Whoop-Dee-Dooo

Hello my family of crafters and friends! I have been away trying to recover from a state of depression due to the loss of a family member and a decline in my health.  

After recovering from family matters I had to focus on my health.  It took a while (longer than expected) but now it is under control and my whoop-dee-dooo attitude has returned just in time to for me to re-engage myself by joining a few challenges. 

Here is the card that I am entering.  Hope you like it.

I used the "Mummu" image from Mo Manning.  She appeared to have the attitude that goes well with the greeting "whoop-dee-dooo" that was part of a Stampendous clear stamp collection called "Birthday Wish".

I used three different design papers from Maja Design and Bazzil to create the layout. My embellishments include flowers from Wild Orchid and Recollections.  

The lace, bling and cheese-cloth I found in my stash.  I used lace although I have equal amounts of lace and ribbon.  I mostly use lace simply because I haven't mastered the tying of bows and I think when you use ribbon you have to add a bow.

My friends say I do okay with bows but until my bows resemble those made by Becca Feeken, I will continue to use lace as often as I can but that's not to say that I won't tie a bow from time to time or use ribbon on my projects. 

On the inside I used different leftover scraps and a couple of sheets from the same Maja paper pad.  I added a corner flourish and used a Hero Arts stamp for my sentiment.

The card size is 6 x 6 and my image was colored with the following copic markers.

E00, 11, 23, W0, 00, 01, 03, 04, 05, 07, BV000, 00, 01, 02, BG90. BG93, and V28.

I'd like to enter the following challenges.

Southern Girls - #153 3 or more Pattern Papers (M15)

Crafting With Attitude - #24 Anything Goes (2/24)(M101)

Mo Manning - #272 Anything MO Goes (2/24)(M18)

Simply Papercraft - #43 Anything Goes (2/22)(M120)

Creative Fingers - #124 Anything Goes (2/16)(M129)

Polkadoodles - Week #6 Anything Goes (2/24)(M09)

Crafting With Friends - #36 Anything Goes (2/15)(M121)

Thanks to everyone for stopping by and leaving a comment.

Sending Hugs from Texas

~Lesia~

Christmas Is Near

Hope everyone is having a great weekend and had time to celebrate the official start of the Holiday Season with family and friends. Now is when the signs of Christmas come to life, you know the hustle and bustle in the stores and on the streets.

The scenery changes from colorful leaves to the colorful lights around homes and along the highways at night. And then the sound of music fills the air along with smiles and hellos seldom heard throughout the year.

For crafters, this is the time to start creating those Christmas cards and home decor items that say Christmas is around the corner, and I am no different.

Here is the beginning of my Christmas cards for this year and be sure and check out our DECEMBER CHALLENGE by clicking the tab above.  Its "Anything Goes"  with the theme of "celebrate the holidays" or "cold winter days".  I'll get you started here and then you can check out what the M&M Girls have when you enter your project.

I always seem to forget to keep track of the paper and copics I use on my cards but for this card I think the following recipe is at least 80% correct.

DP:  Authentique and Paper Studio
CS: Kraft (from Hobby Lobby)
Copic Markers Reds: R35, 37, 39 Browns: E50, 53, 55, 57 Grays: T1, 3, 5

Image: Peppermint Tea (Stitchy Bear Digital Outlet)
Offray Ribbon and a doily from Bo Bunny Collection

Inside
Dies: Whimsy Circle and Statley Doily
The Greeting was computer generated and the sentiment came with the image from Stitchy Bear.  Card finished size is 6x6.

My second card I wanted to resemble the winter so I used embellishments that would go with the coldness of winter although I did add a few flowers (which would not be found in the cold of winter) silly me in fantasy land of crafting.

Anyway let me see if I can remember what all I did with this card.  The image is from Bugaboo "Kidz-Winter" and I colored her with copics. I used a Marianne Design Snowflake die and Tim Holtz Holiday Lamp Post die on the front.  The flowers are from Wild Orchid and the leaves are Cherry Lynn Designs.


The DP is Maja Designs Vintage Frost Basics collection. Kraft is the card base and the cardstock is Recollections. Adding Frosted Lace Stickles gave the card a little shimmer that looks really cute (can't capture on camera) and the snow ...well I'm still trying to get the hang of it.




On the inside I added the trees (supposed to be snow trees) but the snow hasn't started falling yet (lol). Oh of course the tree die is from Tim Holtz.










I think the copics used were:
Blues: B90, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99
Skin: E15, 13, 11,00
Hair: E21, 23, 43, 53, 55, 57
Browns: E40, 43, 44, 45

Well that's what I've got to share for tonight but I have lots more Christmas cards to go so its on and popping in my craft room.






Your comments are always appreciated so please take time to leave a comment and don't forget to join in our challenge.  I love seeing what others create and finding new ways to use old stuff.

As always

Until next time

The Frenzy Continues

Yep, I'm back with another imitation of a Mo Manning favorite.  I think I almost captured it completely, but there are still a few subtle differences.  Do you see the difference?...not to easy huh?

Anyway let me start with the original creation by none other than Tracy.  Hello my lovely crafting mentor person....

Tracy's coloring skills never cease to amaze me...just fabulous I tell you.  You can check out the details of her card by clicking here.

While you're there check out her tutorials and other creations.  You will find yourself wanting to try your coloring skills and what I like is her ability to create something lovely with very little.

Not a lot of over-kill and yet a creation that draws attention and shares a message.  Now to move on to my very own creation of which I am simply proud.  Now to share my lift of this delightful card.

My card doesn't appear to be as bright as the original but I am sure I used the same designer paper so perhaps I don't have the best lighting in my craft-room.

Anyway I followed the basic coloring scheme and layout using what I had on hand for the most part.

I managed to get the greeting using my PC and Word, and the buttons came in a pack I had gotten some time ago.  As I said I am getting used to coloring still but my own technique and style is starting to merge although I find it real interesting to see how others color.  

Light to dark or dark to light, or do they lay a base color and then start the shadows.  Everyone does their own thing and for some reason they all turn out pretty darn good.

I continued using the left over paper to finish off the inside allowing a space for a personal message but keeping the color scheme the same inside.

Additionally, I have made it a habit to always create an envelope for every card I make.  This way should I need to give it up, the inside will be complete, my stamp will be on the back, and there will be a endorsed envelope that matches the card making it even more personal and special.

For this card I used "7 Gypsies "Venice" DSP, Mo's Digital Image "Sailor Boys" Distress Inks, Miscellaneous embellishments and the following copic markers:  

Skin E00, E11, E13
Hair E55, E57
Clothing B93, B95, B97, R35, R37, R39
Boat E35, E37, E39, E000, E00, B000, B00
Shading E41, E42, E43, C00, CO, C2

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

Sister Act Card - Challenge #74

Craft for the Craic-Challenge#8 "Something With Circles" (9/28)

A Creative Romance - Anything Goes (9/25)

Treasure Time Rubber Stamp - Anything Goes (9/19)

Suzy Bee's Blooming Challenge - Anything Goes (9/18)

Crafting At The Weekend - Anything Goes (9/25)

Lifting Case Frenzy

Hello everyone.  This past week I have been so busy just handling everyday things that I really couldn't get my noggin in the creative groove. Hackers make it really hard to keep trust in others...this week my debit card was compromised so I've had to deal with that mess.  Lucky for me "Bank of America" was on top of things and noticed an inconsistent or unusual spending habit for me and immediately began to decline charges against my debit account.  So we think the crooks got nothing! It had to be someone with a weight problem because the items were all around nutrisystem, treadmill, scales and stuff like that. Glad to know that folks want to be healthy but not at my expense.

So just to keep my faith and not lose sleep I went to visit my friend "Tracy" to check out what she had created that I felt I could case and I found quite a few, although my coloring will never match hers.



First let me share with you the original card that caught my eye and click here to go to Tracy's post where I found it.  You'll have to scroll down to around July 9th to get to it.

Isn't it absolutely adorable? I have several Mo Manning images and if I don't have one but need it, then its off to get it.  You can't go wrong with Mo's images.  They are all so perfect for any occasion and for any age as well.  But moving right along I want to show you my version of this adorable card.

And here is my inspirational version.  I know it is missing in so many ways but that's okay. I did try to follow the color scheme and capture the overall concept of the design.

I enjoyed coloring it and now that I have a complete set of Spectrum Noir, Copics and ProMarkers I feel like the Queen of Markers...I just have to learn how to master each of them.  One day at a time, right?

So what is the verdict? I think it turned out pretty good and my coloring on this one did make me smile for once.



I hope Tracy takes my mimic as a compliment because between her and a few other designers, I think I have grown quite a bit in my coloring, my style and my technique, but when I find it to stressing to sketch out a design its good to know that you can always find inspiration on the internet.

Different styles, techniques and designers.  From Shabby Chic, CAS, Steampunk, Whimsical and even the Gothic and Dark can be found.  I tell you when I stress I surf and it usually helps bring back that smile.  Oh such a delight this crafting is.

The paper used was from My Mind's Eye and I forgot all about writing down the markers.  I did mix both my copics and the Spectrum Noir... and yes they do blend together.  The new brush tip on the Spectrum Noir is a bit different from the Copic but work the same with less pressure.  Give'em a try.

Okay that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs

Lesia

Pencils and Markers

First of all thanks to everyone that played with Mema's Crafts and her M&M Girls in last months challenge. Hop on over to the challenge and see what the DT has created for you. 

This month our challenge theme is:

 "Make It A Duet" 

and

I've selected a couple of really cute images 

to use for this month's duet challenge.

Here's what I have to share with everyone. 

My first card was colored with Prismacolor Pencils and mounted on Recollections Kraft Cardstock.  The image is from Stitchy Bear and the illustrator is Delicious Doodles.  I believe the image is "Plowing the Fields"  Oh and I didn't forget...for my Challenge "Duet Colors" I used Blue and Brown with White as my accessory color.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

Ladybug Crafts Ink - Anything Goes (07/06) - 80

Fan-tastic Tuesday - #42 Anything Goes (07/06) - 75

Creative Card Crew - #65 Masculine (07/12) - 26

This lovely image comes from Kenny K and is called "Socialite".  She was colored with Copic Markers and outlined with a Prismacolor Pen.  Lace, Pin and flowers are all from WOC.  The heart banner is a die by La La Crafts.  I sure hope I got these names correct. My Challenge "Duet Colors" on this one is Lavender and Grey and White is my accessory color.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

Tuesday Throwdown -#202 Anything Goes (07/06) - 61

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes (07/06)-126

Well I think I'll hop over to the challenge area and see what the M&M Girls have been up to.  Come along with me by clicking on the July Challenge tab, and don't forget to submit your entry and you can enter up to three times.

Don't believe me ....check out the rules.

Stay Safe Where Ever You Are

Hugs

~Lesia~

Remember to check the winners channel for the announcement of our final June Challenge Winner!

May 2015 Challenge

Click Here to Go Shopping or Use Tab Above!

Wow last month we had a fabulous turn out and I was amazed at the talent that was shared with us.  So again I say Wow! Congratulations to our winner(s)!

This month we decided to entice you

with another easy peasy challenge.

It's another "ANYTHING GOES" challenge.

Additionally, we'd like to welcome our newest sponsor to Mema's Crafts.

Please remember to visit our sponsor's site for without them we would not have such wonderful prizes. 

I Brake For Stamps, which is also the home of Auntie Amy's Embossing Arts, Time To Stamp, Rosebud Rubber Stamps, The Merry Stamper, and Designs Ink'd images. They are are also the exclusive distributor for the Stampinback line from The Netherlands.

I Brake For Stamps offer stamps that are deeply etched and sold as either red rubber only or with cling foam mounting attached. Additionally I Brake For Stamps offer digital stamps and an array of supplies and embellishments to suit your crafting needs.

Below is what the M&M girls created 

using supplies and images from

I Brake For Stamps.

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

Kim
Pink Zebra Paper Creations

Using "Sweet Bird" image

Barbara
Art and Soul Creations

Using "Umbrella" digital image

Donna
Creative Lady

Using "Stacked Presents" imaged

Joyce
My Enchanted Paper Creations

Using "Fish" digital image

Using Wild Orchid flowers sold at I Brake For Stamps

Penny Rae

Penny Rae's Creations

Using "Sunflower" image

Lisa

Royal Pumpkin Art

Using "teacup" image

Lesia

Mema's Crafts

Using "Watering Can" image

Big kudos to the M&M Ladies, 

they did a fabulous job creating and sharing their talent.  

We hope you have been inspired and 

will play along with us for 

a chance to go shopping at 

"I Brake For Stamps!"

An InLinkz Link-up

Place In Time 3

Whew! Can you believe that there were almost 150 amazing entries in this month's challenge before the first winner was selected on the 15th!  My grand-daughter stepped in and said I had to increase the limitation on the number of entries....so I did which means if you haven't entered 3 times yet, you still can.

For this post I am returning with Series III of my "Place In Time Cards" project and this series was just as much fun to make as all the others. The colors for July and September were my favorites!  So without any more chatting I'll jump right in with showing them off.

 I have an announcement at the end of this post that I will appreciate you reading before you leave. 

First as usual we will take a look at the sketch we had to follow:
I just love how the sketches are all so very similar, but they each have their own cute signature with multiple layers adding to the style.

We now take a look at all three cards together.

July - August - September

JULY

The month of July is often celebrated with the faithful colors of Red White and Blue, and Graphic 45 has stayed close to those colors with muted reds blues and an ivory in their paper blend. 

Here is a peek at the inside using the same paper sheets.  For this series I wasn't as careful in my planning so I did use 2 12 x 12 paper sheets per card.

It made it so much easier to carry the theme over to the inside of the card.



AUGUST

I'm not real sure about the photos or the color palette used for August unless it signifies harvest, since the photos appear to be focused around cooking, harvesting and planting I think.  At any rate the colors and design did lend me to giving this card as a congratulations to a new home owner.

The inside came to be quite by accident.  My original thought was destroyed when it was attacked by a bottle of ink that turned over after I bumped the table.  Why did I do that you ask?

Well when your home has been totally quiet for approximately an hour or so and then all of a sudden your dog gives out one heck of a bark...it can startle you (smiles).

SEPTEMBER

I love the colors Graphic 45 selected for September!  But of course the ABC Primer collection was one of my favorites and now it has been discontinued...guess it was a favorite for lots of folks out there.  There are very few sheets still hanging around but they won't be for long I bet.

I kept the inside real simple and hope to maybe add a pocket later as a gift card or money holder.

School will end for the summer in a couple of months but will return come September, so this is one card down and three to go.

So there you have Series III of my project and of course if you'd like to try it yourself

  CLICK HERE  for the .pdf  tutorial provided by Gloria Stengel.

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

ANNOUNCEMENT

As I have stated many times, Mema's Crafts consists of a grandmother, her two grand-daughters and one very supportive friend.  For the first two years it was just Mema and the two girls creating and having fun and then for the past year Joyce Owens of My Enchanted Paper Creations has been supporting us with our designs and it has been a blast.  Unfortunately, Joyce has decided to take a break due to life catching up with her so there will only be myself, Gabbi an Ari to create for you.

We're not going away...at least not this year anyway.  However I am looking for two or three designers to join our team.  We don't require anything except that you have fun and create 2-3 cards per month that follow our theme for that month and you remain on the team for at least 4 months.

Our sponsors will provide the images to us and we create the project (doesn't have to be a card). Like I said, we're just crafters having fun and trying to introduce our sponsors products to others by bringing to life their images or using their material and/or products.

  Your journey with us would start for our June Challenge.

 If you decide that you'd like to join us for a while

simply leave a comment and add the letters DT at the end of your name.

Thanks for stopping by

Hugs

~Lesia~

New Challenges

Hello to all and many thanks to those of you that continue to support Mema's Crafts by participating in our challenges or by simply making comments on our posts.

Mema's Crafts has upgraded her monthly challenges to bi-weekly but you only have to enter once a month to be eligible for both prizes.  This month the challenge is "ANYTHING GOES" so get those projects ready and enter early for an opportunity to win not once but twice.

Just click the April Challenge tab above to enter or just click HERE!



Once you've entered my challenge I would like to invite you to visit "613 Avenue Create" where there are more prizes to be won and the challenges are always fun.

This week the challenge theme is "flowers", so hop on over and take a chance at a few prizes.  Here is my donation as a DT member.






Card Supplies:
DP: Prima
CS: Recollections
Flowers: Prima and Wild Orchid
Other Embellishments:  Stick Pin: Wild Orchid; Martha Stewart border punch and Spellbinders dies. Recollection pearls and Ranger distress inks.

Don't forget, click the tab above to enter April's Anything Goes Challenge and  then visit 613 Avenue Create.

Thanks for stopping by and I would appreciate it if you would tell a friend about Mema's Crafts!

Lesia

Tic Tac Toe

Hope you had a good week and have fun plans for the weekend.  I am real anxious for spring to step on up to the plate so we can stop playing the game of 45 degrees one day and then 75 the next.
Anyway, I am here to share my DT card for this week's challenge over at 613 Avenue Create.  It's our first challenge for the month of March and we're playing "Tic Tac Toe" so get ready!

My card base and mats are Recollections and the patterned papers are from Authentique Essentials Collection 6x6 pad. The image is The Vicarage Scene by Rick St Dennis.

I printed my image on Neenah paper and colored it with my Copics. I cut it out, added a mat and then used foam dots to pop it up on my card. I added green stickles to the bushes around the house for a little glistening effect.

I punched out a few pennant flags using my Paper Studio 2" pennant punch and then outlined it with my white gel pen. I also included a couple of brads and some bling. Lastly I stitched around the outside of the top layer to box in my image. The sentiment is by Poly Cling clear stamps.

Tracing my tic-tac-toe three times finished my card. I am entering this card in the following challenges:

All That Stickles - Use Green Stickles

Catch the Bug - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and while you're here don't forget to enter our March "Anything Goes" challenge by clicking the tab above, and then hop over to 613 Avenue Create.

March Challenge

Hello everyone and welcome to this month's challenge!  I hope everyone that participates will have fun and spread the word about Mema's monthly challenges.

This month our challenge theme is "ANYTHING GOES"!!!!!

 Yep its the one we all love, but this time I've added an optional twist to the challenge.  The optional twist to the challenge should you decide to accept it is "Pockets Inside 'N' Out".  If you can tuck something, hide something, or give something then its a pocket.  So come on and let's play the pocket game.

You have until March 28th to enter your project, and it doesn't have to be a card.  Anything Goes!  There are several ways to win and multiple prizes to be won.

 Digi and rubber stamps from KennyK are a fun and edgy way to add the perfect dose of attitude and style to all your creations!  

The winner of this challenge will receive 5 Digi images of their choice from KennyK Downloads.

NOTE 1: Your entry does not have to contain pockets but if it does and you win...I'll add a bonus prize in addition to your KennyK digis.

NOTE 2:  If you use one of our sponsors images your entry will count twice, plus add a pocket and win an additional bonus prize.

A minimum of 10 entries is required in order for me to award a prize so tell your friends to join us.

Don't forget to follow the rules located in the Rules Tab above.  That's all there is to it so lets play.  Here is what my girls and I have created.

Ari

The first card made with Graphic 45 paper has a pocket where a tag is tucked with a message.

Clean, simple and very masculine.  The inside uses the same paper and is layered with a space for a personal message.

The next card is a concertina card that has lots of pockets on both sides offering lots of hiding space for tags, candy and other small trinkets.

If you'd like to give it a try check out my tutorials.

Scrap paper was used for this card and a belly band is used to hold the image, and keep the card closed.

Here we see one side of the card opened.  Notice the many pockets.  This style card is perfect as a mini-album to hold all those wallet size photos.

Lesia

The next card we'd like to share is a hiddden pocket behind the image.  Here we use this pocket to stuff the sentiment.

The paper collection "The Craftsman" released by Prima.  The image is courtesy of our sponsor KennyK.




Inside is a larger pocket that can be used to hold money or a gift card.  Several other items could be placed in this pocket with a little creativity.

Our next card is indeed a pocket card.  Shown here, this card comes complete with the assembly of an actual pocket, stitching and all.

This pocket seems to be holding a lovely floral arrangement and is home for another KennyK design.

We've shown you our pockets,  and now its your turn to show us how you pocket stuff.  So let's get this party started.  Enter your creations below and show us your style.

We can't wait to see your creations!

Thanks for stopping by and playing with us.

Hugz ~Lesia~