Sunnier Days

My post will be short today because I have to clean my bathrooms! That is no reason for a Sympathy card but it does seem timely! heeheehee

I will be entering this card in the Just Add Ink's "Just add Sympathy"  challenge and AAA Cards -Anything Goes challenge

Before I go I want to wish Kathy Mc owner of the bdlakebum blog a very happy birthday!! : ) AGAIN! the Sympathy card has nothing to do with this great event giggles.  Hope it is a happy one Kathy! Your card should be there in no time.

Thanks a bunch for stopping by! Hope YOU get to do something fun today! : )

Patti

Supplies:
Old  DSP from SU
Leaf sprig from the Songbird die set from PTI.  

We're outta here!

Happy Monday!! I hope you have a great week ahead of you : ) 

We have a batch! of graduates in the family this year so I am hoping to get a jump start on making my graduation cards.  This one is for my oldest grand son who is graduating with his Bachelors Degree and is headed to the "Big City" to begin work on his Masters.

My design was inspired by CAS(E) this sketch!  Such a great sketch! with so many possibilities : ) I sponged some ink in the popular Ombre fashion and then grabbed my bran new "Skyline Border" die.  I snipped the die in half and attached the darker portion of the city in the background flat on the card face and popped up the next section with foam tape.  I cut my sentiment and glued it directly on to the top! Easy Peasy!!

There is still time to play along with CASE(E) this sketch! I hope you will enter your card in the challenge I can't wait to see how you interpret this fun sketch.

Thank you so much for stopping by and as always!! thanks a bunch for your wonderful comments! they really make my day : )

Patti

Supplies:

"Skyline Border" die by My Favorite Things
Congratulations "Swoosh Die" by Papertrey Ink
Retro Style Graduation Stamp Set by PTI
Square stitched die by Lil Inkers
Crushed Curry Ink by Stampin Up

Super Mom!

My cards today are inspired by a couple of challenges in Blogland.  The first being Send a Smile 4 Kids where the theme is a card for Mom - from the kids.

Send a Smile 4 Kids sends cards to hospitals in different parts of the country.  Every time I create a card to send to Send a Smile 4 Kids I thank Jesus for my healthy kids and grand kids!! Please check out their blog to read about how you can join the fun.

I LOVE Betsy Veldman's little paper dolls!  After I made the little girl I couldn't stop so I created the boy. They  just make me smile!

When I saw the challenge at City Crafter Challenge obviously I knew I had to join their challenge with my little super heroes : )

My design was inspired by Michele Ferguson's card when I saw it on the Muse Challenge blog.

Michelle is the author of the I Card Everyone blog (great blog name huh?!)  this is my first time joining the fun at The Muse.  Check out this unique and fun challenge at Muse HERE.

That is it for me today : ) I hope to get some time to play with paper later.  It is a rare overcast day here in the Black Hills! Thankfully sunny days are much more frequent than cloudy days!! Ya gotta love spring where the weather can do just about anything! ; )

Thank you for stopping by!  Have a wonderful day.  : )

Patti

Supplies:
Dress Up Dolls: Super Hero Mini from PTI
Dress Up Dolls: Basics from PTI
Star from Nestabilities
Stitched Dies from Lil Inkers
Mom cut from Quic Kutz Ginger alphabet
Mini stars a great Dollar Store find
Sequins from Pretty Pink Posh
Images colored using Prisma Pencils - shaded with Gamsol

Sprouting Praise!

Happy Saturday friends : )   Today my card is very CAS.  I am not sure the last time I did a simple one layer card - if ever! I keep desperately wanting to add something! : )

This might be the oldest image I own.  It is an old red rubber stamp that has seen better days but that has not seen a card for years!  I thought of this little gal watering flowers when I saw the CASology challenge.

I CASEd the way I did the clouds for my card from the wonderfully talented Lynne in NI of the Ruby-Dooby-Doo Crafts Blog.  Please check out her wonderful blog! she has THE cutest images!!

After I managed to leave this a simple one layer card I was so excited because I knew I would be able to enter my card in the One-Layer Simplicity Challenge .  I DID add some score lines though!! : ) giggles I HAD to do something : )

Blogger keeps deciding to harass me to be sure I'm not a Robot! : ( so I guess I've reached my "limit" on how many cards I get to comment on! grrrrr I will be back later to comment on the rest of my friends at MIM from yesterday and get busy visiting the galleries for CASology and OLSC.

Have a wonderful day!!

Patti

Supplies:
Just plain white cs from PTI
One ancient image cracked and bruised
One FAVORITE and delightful sentiment from Serendipity Stamps

FS and PTI-MIM what could be better!?

Heehee did you figure out the code? LOl Let me try that again!  Freshly Made Sketch and  Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday! what could be better : )

I just love Karren's sketch this week at FMS so I used it as my inspiration for Ashley's "Color Isolation" technique for Make it Monday this week at Papertrey Ink.

My color isolation has a slight twist.  I stamped my largest feather on turquoise paper first and then carefully   lined up some white cs did the same for the large feather as well as some smaller feathers in the lower portion of the card in a (stamped off) gray ink.  That is the color isolation part : )

Next I cut the white cs to closely match the sketch.  Just before gluing them directly to my card face I added a little green Ombre strip to the left side of the card.

I added my Ombre inked feathers and great big HUG! : ) cuz I love GREAT BIG HUGS!! : )

I wish I could give each of you a great big hug for all you sweet comments on my post yesterday and your love and support! Thank you so much (((Hugs)))

Thank you friends! and have a wonderful Friday!

Patti

Supplies:
What the doodle: Feather by PTI
Big Hugs die by PTI 

I love my birthday...

Almost as much as I LOVE being the Surprise Party Guest! at Seize the Birthday : )  I am the Surprise Party Guest for April and May!! My birthday is not until June but this opportunity really feels like a gift! : ) This is my first time ever being a guest on a Design Team and I could not be more excited about it! : )   It has been on my "Bucket List" to share my creativity with a Design Team in this wonderful community we love and I really appreciate Nancy for giving me the opportunity!

Seize The Birthday challenges run for two weeks so there is plenty of  time to play along.  The Toppings for the next two weeks is:

Floral

There is a lot of "bumping up" on this card : ) I cut my white panel and then arranged  my flowers on top.  I 'bumped" the whole thing up - including some foam tape under the flowers on the right to give my top layer some added interest : ).  Then just to add dimension I glued some flowers flat on the card base : )

I really hope you will join the party by linking up your Birthday card HERE. If floral cards are not your thing - that's ok - you can play along with "Anything Goes" as long as it is a Birthday theme!!

Stop by to see what the talented Design Team has put together to inspire you at Seize the Birthday!

Thank you for stopping by and for your wonderful comments! I appreciate every single one. : )

Patti

Supplies:
Patterned paper is some old DP from my stash
Flowers - Quilted: Spring Stamp Set and die from PTI
April - Birthday Classics: April from PTI
Birthdays Are The Best! from PTI

Relaxing!

Hello friends : ) I hope your week is going well! Mine has been busy but not so busy that I have not gotten to sit down and play with paper!! and oh how I have played! : )

Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog is having another fun month long challenge to use embossing in any form on your card.

I chose to stamp my image and then emboss clear EP so that my image really pops.  I like using EP because it also helps control my coloring LOL

I am also linking up with ColourQ Challenge today! Color challenges are the very hardest for me but I think this card works with the challenge especially if I can take additional inspiration form the color QUEEN, Arielle's wreath! : ) check out her sweet wreath.

I just love this image.  It is called Adirondack Chair and because it is Serendipity's Stamp of the Month it is 50% off!! woo hoo!! : ) As a matter of a fact I love it so much I had a hard time stopping using it - giggles.

This was actually the first card I made.  I stamped and embossed my image and then put some light My Favorite Things stenciling on the background - carefully missing the chair.  I loved how it turned out so much I made a tag! : )

This sweet image is addicting so I tried it with this version using a MFT Polka Dot stencil and trying to keep most of the colors to the Raspberry Fizz ink. I'm linking it up to the challenge at Curtain Call with this fun inspiration in mind!!

Finally I created the first card in this post.  I know this is going to be a favorite image for me!!  There is a PRIZE at Serendipity Stamps so get over there! and enter a card (or cards) in the challenge!!

That is it for me today friends.  Please be sure to stop by tomorrow because I have a really exciting announcement to make!  I have been busting to share but it is a sUrPrIsE!! so I have had to keep it under my hat : )

Enjoy your day!  See you tomorrow.

Patti

Supplies:
Card#1
Limeade Ice Paper from PTI
Adirondack Chair from Serendipity Stamps
Relax die from serendipity Stamps
Tag Sale: Quilted Die from PTI
Large Polka dots Stencil from MFT
Colored with Prisma pencils
Ribbon and thread from my stash

Card#2 and Tag
White cs from PTI
Adirondack Chair from Serendipity Stamps
Miss You! sentiment from Serendipity Stamps
Stitched Square from Lil Inkers
Funky Florals Stencil from MFT
Colored with Prisma Pencils
Ribbon and thread from my stash

Card #3
White cs from PTI
Adirondack Chair from Serendipity Stamps
Stitched Banner Duo from Serendipity stamps (a Pretty Pink Posh product)
Large Polka Dots Stencil from MFT
Ribbon from Heidi Grace but it is as old as the hills! : )

Washi up to?

Washi up to? LOL I crack myself up! : )

The challenge at CASology is a fun one this week.  I seem to love buying Washi Tape but only ever use it to get the little pieces pulled out of the die cuts or to hold my paper down when I'm using my Stamp-a-ma-jig : )

I used two different kinds of Washi from my stash for this card. On the main card base I laid two strips of the lime green polka dot and on the "bumped up" sections I laid down a strip of my other Washi -folding it over to the back so I could get two varied widths : )

 I selected this  retired Close to My Heart Sentiment which I have not used in a long time.  A few years ago it was a popular one for me as I often sent it to my granddaughter who was struggling a bit with who she was and the choices she wanted to make - to follow or to lead.  She is now a confident young woman about to graduate high school! and knows how to be her hot pink and lime green loving self! : )

Edited to add:

The hugely talented Joyce from Cards by the Sea blog invited me to add this card to the fun TIME OUT challenge. If you don't know her amazing work please consider checking out Joyce's blog and there is still time to join the fun at TIME OUT TOO!!

Thank you for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Patti:

Supplies:
On The Farm by PTI
Petite Places - Barnyard by PTI
Close to My Heart retired sentiment
Washi from my stash

Oopsie!

Today is the day we show our boo boos! Everybody's friend, Darnell , of djkardkreations blog is hosting a party! See all the fun right HERE in the Playhouse.

Each year at Christmas time I create several different Christmas card  designs to send to my friends and family. I will usually make about 4 to 6 of each design. In 2014 I made several cards like this one.  I am crazy about the zipper die by Papertrey Ink and the coordinating stamp set.  I love creating a secret message that you get to see only when you open the zipper.  The message under the secret strip is:

 "a Merry Christmas"

My late sister, Sherry's birthday is December 21st so I decided to change up one of the cards to make it a birthday card for her.  The secret message on her identical birthday card read:

"a birthday as special as you are!"

I bet you are guessing what my boo boo was aren't you? LOL  Soon after the cards were sent I got all sorts of calls or e-mails thanking me for my sweet hand crafted cards.  The ones who received the secret message card were the most enthusiastic of all! - I beamed!

When I spoke with Sherry on Christmas day she commented on my cards and asked me why I sent two Christmas cards to her.  During that conversation we laughed until we cried when I realized that someone on my Christmas card list got a card wishing them a happy birthday!.  The sweetest thing of  all? whoever received the wrong message never said a word about  the mistake - they just thanked me.  I never did find out who received the boo boo!!  My sister teased me about it until the day she died.

I just can't wait to see what everyone else reveals about their funniest oopsie!  It is sure to be a fun party.  I hope you will hop over to Darnell's blog to join the hilarity!

Thank you for stopping by : ) have a great day!

Patti

Supplies:
Movers & Shakers Sentiments Stamp Set by PTI
Zipper Die by PTI
Patterned Paper - sorry to say I no longer have the maker of this paper
Martha Stewart snowflake punch

Settling the score!

Ha I think I'm "Punny" today! : ) Laurie Willison form Papertrey Ink is the hostess for Make It Monday this week challenging us to draw Score Lines on our cards.

I have tried this technique in the past and really love how it turns out.  I find it a little bit tricky when I don't start my scoring lines at the edge of the cs but I got it : )

I colored my image using a recent MIM tip by sponging my rind and leaves with different colored ink.

My image and sentiment are from a Papertrey Ink set called Scent-imentals.  This sweet set has been on my wish list for a long time and when I read that it was "going to the Vault" I knew I had better not wait any longer.

I stamped the image directly on the face of my card and then fussy cut out the watermelon and leaves.  There is a die for cutting these out but I wanted a closer cut.  I popped up the watermelon and added the extra leaves on top of the stamped leaves only putting a dab of glue so the leaves have more dimension.

Please be sure to watch Laurie's MIM video HERE and then consider stopping by Laurie's blog - she always has the greatest tips to share like today when she uses Press N Seal to aid her gluing small pieces to her card! Brilliant : )

Have a wonderful day friends and thanks a bunch for stopping by.

Patti

A card for my fisherman!

There is a terrific challenge going on at The Challenge!! Doesn't this picture make you just wanna grab your deck shoes and head for the sea?

I'm not near a sea but when I saw this pretty inspiration photo it made me wanna grab my "Rowboat and Dock" image from Serendipity stamps! : ) this is my go-to image for the perfect masculine card.  Especially for my husband who loves fishing almost! as much as I do : )

My computer is finally fixed! yeah!! and my chores are done so I've had the whole day to play with paper!! I also had time to pull out another picture of the beautiful area we live in and what you'll find here in South Dakota!

We have framed this one and call it "Sun Catcher".  This was actually just a shot of two flowers in front of a store but the way it turned out I think it looks like it was shot in a mirror. The sunflower is not the state flower but you will find these beautiful flowers everywhere! including along the Interstate!.

Before I go I want to remind everyone that Darnell's April Fools Party is only two days away!! I hope you are pulling out your boo boos!! and getting ready for the fun.  See the details on Darnell's HERE.

I'm off to grab a snack and get back playing with paper.  If you are looking for a really fun challenge tonight with a prize!! head over to the Serendipity Stamp blog but hurry because the party is almost over!

Thank you for stopping by! Have a great evening : )

Patti

The truth is always true!

Happy Easter? giggles I guess I was kind of distracted yesterday because I forgot to post my Easter card! : ) but the truth is always true even the day after Easter! : )

I serve a risen Savior!!

I loved this card so much I made several variations for my friends and family this year.  Here is a picture of some of the other color combos I used.  Such a sweet and simple card made easy by the wonderful product at PTI!!

I hope you have a fun and restful Easter celebration - we did! And the food! wow I can hardly wait for lunch today for the leftovers!!

Thank you for stopping by and have a great day!!

Patti

Supplies:
Tulip Time by PTI
Inspired: Savior mini by PTI
Savior die by PTI
Stencil by Heidi Swapp

Quick as a bunny can twitch his ear!

Good morning friends!! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend so far.

As I was writing out my Easter cards last week I found I was short a few so I had to think of something that would be quick and easy.   I think this is the fastest card I've ever made! heeheehee.  It was hard to photograph both the stark white and the chocolate brown bunny but hopefully you can see his sweet face in there.

Have you been thinking of your "boo boo" to share with us on April 1st? Darnell is planning a little party  check out the details HERE.

Lots to do today so off I go. Thanks a bunch for stopping by. Have a great day!

Patti

Supplies:
Simply Spring Borders stamp and die set by PTI

Papertrey March Blog Hop Challenge

Today is the Papertrey Ink March Blog Hop!!  and I just can't wait to see all the amazing cards that will be presented today!

In 2000 my sister Susan sent me this amazing gift.  It is an embroidery technique she had just learned called Brazilian Embroidery.

Soon after - and over long distance! she began to teach me this lovely craft.  Susan lives in Washington state and I was in Wisconsin at the time.  If you can believe it she taught me with a short video she sent and with sending samples back and forth through the mail and over the phone! LOL She is very patient. : )

Once you get the hang of it - it really is not that hard.  What is hard. however, is stitching on PAPER! giggles!! Here is my card and a little about my process : )

I started with the "Cast On Flower" on the upper left of the card.  I marked the back of the card so I would know where to put my stitches.  It was hard to get my needle into the cs without bending it and when I had only cast a few stitches they began to slip.  My solution was to tape the back after each stitch to hold the thread.  That was perfect for the first flower but soon I was not only stitching through the cs but also through tape : ( which made my needle a little bit sticky and that split my thread and pretty soon all of my stitches looked frayed and messy : ( shucks!

I forged on like any self respecting paper crafter would! LOL  I was getting worried about the stability of the cs when I finally placed my last flower in the lower left corner.  I decided to make a light and easy flower.  Before I finished my flower the little french knot on the right Pistil fell out.  Gulp!! I was not sure how I was going to fix that!!. I kept going trying not to make it worse when I messed up the lower portion and I knew I was sunk!

In embroidery when you mess up it is really not that big of a deal.  Paper is not as forgiving so I had holes in the paper and no way to really pull my threads from the back because of the tape.  My solution!? ADD PAPER! : )

Who would ever guess the MESS that lies beneath that lovely button card! heeheehee

This was a wonderful challenge.  I love doing embroidery.  My sister Susan has a bran new blog!! called Splash of Color.  She credits me as her papercrafting mentor but she is a super talented Watercolor Artist among many many other amazing talents. I think every single craft I have ever done (and there have been zillions!) Susan has been the one to teach and encourage me.  Please visit her blog HERE and leave her some love : )

Thank you for hanging in there with me in this long post.  I just can't wait to see all that you will create for the HOP today.  I may be a bit slow commenting but I will get to everyone I promise : )

Have a hopping good day!

Patti