No Time to Post

Hello Everyone.  Tonight my post will be very short as I am dealing with a bit of food poisoning and let me just say that it is getting the best of me.  The card I have to share is one that was inspired and originally created by Lori Ulrich, a designer for Our Daily Bread.  The sentiment says so much to me and I just loved the basic layout.

Here is the original card that I fell in love with and just had to create.

Thank you Lori for such wonderful inspiration!

Now moving on to my version of this creation.


There are a few differences, just enough to make it mine but not enough to claim the design.  I had fun making this card.  The paper is Prima Printery, the clock Tim Holtz, some pearl, computer generated sentiment (used the words from Lori's design) and Ranger's Walnut Stain ink for the edges.

Believe it or not this is all I have for tonight, but before I end make sure you check the "Winners Channel" to see if you are our second winner for the month of June and then come back for the bonus question.  You could get yet another chance to win here at Mema's Craft where learning and sharing is the focus and fun is the requirement.

BTW:  Who knows the name of my 4-legged friend, whom I love dearly? If you know her name then you could have a chance of winning our bonus prize for June.  Come back often because there is more to come.

Have a blessed night where ever you are.  As for me it's going to be a very long night.

Hugz

~Lesia~

Time For Creations

Click Here To Enter Current Challenge

Well I have been a very busy craftier these past two days. Knowing you have a day off tends to allow you to stay up later and create longer, amongst other fun things.  I even had time to find a few challenges for my cards and now I would like to share them with everyone.

Card Inspired By Debbie

This is a rather large card so I had to create an envelope to fit it in.  I thought of doing a small box but changed my mind and went with the envelope.

Spellbinders Fancy Lattice Die; Lacy Oval; Decorative Oval
Wild Orchid Flowers
Offray Ribbon/Lace
Bazzil Card-stock
K&Company 3-Dimensional Embellishments


I want to enter this card in:

Crafty Ribbons Challenge - Flowers Galore (6/26)
Southern Girls Challenge - Give it an Upper Cut and Punch it Out

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I have recently gotten into collecting all types of embossing folders especially now that I can find the 5x7 size.  Embossing folders are perfect for the CAS card or for creating your starting base layer for a larger card.

I created this card with an embossing folder from the Thank You set by Sizzix, added a Prima flower and used a Joy Crafts die to add the florals.  My sentiment was computer generated and cut out using a Spellbinders Fancy tag two.





I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Happy Campers Challenge #18 - White on White (6/25)
Sassy Studio Designs - Clean and Simple (CAS) (6/26)
Crafty Catz - Pick and Mix (Anything Goes or Embossing)

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Both cards were inspirations
(Bev and Tracy - I think...can't remember)

These two cards I love, love, love! First of all I was able to create them both with Prima Romance Novel paper collection which is one of my favorite Paper Designers.

Prima has the versatility of being feminine, masculine and vintage.  Just add walnut stain to add that grungy feel or use pastel matting for a softer touch.  The pages are usually set against kraft or other neutral color for easy composition.  Yep Prima has a spot as one my favorites;  I do have 5 preferred suppliers.

Each card was made using Bazzil card-stock, a few flowers from either Prima or Wild Orchid, Prima pearls, Ranger distress ink, ribbon from my stash and metal charms from my stash.

I am entering this card in:
AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE #4 - FAVORITE PAPERS

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Just got my Spellbinders Grand Labels and needed to try them out and this is what I got.  As usual I used Bazzill card-stock for my base and my mats.  The flowers are as usual Wild Orchid and the flourish is a Marianne die.

The background was created using a die that is called "Harlequin" and I think it is a Memory Box die. I used Dainty Dots on the black band, added my sentiment and completed the inside using the same layout as the front.




I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Crafty Ribbons Challenge - Flowers Galore (6/26)

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This CAS card was created basically from an embossing folder.  I used Bazzill white  card-stock for my base and matted my layers with plain black card-stock.

Grabbed a piece of ribbon from my stash and computer generated my sentiment.  Added a few black pearls in the corner to complete my card and it was ready for an envelope and a recipient.






I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks - Sentiment Only
Crafty Catz - Pick and Mix (Anything Goes or Embossing)

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My last card looks a little odd because my camera dies just when I took the picture so it was really rather dark.  I tried to brighten it up with Photoshop but I couldn't do but so much.  I hope you can see it because it did turn out to be a cute card with lots of layers.

To create this card I used Spellbinders Grand Rectangles, Frame One D-Lites, Cherry Lynn Corner Ivy, Wild Orchid Flowers (they are actually pink), handmade stick pin, Spellbinders exclusive ODB Quatrefoil Die, Melissa Francis DP, Bazzil CS and a small charm from an old bracelet that belonged to my grand-daughter (not anymore).  The card size is 7.25 x 5.75.

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Chocolate, Coffee and Card Challenge #41 - Bingo (flowers, die cut & charm)

Inspire Me Fridays #108 - Anything Goes (6/26)

Sister Act Card Challenge #12 - Anything Goes

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Whew!!! What a Long post but I hope you didn't fall asleep.

As always I do appreciate you stopping by

and hope you will come again real soon.

Hugz

~Lesia~

Creative Stretch Four

Click Here To Enter Current Challenge

Hi y'all.  Lately I have been stuck on creating cards inspired by either Becca of Amazing Paper Grace or Debbie from Paper Past Times.  Her inspiration cards always captures my attention and I find myself typing away on my computer trying to capture the words...just until they put the stamps on sale and then I'll break down and buy the actual stamp.  I must be frugal..or at least that is what I am being told by the powers to be.  Anyway, go visit Becca, because she has the best tutorials and on YouTube her "Becca Bits" are perfect.  I am still learning how to tie pretty bows and create better floral arrangements, but now I have help with Becca's bow maker.  With her bow maker I am feeling a little bit empowered...yipee..I'm getting better with the bows.  Thanks Becca!

Debbie, has me using more white card-stock than I thought was possible.  I can't seem to get enough of her cards especially the ones where the primary color is white and then there is also the unique way she uses her dies.  The issue I have is trying to make sure I have those dies in my stash.  When I don't have a die I have to prepare for battle with my inner self who insists I purchase it and at the same time, my smarter and more rational self tries to convince my inner self that we can do without spending more on crafting when there are other more important ways to disburse our funds.  Not real sure how this battle will end, but in the meantime I simply use what I have on hand and worry about the other items when the time is right.
 

Inspired By Debbie

Spellbinders:
Romantic Rectangles
Standard Oval
Foliage Leafs and Leaves
Dainty Dots Embossing Folder
Wild Orchid: Flowers
Heartfelt Creations:
Corner Butterfly dies

Sneak peek inside where I used the largest Romantic Rectangle to create a space for a personal message.

The border is a gray peel and stick border from K&Company.










My next card is one that I did in cohort with my CM BFF (Joyce-My Enchanted Paper Creations) as we played together one weekend.  We used a tutorial by Becca but somewhere along the way we each made changes to fit our style.  Click the link above to visit Joyce's site and see her version and how it differs from my version, and then check out Becca's tutorial by clicking here.

The part of Becca's that really bring life to the card didn't look so good on my card so I hid it with flowers.  I will make another one and hopefully will leave it as she has it, plus my bows just aren't that good.  Anyway here is my version and don't forget to visit Joyce and see her version, and above try it for yourself.

CS: Bazzil
Spellbinders: A2 Filigree Die
Fancy Tags 3
Wild Orchid flowers
Offray Ribbon

Sneak Peek Inside

On the inside I used the A2 Filigree die to create a space for my sentiment which you can see a peek of in this photo.

On the other side is a space for a personal message tucked inside a small pocket.










Well that's two cards inspired by two of my favorite designers.  I will be back later with more cards and hopefully my cards will inspire you.  I love tutorials because they help you get started but allow you to make changes along the way to make it your own.

Have fun creating and sharing your talent with others.  Learn from each other, and continue to turn paper into beautiful cards that can bring a smile to someone's face.

Thanks for stopping by

Hugz

~Lesia~

Graphic45 Scraps

Click Here To Enter Current Challenge

The need to purge my scraps of paper has never been greater than it is now so I decided to create using nothing but scraps and I was able to create three very unique cards, all from remnants of Graphic 45's BirdSong collection.   Well let me get moving with sharing before I get tied up doing something else, which is what usually happens.

Love Story

Love Story Inside

Happiness

Happiness Inside

Love and Dream

Love and Dream Inside

Well guys this post was a quick one but I need to get back to laundry that I failed to finish up yesterday...talk about short term memory.

Thanks for stopping by and come again real soon.

Hugz

~Lesia~

Celebrate

Today is an exciting day for me...all the men in my life are off celebrating their day and I am left to play in my Craft-room with my newest paper.  Just in from Arizona, is the new Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells and I tell you it is absolutely gorgeous!  Its a mix of Halloween meets steampunk and I don't want to cut it just yet so I decided to create using some old paper I have stored in my stash.

My goal is to use what I have and resist the temptation to buy everything as soon as I see it or hear of it.  I did create a few cards to give to the men in my family and I think I've posted two of them (my other half and my son) but I had two more men I need to create for and now I want to share them with you.

The first one is for my youngest brother, who is the best brother ever and an awesome DAD!

I used old Graphic 45 paper and plain card-stock that I inked and stamped to add a masculine look and grungy feel.

The sentiment stamp is from Hero Arts and then the background stamp is from Stampers Anonymous.

This card represents a song written by Luther Vandross (deceased) titled "Dance With My Father".

I loved that song and every Father's Day I play that song, so of course I had to create this card when I saw the photo of the couple.

I think this card classifies as a CAS style card.  Not very many embellishments and yet I think it is very telling.  For me there is a lot of meaning to it and I think the recipient will share the sentiment as well when he gets it.

On the inside, on the left I plan to include the words to the song Dance With My Father, because this young man's father died before he was 6 years old but he says he can remember his father telling him how to hold a lady when he danced with her.

I used all scraps from the Graphic 45 Proper Gentleman and Ladies Diary paper collections.  Cool way to use up scraps.


I want to enter this card in the following challenges:

Joanna Sheen Challenges - Father's Day or Male Card (6/26)

Hobby Cutz Challenges - Challenge #8 Father's Day (6/22)

Challenges 4 Everybody - Challenge #22 Anything Goes (6/20)


Thanks for stopping by and if you haven't entered our Challenge, go ahead and click the tab above and take a chance.

Hugz

~Lesia~

June 2014 Winners

It's that time to announce our first winner for our "Only Men Allowed" Challenge.  As always the winner is selected using Random Generator, and this time random.org has selected:

And this entry belongs to

GAIL of Lacey Lassy

who submitted this absolutely delightful Father's Day card 

and if you haven't read the story behind the card please

 do so and I'm sure it'll bring a smile and maybe a laugh to ya.

!!! CONGRATULATIONS !!!

(Don't forget to claim your prize before Saturday, June 21st and grab your winners badge from the sidebar)

Email your claim to memascrafts2@gmail.com

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Now to announce our final June Challenge Winner!
Congratulations to Entry #42
as selected by Random.org

HAZEL OF MY CRAFTY OUTLOOK 

(Don't forget to claim your prize before Tuesday, July 8th and grab your winners badge from the sidebar)

Email your claim to memascrafts2@gmail.com

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Congrats to both our June winners! We hope to see you next month for more fun and of course more ways to win great prizes at Mema's Crafts.

Pure Inspiration

     Looking for June's Challenge Click Here!

Hi Everyone, I have a question...have you ever been surfing and run across a card designed by someone else and thought that you just had to attempt to re-create that card for yourself?  Well that is how the card of two ladies affected me and I was inspired to create the two following cards, but before I do let me remind you that our first June winner has been selected.  Check the  "Winners Tab" above to see if you're a winner.

BTW:  When you visit my blog please sign in so you can have a chance at winning one of my bonus prizes, which I offer randomly for random reasons.

Okay now I can share my two cards.

 My first card I titled "The Bride" and it was inspired by Linda.  The pure white and layers of embossing combined with Spellbinders die caught my attention and awaken my creativity.  Thanks Linda.  

My second card is yet again, a card of white.  I'm some what stuck on these white cards and I give that credit to Debbie who has the most beautiful and elegant white cards.  I noticed once I completed this card that in hindsight I should have popped the "Gilded Gate" so that it would be more visible but like I said by the time I thought of that it was to late.

It's okay, but I would have liked for it to have more depth which the foam dots would have given me.  Oh well it is what it is, so maybe next time I'll remember to add the depth.

That's it for me...returning to work after a long weekend is going to take some adjustment and I am extremely tired at the moment.

Thanks for stopping by and if you didn't enter for the first drawing in my challenge remember you still have time to enter for the second drawing.

Hugz from Texas

~Lesia~

Fabulous Weekend

                                           June's Challenge Click Here!

Whew! Finally, I am back and ready to blog and share with my crafting family.  My work week hasn't been any different but this weekend so far has been fabulous.  It started with my attending the "Great American Scrapbook Convention" or GASC, on Friday.  Although it was a lot smaller this year it was a bit refreshing to have walking space and time to browse all the goodies the vendors had to offer.  My Scrapping BFF and I arrived around 10:00 a.m. on Friday, and left around 4:30 p.m., which was right after we caught Tim Holtz with a mouth full of food (guess he needed a break), and right before we ran into Melissa Frances (I mean literally)...(her class was over and we didn't notice).  By the time we left I was rather hungry and couldn't wait to get home where we could play with our new toys.

I think my biggest buys were on Spellbinders, Heartfelt Creations, Cherry Lynn and Marianne dies.  I did stock up on a few Prima flowers and a couple of embossing folders.  I'm at the point where these are the items I need most, excluding paper of course...speaking of the new Graphic 45 collection "Steampunk Spells" is available and they have done it again with a fantastic design.  The other design "Bohemian" is filled with ocean colors and has a nice relaxing feel but the Steampunk is definitely my type of paper.

After completing our inventory and balancing our checkbooks we started creating and we had a ball.  I think it was after 2:00 a.m. before we finally called it a night with plans to play a bit more the next day and so far we haven't stopped the creating and learning.  This is just fun! fun! fun!

Well moving right along...today I thought I would try a new technique and create a Father's Day card for my best buddy using that technique.  I started with the faux leather technique, but thanks to my BFF I ended up using the faux patina technique.  I think it turned out really nice although it is just a bit more shiny than I had intended.  I'm happy with it though and hope you will try the technique for yourself.  See my card below and the tutorial can be found under my tutorial tab above labeled "Faux Patina".

 This card is a Father's Day card that I created for one of the sweetest person who just happens to be a good father and an even better grandpa.  I hope he likes it.  I used different tones of brown and added a clock brad to hold the sentiment.  I used Memento coco ink to stamp the tree and then used my prisma pencil to add just a hint of green on the branches.

The background I created using an embossing folder, ink, and embossing powder.  It's a really cool technique and its not hard to do which makes it even better for me.  Below is a close up of the faux patina look.  This technique adds the look of old metal that was once shiny and I think it is the best technique when you need to make a card with a masculine feel.

Click either picture to enlarge for a better view.

Well its back to creating...I have one more day before I return to the routine of life, yep its back to work for me, but I 'll find time to scrap.

Before closing let me invite you join in the challenge for this month, and check out our new sponsor's images.  Just click the tab above to enter.

Hugs from Texas

~Lesia~    

The Creative Stretch Continues

June's Challenge is Now Open!! Click Here!

Its not even half way through the week and I am already anticipating the weekend and that is because the Great American Scrapbook Convention will be here in Arlington, Texas and I am just beside myself.  I've made a list of all the things I want to get with the hope of staying within budget, but most likely I will not...but I'm going to make a real effort.  I can't go until Friday, but that's okay I will survive.  If any of you live here in Texas, let me know if you make it out on Friday..send me an email or something.

I am so hooked on surfing the net and using this paper I have laying around everywhere, shelves, floor, cabinets and there is probably a few stacks under the bed but I am scared to look.  Anyway let me go and share my cards before I think of something else to get me off course :)

This card I have titled "The Cardinal" which I think is a lovely bird.  It is also the state bird of my home state N.C. so I am partial and no I am not a true Texan, just a transplant after the Army.

I used Spellbinders fence and Memory Box Window to create my focal point.  Spellbinders grand squares created my base and my layers.  Sizzix embossing folders were used to add a bit of texture to the layers and Wild Orchid flowers added the flavor and color to my card.

This is the inside that I did rather quickly because I simply couldn't think of anything to match with the bird other than a tree or a bird cage and believe it or not but I couldn't find either stamp!  I tell you the more I organize the more stuff I lose sight of and then the more stuff I buy which leads to needing to organize. Can't win for losing.



I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Creative Card Crew - Challenge #37 Punches and Dies (6/8)
Lady Anne's Challenge - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown - Challenge #150 Embossing (6/9)
Throw the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes

My second card I created while I was caught up with the duo colors.

 I think using white and one other color make the most elegant cards. For some reason I think the white grabs your attention.

I also am into the white on white but keeping the card clean while making it has proven to be a challenge for me all by itself.

I used Spellbinders Grand Squares, Parisian Motifs, A2 Borders and Cherry Lynn flourish.  The sentiment is from Stampin Up collection "Because I Care" and Wild Orchid flowers as usual.

The inside is embossed and then I added a strip of Martha Stewart punched paper on the left side.  On the right side I used my new die from Our Daily Bread; the bookmark.  This has the most uses and I am loving it.



I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Crafty Sentiments Design - Black and White +1 or Something Fishy (6/9)
Bearly Mine Challenges #89 - Dies and or Punches (6/9)
Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes (6/10)

Before I end tonight I wanted to tell you about a tutorial on YouTube that shows you how to make an "Envelope Card".  This card used one sheet of 12x12 paper and has several pockets for gift card or a note on the back side and then on the inside is enough of space for your sentiment.  I made a quick couple to check it out and I truly think I am going to like this little card.  Only took about an hour to make them both and as you can see I currently have very little embellishments.  No there was no thought put into this card...I just wanted to follow the tutorial to see what would happen.  Try it out!!

Sorry the photo is dark.  This is the front of the card with a little embellishment.  One uses a ribbon to stay closed and the other uses a really small magnet to stay closed.

 Then there's the back where you have two pockets or if you wanted you could make one insert to fit between both pockets.  Additionally you add a band in the center to hold a gift card or a snak size piece of chocolate.  Who doesn't win with a gift of chocolate?

Would rather have a video to see the tutorial for yourself? Okay here you go.
The first video has some really good examples of how to decorate the envelope card and the second video has the tutorial near the end of the video.

Alrighty, sorry that the post was a bit long but I hope you enjoyed what I've shared.

Time for me to hit the shower and get in the bed, so good-nite where ever you are.

Hugz

~Lesia~

June 2014 Challenge - Only Men Allowed

Can you believe we are now entering the midway point of the year.  Seems like I was just celebrating a birthday and now its already time to plan vacations and trips to the beach! Perhaps the world is spinning faster..or not..but time sure seems to have picked up the pace. 

At any rate here at Mema's Crafts, a new month means a new challenge and more prizes to be won.  Also happening this month is a bittersweet farewell to Gabbi, who has graduated from early college and is now off to complete her BA and BS with N.C. State University. At 17 years old she will be entering NC State as a Sophmore.  We also say farewell to Joyce, who is taking time from being on design teams to concentrate more on her stacking projects she has laying around.  Good luck to them both.

Now to get this party started let me introduce 

our wonderful sponsors for June's Challenge.

Bugaboo Stamps, one of our frequent and lovely sponsors is once again supporting Mema's Crafts with their generous offering of 7 digi images of choice to one lucky winner of Mema's Crafts June Challenge.

HELP ME WELCOME OUR NEWEST SPONSOR

THE STAMPING CHEF

offering winners of Mema's Crafts 3 digi images of choice

The Stamping Chef was born in November 2012, Here’s a little bit about Tamara, the artist/creator of all the wonderful images you will find in The Stamping Chef store. Drawing is my passion, and my style is fun, cute and doodlish ~I think =D. I love to see images come to life when they're colored by amazing crafters. Creating digital images can be a tedious process, but I love each and every step of it.

The Stamping Chef offers a anything goes weekly challenge on Wednesday on our Blog, and many weekly and monthly challenges on our The Stamping Chef forum http://thestampingchef.com/Forum/ to play along with for some TSC images to win!

JUNE'S CHALLENGE THEME IS:  

 ONLY MEN ALLOWED

Yep this month we want to see those masculine cards 

and with graduation, summer and birthdays 

the possibilities are simple endless.  

The Design Team has created some really lovely 

projects which we hope will inspire you and get those juices flowing.  

JUDITH
"Judith's Adorable Creations"

BUGABOO IMAGE GUS GOLF

STAMPING CHEF IMAGE MADEMONSIEUR

PRINCESS
"Paper Crafting Paradise"

BUGABOO COURAGE BLOCK

STAMPING CHEF IMAGE RED CARPET REANNE

PENNY RAE
"Penny Rae's Creations"

BUGABOO SASSY CARPENTER

   

THE STAMPING CHEF IMAGE WE LIKE IT DIRTY

LESIA

Owner "Mema's Crafts"

STAMPING CHEF IMAGE SOAPBOX

BUGABOO IMAGE GUY FISHING

LISA

"Royal Pumpkin Art"

BUGABOO IMAGE DOGGONE IT ANYWAY

THE STAMPING CHEF IMAGE "COFFIN BREAK"

DONNA

"Creative Lady"

BUGABOO IMAGE "GUS WRINKLES"

THE STAMPING CHEF "NANCY BREW"

ARI

"Grand-daughter of Mema's Crafts"

BUGABOO IMAGE "GUY FISHING"

Many thanks to our new and wonderful Design Team. We do hope we have inspired you to go ahead and make the card you know you are going to need in the near future for some male person in your life. Remember to please check our few rules before entering.  

We invite you to visit our Design Team by clicking on their names. 

To add your entry, click on InLinkz below.

An InLinkz Link-up