Wednesday, November 30, 2011

A Snowy Anniversary



This is one of those cards that took forever and was changed on several occasions.  I first had the idea to do a stair step card, and then a center step card, but I finally settled on this easel card with two additional add-ons after I saw a card by Pam Sparks. Pam’s tutorial breaks it down so easily.  She does fabulous work!  This was really so much easier than the stair step card, and I know that I’ll try more on a later date.  What I liked about it is that you have a standard “back” and it doesn’t slope to the front of the card.

Here’s a side view, so you can see the difference in the add-on easel card and a stair step. The two add-ons are the same size as the base of the card; in this case 6”x6”.



The adorable snowman and Eskimos are by Mo Manning and the gorgeous trees are by Gingerloft.  The dies are all by Cheery Lynn Designs; (the gate, flower, pine leaves and the beautiful die under the flower).  The snowflakes were cut out from another dp and just glued on, and then a gem placed in the center.  The little “lights” are some that I found a year or two ago at Hobby Lobby.
 


I colored my images with Prismacolor pencils  and Gamsol, and believe it or not, I didn’t color my image to match the lights; it just all worked out like it is.  The dp on the front add-on is by Basic Grey, and the other is by Recollections.  I used some quilt batting for my snow, and then I went crazy with the stickles. LOL!  The sentiment was printed from my computer.



I’m going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Mo's Digital Challenge - snowman
Ellephantastic Challenges – weather related
Clearly Inspired – flowers
Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge – snowmen
Phindy’s Friday Challenge – snow
Sweet ‘n Sassy Digi Challenge – favorite things – dies
Crafty Calendar – winter wardrobe
Secret Crafter – border and flowers
Totally Gorjuss – sparkle
Designed 2 Delight – snowmen
UnstampaBelles Challenges – trees and die cuts
Stamp and Create – easel or center step cards
Cherry Lynn Designs – shaped card
Craft Your Passion – winter
Kaboodle Doodles – bundle up
Stamps + Fun = Creativity – distressing
The Crazy Challenge – stars or snowflakes
Bearly Mine – favorite things – die cuts
Creative Craft – free for all
Crafty Purple Frog – for someone special
Gingerloft – winter
Cardmadfairy’s Digi Days – winter wonderland
Little Claire’s – shaped card
Basic Grey Challenges – lost and found – quilt batting
Dream Valley Challenges – sparkle
Crafty Boots Challenges – anything
Hooked on Craft Challenges – winter wonderland
Ooh La La Creations – sparkle 
Creative Stamp Friend – scene 

Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope your will leave a comment.

Hugs,

dj1952 (Debra)

Thursday, November 24, 2011

O Sole Mio…

When I was young I thought this meant my only love, or something like that.  Of course, once I was old enough to learn a little about other languages, I knew that was not correct.  In fact in means “my sun” (like my sunshine), so it is still a beautiful thought, especially to a loved one.
This is the anniversary card I’ve finally done for my husband of 39 years.  I really liked the cards I did the last 2 years and I was having a difficult time deciding what to do this year. Our anniversary was actually on the 21st of last month, so to say I’m late, is stretching it a bit.  But he was speechless when I gave this to him.



My favorite color is this deep red color, but I just didn’t know how to make it work this year.  I’ve used several of the beautiful Cheerylynn Designs dies for this card, to meet their challenge this week.  (It calls for red and green.) The cute image is by The Paper Shelter.  I wasn’t particularly happy with my coloring at first and actually planned to use the image for a different anniversary card.  But once I added the frame (it’s called Scandinavian Hearts) it all came together. 



I used my bow-easy again, and the more I use it, the better I like it.  The butterfly and the flourish are also from Cheerylynn Designs.  The papers are from several sources, the roses, gems and pearls are by Recollections.  I’ve used MS punches on the outside and inside of the card, as well as Cricut. I also added stickles to the roses, butterfly and the water.
  


The one on the inside is one I use often, and is one of a large set about “memories”.  I also typed my message to my dh as well as, the sentiment on the front (I didn’t take a picture of the one to my husband, but it is now on the left-hand side, on the inside of the card. I don’t remember who did the sentiments on the back.



I’m entering this card in the following challenges:

Sketches by Carly – sketch
2 Sisters Challenge Blog – sparkle
Hooked on Craft Challenges – dies
One Stitch at a Time – anything
Ooh La La Creations – bingo: flowers, dies, ribbon
Cheery Lynn Designs – red and green
Tiffany Doodles – sparkle and glitter
Digital Tuesday Challenge – sparkle
Sassy Cheryl’s Challenge – anything
Paper Sundaes – bows
Alota Rubber Stamps – dots and pearls (dots are on the inside cardstock)
Cooking It Up With Katie – punches, ink (inked the butterfly to make red), embossing (around frame and on leaf flourish)
Flutterby Wednesday – anything
My Mum’s Craft Shop – things with wings
Papercraft Star – anything
Shelly’s Images – red and green
Delightful Challenges – red and green
Hanna and Friends – red and 1 other color
Moving Along With The Times – ribbon and bows
Just Some Lines – tic, tac, toe: punch, digi, glitter
Bearly Mine Challenges – favorite things – dies
Creative Craft Challenges – free for all
The Sisterhood of Crafters – polka dots (on the inside of the card)
Crafty Purple Frog – for someone special
Paper Crafting Journey – anything

Thanks again for stopping by and leaving a comment.  I love to hear from you.

Hugs,

dj1952 (Debra)

Monday, November 21, 2011

We have two winners!

I know that everyone who joined in on my candy give-away would like to hear who the winners are.  There were a total of 11 who joined and qualified for both drawings.  The winner of the first prize is Nikki,  congratulations Nikki.  And the winner of the second prize is Annemaritta,  Congratulations Annemaritta.

I used the random generator to select both names.

If you ladies will send me your email addresses, I'll contact you and get your mailing addresses.  Since you are both overseas, please allow extra time for these to arrive.  It will also take me a day or two to get them to the post office to mail.

I wish I could give all of you a prize, but I hope you will try again next time.

Hugs,

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Welcome Little Girl…

This is my third baby card that I’ve been working on over the last few days.  I already had a couple of little girls colored for the little girl card that I’m making, but I just had to get this one after I saw it at Mo’s Store.  But I now have some little girls colored ahead if I need them.



She has so many cute little children images.  I’ve also used several dies by Cheery Lynn Designs.  I cut the easel card with stacker dies, then I used a flourish and another leaf at the top. 



I cut the easel card with Cheery Lynn stacking dies, so I would have a different shaped easel card.  I used two different papers by Basic Grey: the paper on the bottom with the pearls is from a Kioshi paper pack.  And the paper on the outside of the image is open stock paper called Euphoria.  I’ve also used some older paper by DCWV.  



I also used my Spellbinders dies and some decorative scissors. The pearls (dots) and the flowers are by Recollections. The sparkly lace is from Hobby Lobby and I’ve used the We R Memories sewing and paper piercing system again. Oh, and I used my new Bow-Easy template, too.  I LOVE it for making bows.

I’m entering this card in the following challenges:

Mo’s Digital Challenge – folds
Crafty Ann’s Challenge – flowers
If the Shoe Fits – something new – shaped easel card other than round
CES Challenges – roses and ribbon
2 Sisters Challenges – anything
Mark’s Finest Papers – favorite technique – distressing
One Stop Craft Challenge – ribbon (used to make the bow) and lace
Secret Crafter – spots (pearls) stripes
Dream Valley Challenges – stitching
Heart Song Inspirations – glitter (on lace)
Make It Monday – always anything goes
Pink Elephant – embossing (on leaves and nestibilities dies
City Crafter Challenge – 4-legged friend
Creative Belli – paper piercing (under sewing)
Paper Crafting Journey – embossing
My Mum’s Craft Shop – mix and match paper
Whimsy Stamps – flowers
Shelly’s Images – anything
Lily Pad Cards – texture
A Gem of a Challenge – sketch
Basic Grey Challenges – at least 2 BG items
Gingerloft Challenge – lace
Hooked on Craft Challenges – dies
Dream Valley Challenges – stitching
Lexi’s Creations – no straight edges
Stamps R Us – bling
Tiffany Doodles – glittery (lace)
Forever Friends Monthly Challenge – something old – papers; something new – bow-easy for making bow
A lot Rubber Stamps – dots (pearls)
Divas by Design – monochromatic
Stamp and Create Monthly Challenge – easel
Little Claire's Designs - shaped card
Delightful Challenges - bingo: pattern paper, die cuts and flowers
Paper Play Challenges - shaped card 
Southern Girls Challenge - bingo: lace, gems, embossing


Thanks for stopping by.  And especially if you leave a comment.  

Hugs,

dj1952 (Debra)

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Baby Dino…

Not a very original name, but I’m just not thinking too well.  I have one of those nasty migraines coming on.  So I’m trying to get this posted before it hits full-force.
As soon as I saw this little cutie by the talented Chrissy Armstrong at Whimsy Stamps, I just had to have him.  Of course, he could be a she, too, which makes it even nicer.




I haven’t made a tri-shutter card in quite a while, and I love them for baby cards, so here we are.
 


I had a completely different layout planned, and had even cut out a different paper and had adhered it to the front and back panel, but it just wasn’t working.  Thankfully I was able to pull it off without damaging the cardstock.  I believe this dp is all by DCWV.  I took cuts from two different sheets; the “Mother Goose” paper is all glittered and the “Baa Baa Black Sheet” is not. 




The front panel was made by coloring the image and then cutting it out, shaping it and using a double layer of pop dots to make it look more three-dimensional.  The sentiment was made by combining stamps, stamping them on a complementary color of card stock with blue ink, then going back over it with clear embossing ink  (I can’t believe I was able to line it up perfectly.) and heat setting it.  I finished it off with “faux” stitching and the little buttons of candy.  



The rest of the card was made by cutting out various areas of the papers, distressing them with Tim Holtz ink and adhering them.  I used more of the candy buttons on the inside.  I did cut out a second “Mother Goose” and pop-dotted her to give her more dimension, also.

I’m entering this card in the following challenges:

Incy Wincy Designs - stitching
Ooh La La Creations – stitching
Digital Tuesday Challenge – anything
4 Crafty Chicks – baby
Crafting For All Seasons – texture
Paper Pretties – buttons
Scrapbook Sisters – babies
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge – cute
Do You Stack Up – inspired by a song: Dinosaur Train (My grandson love it)
Crafty Catz – digi
If the Shoe Fits, Scrap It – try something new – heat embossing on top of a stamped image
2 Sisters Challenge – anything
Designed 2 Delight – baby
Secret Crafter – spots & stripes
Dream Valley Challenges – stitching
Daisy Doodles Creative Challenges – anything
Paper Crafting Journey – embossing
Lily Pad Cards – texture
Cardmadfairy – texture
Forever Friends Challenge Blog – something old (papers), something new (digi)

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope you will leave me a comment.  Have a great day.

Hugs,

dj1952 (Debra)




Craft Barn Candy

A friend shared this with me today, and I thought I'd share it with my friends and followers.  Check this out.

If you get over to their site here, you can join in on the give-away.  It won't be long, in fact you only have until November 25th.

Have a great day.


Friday, November 11, 2011

Rock-A-Bye Baby…

It's been so long since I’ve posted a card, I’ve almost forgotten how to do it. LOL.  It has been a while; I just haven’t felt up to par.  I think I’ve just been in a blue mood, and I’m trying to pull myself up out of it.  The cooler weather hasn’t helped with my joints, etc.  Oh well enough about me.

This is one of four baby cards I’m working on at the moment.  I’ve got one more boy card and then two girls’.  It’s not that I know that many different babies who’ve been born, but I know the grandparents better than I do the parents, so I’m doing one for the parent and one for the grandparents.

This precious thing is going to the grandparents of the boy.  It’s a Penny Black stamp that I’ve had forever.  Isn’t it adorable?



I thought I’d show the close up first.  One thing that I like about this stamp, is that it can be used for either gender (as you will see soon in another post).  I cut a circle out of the card, and then him.  I then used twine to make him swing, and then I worked with it so it looked more 3D. The round blue frame is embossed with tiny polka dots, as well as the scallop, it just doesn’t show up.  (Boo, hisss!) 

 

On the bottom of the easel card, I’ve used a pale blue vellum that has baby foot prints on it, unfortunately you can’t see them. 

I have a new “tool” that I bought at Joann’s on-line, called the “Sew Easy” by We R Memory Makers.  It has interchangeable heads that you can use to pierce different patterns on the paper then you can "sew" or just leave the piercing on the project. On this card I’ve used a couple of  different stitches.  With embroidery thread, the one on top is a straight stitch (at least it’s supposed to be), and the one on the bottom is scalloped, that I’ve added “candy” brads to.  The yellow ribbon is some that I bought at Michaels years ago.



I’m entering this in the following challenges:

Catch the Bug Blog – anything
Crafty Boots Challenges – young at heart
Dream Valley Challenges – anything
Gingerloft Challenges – bingo – embossing, dp, twine
Heart Song Inspirations – anything
Incy Wincy Designs – stitching
Ooh La La Creations – stitching
Southern Girls Challenge – song: Rock-A-Bye
Crafty Sentiments – baby and a sentiment
4 Crafty Chicks – baby
Crafting For All Seasons – texture (distressing)
Paper Pretties – buttons
The Pixie Cottage – blue for a boy
Scrapbook Sisters – baby
Truly Scrumptious – bingo – embossing, buttons, ribbon
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge – cute
Do You Stack Up – song: Rock-A-Bye Baby
Stampin’ For the Weekend – sketch
Daisy Doodle – anything
Creative Belli Blog – paper piercing (under all of the stitches
Paper Crafting Journey – embossing
Lily Pad Cards – texture
Forever Friends – something old: ribbon; something new: Sew Easy
Cardmadfairy's Digi Days - texture 
Sew Many Cards - vellum 
If The Shoe Fits Scrap It - try something new - used "Sew Easy" for the first time
Stamp and Create Blog - easel or middle step card

Thanks to everyone who stops by and leaves a lovely comment.  I is very encouraging to hear what you think.  Have a great weekend. 

Hugs,

dj1952 (Debra)

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

22,000 Hits Candy Give Away

Hello crafters.  The other day I noticed that I had received over 22,000 hits on my blog.  Now I know that’s not a lot from some card maker’s viewpoint, but it is from mine.  I’ve actually had more than that since I actually started my blog, but I didn’t have a counter for a couple of months, so I don’t really know what the number actually is.  (And  it’s not really that important either.  LOL)  

However, I decided that since I have had more than 22,000 I would give away some candy.   In this way I can thank those who do stop by, and even if you don't leave a comment, I'm happy that you want to see what I'm up to.  Here is the picture of the candy (for now ignore the frame on the far right; I’ll explain about it next).

candy nov 2011

Everything you see except the frame die on the far right is included in the initial give away.  What do you need to do to qualify for this?  Really only three things:

1. Become a follower, if you aren’t already
2. Leave a comment about why you’d like to win
3. Post a copy of my candy in your sidebar

Now about the Nestibles decorative frame die on the far right.  If you would like to qualify for this, in addition to your comment as to why you would like to win the candy, please look through my projects for 2011 and tell me which is your favorite. 

Both of these drawings will be selected by Random Selector. 

This post will run through Sunday, November 20th.  The winner will be announced on Monday, November 21st.  I hope you have fun and that lots of you will sign up to win.  Also thanks to all of my current followers.

Hugs,

dj1952 (Debra)