Stitched Up

Tonight will be a quick post because I have a busy and early morning to face so it's to bed nice and early for a good nights sleep.  It really isn't a bad thing to give your body extra rest every now and then but I do hate to miss out on crafting time.  Oh well, on to my card for today....hope you like it.

The dressform stamp is from Loralee Designs, that I picked up at last year's convention. I colored it with copics and then cut it out and adhered it to an oval that I cut out using my Spellbinders dies.  The DP is Bo Bunny and the Cardstock is Bazzill Brown and Kraft. The rosebuds and floral I ordered from Wild Orchid as usual.  To finish the card I added some ribbon, buttons and a couple of pearls, then inked the edges with Tim Holtz Walnu Stain Disress Ink.

The inside was created using the same ribbon as on the front, and I used a coordinating piece of paper from the same Bo Bunny paper pack to create a space for jounaling a personal message.  The last thing I did was use Stazon Saddle Brown ink to stamp the dressform on the inside and added a Tim Hotz journaling tag that I stamped with a sentiment from Stampin' Up.
Well that's it for tonight but I'll be back tomorrow hopefully with a bit more.

I am going to enter this card in:
The Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge SC0222

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to "find beauty in all things and then go and create your own".

This has been a very busy weekend for me. I taught an Excel class at one of our community colleges and had one student that was very challenging for me. It was not a good experience at all...how do you tell someone that they have not mastered the skills required to be in the class they are in without offending them. I struggled and then when I thought I had it figured out I was confronted with such defiance that I simply told them they could stay, learn nothing and then lose their money or they could leave, get a refund and take a class closer to their skillset. I tell you events such as this are nerve-wrecking to say the least. But I have a couple of cards that should have a calming effect. Both cards are white..so you decide if they are indeed calming.

Cardstock: Bazzill

MS: Border Punch
Spellbinders Fancy Tags
Orchid Wild Flowers
Recollection Pearls
Offray Ribbon

This is a close-up of the bow and flourish. You can also see the ribbon and the lace that I used to finish the card off.  I am going to enter this card in "The Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge."

This next white card was a collaborative effort between myself and my grand-daughter. She loves to put her 2 cents in when I allow her of course.  It turned out okay to her so what the heck...its fine with me as well.

This one was made with left over Bazzill paper from the top card. This card size is a 5.5 x 5.5 instead of my normal 6x6 size card.

Before I close this post let me give you a sneak hint about a new challenge blog that is preparing to launch. Fine Arts by Robert Jackson is launching a challenge blog this April so look for it to be announced here on my blog and other sites as well.  Hope to see you all over there.

My February Challenge blog winners will be announced on March 1st, and my newest blog will be posted immediately thereafter if not at at the same time.  But in the meantime "find beauty in all things and then go create your own beauty."

Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment for me.

Pretty In Pink

Seems like everytime I find a new site I just have to go and make a card. This time I found a digital site "Saturated Canary" and I have fallen in love with Krista's images. I think I have downloaded these adorable images to the point where I don't have time to color them. I pulled out some Kaisercraft paper I bought as part of a bundle and found what I needed.  With 3 tubs of flowers it was time for this card I call :

"Pretty In Pink"

Card Recipe:
DP: KaiserCraft
CS: Bazzil
Flowers:  Wild Orchid
Pearls: Zva
MS: Frond Punch
Image: Saturated Canary
Pins: Not sure they were a gift

Inside of "Pretty In Pink"

Using left over scraps I decorated the inside of the card. The top flap uses left over Kaisercraft DP and Cardstock from Bazzil which I created the border using a Martha Stewart punch.

On the bottom flap I used a piece of leftover white lace across the bottom and then using left over DP and cardstock I created a space for a personal message.

I want to enter this card in these challenges:

Lets Craft and Create Flower Power Challenge #38
Digital Tuesday Challenge #147 "Use Your Stash"
Lollipop Crafts Challenge #68
Digi Doodles Anything Goes Challenge
Pretty Little Ribbon February Challenge
Always Crafting Challenge #2
Stamps R Us Challenge - Anything Goes

Blue and Grey

Here is another card where I used the digital image from Saturated Canary. I promise not to make too many more, but you have to admit this image is adorable. Well here we go.

I'm not sure why but here my card appears to be a bit dark and out of focus. I had fun with this card. It has three layers and I had the chance to try out my new Spellbinders die.


The DP is from the new company "Authentique" Journey Collection.  If you haven't seen their paper it is worth checking them out. I used the Spellbinders Picot Circle die and the Classic Circle to mat the sentiment which is from a clear stamp set I found somewhere.

The image is from Saturated Canary.  I colored her with Copic markers and then cut her out so I could pop her up on the card.  I tried to enlarge her so you can see the glitter I added to her petticoat to give it a blue shimmer, but it just won't show up.

I also decided to try my hand at sandy blond hair. I do okay with blond but to add different levels would be the test for me.  Her dress is gray with blue speckles that I added for effect.


I think her name is Nevah (pretty sure) just in case you want to look her up for yourself.

I am entering this card in:
Digital Tuesday Challenge #147
Digi Doodles Anything Goes Challenge
Pretty Little Ribbon February Challenge Anything Goes
Stamps R Us Challenge - Anything Goes

Happy weekend everyone, Mema here at the start of a new month.  The weeks are flying by this year, we're in March already!!   First of all I'd like to send out a massive THANKS for all your wonderful entries.  There were just over 100 entries, and wow what lovely entries for our "Anything Goes" theme for February,  perhaps I need to do that theme more often.
  

My grand-daughter and I try really hard to get round to all of you but sometimes life just gets in the way, so if we've missed anyone please accept our apologies. We kept a list and we think we touched each and every one of you but perhaps left a comment only on one entry if you had multiple entries. 

Anyway without further ado!

There can only be one winner and for the month of February the winner is.............

#18...Ann Marie Governale

Congratulations, please contact me at

lesia.cook@gmail.com

to arrange for your prize

(NOTE: Winners have 48 hours to claim their prize; prize will be forfeited after 48 hours)

February Challenge

February's Challenge is ANYTHING GOES!!!!!!!!!!
*****************
Hello everyone!

So glad to see you made through the first month of the year! It was a rough start for me but I survived.

We are starting a new challenge and it's going to be a "Anything Goes" challenge.  That's right no color or sketch that limits your creativity. We want to see your raw talent.  Read the rules below for this challenge. 

1. To enter this challenge you must be a follower of my blog
2. Create something new 
3. You can enter up to five projects if you want
4. Leave your name and a direct link to your entry using Mr Linky
5. If you do not have a blog you can still enter by using the "Contact Me" button in the right sidebar to email your entry to Mema

The winner of this challenge will win:

1.   electronic-gift card to Mo Manning 

2.  Magnolia Rubber stamp

Of course, first we want to find out our winners from last month!

The winner of the:
1)  Crop-A-Dile (Lime) (Case, Tool and Eyelets)  by We R Memory Keepers, as chosen by Random.org is

Entry #5.......Treva....

CONGRATULATIONS!

Contact Mema to claim your prize.

Note: Winners have 48 hours to claim their prize.  After 48 hours another winner will be selected from the qualified participants.

Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge - #CC021412

I've finally found time to participate in another challenge, which I didn't think I would have time to do with the response rate to my own February challenge.  Thanks to all of you for participating in my non-sponsored challenges.  All prizes are provided by me or someone in my immediate family (maybe I'll pick up a few sponsors later).  But for now I'm having fun and here is what fun looks like for me (in the form of a card).

The challenge was to use green, berry and black and something checkered as the twist. For more details visit The Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge weekly.

DP: My Mind's Eye
CS: Bazzil
Flowers:  Wild Orchid
Ribbon: Ofray
Bling: Recollections
Miscellaneous Items: Inked the edges with Ranger distress ink "vintage photo"
Used Fiskars punch for the branches and copics to color the image.  The sentiment is part of a set of clear stamps from Hero Arts.

The inside was made up with left-over scraps from the front of the card.  Using the checkered piece I created a pocket to hold the message on a tag.  On the right side I matted a space for a personal message.

Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment to let me know what you think.  I do appreciate your comments.

  "find beauty in all things and then go and create it"

Outlawz Sketch #SC0215

Don't you just love sketches...I know I do.  I recently discovered a site where you could go and download sketches for page layouts and card layouts.  I thought this was fabulous and then I discovered that Becky Fleck had authored two Pagemaps books where I could find tons of sketches to play with.  Visit her site "Pagemaps" and better yet find her books in your local bookstore.

Now on to the challenge I am entering based on a sketch. The Design Team for the Wednesday Sketch Challenge over at The Outlawz really allowed for a bit of imagination. So after deep consideration this is my interpretation.

Card Supplies:
Designer Paper:  My Mind's Eye
Cardstock: The Paper Studio
Ribbon: Celebrate
Image and Sentiment: Stampin Up
 Martha Stewart Border Punch
Spellbinders Fancy Tags Three Nestability
Recollection Pearls
Ink Media: Copics

I carried the colors to the inside of the card as well.  The more I look at this card I think it would have met the color requirements as well but since I enjoy creating I decided to just create another card. Not sure if I could have doubled up with one card anyway.

Well thats all I have for this post.

Thanks for stopping by.

Back to Challenges

After taking pictures of the snow we got...I knew it wasn't going to last long so I needed to get as many pictures as I could while I could.  After all the excitement of the snow I managed to find time to get a card completed for the Tuesday Color Challenge over at The Outlawz.  The challenge was to use "green, blue and purple" and add buttons as the twist.  I am into sets for some reason and I think Valentine's Day is taking its toll on me because everything I see I turn into a treat box.  Anyway here is what I have for you.

My card is made with Stampin Up cardstock and matching ribbon.  I think that is why I love their paper because they have matching accessories like brads, ribbon, ink and buttons.

The image and sentiment is from the "Because I Care" stamp set from Stampin Up.  The printed designer paper is part of K&Company's paper stack called "Susan Winget Speciality Paper" that is full of beautiful purples and greens.  I got lucky with the one that had all three colors.  Whepee!

I also decided to create a rectangle box with a belly band using the same paper so I could make it a set.  I plan to put candy in the box and then give the two as a gift to a friend. I think it will make for a cute Valentine Gift.

Well thats all I have for today and I am rushing to get this in the challenge.  Thank you for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment.

Snow in Texas!

Wow was what I said when I saw the snow falling outside my window.  It was beautiful with the big flakes...wow what a peaceful and calming scene unfolding right before my eyes, and this was happening in Arlington, Texas.  As it snowed I of course went into my craftroom and decided to see what I could do with some paper.  Keeping the book card in mind I decided to do something just a wee bit different and yet very similar.  This is called the tealight card, but I used bubble gum since I didn't have any tealights handy at the time.  Well here is what I came up with.

I accidently found the instructions on a Norwegian site blog called Wenches Kort and I had to translate it to English and then change from the metric system to our dewey decimal system.  The whole ordeal was time-consuming but I did like the results.

First Entry

Are you ready for what might be a long post. This past week has been hectic for me. My day job workload has increased to a point where every minute is extremely valuable and cannot be wasted or things will fall through the cracks if you know what I mean. The joy is when I walk through the parking lot to get in my car to head home. I know when I reach home and get in my craftroom I will be able to relax...at least that's the usual routine, but for the past two weeks I have been concerned about the outcome of my friend and companion, Gizzie, my four-legged friend.  Seems she has developed a growth that could be a malignant cyst or a tumor.  I've had her since she was 6 weeks old and she is now going on 11 years, so the waiting is painful.

To keep my sanity I have pushed myself to concentrate not on work and not on Gizzi...I mean "it is what it is".  My phrase is "today is controlled by God and me...God controls what happens and I control how I handle it", so I will be strong.
I've kept busy by checking on my own challenge and entering those of others. This keeps me in a positive mood and allows my creativity to continue.  The rest of the story will be told to me tomorrow when Gizzie's results are back and my office will still be there (at least I hope so), so for today I have two cards I want to share with you. Here is the first one along with the sketch I followed.

CS: Bazzill
Designer Paper: Recollections    Spellbinders Nestabilities: Scalloped Hearts, Renaissance Heart and the Classic Heart.  Pearl Embellishments:  Zva Pearls   Sentiment: Stampin Up. 

The inside of the card follows the outside theme.  I am entering this card in The Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge.

Second Post

My second card was created for a challenge on The Outlawz as well.  This time it was a color challenge with a bit of a twist.  We had to add fabric to our project. Could ribbon be considered fabric or were they looking for something else? I wasn't sure but I did love the color combination so my first project wasn't a card at all.

I found this wonderful tutorial and tried my hand at it. It was not easy at all and in the end I was a bit frustrated. I continued and decided that I had the required color combo which was light gray, dark grey and yellow.

But after careful review of the requirements, I realized I didn't include any fabric.....ah bummer!  But I am no quitter so I added the bear...lol just kidding.  What I really did was to go back to the drawing board and decided to create a card to match the purse.  Here is the card.

Supplies:
CS: Bazzill
DP: Authentique (love them)
Crochet Doily:  Fabric embellishment from Wild Orchids.
Sentiment: Stampin up
(my friend is a demonstrator)
Embellies: butterfly is a 3-dimensional sticker from Recollections or K&Company.

The card and purse as a set.
I am entering my card in the Tuesday Color Challenge sponsored by The Outlawz.

Well thats all for today so until next time ...."remember to find beauty in all things and then go create"

Challenge Entry

Hello everyone!

So glad to see you made through the first month of the year! It was a rough start for me but I survived.

As you probably know I have went crazy with the book card but it was such a fun card.  For today I decided to try and get in a couple of challenges myself and the first one I am going to enter is the "Show Me Something Sweet-Color Challenge" over at Card-D-Ology. 

I found this little stamp in my stash and thought it was the cutest thing.  I used Prisma Color Pencils to add a little color and embossed the edges using a Sizzix folder. 

My designer paper is by Recollections and the cardstock is all from Paper Studio.  I used Martha Stewart border punch "rings" for the front flap.  Once you open the flap the inside flap follows the same theme as the outside flap and then there is space for your personal message.

Well this is all for now, but I'll be back to announce last months winner and to share a few more projects with you.  Oh and I'm preparing to announce February's Challenge as well.

As always "find beauty in all things and then......go and create!

Thanks for stopping by.



February Challenge 2014

The month of Love and Romance has arrived and in keeping with the whole love and romance celebration, I thought the theme for this month would be a question:

“Who or What makes your heart smile?”
This opens up your creativity to a world of  ideas.

Include hearts or words that represent love on your creation, or use the common colors of Valentine’s Day.  Just have fun creating for that special someone or let your creation represent something that makes your heart smile.

Our first sponsor is “The Paper Nest Dolls” and if you haven’t visited their site yet, now is the time to do so.  They just released their new rubber stamps and they are simply adorable.  All of their delightful stamps are hand-drawn and inspired by their children. 

The Paper Nest Dolls will provide a $25 credit/gift certificate which can be used online toward the purchase of either their rubber or digital stamps. They just released their new rubber stamps and my girls and I selected a few to share with you.

While you're visiting Paper Nest Dolls don't forget they have a challenge on their site as well, so there are more opportunities to win some wonderful images to add to your collection.

***************************************************************************************************

We're proud to welcome back Digi Stamps 4 Joy as a sponsor and they are offering our winner their choice of 5 digital images from their store.  Their images are cute and perfect for any occasion as well as any age.

Check out their site now and get a sneak peek at their new releases,...you're gonna want'em.  Digi Stamps 4 Joy also offers a "Rewards Program" where you earn reward points on everything you purchase in their store.  Additionally, remember to check out and even participate in their challenges for additional chances to win.

Now to get started we'll start by showcasing our guest designer's fabulous creation!

Guest Designer

Bernie C.

DS4J Digi Image - "Bunny Love"

Joyce

The Paper Nest Rubber Stamp - "Love Bug Emma"

Ari

The Paper Nest Rubber Stamp - "Love Grows Ellie"

Lesia

DS4J Digi Image - "Corner Hearts"

Gabbi

DS4J Digi Image - "Vase of Hearts"

Lesia

The Paper Nest -Rubber Stamp "Love Strung"

Joyce

Puzzle Piece Technique

DS4J Digital Stamp - "Love Word"

Ari
(decided to create a tag)

The Paper Nest Rubber Stamp "Love Bug Emma"

So there you have our creations and now we would like to see yours.
Remember you can enter up to 3 times and the earlier you enter the more chances you have of winning a prize.

All challenge rules must be followed!! No back-linking and your post cannot be prior to the start date of this challenge!  Entries not following the rules will not be eligible to win any advertised prize.

Hugs
~Lesia~