card.  Pretty fun, no??  :)

PaperSmooches:  Word Salad &  Get Outta Town

This card was inspired by the sketch above.  It's a bit of a departure for me -- I wanted to keep it pretty simple -- and just let the stamps speak for themselves!  I love those little cocktails!  :)  (In fact, I might need one…  ;)

Hope you get your weekend off to a rockin' great start!  Thanks for stopping by!  :)

For Mom, With Love :)

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Hello!  I am going to slip this one in under the wire -- and for very good reason!

When I first saw this delicious Tuesday Trigger a while back over at Moxie Fab World,  I instantly knew I wanted this to be the inspiration for the card I would make for my mother for Mother's Day.  The problem was that I wouldn't be giving my mother her card until Mother's Day, and I didn't want to blast it for the whole world to see before I gave it to her!  ;)

So, here I am with the card I have *just* given my mother (who, btw, is one of the best people I know in the world.  I am a lucky, lucky girl to have been given the Mom I was…  I don't tell her nearly as often as I should how much she means to me, but that doesn't change how thankful and blessed I am to have her in my life.  :)

I hope you were able to celebrate the women in your life today, and that you moms out there were celebrated (and maybe even spoiled a bit!) and reminded how loved you are…  :)

Black, White and Red All-Over!

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*** This is my second post today!  For my first post (which you won't want to miss ;) click here or continue to scroll on down! ***

Hello!  I'm back with a quick post to share a card inspired by Laurie Willison.  Her card is a too-cute thank you for a teacher…  Check it here.

I don't have kids -- the only kiddos in my life are my out-of-this-world (literally.) nieces and my babies of the four-legged furry variety.  Since it's not common for a teacher to receive a thank you note from one their student's aunts (at least I wouldn't think it would be…  hmmmm….), I drew my inspiration from Laurie's colors rather than her theme…

I really picked up on the boldness of her colors, particularly the black, white, and red…  So here it is:

Oh my gosh, how cute is that elephant?!?  He comes from a set called "Jungle Out There" by There She Goes Stamps which I am in LOVE with!  (You'll see more from this set in the days ahead!!!  :)

Here's a pic of Laurie's inspiration for the Muse Card Club: 

Ok, so this really does wrap up my posts for today…  can't remember the last time I did two in one day!  Hope you have a great start to your weekend!  And all you moms out there -- I hope there is lots of pampering in your futures!  Soak it all up!  :)

Pretty in Purple!

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Good mornin'!  And happy Friday!  I mentioned a couple of posts back that I have really just been in the mood to color recently… and it's true.  I have found myself in each of my last several projects intentionally looking for stamp sets that would allow me to pull out my Copics -- and today's post is no exception…

This one took me awhile (like, a couple of nights), which at the time was just what I needed -- pure distraction! :)

I have mentioned here before (like on this card) that some of my favorite images to color are actually pieces of art by the fabulously talented Hannah Lynn (I first heard of her from a lady I sat next to in one of my Copics certification classes).  Hannah sells digi stamps (like I used here) and other coloring goodies in her etsy store.

Anyway, she does a lot of things I'm not normally into (like fairies and dragons and things like that), but I can't resist her faces and eyes and hair -- crazy fun to color!!!

I based this card on the sketch over at RetroSketches this week (or, at least, an inverted version of it!).

Hope you like it -- I think she's kinda purty…  I wish I had hair like that -- can you say "straight as a board?!?!"  ;)

Have a fabulous Friday -- I know I plan to!  :)

Late Night Dash!

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Good morning!  So I was up REALLY late last night -- my beloved Spurs went to double OT in a playoff game and I wasn't gonna miss a moment of it!  Don't know if any of you are basketball fans, but this one was one for the ages…  And we won!!!  :)

Anyway, I was cleaning/organizing/straightening up my craft room while I was watching, and because the game went so long, I was able to get it done!  :)

After the game was over, I was too jazzed to go to bed, and wanted to take advantage of my newly cleaned/organized/straightened up space, so I decided to put something together for this week's 10 Minute Craft Dash.  (Not 100% sure attempting this at 2:00am is the brightest idea I've ever had…).

But here you go:

I finished in 9:51.7.  It was too close for comfort, and I had to scrap some of my original plans to make it.  (I forgot to get my ruler out before I started the time, and it wasn't within reach, so my faux stitching is a bit wonky… oh well…)  Please don't judge me for the way I tied my ribbon…  I really wanted a bow, but I wouldn't have made it…  I also wanted to add some stickles, but that just wasn't in the cards, either.  

           

 It was a lot of fun and I'm happy enough with it, though!  And even better, my craft room is clean/organized/straightened up!!!  Can't wait to get back in it!  :)

Have a great day!

Make a Splash!

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Good morning!

So super-excited to share with you today!  :)  I got home from work last night and couldn't wait to start crafting!  I had had this idea in my head all day for a project and was literally chomping at the bit to get started!

I have been wanting to join in the Wonder of Watercolor Challenge over at Moxie Fab World, and I suddenly realized I had the perfect set to do it with!

I'm not sure what made me decide to do a shaped card, but the "flow" of the creative process just led me there.  The idea just kinda "floated" to the top…  Seemed like it would make more of a "splash…"  ha!

Isn't she adorable?  The stamps are from a set by Darcie's called Oceans of Joy --  Love!  :)

Hope your Monday is going "swimmingly!"  Ha! :)  

"Sea" you soon!  (Ok.  I'm done now.  Promise.)

Happy Days Ahead!

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Hello.  I hope you are having a great week.  Mine has been a little rough -- you know… work stuff  :(

So that's why I thought I'd pop in with something cheery!  I actually made this card last Friday when I was really just in the mood to color something (ever happen to you?)…

{sidenote:  I have been coloring a lot this week -- I find it very therapeutic and calming…  I can just put aside all thoughts of The-Job-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named (any Harry Potter fans???) and just be in the moment.  It's so nice and I highly recommend it -- it's gotta be sooo much cheaper than therapy --- or at least it is after you make the initial investment in your Copics!  ha!}

So, anyway, I pulled out one of my favorite sets from Flourishes and turned on the DVR (I had the 2nd half of The Other Boleyn Girl to finish…  good flick!  (Although, I've done a little research and the real Henry VIII wasn't nearly as hot as Eric Bana was -- plus, he had that nasty habit of beheading his wives...  :)

I'm linking this up to the Happy Mail Challenge over at Simon Says Stamp!

I did some 3rd generation stamping of just the zinnia bloom to create my background and then set out to color my main image…  And then on to the fussy cutting :)

I also got to utilize one of my tried and true techniques on his card -- dying my ribbon to match…  I love to do this and it never fails me!  In this case, my ribbon was a light, pale yellow, so I colored up and down the length of it with the same yellows (and yellow-reds!) I had used on my zinnias, spritzed it with Colorless Blending Solution, put it in a baggie and smushed it around, and then took it out and blew it dry!  Voila!!!

Anyhow, I love how it turned out and I know just who I'm gonna send it to!  :)

Have a great Friday!

A Sunny Hello :)

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Hello!  Happy Monday!  There is a DT search going on over at Case Study right now and I thought I would {gulp!} throw my hat in the ring!  This is among my very favorite challenges because each month, one of the best among us is invited to serve as "muse" and provides a different card each week for inspiration.  I love that there are no limits and that all styles are welcome and embraced!

The challenge was to select my own personal "Muse" and draw inspiration from their work -- someone whose style is different from my own, so that you'll be able to see where I drew my inspiration, but still be able to see me in it…

I chose as my "muse" Melissa Phillips of Lilybean's Paperie.  I love her vintage, often shabby chic, style.  Here embellishments are usually handmade and always fabulous.  She usually includes way more detail than I am ever comfortable with, but she always makes it work!  (hello, Tim Gunn  :)

The card I selected of hers is one of my all-time favorites.  It's amazing.  Seriously.  Check it here.

Here's my take:

Here's Melissa's masterpiece:

Melissa Phillips, Lilybean's Paperie

I was inspired by a number of things with Melissa's card -- I loved her color palette (she went with cool tones, so I went with warm! :) and her circle background, and her handmade flower embellishment…  Lots of good stuff!  :)

I'm super-pleased with the results and hope you like it too….  It's just a happy card, no?  :)

Have a great Tuesday…  be back soon with a card I made when I just had the urge to color something!

Papertrey April Blog Hop!

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Hello!  I am so super-excited today because it's Papertrey Ink Blog Hop Day!  (One of my favorite days of the month!)  I am always so excited to see what everyone has created -- and these hops always get such a good turn-out so there is plenty to see!  Something inspiring is always just another "click" away!  :)

This month's theme is Tilted… Design on an Angle.  Check it out:

I love that inspiration board -- lots of good eye candy!  :)

Confession:  I have a serious patterned paper addiction.  I love it and use it on almost every card…  It is just what I do…   So I futzed with this card for hours, until I got it just the way I wanted it…  I love these colors (the papers are from the Dear Lizzy Neapolitan collection by American Crafts)…  the muted pastels are so dreamy!  

I don't know if you can see it in the pic, but I used the PTI Linen Impression Plate for added texture (adds sooo much in real life!)…  I used the sentiment from Natural Beauties, Limitless Layers for my "flower," and Rosie Posie for the leaves…

I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out and hope you are, too…  :)

Thank you so much for stopping by…  Hope you are enjoying the Hop!  

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #179

Flippin' for Fifteen!

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Hello, friends!  Quick post tonight to share a card I made for a friend's niece's 15th birthday!  I was given simple instructions:

1. There must be pink.  Check!
2. There must be bling.  Check!
3. There must be glitter.  Check!

Beyond that, I was given complete artistic license.  ;)  I thought, what 15 year old doesn't own and love hundreds of pairs of flippies???  :)  I know I'm about three weeks away from L-I-V-I-N-G in mine!!!  

I was inspired by this week's sketch over at RetroSketches and the Color Story at The Play Date Cafe.

         

Hope you have a flippin' great Wednesday!  Muah!  :)

i {heart} u!

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Ok, so a couple of weeks ago, I participated in my first 10 Minute Craft Dash over at Paulina's blog.  And I learned a few things:

1. You gotta be organized.  I mean, seriously.  You gotta have your *schtuff* together!
2. You gotta have a plan.  You gotta work your plan.
3. There will be no need for cardio exercises after -- this will for sure get your blood a-pumpin'!
4. You're gonna make a mess.  Deal with it!

But I had so much fun (there were a few things I would've changed about my card, but really, how particular can you be in 10 minutes?!?) and couldn't wait to do it again!  :)

So here is my latest Dash effort:

Well, that's everything I could accomplish in 9:36.8!  My rows are a little wonky and my hearts somewhat askew, but I just ask that you kindly keep in mind I only had 10 minutes!!  :)

{I swear, next time I'm gonna set a timer on how long it takes me to clean up after one of these -- now that'll tell the WHOLE story!}

There you have it…  Another Dash come and gone…  Hope you'll consider playing along -- who doesn't have 10 minutes they can spare???  ;)

Hope your week is off to a great start -- see you tomorrow night!  :)