Sew Many Cards Blog Hop Challenge

This week is the monthly blog hop at the Sew Many Cards Challenge blog. This is an ultra exciting one in that there is not one sponsor but THREE! Sunshine Stamps, Sew Many Cards and Stamping Boutique. The challenge is called Three a Charm! How appropriate. What we need to do is use 3 embellishments or techniques AND add a charm.

Here you can see that I used rhinestones, ribbon and pearls. I also did coloring, dry embossing and die cut/punching. Of course, I added a charm, which I most likely would have added anyway since I love using them LOL This adorable image is called "Dolphins", was released in November 2009.

Did you miss getting him last month when all of 2009 happened to be on special? Well, this month has some 2009 images updated and for sale as well as new images! The dolphins are not among the updated images, but there are other super cute ones like Ali the Alligator (2009) and Panda (new this month). Actually they all are super cute and will not be available forever, just like the dolphins.

Recipe:

Stamps: Dolphins by Sew Many Cards

Paper: Paper Temptress, Stampin' Up

Ink: ink jet

Accessories: Big Shot, nestablities, cuttlebug folder, ribbon, rhinestones, pearls, charm, EK Success punch, copic markers.

Copics Used: B 02, 93, 95, 97/BG 01, 10, 15, 34/C 1, 5/G 02/V09/Y02/R 20/00 (blender)

Challenges:

Crafty Cardmakers: Inside and out

C.R.A.F.T: Serene blues and greens

Cute Card Thursday: No pattern paper

Stamptacular Sunday: Pearls and swirls

Sew Many Cards: 3 embellishments or techniques AND a charm

In celebration of Memorial Day, this weeks free image is an Eagle with a flag and Thank You banner. You can get it at the Sew Many Cards Challenge Blog>>>HERE.

Enjoy the long weekend and if you happen to see a veteran, don't forget to thank them :o) and remember the sacrifice of those who no longer can be thanked.

Hugs...

More Candy

WOW, it is so hot here in NH today that I just have not done a thing, LOL. I have, however, found some blog candy to share.  So check out my sidebar for new candy that I have added
Hugs
 

You have got to check this out!

Well, I don't mean to tell you what to do but....go check this candy out!!! Or NOT, LOL There is going to be loads of competition for this one!

Please say a prayer for True as she is going for surgery and will be in the hospital for several days (how often does that happen now a days!) and then 6 weeks of recovery. You can read about it on her blog here .

Good Luck (or not) , LOL {{{wink}}}
hugs...
 

"Time" Served

As the end of May approaches we are reminded of the sacrifice thousands have made in country and over seas for freedom. I know that we are all thankful for to these young men and women, but as we go on with our lives we put the thought into the back of our minds. Memorial day is a reminder as it brings those thoughts to the front of our minds.

One thing that is sacrificed, which I never thought of before my sons entered the military, is the sacrifice of time. Just time...they give the "best years of their lives" to the military, whether they are called over seas or not. I read a sentiment once that read "the greatest gift you can give someone is your time". Now, I know the greatest "gift" is ones life for another, but our time has got to be the 2nd greatest!

One of my sons just  finished his time with the USMC Reserves the beginning of this month. My other son is due back from his 2nd tour in Iraq on Memorial Day. His time in the Army Reserves will be over before his unit will be called up again. Yes, we will celebrate his return this long weekend, but we also will be celebrating the fact that they both now can move forward. First stop for both of them is college, from which their peers have already graduated.

When I made this card today, this was one of the things that came to my mind. Wanting to send a THANK YOU to someone serving in the military for the "TIME" they have sacrificed.

Recipe:

Stamps: Miki Military from Sew Many Cards, Warmest Regards and Courage and Honor from Stampin' Up

Ink: Ink Jet, Night of Navy

Paper: Paper Temptress, Misc. Pattern Paper

Accessories: Nestabilities, big shot, dimensionals, stickers, shrink paper, heat gun, jump rings, ribbon, hemp twine, glue dots, Misc. vellum sentiment, copic markers

Copics Used: E 31, 33, 35, 37, 51, 93/ C 1, 5, 7/ W 3, 5/ G 21, 94/ BG 93, 96/ YG 91/ 00

Here are some close up pictures for you

 

Challenges:

Totally Scrapalicious: Manly Card

Tuesday Throwdown: An image that needs coloring

OWH Stars & Stripes: Use Stars

Crafty Catz: Stars and stripes

Dare You To Digi Stamp: One for the boys

One Stitch At A Time: Furry Friends

HUGS...

 

Candy Winner and Sewing On Paper

I know that you all are anxiously awaiting to know who the winner of the blog candy is. I certainly would be. I REALLY wish I could send everyone something, but....sigh. I don't know how to copy the RANDOM.ORG image here to show you, but the winning number is 17: Joy: Paper Princess who has a wonderful blog Create With Joy. Congratulations Joy. Please email me with your address at paulssandy@papertransformer.com.

I must apologize now for the poor pictures that will be posted over the next week. Our desktop, which has my editing software, is currently...well...broken. It should be fixed in a week, I can hardly wait!

Yesterday I finally did something I have been putting off for almost 2 years! I pulled out my mini Janome sewing machine, which I bought almost 2 years ago when it was on a sale. I was a bit concerned that after so long it would no work for me, but it behaved wonderfully.

I know how to sew using fabric to make things like clothes, but I must admit...I hate doing it. There was a time, of course, that I enjoyed the challenge of learning the ins and outs of such a thing, but that was a LONG time ago, LOL Now I enjoy the challenge of the hunt during a clearance sale.

I must say, that I really enjoyed sewing on paper. I will be using the machine much more often, maybe even as much as my ATG! Here is the first card I made.

The image is paper tole which came on a sheet that I purchased from Card Stitching. This has become one of my new favorite paper crafts to do, either on a preprinted sheet or by stamping several images to create the paper tole.

There is quite a bit of glitter on this image which adds so much to it. The image came with the glitter on it already, isn't that neat. I added the pearls to look like a barrette. Isn't this such a nice vintage image? I am not one to do "vintage" usually but it is nice to spread my horizons. I really like how the image turned out.

I also made the card with lots of layers to match the layers of the paper tole. I know it is hard to tell but the bow is a soft pink while the vertical ribbon is off white/vanilla. The 2 scalloped ovals are edged with my copper Kryon marker. In the first picture, you can see that I added some glitter to the flowers to match the glitter on the image.

I used a sentiment from an old Stampin' Up set, called Botanicals, hoping that the font looked "old", LOL, for lack of a better word.

You can click on any of the photos to get a better look at the paper tole, flowers or even the whole card :o)

I am using this card for the following challenges:

Crafty Card Makers: Inside Out

Crazy Challenge: Somethng new to use or new for you (sewing on paper is brand new for me)

Doodle Palace: make an image look 3D...(I hope these preprinted images count as they are actually harder than making your own, even with the coloring involved)

Papertake Weekly: Say It With Flowers

Charisma Cardz: 3D (again, I hope this counts)

Digi Doodle Shops Best: Sparkle, Glitter and Glitz

Pixie Dust Studio: Add A Pearl

No Time To Stamp: Gone Askew: do not center your focal point

Create 4 Fun: Vintage Card

Totally Gorjuss: Bling It Up

Pile It On: Out of the box (I literally took my sewing machine out of the box, LOL, finally)

Have a fabulous week :o) HUGS

Bright and Cheerful

Well...hello...and thank you for taking the time to stop by on this beautiful Saturday. At least, I hope the weather is beautiful where you are. The day started out with the perfect temperature and lovely blue sky, but it is hazy now, not hot and humid though, thankfully.

Today I have a really bright and cheerful card for you. I made this over a week ago and have not had a chance to post it. I am not usually one to use bright colors, but these images called "Bichitos Set" from Soft Pencil cried out for brights. I just had to use these cuties, so bright paper it was, LOL

See why I just HAD to use them. They simply are to cute to keep filed away. I cut them out and adhered them with dimensionals.

Isn't the purple one funny popping on up out of the ribbon! Reminds me of a small child peeking his head into a photo shot.

These guys are incredibly happy too. Look at the ladybug hitching a ride, ha ha ha. I added the butterfly charm because I love charms! I think it looks pretty good there.

This is also an easel card. I used lots of silver brads and some flowers on the bottom, as you can see here.

I had to use dimensionals to adhere this inside layer due to the brads legs on the back. Works very well for an easel card. I don't know if this is over done, you can let me know what you think :o) {{{I love reading your comments ;o)}}}

I entered this card in the following challenges:
Corrosive Challenge: easel card
Paper Sundaes: easel card
Creative Inspiration: for a child
A Spoon Full Of Sugar: cute & girly
Flutter By Wednesday: flowers with either fairies, butterflies or angels

>>>Today is the last day to enter into the "follow me" blog candy. We have reached 35 followers, but since it is the last day, I am not going to show the next addition. I am going to keep it a surprise for the winner, tee he he<<<
HUGS...

Sew Many Cards Challenge #15

Hello on this fabulous Friday morning and welcome to the 15th Sew Many Cards Challenge. This week we have the wonderful Bugaboo Creek sponsoring us.

Most of you will recognize this logo, but have you been to the store? If you love digital stamps or are just getting used to them, this is one store you certainly don't want to miss! Oh My Gosh, not only are their stamps on the "most adorable digital stamps" list, but they have the FUNNIEST set of characters also. You will NOT leave their site in a "so so" mood. You will be chuckling for hours after reading the thoughts of Gus, Margaret, Ruby, Pink Ribbon Girl as well as 7 other hilarious characters!

For today they are offering 7, yes, that is a 7!!! Digital stamps. WOW, this is one prize I would love to win!

All you need to do is make ANYTHING, that is right, ANYTHING GOES this week. Post it on your blog with a link to the sew many cards challenge blog. Then hop on over to the Sew Many Cards Challenge blog, leave a link to your exact blog post with the anything goes project and then spend the week with you fingers crossed. I think the hardest part of that will be keeping your fingers crossed for the whole week, LOL, BUT....if you are the winner, it will be sooooo very worth it!

For this week, I went with an old theme. Since my desk top is in the Geek Squad Hospital, and most of my digital stamps are on it AND my win zip program, uggggg.....

I interrupt this regularly scheduled program for an important message...back up all of your images...I backed mine up once onto our external hard drive, weeks go. Since then I have procured loads more and now feel like my armed tied behind my back. I would never want this to happen to you. OK, back to the blog post...

I had printed out several images previously in which I keep in a file, so I was able to find an image that would work this week, the adorable Olliver the Owl.

Isn't he SEEEEEWWWWW cute celebrating the fact that he was chosen to represent this project! As well as the joy of greeting you with a nice bright balloon!

This is a smores kit...old idea with a new twist...it is a tiny kit with some tea light candles, unscented of course, to toast some mini marshmallow over, LOL. On the bottom of the holder (which is made from a toilette paper roll...shhhhhh, don't tell anyone) I added a really nice pewter tea light holder.

I added some toothpicks, marshmallows, teddy grahams, and raisinettes LOL...you can always add baking chips instead, but I thought raisinettes would add another fun twist to the bite size smores!

The smores kit as well at the tea light holder ended up wrapped individually in red tissue paper and placed in the bag with white tissue paper. I will get a photo in here ASAP.

Recipe:

Stamps: Stamin' Up short & sweet, scenes from the garden; Gina K Special Lables, Sew Many Cards Olliver Celebrates

Paper: Paper Temptress Neenah solar white, tissue paper red and white

Ink: ink jet, brilliant blue,real red, yo yo yellow

Accessories: gift bag, netabilities, big shot, 1/4" hole punch, toilet tissue roll, tea lights, tea light holder, glue dots, snacks (see above), toothpiks, small baggie, elastic cord, ribbon, Copic Markers

Copic markersL B 00, 02, 05, 12, 29; G 07, 28; R 11, 27; Y 15; 100 (blender pen)

Challenges:

C.R.A.F.T.:Birthday or Celebration

All Sorts; Birthday

Totally Gorjuss: circles

One Stitch At A Time: anything but a card

Well...it is MEMORIAL DAY weekend and I hope you all remember the sacrifice that has been made for freedom, here and abroad, as you enjoy the cookouts, get togethers and fun of a long weekend.

In honor of those sacrifices, Sew Many Cards has a special freebie for you this week. 

Please stop by the challenge blog and get your freebie. It is the most awesome freebie I have seen yet.

Hugs...

Egg Art

I have something totally different for you all today. It is a very simple form of egg art made from a sterilized egg (I used a chicken egg), which you can prepare at home. You also use paper, modge podge, paper snips, paintbrush, glitter, ribbon and some decorations. I have a couple of previous post about it here and here.

I have made a few of these as they really are quite easy and so pretty. You can even leave the glitter off and it is just a beautiful. I love bling though, so, of course, I added it :o)

I will be adding one of these to the blog candy. The winner can tell me which one they would like. I am also going to add a small kit.

I will add some decorations to this. The winner will have to provided the modge podge, ribbon, glitter and tools.

I will be making a tutorial on this as soon as my desk top is fixed :o)

I am entering this in the Res-Q Challenge this week. The challenge is to use a food off a list, the actual food or color, texture, etc. I chose to use a real egg shell.

I hope you all like this project and are looking forward to the tutorial.

hugs...

 

What does a penquin use to water the flowers?

I am not really sure. Do they have flowers where a penguin lives? Well, if they do, I suspect that a penguin would look something like this on his way to do the chore.

Isn't he so cute! Good thing he does not live locally, I can almost see some flowers shaking with dread with a complete look of surprise as they saw this little guy coming along, ha ha ha...To bad I did not have a stamp like that!

He is called PJ the Penguin and you can get this image of him as well as other cute images at the Sew Many Cards store.

I used a lot of dimensionals on the layers to make the card POP. Also, as you can see, I added plenty of jeweled flowers and a charm to go with the sentiment. I am not exactly sure what one would use this card for other than to let someone know you are thinking of them and make them smile.

I kept the inside very simple, with plenty of room to write a personal note.

Recipe:
Images: PJ from Sew Many Cards, Sentiment made in Photoshop
Paper: Stampin' Up
Ink: Ink jet
Accessories: Ribbon, charm, flower jewels, elastic cord, paper piercer, sticker, dimensionals, cuttlebug embossing folder, bug shot, white gel pen, copic markers, glue dots
Copic Markers used: C1, 3, 5, 7; B 00, 12, 24; E 11, 17; YR 07; V 000; RV 29; R 20; Y 17 and 00.

Challenges:
KL Stampin' & Scrappin': Animals
Cupcake Craft: Blossoms and charms
Ohh-la-la: Bright and cheerful

There is still 3 days left for the blog candy drawing. I hope you get you name in before Saturday :o) Hugs..

A Day Late

I am a day late for this post. They say better late than never and I suppose "they" are right, LOL. I went to write this post the other day and my desk top said, "I am sleeping...and I am NOT waking up"...sigh...even the Geek Squad could not shake it awake. We have thrown water on our kids when they were teens (only once or twice) because...well...there is no such thing as a "Teen Squad", LOL I was assured that was not a wise way to wake a computer...so we will have to send it to Dell, who obviously does not make the best computers since this one is less than 2 years old...sigh, OH wait, a fun thought, maybe I should send THEM a nice cup of cold water that will throw itself upon the opening of the box, bwaaaa ha ha ha...I can picture their faces...ha ha ha...anyway... I am on a very old laptop (7 year old Compaq and still going) but the software is outdated and it took me all day yesterday and all morning to figure most of it out. I am glad I have it and am looking forward to getting to know it better, LOL

Soooo....without further delay, here is yesterdays post ;o)

WELCOME TO THE DIGITAL TUESDAY CHALLENGE THIS WEEK! 

Today's challenge is being hosted by Michelle P. who would like to see how you use VELLUM. There are so many ways to use this medium in crafting. How thrilling it is going to be to see some unique ways that other paper crafters use it. 

Our sponsor this week is Digital Stamp Oasis. Now, everyone, or most everyone, will agree that squirrels are rather cute...from a distance! These squirrels are not only absolutely adorable, but the images are so unique. They love to do loads of stuff, like fly airplanes! You can see one of these cutie pies right in the logo above. DSO is the very first digital stamp site I happened upon and the very first digital stamps I ever purchased. Even after so many new digital stamp sites have emerged, theses squirrels are still among my top favorites. They also have other images, one of which I used on my card today. So pop on over (just click on the link above) and check them out!

Aren't these Love Birds so pretty and so in love. I "colored" them with my C1, 3 and blender pen (00). I find that the blender pen works fabulously when blending the greys

I am not sure if you can see the dimensions of the layers here. I used Digital Vellum from Paper Temptress to make the flowers which are from Fred She Said. I also used the White Diamond paper from PT, which is absolutely beautiful. I wish I could get my camera to capture it's shimmer and stunning beauty! Trust me when I say, it is definitely worth getting a sample of (which is free for up to 6 samples). Unless, you don't want to look at other papers as dull after, LOL

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:

Stamp Something: Celebrate something (this card can be used for an engagement, wedding, anniversary or just to celebrate the love a couple has for one another)

S2G Paper Crafts (/Twisted Thursday): What home means to you + add ribbon (home means love to me)

All That Scraps: Dry Embossing

ANNOUNCEMENT, LOL

I will be adding more blog candy tomorrow :o) Thank you all for deciding to follow me :o) it truly makes my day!

Hugs...

Iris Folding Sealife

I once wrote in a post that the seahorse was the best husband and daddy on earth. Why? Well, the wife deposits the eggs into his pouch were he fertilizes and cares for them until the babies are ready to live outside on their own! I mean, WOW...why only the seahorse! {{{green with jealousy, LOL}}}

I find this sea creature fascinating because they are so different from any other I have seen. I also find them quite beautiful in their form, though their natural color is tan/brown. They do, however change to bright colors when they emerge from the safety of the sea grass and coral reefs.

I found a lovely seahorse iris folding pattern on line, here, and just had to get it. This past weekend I was able to take time to try it out.

Isn't he lovely. I used Vintage Luster  paper from the Paper Temptress. The brown and copper colors I had left over from making my daughters wedding invitations. That was 3 years ago and I have not found this paper since, until I happened upon the Paper Temptress.

See the lovely swirls, how perfect for the swirl of water! The embossed paper is actually a scrap I had from a mistaken measurement. I used to toss these mistakes, SHOCK, I know!!! One day I realized that some time in the future I will need that exact embossed pattern in that exact size. Well, this was the card.

I added some real sand dollars and a tiny star fish I purchased at my local scrap book store quite a while ago. These were VERY hard to use, lol. This image seemed worth the sacrifice. The tiny bottle I purchased at the same time.

I did not have any clean sand to put in it. Being in NE, there is plenty of sand to be had, but it is "dirty" sand, not the kind you would add to a sandbox. Sooooo...I thought for a minute wondering what I could use that would look like sand. I found the perfect thing...MAPLE SUGAR. Yum, this stuff is so YUMMY, LOL and expensive. Another sacrifice for this card even though it is probably only 1/8th a teaspoon, ha ha ha

I used the cut out from the iris fold patter for the inside. The inside embossed paper is yet another scrap from the same day. What a rough day that was, LOL. One of those days that nothing you try goes right. Perfect for this though, so now it seems worth it.
 I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Pixie Dust Studio: cut it out
Shelly's Images: anything goes
For Fun Challenges: Use actualy stamp, NO DIGIS (My Sentiment)

I have added more blog candy for having 25+ followers, which you can see in the post at the top of the front page. Looks to be one big candy to win. And only 1 more follower for more. Soon I will have to add another blog candy, at least I hope so, LOL So, if you like my blog please sign up as a follower. {{{big smile and a wink}}}

Have a wonderful Monday...Hugs