HAPPY National Coffee Day :)

HAPPY National Coffee Day

Today I have joined the fun of the

2015 Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

Here is the second card I have created for the Blog Hop, my first card is HERE.

Open view so that you can see the shaped edge of this 5x5" square card.

Closed / flat view

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Here are some details about the

2015 Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop:

This year there are 42 AWESOME sponsors.
Anyone is eligible for a Super Sponsor/Flash prize if they link up a newly created FALL Themed Coffee, Tea &/or Cocoa project, no back-linking please. Random.org is used to draw for winners.

Entries close 11:59pm PST Friday 2nd October. 

Note:  Flash Sponsor Prizes will be announced on FB on the evening of Tuesday September 29th.  That means, if you want to be eligible for Flash Prise, you'll want to link up before 5pm PST on the 29th.  Why the 29th?  It's National Coffee Day!  What better way to celebrate that to giveaway prizes!  All Super Sponsor Prizes along with Flash Prizes will be announced on the blog, Sunday October 4th.

Sending a big THANK YOU to Amy Tsurata for being the hostess of this exciting event!!!

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This card is a cut file from the Silhouette Design Store and is my 3rd project using my Silhouette Cameo.  HERE is the link to the file.
I have to confess that it felt very different making my card on the computer, cutting on the Cameo then adhering the layers, SO FAST and SO EASY.  It will be fun making a bundle of these to donate to our local hospital.  I look forward to learning more about it over the coming weeks / months, so that I can make my own designs with it.

Friends are like snowflakes...

Friends are like snowflakes,

all different and all beautiful.

This beautiful sentiment was calling out for a sparkling snowflake card.  I was originally going to make a shaker but I was feeling in a sparkly mood today, so I have made my 1st ever snowflake easel card.  There are five snowflakes on top of the base panel, so technically there are 5 1/2 snowflakes if you include the blue part of the base where it is adhered to.
I took each snow flake, painted glue on with a fine brush then smothered with glitter.
I cut a piece of foam to put between each layer of the snowflake & sentiment panel for extra dimension.

I WISH you could see how sparkly it is in real life.

Here is the front open view.

Side view to show the easel fold and dimension.

Here are a couple of views of the sentiment, being a shimmery silver, it was quite difficult to get a good shot ... might try again tomorrow out in the daylight.
I confess that it took several attempts before I was happy with the sentiment.  I used my Fiskars Stamp Press to mount the stamp and placed a mousepad under my cardstock.  At first I tried it with white inks but they were quite uneven and do you think I could find my white gel pen or Prisma pencil to give it a bit more pop?  No, of course not!  This was my 2nd attempt with the silver ink, a luscious, crisp image that I was thrilled with.  The 1st attempt was on the textured side of the cardstock, so I couldn't expect it to be perfect, especially with such delicate detail.

 Closed view ... looks like it will need a chunky envelope.

I hope you like my sparkling snowflake easel card.

I have several friends who this would be perfect for, so I might have to make some more.

Ingredients:

This beautiful sentiment stamp is from Quietfire Designs.

The ink is Fiskars High Density Pigment Ink "The Good Silver".

Fiskars Stamp Press to mount the stamp - I highly recommend this, it really helps getting an even, crisp image.

The ornate panel for the sentiment is from the Kaisercraft Nesting Decorative Frames.  (I traced the outside of the die used for the sentiment panel and fussy cut to make the mat.)

The sparkling snow is American Crafts WOW! Extra Fine White Glitter.

I used Helmar Professional Acid Free Glue to adhere the glitter.

I used Helmar 450 Quick Dry to adhere the foam and cardstock layers together.

          I have entered my card in the following challenges:          

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Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog

STAMPtember Use A Stamp Challenge and Blog Hop

For this week's challenge you must create a project using a rubber or clear stamp
AND
leave comments on the associated Blog Hop (links in the challenge post).

I used a red rubber sentiment stamp.

Don't forget to head on over and check it out, even if you don't plan on joining the challenge, the Blog Hop is FILLED with FABULOUS INKY INSPIRATION!!!

Entries close 8am Ohio time Monday 28th September. 

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Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #38 - Sparkle & Glitter

I have used bundles of sparkling white glitter on each layer of my snowflake and under the sentiment panel.  ... I have also spread sparkle right through the house, it makes me smile but my husband isn't all that excited about it!!!

Entries close 12pm CST Tuesday 29th Sep-15

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Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Simon Says: No Designer Paper

The challenge was to use no patterned paper.

I used sheets of plain textured card stock

Entries close 8am EST Wednesday 30th Sep-15

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This card is a cut file from the Silhouette Design Store and is my 2nd project using my Silhouette Cameo.  HERE is the link to the file.

I have to confess that it felt very different making my card on the computer, cutting on the Cameo then adhering the layers, VERY IMPRESSED with the design and the CLEAN, DELICATE CUTTING.  I look forward to learning more about it over the coming weeks / months, so that I can make my own designs with it.

Tea or coffee?

My first tea cup easel card.

The paper is from the beautiful Kaisercraft XO Collection, this design is Kisses.

Textured cardstock is from American Crafts.

Sentiment stamp is from the Fiskars "Grateful"
Simple Stick Repositionable rubber stamp set.
The butterfly is Fiskars Butterfly lever punch.

Ink is Stazon Blazing Red.

          I have entered my card in the following challenges:          

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Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog

STAMPtember Use A Stamp Challenge and Blog Hop

For this week's challenge you must create a project using a rubber or clear stamp
AND
leave comments on the associated Blog Hop (links in the challenge post).

I used red rubber stamps for my sentiment.

Entries close 8am Ohio time Monday 28th September. 

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2015 Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

YES, it is Coffee Lovers Blog Hop time again!!!


This year there are 42 AWESOME sponsors.
Anyone is eligible for a Super Sponsor/Flash prize if they link up a newly created FALL Themed Coffee, Tea &/or Cocoa project, no back-linking please. Random.org is used to draw for winners.

Entries close 11:59pm PST Friday 2nd October. 

Note:  Flash Sponsor Prizes will be announced on FB on the evening of Tuesday September 29th.  That means, if you want to be eligible for Flash Prise, you'll want to link up before 5pm PST on the 29th.  Why the 29th?  It's National Coffee Day!  What better way to celebrate that to giveaway prizes!  All Super Sponsor Prizes along with Flash Prizes will be announced on the blog, Sunday October 4th.

Sending a big THANK YOU to Amy Tsurata for being the hostess of this exciting event!!!

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EXCITING TIMES!!!
This card is a cut file from the My Scrap Chick Store and is my 1st project using my Silhouette Cameo.  HERE is the link to the file.

I have to confess that it felt very different making my card on the computer, cutting on the Cameo then adhering the layers, VERY IMPRESSED with the design and the CLEAN, FAST CUTTING.  I look forward to learning more about it over the coming weeks / months, so that I can make my own designs with it.

Paper Smooches Design Team Blog Hop

It's Pep Rally Week on the Paper Smooches Blog.

Kim and the DT will be sharing fun and fabulous projects using the

three new stamps and nine new dies from the October release,
available from 8pm Pacific Time 30th September.

CREATIVE INSPIRATION

CRAFTY TEMPTATION

AND the chance to WIN
one of FOUR $25 Paper Smooches gift certificates too!!!

AWESOME!!!

Head on over to the
Paper Smooches Blog
and get hopping now,
GOOD LUCK :)

Here are some links to their store if you want to check out other crafty delights they have to tempt and inspire:
 

hello . . . again!

I enjoyed the card I made yesterday using the Kaisercraft Limelight 6 1/2" paper pad and Paper Smooches Roses Dies so much that I had to make another one.  The Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear sequins look like dew drops on the rose petals.  This time I added more layers for extra pop and gave my White Wink of Stella a workout on the detail of the rose and the sentiment.  I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to apply and the lustre of the sparkle.  Even without seeing the sparkle, you can see that the detail of the rose pops against the white background petals.

The card is 6x6" made using American Crafts textured cardstock.  I matted layers inside to give the back some weight so that it was more stable when standing open and because layers look pretty too.  I used the negatives of the rose and petals to mark out a background for each piece, then fussy cut and layered under the detailed die cuts.  I layered two stems together so that they were the same height at the rose & leaves.  The flower is popped over a piece of foam.

PS - if the top sequin looks out of place, well, that's because it is - there was a mark in the cardstock that I didn't notice until it was adhered, luckily the sequin hit it perfectly!

  It is difficult to show the SPARKLE, but it really is lovely to see the detail of the rose & sentiment in real life, it has an almost delicate golden shimmer

Here is a photo showing the two cards, I think the extra mats and extra sparkle are so much prettier.  What do you think?  I can't add more layers to the original card but I think that I will be adding some Wink Of Stella to the first version.

INGREDIENTS:

The gorgeous paper is from the Limelight 6 1/2" pad from Kaisercraft.

The dies are from Paper Smooches - Roses Dies and Hello Word Dies.  I used the negatives to draw & fussy cut the background for the rose & leaves and to line up the letters of the "hello" too.
The sequins are Sparkling Clear 4mm & 6mm from Pretty Pink Posh.

The extra sparkle is from the White Wink Of Stella.

Layers adhered in place with Helmar 450 Quick Dry.

Die cuts and Sequins adhered in place with Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue.

          I have entered my card in the following challenges:          

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Sparkle and Shine Challenge Blog - Challenge #14

The challenge is to use the photo inspiration below to create a project and it must include sequins.

I used Sparkling Clear sequins from Pretty Pink Posh and they look like dew drops on the petals of my rose.

  

Entries close 11:55pm Friday 25th September 2015

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Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge Blog

September 20-26 Anything Goes (wk3) Challenge

The theme this week is Anything Goes featuring Paper Smooches product

I used the Paper Smooches Roses Dies and the "hello" die from the Hello Words Dies.

   

 

Entries close 11:59pm PST Saturday 26th September 2015

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Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #38 - Sparkle & Glitter

Entries close 12pm CST Tuesday 29th Sep-15

hello friend

I'm trying to sending more "just because" cards

and think my hello card should bring some cheer.

The gorgeous paper is from the Limelight 6 1/2" pad from Kaisercraft.
The dies are from Paper Smooches, Roses Dies and Hello Word Dies.
The sequins are Sparkling Clear 4mm & 6mm from Pretty Pink Posh,
they look like dew drops on the petals.

          I have entered my card in the following challenges:          

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Craftin Desert Divas - Craft It Up & Link It Up "Favorite Color Combo" Linky Party

The challenge is to make any project with your favorite color combo with at least 2 colors.  At the moment I am really enjoying white with a contrast, especially green, so today it is white & green.

  

 

Entries close 12pm Arizona MST Sunday 27th September

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Hiding In My Craft Room - HIMCR #217 Freestyle!

Entries close 2am CST Saturday 26th Sep-15

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NOTE: I had planned on entering my card in the Curtain Call challenge but I couldn't get the link to work.  I have included it so that you can head on over and check it out - it is a great site.

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Pop Pop Pop

The green and browns are picked up in the background and the stem & leaves of the rose.  The die cut petals of the rose remind me of the texture of the popcorn.

Entries close 8am CDT 25th Sep-15

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Yes, I'm Die Crazy ... and a little Punch Crazy too!

Did the Team at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog say

DIE CRAZY?

... well I have to confess that I went Die Crazy and Punch Crazy too!!!

Here is the first card to surface from the mass of sentiments, flowers and leaves.  It stands 5 x 7" tall.  The inside of the card has two matted layers to add some weight and strength to balance against the weight of the embellishments on the front.

Here is a close-up showing the texture of the burlap & cardstock and the dimension of the flowers.  The large flowers have a foam dot between the two layers, the tallest large flower has a huge 1/4" thick foam dot underneath, the others have 1/8".  Three of the small flowers are adhered directly to the card, with the 3rd on popped with a tiny 1/16" foam dot, so there is lots of varied dimension.

I am thrilled to have finished three of these cards today.  I usually make unique cards but I enjoyed this CAS design so much that I made three and with three birthdays in nine days, they will be used pretty fast this week.  ... I'm so glad that SSS made me go die and punch crazy!!!

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Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Simon Says: Die Crazy

The challenge was to use at least one die cut or punched shape

I used 3 die cut sentiments and bundles of punched flowers & leaves

Entries close 8am EST Wednesday 23rd Sep-15

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Craftin Desert Divas - Craft It Up & Link It Up "Favorite Color Combo" Linky Party
The challenge is to make any project with your favorite color combo with at least 2 colors.  At the moment I am really enjoying white with a pop of yellow and green.

  

 

Entries close 12pm Arizona MST Sunday 27th September

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INGREDIENTS:

• American Crafts textured cardstock
• Winnie & Walter In A Word: Happy Cutaway
• "birthday" is from the Sizzix Stephanie Barnard Regal Stand-Ups Framelits Card Die Set
• flowers are Fiskars flower lever punches
• leaves are Fiskars Branching Out squeeze punch, 1 1/2"
• burlap
• yellow rhinestones
• Helmar 450 Quick Dry - to adhere burlap and cardstock layers
• Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue - to adhere the flowers & leaves
• foam dots, 1/4" 1/8" and 1/16"

Get Well Fishes

The 5yo Granddaughter of a dear crafty friend is undergoing extensive

surgery and treatment in hospital and will be staying there for over two months. 

Two ideas immediately came to mind for a card to send to her:

the inspiration photos from the

Magazine Mondays Week 117 challenge on the PaperCrafter's Corner Blog.

the sketch from the
Freshly Made Sketches Blog - #204 A Sketch by Jen Timko

With the above inspiration in mind, I thought that I would send her some Get Well Fishes.

I started by punching out some fish using my Fiskars Something's Fishy LE Squeeze Punch and put together a little scene.

... the only problem was, that with the fish being 1 1/4" long, it ended up being quite large.  This made it the perfect time to crack open the pack of A3 cardstock that I bought the other day for making bases for tall top folding, stepper and easel cards.

I scored the A3 cardstock in half, making a top folding card, with an A4 landscape front and covered it with white AC textured cardstock.

I made the fishbowl by cutting a frame out of red textured cardstock and layered blue textured cardstock in the window.  After I adhered it, I thought that I should have included

a layer of acetate for the "glass" ... maybe next time.  It would even make a fun shaker.

The bubbles are Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear sequins, 4mm, 6mm and 8mm.

They eyes are rhinestones.

The alphas are foam Thickers.

 This pic is to show how HUGE this card is.
Sure hope that it helps make her feel better!

          I have entered my card in the following challenges:          

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The Freshly Made Sketches Blog

Freshly Made Sketch #204 - A Sketch By Jen Timko
FMS204
  

Entries close 12:00 PDT Monday 21st Sep-15

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I was too late to enter my card in Magazine Mondays Week 117 on the PaperCrafter's Corner Blog but I am sharing the link so that you can drop by and check out what everyone was inspired to create from the inspiration pieces.

   

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Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Simon Says: Die Crazy

The challenge was to use at least one die cut or punched shape - I used 10 punched fish.

Entries close 8am EST Wednesday 23rd Sep-15

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Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #37 - Anything Goes

Entries close 12pm CST Tuesday 22nd Sep-15

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Hiding In My Craft Room - HIMCR #217 Freestyle!

Entries close 2am CST Saturday 26th Sep-15

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