Retro Sketch #21

 
This week's Retro Sketch was a fun one - love tags on cards :)  I combined it with CR84FN's challenge as the colour combo was delicious and wanted to play around with it (needless to say it had me thinking about using a maple leaf but I refrained as we are enjoying summer too much!).

A wonderful scrap of SEI paper was my starting point for the card along with MFT's tag die.  I used a few few dies from my discard/use on another card basket and that always brings a smile to my face. The little pile has grown in to a small basket and seems to continue growing exponentially compliments of my having to actually place an element on a card before I know if I like it/it works on the card  (never mind the colour options of that element LOL).  Unfortunately, the same goes for furniture placement in the house...ugh...yes, I am visually challenged which makes me have to work harder to get things set up but the satisfaction I get once it works out is worth the hassle - most of the time anyway!

We are off to our Nexus interview today and then to the pool.  Love being able to see the progress in the lap swimming.  Stamina is growing and it is fun to push myself to see how much more I can do.  Mind you, it does make for one tired mommy in the middle of the afternoon LOL!

Chlorinated hugs to you all :)

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Accent Notes, Bloom and Grow (Verve)
Paper: Tan, Cameo Coral, Early Espresso, SEI DP
Ink: Black, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Lacy Heart Circles and Labels 10 Nesties,, Elegant Leaves Die (Verve) MFT Tag Die, Flower Die (PTI), Crimper, 5/8" Tan Grosgrain Ribbon, Half Pearls, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

You Make Me Smile

 Managed to sneak away for a bit of crafty time this weekend - kind of an anniversary and Canada Day long weekend gift to myself  - wink, wink ;)

Still enjoying my Recollections DP pack from Michael's.  Pulled out these two papers and went to work.  Starbucks sleeves made another
appearance in the shape of a butterfly (and gave me a craving for a tall, decaf, non-fat latte!!) and as did my beloved Swiss Dots embossing folder.  Selecting the ribbon colour gave me grief - I think I tried at least six different colours before finally settling on the brown.  Doesn't pay to craft when one is tired and therefore indecisive!

Submitting this to CR84FNs challenge this week - even though my pink isn't overly bright.  Hoping the challenge police let it slide ;)  Also playing along with Dynamic Duos.

Today kids and I are off to the pool for day two of their two week set of swimming lessons.  Our first layer of Eau de Chlorine essence has been applied and will grow in strength throughout the following two weeks - oh joy!  Always forget what good exercise swimming is!  I do laps while the kids are in their 45 minute lessons, and then we hang out in the free swim area for and extra 30 to 60 minutes.  Needless to say, we all sleep very deeply for two weeks LOL!

With summer here and the kids home 24/7, my stamping schedule is much more unpredictable.  I'll do my best to post two or three times a week, but no guarantees.  I treasure the time I have with my kids and also use summer as time to catch up on my ever growing reading list.  Hopefully I can be wonder mom and do it all :)

Thanks for popping by and sharing a bit of your day with me - chlorine hugs to you all. 

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Fabulous You (Verve)
Paper: Regal Rose, Kraft, Recollections DP (Michael's), Starbucks Coffee Sleeve
Ink: Black, Mellow Moss
Accessories:  Circle and Circle Heart Nesties, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Futterby Die (Verve), 5/8" Brown Satin Ribbon, Bling, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Thank You Recollections

 
 I wanted to use this previous Cards and Things sketch as I liked the layout.  I altered it to a standard sized card instead of a square one and since I am in need of a few thank you notes for teachers, it was my mission for this card.

The paper in the background is a pack of Recollections DP I picked up at Michael's at 50% off - score!  I'm loving a lot of the papers in it and though I wasn't sure about this one when I first saw it,  I quite like what it adds to this card.  Lots of dies and punches finished things off.  As luck would have it, it also qualifies for this week's CR84FN challenge :)


One child home from school for the summer and one week left for the other one!   I'll be donning my "eau de chlorine" once again in a few weeks time as we delve right  into swimming lessons.  My fasciitis is just about healed so I get to go swim laps and suck wind for the first few days of the kids' lessons LOL!  Will feel great to exercise again, and I can get back to my fit and firm at fifty and beat down the flab factor a bit :)

Wishing you a wonderful day!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Celebration of Thanks (Verve), French Script
Paper: Kraft, So Saffron, Going Grey, Certainly Celery, Recollections DP (Michael's)  
Ink: Black, Going Grey
Accessories:  Lacy Circle Nesties, Curvy Bookplate Die (Verve), Monarch Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Rolled Rose Die (My Favorite Things), Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensinoals

Creating Retro Fun

 This Retro Sketch was too fun to pass up as I'm really enjoying using tags on cards and it provided the perfect opportunity to use one of my PTI tag dies.   I combined it with this week's CR84FN challenge as the colour combo was delicious :)

You may be thinking I may have lost my marbles or gone off my rocker as there is a "skewed" element on the sketch and I'm not squealing like a pig LOL!  However, when the skewed panel is a tag, I can somehow deal with it just fine - go figure?!

Used lots of my favorite dies on this card, tossed in some dots for good measure and had fun with all the buttons.   A truly fabulous colour combo I will definitely use again.

Yesterday I became quite knowledgeable about window replacement after my son purposely broke our front window when he got mad...thankfully it is double pane and just the first pane broke.  Needless to say, he is out half the replacement cost and has learned a very valuable lesson - we hope!  The joy of having boys!


 

What's In It?
Stamps:  French Script (SU), Great Friend (Verve) 
Paper: Certainly Celery, Lavender Lace, Going Grey, Grey 
Ink:  Going Grey
Accessories:  Tag and Medium Scallop Die (PTI), Sizzix Butterfly Die (SU), Elegant Leaf Die (Verve), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Crimper, 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (Michael's), Buttons, Twine, Blue Dots, Dimensionals

Creating For Fun With Annabelle

 

 
This Annabelle Stamps sketch was a fun one to work with so decided to play along this week.  I combined it with this week's CR84FN challenge as I just loved the colour combination of kraft, yellow and grey.

My starting point was this wonderful Paper Salon striped paper.  Love both sides of this paper as the flip side is lavender.  Think I need to pick up a few more sheets next time I'm at  my LSS - hoping they still have some!

A pretty straight forward card with lots of things I love on it:  my new heart circle nesties (thanks again Tanis!), scallops and Verve's flutterby and charming oval dies.  Quick and easy with some black accents to finish things off.  However, now that I look at the picture, I'm thinking the addition of some embossing to the circle element would have been a good idea - may have to go back and try it to see if I like it.  Darn hindsight....maybe I should just make it common practice to take a picture of my card, look at it, and then decided if I need to add/change anything before I post it.  Welcome to my creative woes LOL!

Just realized the kids have their two week Spring Break starting March 12th (unless the teachers go on strike before then).  Lost a week in there somewhere as I thought I still had two weeks to go.  That flu bug really messed me up!  Time to start planning some activities and outings along with some spring cleaning the kids can help with, which I'm sure they will be just thrilled to help with - NOT! (insert evil mommy grin lol).

Have a great day!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Birthday Phrases (Verve)
Paper: Grey, Kraft, Paper Salon
Ink: Black
Accessories:  Scalloped Edge Die (PTI), Heart Circle Nesties, Charming Oval and Flutterby Die (Verve), 5/8" Yellow Satin Ribbon, Black Half Pearls, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Christmas Joy Wreath

Loved this basic sketch by Jen for this month's SFYTT.  You can keep it simple or dress it up, my favority type of sketch to work wtih.  I paired it with this month's CR84FN challenge and hope my squeezing some (okay, a lot of) silver accents in doesn't get me in trouble with the challenge police.

Since Verve is this month's SFTYY sponsor, I used this fun wreath from Glad Tidings and coloured it with Twinkling H2Os.  Then came the silver pearl application and a harsh reminder that my eyes are aging and I need to think about getting bifocals next time I get new glasses - ugh!   The joys of aging - not!!

I crimped the back panel for a bit of something and used a double lacy nestie mat for the wreath to help it pop out a bit.  A touch of silver, pleated ribbon (which I hope doesn't decide to unstick itself) and some silver cording called it a card.

Hard to believe this is the eleventh sketch of the year and only December's sketch is left to go!  When that's done, all that is left for you to do is hold your breath and see if Random Org Santa will select your name as the participating prize winner and by doing so add to your Christmas cheer :)


 

What's In It?
Stamps: Glad Tidings (Verve)
Paper: Making Memories, Black, White
Ink: Black
Accessories:  Twinkling H2Os, SU Scalloped Border Punch, Crimper, Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, 5/8" Silver Ribbon, Silver Cording, Black and Silver Half Pearls, Dimensionals

CR8ing a Thank You Card 4FN

Just loved this week's CR84FN colours as they are one of my  go to colour combos - happy sigh :)   Not only that, they scream flowers to me and my rubber arm I listened, obeyed and immediately pulled out my Verve flower and leaf dies LOL!  

I kept things rather simple so the flowers would do the talking.  This is yet another thank you card for one of my kids' teachers and she strikes me as a CAS type of gal so this should be right up her alley :) 

The fabulous sunshine we are finally getting is the perfect compliment to the flowers :)   It is sooooo nice to have some blue skies and warmth!!  Had to laugh because many were commenting on how hot it was outside when it was only 22C (76F) this weekend.  Mind you with our average Spring temps running between 13C - 15C (59F - 62F that makes for a 10C (20F) swing in temperature and that is an adjustment.  Think I can deal with it LOL!   

Thanks for sharing a bit of your day with me today!  Hope you have some nice weather where you are too :)




Challenges:  Pals Paper Arts


What's In It?
Stamps: (Verve) Hope Blooms
Paper: Certainly Celery
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Rose Romance, Certainly Celery
Accessories: (Verve) Elegant Leaves and Floral Circle Dies, SU Border Punch, Martha Stewart Butterfly PUnch, 5/8" Pink Satin Ribbon, Half Pearls, Dimensionals

A Baby Card for Keesh

Well, Keesh had her baby, and it was a little boy, so I decided to make a male version of this card.  I didn't follow the sketch exactly this time round but used the main concepts of the layout.  It is the same stamp as the baby girl, I just don't ink up the curl and bow :)

I combined it with this last week's CR84FN colours - yup, late again.  I  pulled out this cute DP from my Costco pack and went to work.   I had a bit of a tough time getting the kraft in there without overpowering the baby image, and finally settled on a punched and crimped star with a button on it.

I had to laugh as the lack of white on the card is causing me issues LOL!  I'm a white space girl all the way and solid coloured cards just don't sit well with me.  Guess I should make them more often so they don't cause me issues ;)

Going to have to pop over the line to mail this as Canada Post is heading towards a strike - oh joy!  They are on rotating strikes already and I have my doubts whether the union will settle.  Soooooo glad we live close to the border and I have my US PO Box because that means I can still get some stamping goodies.  Best money I ever spent LOL!





What's In It?
Stamps: (Denami) Baby Girl
Paper: Costco DP Pack, Cool Caribbean, Kraft
Ink: Black
Accessories: Sizzex Star Die, Crimper, Scalloped Oval and Oval Nesties, US Word Window Punch, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Half Pearls Dimensionals

A Purple Card For My Friend

I have a friend whose favorite colour is purple so I just had to participate in this week's CR84FN challenge and make a card to send to her.  I combined it with this week's Fall To Layout.

This wonderful DP was my starting point - found it at Joannes a few years back and fell in love with it because of the leaf pattern.

I also go to play with my new MFT Butterfly die - happy sigh!  I crimped it for some texture as I didn't have a Starbucks sleeve to use like Maureen did.  Note to self:  keep the coffee sleeve next time you go to Starbucks LOL!

The white panel was just too plain and after trying various options, I settled on some horizontal scoring.  A few half pearls and a button later and I was good to go.  Now just have to pop it in the mail and smile because she will squeal with delight at receiving a purple card :) 




What's In It?
Paper:  Perfect Plum, DP from Joanne's, Kraft
Accessories:  PTI Medium Scalloped Die, Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, MFT Butterfly Die, Scor-Pal, Crimper, Half Pearls, 5/8" Purple Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dots Dimensionals

Mojo Monday Gets Trendie

I combined this week's Mojo Monday sketch and the CR84FN inspiration challenge.  I just love the colour combination of the inspiration picture, and it is perfect for turning one's thoughts to Spring, especially after the 3 inches of snow we got this past weekend.  It came and went in a day - one of the benefits of living on the West Coast near the water - so it was short lived.  However, I must say it was nice to have the frozen version of water rather than the liquid one for a change LOL! 

I opted for the square version of the sketch this time as I wanted to use this gorgeous sweet pea image from There She Goes.  I coloured the image with Twinkling H2Os and used a heart in lieu of the circle in the sketch.  Due to the lovely soft feel of the inspiration pictures, sheer ribbon was my ribbon of choice.  Not totally sold on the button by the sentiment, but something was needed near the sentiment panel and after multiple attempts at what should go there, I settled on the button.  Darn decision making process on the placement and type of embellishments took me longer than the actual card!  It was just one of those indecisive days I guess.

It was great fun to get inky again and a wonderful little break from working for hubby, though I can definitely tell I'm not in my craft room as much as I usually am because the old mojo is harder to start up.  Or maybe it's simply due to my still recovering from skewed panelitis LOL!

Have a wonderful day :)






What's In It?
Stamps: (There She Goes) Sweet Peas
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Magenta, Girl's Paperie DP
Ink: Black
Accessories: 5/8" Pink Sheer Ribbon, Scalloped Heart Nesties, SU Border Punch, Twinkling H2Os, Button, Glue Dot, Dimensionals