Lots of Pink

At least a lot more pink than I am used to working with!  There is a challenge over at Play Date Cafe using some colors that I am not accustomed to working with.  I guess this week is all about true challenge for me!

I combined these colors with the sketch from OCC Sketch Blog:

Items used: Bo Bunny Petal Pushers; Petaloo Color Me Crazy flower; Unity stamps; May Arts ribbon, Stickles

I was truly inspired to do this other piece of artwork from a sketch I saw on Inspirational Sketches:

I love this sketch because it leaves the crafting world wide open!  I grabbed an Art Blanche clipboard from my stash and covered it with Bo Bunny Petal Pushers.  I built two flowers using paper, Bazzill flowers, Imaginisce flowers, and brads.  The chipboard phrases are Melody Ross, and the ribbon is May Arts.  Truly quick and easy!

Both of these pieces actually fulfill the challenge over Our Creative Corner, too - creations showing what summer means to you.  Summer is all about the flowers to me!

A Few Cards to Share

I have been working on some cards for OWH, and I thought I might as well squeeze in a few challenges along the way.  The first one I'll be showing you is a card for American Crafts.  The challenge is to use 2 or more American Crafts items.  I've used Dear Lizzy patterned and fabric paper, Thickers, and an embellishment from the I Do line.  The fence and banner are from the fabric paper, and I just cut them to size.  I put Ranger glossy accents on the rose to give it some shine.

The next card is a sketch from Clean & Simple.  I do have trouble in this area, so I always say this is a great challenge for me!  I've used the new Brave Girl stamps from Unity for this card.  I think this is a great stamp set for pages and cards.  The cardstock and patterned paper is CTMH, and the ribbon is May Arts.

The last card is my take on the CPS sketch for the week.  I really wanted to use a couple more Brave Girl stamps.  That border is Fiskars Upper Crest punch, the paper is CTMH, and the ribbon is May Arts.

How has your week been?  It's been very rainy here, but it is a welcome rain to our grass, plants, and trees.  I start teaching a new class at work tomorrow using Hero Arts and Glimmer Mist.  Take a peek here to see the cards I'll be teaching (Colorful Creations).  As always, I am VERY excited to be able to teach new ideas!!

I haven't been feeling the best this past week.  So I haven't been in my craft room too much, but rather saving the best of me right now for my husband and work.  All things pass though, so I quite certain that in a few days I'll be up to par again!  Keep checking my page because I've got some new products in my craft room that I'll be creating with in the days ahead!

Minnehaha Falls

I have had these photos sitting on a shelf for a couple of months now.  I wanted to scrap them, but I just couldn't find the right paper.  I ordered some Passages last month from my CTMH consultant and I just couldn't believe how lovely it is.  These are just the colors that I love to work with!  By the way, this fits into the Heart 2 Heart challenge which is simply to pull out the CTMH products and scrap!  What a great challenge!! I started with a Page Maps sketch that is being used over at Let's Scrap for a monthly challenge:

These are pictures from when we drove to Minnehaha Falls in March.  The thaw was particularly beautiful this year, and I am so glad we went on day that we could capture all of the "snowsicles."  I used CTMH Passages Level 2; CTMH Antique Bronze brads; Spellbinders circles and scalloped circles; CTMH Barn Red marker; Making Memories Think Pink card (leaves); Fiskars Upper Crest border punch; Tim Holtz vintage pins; random jute

If you haven't visited yet today, be sure to scroll down for some altered artwork!

Bird House

Today I sat down to make something for fun.  I found these little wooden bird houses at Jo Ann's the other day for $1.00.  I picked one up and thought I'd give it a whirl.

Now if you are thinking the painting looks messy and distressed - well, yay!!  I accomplished what I set out to do!  First I painted the house will an antique white acrylic paint.  When it was dry, I used some Melody Ross Homespun Chic to cover it.  I covered the edges with Peeled Paint distress crackle paint, and when it was dry, I sanded it down to get the antique white to show through here and there.  Some assorted embellies was all I need to finish it off.  Just a fun craft project for Sunday afternoon!

A Layout & A WINNER!!

You can scroll down if you'd like to see the winner of my blog candy, but I thought I would share some artwork first.  Gotta keep you in suspense, you know! 

I was able to combine two challenges with this two page layout.  The first is Frosted Designs, and the challenge is buttons.  On of the designers at Let's Scrap has a challenge this week to tear paper on your layout.  I used to do this more often, but I stopped distressing on my pages.  I tried it out today again, and I'm happy with the results.  I've used one of CTMH's new paper packets - Zippidee Level 1.  I love working with the Level 1s - they are so affordable!

Okay, I've probably kept you in supsense long enough.  The winner of all that wonderful blog candy is

RUFUS!!! 

Congratulations, Ruthanne!!  E-mail me to give me your information, and I will ship your package to you right away Monday morning.  I can't wait to see what you design with all these goodies!! 

I wanted each and every one of you to win tonight.  I have so enjoyed reading you comments this week, and I hope you will continue to visit me.  I have a couple of days off now, so I will be catching up on blogs.  I can't wait to see what you've all been up to!!

Cards to Share & the Last Day!

I have some new Unity stamps, and I am in love with the designs!  What I love about Unity stamps is the  intricate designs.  For these cards, I've used the new Melody Ross Brave Girl stamps.

I misted this cardstock and paper flowers with two glimmer mist colors - Lilypad and Sapphire.  After the CS was dry, I stamped and embossed the birdcage using Versamark and Vanilla Zing.  Now a few things.  You can use your heat gun to speed up drying time.  Also,  you can stamp and emboss your paper before you mist.  The embossing will resist the glimmer mist spray, and it turns out just lovely.  I have tried both ways and think I prefer embossing afterwards - but you be the judge of what you like to do!  One other thing about glimmer mist.  I see a lot of people grabbing their bottle and shaking it really hard to get the "glimmer" mixed up.  You will get a lot of air bubbles that way and will eventually clog your sprayer.  It also promotes really big splotches of spray.  Next time you use your glimmer mist, try swirling it and then tapping it on your palm.  It's just as effective as shaking and yet allows you to prolong the life of your spray.  Just a tip!

These cards were so simple.  I designed them this way because I wanted the beauty of the stamps and sentiments to shine through.  Along with the Unity stamps I've used Graphic 45 paper, a Bazill flower, CTMH gems, and May Arts silk ribbon.

Last Day!!  Today is the last day for my Surprise Blog Candy!!  Here are the details:

1. You must be a follower to win! (After all this blog candy is all about my followers), and

2. Comment on any of my blog postings until 6:00 pm CST tonight.

I am going to draw for the blog candy TODAY at 6:00 pm CST. Every time you've commented this week, you received one entry!! Yippee!! I love giving blog candy!! (You can still go back and comment on this week's post today to be eligible!)

If you'd like to see what I'm giving away to one lucky person tonight, go here!

I truly appreciate that you take the time to visit my blog.  I love reading your comments, and I have been visiting you, too!  You are all so creative, and I have been very inspired this week from all the different projects I've seen!!
I'll be back tonight with a winner!!

Linwood Lake & The Nest

(Don't forget about my surprise blog candy!  You have the opportunity to become a follower and leave comments on my blog through Saturday at 6 pm CST.  GO HERE for all the deets!!)

I am just crazy about the new Bo Bunny Block Party paper.  It's perfect for 4th of July, but I've found it useful for so many other things.  I would think it would be great for picnic, camping, boy pages - I can't wait to play even more!!  In this layout, I've used a sketch from Let's Scrap:

(click to see larger)

As you'll see, I used straight lines rather than tilting my pictures.  So many people create layouts angling their pictures, and they are beautiful.  I just don't have the knack for tilting, and I need my straight lines.  If I angled my pictures, I fear I'd pull the layout apart and start all over again!!  Anyway, remember my layout that featured "Captain Chanel?"  Well, here are some more pictures from that day.  I've used Glossy Accents to highlight stars and the foam Thickers.  Jerry loved this layout!

Items used:  Bo Bunny Block Party paper, chipboard, and stickers; CTMH buttons, waxy flax, and gems; Ranger Glossy Accents

Okay, remember my post about the empty nest when the bird flies away?  Go here if you need to be refreshed.  I have to tell you that the nest in our maple is full again.  We have been watching 3 eggs in there, and the mama robin is spending most of her time sitting on the eggs.  I have tried to get pictures, but the nest is deep in the maple shrub.  The last time I went out there, Mama flew out to a nearby tree, squawked at me, and then flew over my head squawking.  Oh, she means business, and I am happy in knowing that she is protecting her eggs well.

I am telling you this because I have learned much since that initial post.  Shane has left home, but just like that mama robin's safe home, our nest is never really empty.  This child of mine will always need me, and our house is here for his refuge.  There are times along Shane's life that I have had to squawk at people to protect my son.  And I don't mind telling you that I would probably swoop & squawk if it was needed!  Our children are these brave birds with their own special wings and all we can do is nurture and love them.  It has been amazing to see Shane fly!  He teaches me so many things by example, and I am proud of him.  I hope that nest stays put and that I get to remember this year after year...

Sketches in Thyme First Sketch!

(If you are looking for my Surprise Blog Candy post, go here!  You've got until Saturday, June 5th at 6:00 pm!)

Having you been waiting for Sketches in Thyme to release their first sketch?  Today is the day - yippeeee!!  Are you excited to play along?  Wait until you see some of the incredible work that has been created to inspire you for this first challenge!

The sketch comes from Scrapiopath:

Here is how I interpreted this sketch:

(You can click on it to see it larger.)

Jerry and I spent a lovely day exploring the edge of the St. Croix river on the MN/WI border.  What a beautiful spring day!!  I've used all CTMH products to complete this layout with the exception of that pretty Bazzill flower.

Now, of course, on opening day of Sketches in Thyme, there would have to be some blog candy!!  Let me show you the candy first:

So how do you get your name in the hat for a chance to win?  It's easy!!  Simply leave a comment for me, and then go to the rest of the Sketchy Mavens and the Sketches in Thyme blog and leave comments there.  One winner will be chosen by random generator on June 9th!  Now here are the links for you to visit:

Sketches in Thyme

Barb

Dawn

Debbie

Diana

Fern

Kim

Pat

Penny

Tanya

Be sure to leave some love for these ladies!!  You're going to love what you see!!  I am anxious to see all of your results and how you interpret this sketch.  I learn so much from all of you!!

Imaginisce - To Love & Cherish

**Don't forget about my Surprise Blog Candy!! If you don't know what I am talking about, read about it here!**

Imaginisce put out their sketch for June, and I just loved it!  Here it is:

This is my kiddo at work last Saturday night.  Jerry and I went to have appetizers so that we would have a chance to see him.  He works a lot, so this is a very pleasant way to catch up!  And I think he's probably the friendliest, most personable server I know! ;)

Items used: Imaginisce To Love & Cherish papers, rub-ons, stickers, flowers, and ribbon; CTMH white daisy CS, rub-ons, and gems; Making Memories vintage metal roses

Zoo Baby

**Don't forget about my Surprise Blog Candy!! If you don't know what I am talking about, read about it here!**


What I love about scrapbooking is that I can choose pictures from any time in our lives and just scrap.  I am not one to sit down and power scrapbook.  That is just not my style (and most likely the reason Shane's scrapbooks weren't finished when he graduated 3 years ago).  I like to take my time over a layout and think back on what I am scrapping.  It might take me several hours just to finish a one-page layout.  What about you?  What kind of scrapper are you?

Today I grabbed three pictures of Shane from a zoo visit when he was just 2 years old.  What a cute little blonde boy!

Items used:  Sassafrass Lass paper and embellishments, Cosmo Cricket alpha

I also want to remind you that it's only two days away from the very first sketch challenge at Sketches in Thyme! All of the Sketchy Mavens have been working so hard to bring you fresh, new ideas for you to view.  There will be a fun sketch and some surprises for you on Thursday.  If you haven't been there yet, be sure to check out the blog and become a follower.  You will be very glad that you did!

OWH Stars and Stamps Blog Hop Winners!

(This is the blog candy from the OWH Stars and Stamps blog hop.  You still have a chance to win my Surprise Blog Candy!! If you don't know what I am talking about, read about it here!) By the way, look for more artwork later today!

I am SO HAPPY to announce the winners of my blog candy from the OWH blog hop!   

Winning the God Bless America stamp is Kim V. who said,

"I am loving this blog hop and I love your card and blogspot! Your's is the first blog candy I tried to win because I am in love with the God Bless America stamp! Thank you for all you do to help our soldiers. I am a cardmaker and a mom of 2 US Army Soldiers and finding OWH a week ago was the greatest blessing I could have received. I have been searching for what I can do to give back in honor of my kids and this was it."

Winning the set of Unity stamps is Anita who said,

"Stunning card! The distressed stars are a perfect touch."

Ladies, let me know your addresses, and I will put these stamps in the mail for you right away!!