It's Tuesday...Know What That Means?

It is time for another Digital Tuesday Challenge, and what a fun challenge it is this week.

Our wonderful sponsor this week is Fairy Knoll. If you like fairies, this is one site you will want to check out. If you are not particularly fond of  fairies, you will want to check it out too, as there are plenty of other images as well.

The lucky winner will get to choose any 3 images! You can click on the link above and check them out. That way if you win, you will know exactly which ones you woud like!

The challenge is to make any kind of GIFT SET. How fun is that.

For this challenge I used the fun image called Aislan which can be found on this page at the Fairy Knoll store. I tend to make little girl gift sets when it comes to cute images such as these and this time is no exception.

This SU tin, that they sold in a 3 pack, was just the perfect size. After covering it with some glitter paper I have had for a while, I attached the colored image with demensionals. The gifts inside include a wall hanging and necklace.

To get the sparkle of glitter with a digital image, I used my embellishment glue stick and SU dazzling diamond. I then coated each of them with crystal effects. I actually let it dry overnight (yeah for me, LOL, I let it completely dry!)

I used the memory glass frames, 1 1/2"  for the necklace and the 2" for the wall hanging. To keep the necklace light, I did not use the glass (and so the little girl would not break it and get cut). The crystal effects made the image thick enough to insert in the frame with no need for the glass. For the wall hanging I did add the glass, just in the front, since the crystal effects made the image rather thick I kind of had to squish it in there. With the glass it will be easier to clean if needed.

I love that I could use some old organdy ribbon for this. Organdy ribbon is so pretty. I have not purchased much because I never know what color I will need. Usually I think of just buying all of the colors available, lol. Then the price shock reminds me of what a bad idea that is!

This challenge is such fun for the design team. We get to see such wonderful creations. I can hardly wait to see what your imagination will help you create. You can always check out the other challenge participant blogs to see what they made too. That is one of the fun parts of entering challenges for me.

Challenges I am entering this gift set in:
Aly's: Use Pink
Crafty Card Makers: Glitter and Sparkle
Fun at Fairy Knoll: Anything Goes
Paper Cutz: Use Metal
Stampin' For The Weekend: Anything Goes
Totally Stampalicious: Anything but a card

{{{hugs}}}

Spring Chicken Birthday Tag/Card

We celebrated my daughters 26th birthday today. Since we just gave money in a card as a gift (she wanted money for school books, LOL) I wanted to put a gift tag on the envelope.

I decided to use this adorable free image from Wink Wink Ink. >>>You can still pick up the adorable image here, but hurry, it will be gone the next few days<<<Aren't these little chicks adorable! I find that my yellow copic smudges ink! I am not sure why it is only the yellows, it is very weird. I really did not think I could make these little ones another color, so I colored them by pouncing my copic marker on them gently.

I have had this metal mesh for so long I can't even remember what I purchased it for. It had one tiny piece cut off of it and then sat in my cabinet for a couple of years! Even after so long, it is the first thing I thought of when I first saw this digi stamp.

Ha ha ha, look at the little sweetie on the left peeking right through one of the "fence" holes. This happened totally by accident but I think it is sooooo cute, tee he he. Reminds me of my pups peeking through the lattice on the porch, they look so funny with just their noses sticking through, bwaa ha ha...if only they knew how funny they were!

I have had this SU designer paper and the antique large eyelet for quite a while too. Finally something that they worked perfect with.

                        

No matter how old my daughter gets, she will always be my sweet "little" girl and I will always be the mother hen, LOL

I really think this came out kind of cute. I have had this box of 100 tags for a long time too. I think I will be using them more often now that I have searched for and actually found them!

I am entering these cuties in the following challenges:

Crazy 4 Challenges: Lattice

Creative Belli Blog: take the Belli Challenge: Use something round & metal as well as something old and forgotten.

Order of Opus Gluei: Not so ordinary

The Shabby Tea Room: put metal on it

Wink Wink Ink: Use metal

Thanks for popping in. I ADORE reading your comments, so, if you can, take a moment to make my day :o) {{{hugs}}}

Distressed Vintage

Did you ever sit down to write something and find you have no idea what to say? That is where I am at today. I waited all morning for inspiration but after lunch I realized I had better just get writing!

When I found this post card image from Mo Scraps, I was so excited to make something out of it. Now, though, I can't seem to find the link to her blog. If anyone know can you drop me a note?

Of course I had to add glitter, you know me...bling, bling, bling, LOL. After distressing the edges, knowing that the printer ink would run if wet,I sprayed it with water. As soon as the ink started to run I quickly dabbed it with an old piece of t-shirt (one of my favorite tools, lol) I sprayed areas of the edges as well as the corners and after dabbing curled the paper a bit. After I was satisfied that I made it look "old", off I went to find materials to make a card with it.

This is always the hardest part for me. This day I found what I needed right away, YEAH!!! It was going to be a good craft day!

These 2 butterflies were originally white and gold. To make them match the card I colored with my Copic markers and went over the gold with my silver Primsa marker. As you can see, I have not gotten much better at waiting for things to dry, sigh. A little better, yes, but I still have much patience to learn.

This beautiful paper is form Bearly Mine. I am in love with her paper and right now can't imagine using another! I made the mistake of using SU Vanilla card stock as a base. The color was perfect and I actually have it in the 12x12 size I needed, but.....this card stock is very thin and really does not hold up well with the embellishments. As this picture shows, the base began to bend and buckle when I opened it for the first time. Well....live and learn, right, lol

In hind sight, I wish I had machine sewn the lace on. Perhaps I will make another when I buy more flowers. I am sadly running low of them {{{weeping on my keyboard}}} and have not been fortunate enough to win any blog candy with them included. Oh well, a girl can try right. It is not so much the cost of the flowers, it is the shipping that kills me to pay. Raise your hand if you, too, shy away from paying shipping for a smallish order? I see all those hand, I KNEW I wasn't alone, LOL.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Creative Card Crew: Sparkle and shine

Flutter By Wednesday: Anything goes but must included butterflies, fairies or angels

For Fun Challenges: Anything but try to include ribbon or lace (the prize includes some lace and ribbon flowers, LOL)

Scrap Creations: Recipe Ribbon, Flowers and brads or pearls (I am hoping that the pearl like things on the butterflies count!)

Wild Orchid: Make it sparkle (2nd prize is LOTS of flowers and pearls! WISH ME LUCK, LOL)

Thank for stopping by today. HUGS!!!

Gold Embossed Birthday Card

Monday was my daughter's 26th birthday, but we are not going to have a get together until this Sunday. Since I am caught up with design team commitments for the week, I took yesterday to make a card just for her.

I used one of the paper tole images that I had previously put together for the card front. The paper I use to print digital paper on is called Pure White Gloss from Paper Temptress. This is text weight and adds such a subtle sheen to the paper. There is just enough so that the paper does not look flat yet it really isn't "shiny". It prints beautifully and dries almost instantly.

This is one of the no scissors required images. They are die cut and so very easy to remove. It also came preglittered so all I had to do was snip off (you can also use a sanding block) the little paper tabs that like to hang on just a bit. I did not shape the flowers this time, since they are on the small side. All I did was attach the layers with dimensionals and voila!

This is a view of the inside of the card front. Take a look at that paper! This is the digi paper that I purchased from Bearly Mine Designs. I think I am addicted to this paper, it is so lovely and prints up so well. The center flower is from the SU stamp set Dream a Little. I have not embossed for quite a while and forgot how much fun it is to watch the image pop as the powder melts, LOL.

I did cheat a little, or it felt like cheating, tee he he. I used some gold outline stickers to frame around the layers and for the the corners. I kept thinking what a tedious process it was to put them on, boring I guess you could say. They really add such a lovely touch though.

For the inside bottom, I printed up a much lighter paper to add a spot to write a personal note on.

I actually embossed the "Birthday Wishes" also. This sentiment is so lovely!!! It is part of the SU stamp set Elegant Cheer, which is very amply named. I love when I can make a card that can be graced by one of the sentiments from this set.

I am so glad you spent time with me today (YEAH...Wednesday, half way to Friday, tee he he). I would love for you to leave me a quick comment if you have the time. I know, it really does seem to take a bit of time. I am not as good at leaving them as I would like to be.

That makes me remember the time way long time ago when people would write a check at the register, LOL. Now if someone did (or even if I did) it would seem like forever, LOL

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Lexi's Creations: Emboss it

Kah-Wink-e-Dink: Birthday Card

Papertake Weekly: 3, 2, 1  our choice.  I used 3 papers, 2 rubber stamps, 1 paper tole image

Donna's Den of Crafts: Decoupage/paper tole

{{{HUGS}}

Could it be Tuesday Already?

Well, I guess that is a silly question to ask myself (or you, LOL) since today is the start of this weeks Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week, though Tuesday snuck up on me, I have a card ready (so no rushing like I sometimes have to do...YEAH)

This weeks sponsor is :

What super cute images she has. If you have never seen them before you can find them here on Deedee's Digis blog.

She is offers the winner a $10.00 store credit. WOW, the winner will be able to pick up a maximum of 10 digis (singles are mostly a $1 each) or up to 3 full sets (most at $3) WOW!!!! Not only that, but for the month of August there is a special that if you purchase $10 or more, you get a FREE image!!! And for those who are not the winner this week, she has some wonderful freebies for you to try!

The challenge this week is a nice summer summer one:

To use water, beach or tropical image on your project.

Remember, the challenge is not limited to cards. Scrapbook pages and altered media can also be entered. What a fantastic incentive to start your summer scrapbook, lol The Design Team has some cards to inspire you here at the Digital Tuesday Challenge blog. It is going to be loads of fun checking out all the super entries!

My card for today's Challenge is using Deedee's super cute image called "Swimming By".

Isn't he cute. I have a weakness for dolphin images. For some reason I get a peaceful feeling whenever I think of them. I suppose it is because they are such friendly and gentle animals.

If you have been visiting my blog, you know I love to layer my images. Of course, this one is not exception! To me, the image itself asks to be layered, LOL

The sentiment I used inside is one of 4 that are part of the digi set. I separated the "Congrats" from the sentiment so I could add it to the inside of the card front. I then added 3 of the star fish to the rest of the sentiment.

Here is the card front. I kept it simple so as not to distract for the image.

Have a fun Tuesday! I am looking forward to seeing what you all come up with for your challenge interpretation.

HUGS,

Start and End With Family

Good morning and happy Monday to you. I know...we all dread Mondays, but today I am determined to start with a positive outlook. Want to join me? Perhaps this card will help brighten your day.

I found this beautiful sentiment through Craft Crave directing me to this Flutter Butter Designs freebie. When I saw it, I just had to have it. I've got to tell you that I have downloaded so many free images (from loads of sites, some actually offering all their items free) and some I purchased after picking up the freebie and seeing what else they had. I have them filed by site, but it is hard to remember who has what, if I can even remember I have it. I end up having to check out all the folders until I find what I am looking for. I am trying to figure out a good way to keep a list of those who have just paper, kits, images, etc. When I do, I will let you know, LOL

The frame is not part of the sentiment, but is another freebie I found through Craft Crave. It is part of a kit called Grace from Scrap from the Heart. It is actually a bit longer and slimmer, so I resized it to fit the sentiment and my oval nestie die.

I got to add some bling to it, YEAH! You can see, though, there is not much needed to make this a stunning card front. I added black glitter to the butterflies that the camera refused to pick up, so stubborn! It looks really pretty which I was not sure "black" would accomplish. It is one of the most difficult color for me to use.

This paper, though, is not hard for me to use at all. Of course the top layer is White Diamond from Paper Temptress, the white paper I always seem to turn to. It comes in both text weight and card stock. Super duper YEAH! which allows me to use it for layers or a base. You can find it here, but there is no image since it is so shimmery and the stunning shimmer is very difficult to photograph. Go ahead and ask Patricia for a sample, she would be happy enough to send you one. Be warned, though, once you see it, like me, you will HAVE to keep it in your stash.

This pretty pattern paper is from the SEI Chocolat collection.  It has been around for a while, surviving though the retirement of other series, but who know how long it will last. It is available in paper packs or digital. You can purchase them both so you will always have it on hand, tee he he.

So how is your Monday going so far? I have the day off of babysitting and guess what I am planning to do?  Did you guess, LOL. That's right.....working with paper, bling, ribbon, stamps and all kinds of fun things. Opps, I hope I did not ruin you Monday if you must work today. To make you feel better, I normally do babysit on Monday, butttt....today is my daughter Alicia's 26th birthday. Her husband, James, took it off so they could spend the day together, isn't he just the sweetest. Sadly, she could not get it off, how ironic.

Well, I am off to start my day...{{{HUGS}}}

Finally, a Masculine Card

I must admit that masculine cards are one of the most diffucult types of cards for me to make. I always feel the need to add some kind of bling; jewels, pearls, ribbon/lace and the like. When I make "female" cards and show my husband, he typically says "Oh ya, that's nice". This card, though, he said right away "Oh, I REALLY like this one" Sooo...I guess I hit the jackpost, LOL

This is called a Spiral Pyramid, and is the first print and cut masculine image that I really liked. It is so easy to do, print, cut (all straight lines!) and attach with dimenstionals. The printout even comes with directons so that you know which peice goes where. Crafts U Print has several of this type, but this one I found at Stamp N Doodle. She does not have as many, but they are all so nice.

 This image is a unique design, so it did not print poorly, it is one of the styles she has. I like her images, some really detailed sketches and some really cute images. I am definatley planning on purchasing more. The best part is, once you purchase the image, you can print it as many times as you would like. She has a lovely Christmas image too, >>>here. This particular image is called " Wolf Kisses", which I believe, could also be used for a Christmas card. How easy, and yet stunning this years Christmas cards will be by using one of her images. The price is right for anyone at a mear $3.00. Some paper, ink and dimentionsals is all you would need.

You can see that I was still able to use some bling with this one, SUPER YEAH!!! It added just the right sparkle to the snow without taking away its masculinity. I used Stampin' Up paper for this card and some boarder metallic stickers.

On the inside I used the retired Stampin' Up set "Wolf". I was so close to selling this set just 2 weeks ago so I could afford some of the newer set I thought I might use more often. PHEWWWW...I am sooooo glad I didn't!

I know I sometimes sound like a commercial for items I use, but I am always to thrilled to find something I like so much, I just have to share it with you!

I hope you like this card as much as my husband did :o) (wish I could add a REAL smiley here)

Well, Thank you again for spending a bit of your time with me. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend and that the weather is going to be as nice in your area as it is supposed to be here in NH.

{{{HUGS}}}

Flowers and Digital Paper

Good Morning and Happy Friday to you all! Thank you for the well wishes for my pup. He is better now after the one day, thankfully. I am sure he is happy about it to, lol

Today I have a card that I was able to sneak in on Tuesday but did not get a chance to post (took me all day). When I made this paper tole flower I did something a bit different. It is fairly difficult to tell in the photo but what I did was cut the tips of the petals to the center and curled them to make a nice realistic dimension for the top- layer. I love stitching on paper so decided that this was a great card to take advantage of it. The hearts are actually two patterns that I put together to make them match the patterned paper. First I pierced them, then I stitched them using metallic thread. This is not the easiest thread to use, especially on vellum! It is so pretty and sparkly but I must say that embroidery floss is much easier to work with. Of course, I had to use my wonderful mini Janome machine, lol. My corners definitely need practice, all the more reason to use it tee he he.For the inside of the front cover I decided to keep to paper piercing. Not so much because the thread is a bit stubborn, but I was simply running out of time. Here you can see the incredible digi paper (you can click on the photo to get an even better view). I have been looking for some really nice vintage paper for what seemed like forever. I was thrilled when I found the perfect paper at Bearly Mine Designs . This particular set is called Peach Dreams. If you are a vintage paper lover, you owe it to yourself to pop on over and check out her paper packs!
I printed the paper on Glossy Text Weight Digital Paper from Paper Temptress. The front white layer is White Diamond also by Paper Temptress. This paper is absolutely stunning! You really need to see it in real life to truly "see" it. The vellum is also from Paper Temptress. Can you tell I have a love affair with her paper, LOL The paper tole rose has such a nice sheen to it, I wanted the inside leaves to have a gentle shimmer also. I pulled out my much neglected pearl-ex and rubbed a tiny amount on with my finger.
This is the entire inside of the card. I used the lovely Stampin' Up set Elegant Cheer. The card is quite thick and needed something to keep it closed. My fix was to add 2 silver eyelets and tie ribbon through them. (Commercial: Paper Temptress is clearing out her stunning ribbon at an incredible 40% off!!!)
I am thrilled that you took a little bit of your time to spend with me. I love the comments (don't we all, ha ha ha) Thank you so much for them. It is great to know what you all think and what you like to see. If there is something I do not touch on that you would like to know about, add a comment and I will try to post it for you (or email you).
{{{HUGS}}}