Serendipity = Sweet!

Today the sun is shining and I'm sitting here wearing shorts! and the birds are chirping... summer is coming!! woo hoo.  Nothing says summer like a big pitcher of Lemonade : )  I am excited to be entering my card in this month's challenge at Serendipity Stamps challenge - Die Cut!!

I started out by stenciling some yellow ink on my card base then I cut a Tag from Serendipity Stamps.  I stamped my pitcher on to the tag and die cut out the word "Sweet".  I cut another "Sweet" from bright yellow cs and inked the bottom just a bit to give better dimension. Next I inlaid my die cut and applied just a VERY light amount of soft yellow pencil to the lemons and the lemonade in the pitcher.  Finally came some Wink of Stella and a few ice blue sequins a seam binding bow and a piece of Baker's Twine!! Walla!! easy peasy!

I will also enter this in the Happy Little Stampers challenge : ) I sure hope it is CAS enough! That bow might have put me over the edge but I hope they'll allow it.

I appreciate you stopping by : )  I hope you have a wonderful day!!

Patti

Supplies:
Stencil - Funky florals by MFT
Image, Die cut and Tag by Serendipity Stamps
Sequins from PPP
Ribbons from my stash : )

The Challenge challenge : )

Happy Monday friends!! Today is an exciting Monday for me because I get to share a card I created for my "Featured Designer" spot at The challenge!! : ) woo hoo! you KNOW I was excited when I was invited to join this great team for the month of May!  To me Lesley Croghan is the Queen! of challenges and I know Blogland shares my opinion by the wonderful success she enjoys for her hard work.

I  am a planner : ) so I just love how Lesley lays out what can be expected for this challenge ahead of time.  I know you will be inspired by the amazing Challenges she has created for us this month!

Here is the monthly rotation:
Week 1-Sketch
Week 2-Colours
Week 3-Photo Inspiration
Week 4-Masculine Photo Inspiration
Week 5-Wild Card (a surprise!)

There is a fantastic line up from the talented Design Team you really "gotta" check out! and then I hope you will join the fun with joining each challenge with us this month.

My card was great fun to create! I started with a stitched die from Lil Inkers on my card base.  I added a layer of white cs that I embossed with tiny little polka dots.  Next I layered a piece of pp from PTI's "Funky Town" .  I created a little shaker from "What the Doodle - Apple" and made my horizontal strip from the sketch using a cute little pencil from "Pencil Me In" both products from Papertrey Ink.

This card could so easily be a Thank You Teacher card but I selected "Just Because" ... just because : ) heehee.

I am entering this card in the AAA Cards Challenge too!!  I just can't resist Shaker Cards! or this fun challenge blog! come play with us!! : )

I have a super busy week planned! we are running an amazing sale on our scarves this week where every single scarf will basically be 50% off! so I'm taking off my card maker hat and putting my scarf biz hat on! : )

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope your week is off to a bright and warm and Hapy start!! : )

Patti

Get Well soon Dad!

I created this card for my Dad who is in the hospital.  Dad LOVES the color blue and Gold Finches. I know that even though this might not seem like a masculine card my Dad will love it : )

I chose one of my favorite, retired, CTMH stamp sets for the sentiment.

I will be adding this card to three great challenges : )

Here are the links to these challenges.  I hope you will consider joining the fun!!

Retro Rubber Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge

I am a little behind on my blog visiting because Blogger wont stop harassing me as they make me prove I'm not a Robot! but I will pace myself and get to each of you as soon as I can! : )

Have a fantastic weekend friends!! Thank so much for stopping by : ) 

Patti

Supplies:

Spring Woods stamp and die set by PTI

Sentiment is from "Card Chatter - Sympathy" by CTMH

Use it or Loose it!

Hi friends : ) I hope you are having a wonderful week!!

I have been busy lately doing some organizing (still) and realizing how much fun and fabulous "Schtuff!!" I have in my stash that is both unused and used.  I keep buying the fun new stuff I see in Blogland and ignoring the fun stuff I purchased at some point in the past.

I am turning over a new leaf!! : ) I have decided to challenge myself to....

  "Use it or Loose it"

This card was created using a package of dimensional stickers by K&Company.  The package came with the cupcake as well as 12 "sprinkles" like yellow and the pink felt circles with sequins on top : )   I used some green polka dot pp from my stash and two polka dot embossing folders in different sized dots.  I wanted the dots to "float up" from small dots to the bigger dots on the pp and then big dots on the top panel : )

I created this card with  CASology in mind because the theme is "Sprinkle" this week.

I really liked the design of my card which was inspired by Maile Bells style so I used the same design to create a card for the: 

Muse challenge

Jenni Murray's card

On this card I used a pretty patterned paper that my sister sent me some years ago.  Too pretty to use! LOL but I'm now that I am turning over a new leaf  : ) Blogland gets to see this pretty paper : ) Some of the inking on the left side of the paper was actually already there.  I inked it a bit more and added a Martha Stewert paper flower and some bling.

Both cards have the panel on the top of the card base popped up to give sweet dimension to the recessed sentiment.

I am also entering these cards in the Simon Says Anything Goes Challenge! : )

My good friend Theresa is doing some organizing and downsizing too! She has over 50 stamp sets for sale - most are from Close to My Heart.  You can find her wonderful sale - including FREE SHIPPING!! HERE.

And just so I can reward myself for using up my old stuff - I am hosting a "virtual" home party with Close to My Heart LOL to buy more Schtuff!!  If you wanna come to my party just let me know and I'll e-mail you a ordering code : )

Thanks a bunch for stopping by! Have a great day.

Patti

Oh My!

Before I begin my post I want to say THANK YOU! for your over-the-top kind and very generous comments on my post from yesterday.  It just goes to prove there is not an unkind bone in Blogland!

As I read the comments I continually went back to look at my card and scratch my head.  I felt the background was too light and the focal point too dark and the use of black foam under my sentiment just too bold.... but I am really embarrassed now! I truly hope that it did not appear I was "fishing for compliments".  I honestly did not like my card but perhaps it is just as Sue Rose said in her comment:

"....what it looks like on paper isn't always as we envisioned it in our heads!!"

Thank you for always being so supportive! It means the world to me : ) 

Now on to my post today! : )

I created this card from my nephew, Mike, in Tennessee who is a Tennessee Volunteers fan... fan? did I say fan?? Actually if at all possible Mike would arrange for the blood in his veins to be Blaze Orange!! : ) 

He loves the Vols and I love him!! He was so excited when he saw this card he proclaimed it was going in the "Man Cave"!! Now that doesn't happen every day!

I embossed my white cs with the United States Die from PTI and just popped it up with foam tape : ) I did not want my TN state die to also be popped up because I felt it would make it too high so I simply cut a few layers of the die and glued them one on top of the other so it is lifted a but but not much. 

I added a stitched rectangle to the inside of the card as well as one line from the Chevron cover plate by PTI.

Thank you, again, friends for stopping by and for your comments! they both humble me and make my day!

BIG (((Hugs)))
Patti

Papertrey Ink April Blog Hop

This will be a short post for me today because I'm late getting to the Papertrey Ink blog hop!

The reason I am late is because it took me FOREVER! to think of an idea for this challenge and then just a tiny bit longer to created this embarrassing card LOL that I can't believe I'm posting! giggles!! Ok so the idea is great but the execution?? hmmm Some people will do anything for a prize! LOL

As I was standing at my photo shooting station I said NO! I can't do it and while still standing I created my second card! In seconds - literally LOL

I know none of you amazingly kind and sweet Blogland friends are going to say "you are right Patti you should have sent that first one to the "bin" but we both know better heehee

I am off to see how the real talent out in Blogland interpreted this difficult challenge : )

Patti

Supplies:
A Cheerful Heart stamp set by PTI
Inspired: Faith Die
Random background stamps from my stash
Wet Paint stamp set and die by PTI

A Blessed Birthday

Hello friends : )   Today I get to share a card I made for the Seize the Birthday Challenge : ) where I am honored to be the Surprise Party Guest for April and May!

You have heard of a CASEd card well this is a CASEd Stamp and die set heeheehee.  I purchased this butterfly set for my sister but before mailing it to her I stole a few cuts! and created this card.

I chose to cut my card base as a "Tall and Skinny" inspired by the old 2015 Mojo Monday challenges.  The card is actually only 3.5" x 5.5".  I did that because I wanted my butterfly wing to hang over the side of the card while still fitting in an A2 envelope : )

I cut four butterflies:

one from white cs
one from white foam
two from clear acetate

I created the shaker card adding the sweetest little tiny yellow stars.  It is impossible to really see in the picture but these little stars are so light that because of static some cling to the top acetate piece - some cling to the bottom acetate piece and then some lay inside the shaker normally! It helps give this shaker (and the fact some of it hangs off the card)  the sweetest dimension  : )

I love birthdays!! and so it is a special treat for me to be adding my designs to the wonderfully talented gals at Seize the Birthday!  Please consider joining us for this fun challenge!  The theme is ANYTHING GOES!! which is always so much fun!  The challenge runs for two weeks so there is plenty of time to play along.  I can't wait to see what YOU create!

I will be adding my card to another challenge as well! Happy Little Stampers challenge this month is mixed media with "Wings of any description".

Edited to add:

Thanks to the suggestion of my friend Lisa I am also adding this card to The Paper Players Challenge Blog!!  I have never played with this great group but let me tell you!! between the terrific Design TEam and the gallery there are some spectacular butterflies floating around over there!! Come join the fun! : )

Thank you so much for stopping by and for your wonderful comments! They really make my day : )

Patti

Supplies:
Stamp and Die set "Enclosed: Butterfly mini by PTI
Yellow star glitter by Reflections from Michaels
Yellow machine embroidery Thread

Thinking of you!

...and missing you too!!

Hello friends : ) happy "hump day!".  I didn't expect to be home today but I'm so glad it turned out that I could be because I have a cheerful card to share that I make in honor of Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop!  No one said I could join the hop but then again no one said I couldn't LOL there are sure some pretty cards in Blogland today!! Check out Mary, sweetest owner of Serendipity stamps, blog to learn all bout this one day only hop! and also about a nice SALE!! woo hoo


I started my card by sponging yellow on a piece of cs before cutting out my window and window box die.  Then I cut another window and window box out of a piece of white cs and attached the yellow window frame and box over the top of the white to bump it up just a bit.  I really had fun with my Daisy Border Die.  I sponged a rainbow of colors on some white cs and then cut out the die.  Next I snipped the border apart and placed them inside the window box! : )

Next I sponged some puffy clouds on a separate sheet of cs and attached it to my card base.  I stamped "thinking of you" on the top of that layer and finally added a "bumped up" top window frame and box panel using sponge tape : ) I had some left overs from the colored yellow cs as well as some extra flowers so I added a little touch of spring to the inside of my card as well.

I have decided to play along with three awesome challenges with this card!  Please check out each of them out and  then consider  joining the fun!

Who would not think spring with this delightful art inspiration at Double D Challenges!? the theme is "April Showers Bring May Flowers"

The theme at Word Art Wednesday  is "Anything Goes"!

And at City Crafter Challenge Blog the theme is "An Englishman's Home is His Castle"

That is it for me today I have some "hopping" to do!!

Have a bright and beautiful day friends!!.  Thank you for stopping by.

Patti

Supplies:
Window and window box die from Stampin Up
Daisy Border Die from Serendipity Stamps
"You" die from PTI
Sentiment stamps are from two different stamps from my stash from the now closed - Angel Company

MIM - Faux Brush Lettering

Amy Sheffer, who has quickly become one of my favorite designers at Papertrey Ink, is the hostess for Make It Monday this week.  She is challenging us to try the "Faux Brush Lettering" technique she demonstrated in her video HERE.

I like the look adding water color to your image gives.  I decided to try a new to me "stamp-and-spritz" technique I saw at Darnell's blog in THIS POST.

I like both these techniques because the whole water coloring craze in Blogland has challenged me BIG time. Most of the time I have tried using water colors the card ends up in my "Epic Failure" bin! This  goes to show talent does not necessarily run in the family! Take a look at my sister's water color art HERE (keep in mind... she is a beginner! gulp!  : ) 

Thanks a bunch for stopping by..... before I go I gotta ask! how many of you figured out the sequin on the letter "g" conceals an oopsie! giggles!! I wish I could wear sequins on my hips! : p

Have an awesome day friends!!

Patti

Supplies:
Big Hugs Stamp Set by PTI
Scent-imentals Stamp Set by PTI
Stitched rectangle from Lil Inkers

Smile!

Hello friends : )   A late post for me today! I have been super busy today. I need to get in the kitchen to make dinner but before I scoot here are two cards I created for two great challenges!

The theme at Send a Smile 4 Kids this time around is "Animal Cards 4 Kids"  I went to my paper stash and found Curious George up to his old antics!

I had a rough time getting a good picture tonight : ( These are true RED and a bright YELLOW colors even though they don't look it - my card base is really white too - not pink... Sigh!!

The design for both of my cards is from the wonderful gals at CAS(E) this sketch.  I really had to take my liberties with the Curious George card because of the orientation of the interactive window I wanted to use but my next card is a much closer take on this neat sketch!

I have hoarded these papers for a long time : ) I just love them and I really hope they will bring a smile to a child in the hospital.

Thank you for stopping by!

Patti

Trust in the Lord...

...and lean not on your own understanding.  This has been a favorite scripture of mine since my little toe headed 3 year old came home with this as her memory verse from pre-school.  I was delighted that each time she recited it she would leeeeeeeean way over while standing on one leg! giggles! Precious 38 year old memory! and a lifetime of application.

My card was inspired by Anita Bowden's card at the Muse.  I loved her design and especially the background she created.

I decided to try a new technique I learned about on Lin's Craft Corner in this post.  Not long after seeing Gina K's video of the technique on Stamp TV I enjoyed seeing more beautiful cards created using this technique from  Verna on VA's Creative Clutter blog.  Please follow the links to see these two Blogland friend's great cards.

I created several different panels using three different embossing folders.  I colored each one a little bit different.

This one I colored to match the pretty color challenge at ColourQ.

I simply cut my square panel using my dies from Lil Inkers and attached it to my card.  Then I stamped my sentiment and added the die cuts! easy peasy.  I also used scraps from the colorful panel and added them to the inside of each card.  They were cut with  a border die also from Lil Inkers.

We are not enjoying our weather in the Black Hills this weekend.  It is currently "drizzling"  a fine mist of snow LOL  but sunny skies are predicted for later in the week and we need the precipitation so I will just snuggle in and enjoy soft lighting while I craft! : )

Thank you all so much for the help with my Wink of Stella question yesterday!  I think I will stick with this product - flaws and all - for a while longer because I just love the soft glitter it leaves.  : )

Have a great weekend!

(((Hugs)))
Patti

Supplies:
Lord Mini stamp set and die by PTI
Savior Mini stamp set and die by PTI
Butterfly from Tulip Time stamp set and die by PTI
Embossing Folders used:
3 unmarked Cuttlebug EF
1 Cuttlebug EF by Anna Griffin called "Foulard"

Happy Anniversary!

My sister, Susan from A Splash Of Color3 blog,  and her husband are celebrating their 39th wedding anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to my two favorite Human BEANS!! : )

I am playing along with Tic-Tac Toe Challenge today using the diagonal challenge and the color inspiration!  I think this is my first time for playing with Stamping Smiles Designs : ) I hope you will consider joining the fun too!!

When it comes to buying papercrafting supplies I am great at keeping my credit card company busy but I have to say I am usually really slow at getting on board with purchasing the newest products.  Wink of Stella is one of these products.  Not new by any means but I purchased my first tube at Michael's just  two days ago. I really was not sure what it was - except it applied glitter to your project. Got glitter? - I'm in!!

See how the ink has gotten up on to the black part of the pen and escaped so you can see glitter on the black nib holding the brush?  Is this normal?

I opened the package and found no instructions (in any language) as to how to activate the flow of the "ink" .  It took me a while and then I gathered that I needed to screw off the top and prick a hole in the base of the pen.  Ah! when I did that I realized that the black ring was keeping the brush and the ink from meeting so I took the black ring off! I think I realize now that if I had taken the black ring off first and screwed it back together the top of the pen would have punctured the bottom on it's own.

Anyway after it was closed back up I squeezed on the pen base where it says "PUSH" and nothing really happened.  Again I was not altogether sure what to expect.  Finally I kept squeezing it and noticed a big glob of silver glitter paint ooozing down toward the brush and actually coming out of the top threatening a big glob to fall.

Once I grabbed the ink blog on a tissue I started painting this delicate little amount of micro fine glitter to a flower on one of my cards and fell completely IN LOVE with the beautiful shimmer it left!

SO! my question!? Did I happen to do this right?  or is my pen defective?  Is the ink/paint supposed to be able to escape and glob out?  Is that little black ring supposed to stay in tact?

LauraJane of After Hours Ink and Flowers blog said she struggles with it globbing out too -  did we both get a defective pen??

Thank you so much for your help!! I appreciate hearing your comments and suggestions.

Thank yu for stopping by!  Have a great weekend!

Patti