http://www.ipalamountain.com/2013/04/candy-alert/

Blog Candy

Louise has some great candy...go and check it out.

http://www.punknscrap2.com/2012/11/blog-candy-again.html

Stitched Hearts

I've been thinking about this for ages, and finally dug out my sewing machine. I'm working on a quilt mainly.  But.....I've also been itching to try to stitch on a card.

I cut out three different colors of cardstock, and am trying to match the colors for this week's Play Date Cafe Challenge. I used my spellbinders set of small hearts and used the two smallest ones. I randomly set the hearts on the card and then stitched through the centre of the patch of hearts.

I don't usually put sentiments on my cards as I like to be able to use them for whatever occasion arises.  I definitely will be using my sewing machine more on my cards.  I think that sewing on cards has just become my favorite technique!

Thanks for looking!

Janet

Challenges for this card:

CAS-ual Fridays CFC74 (hearts)
PPC-88
Simon Says Stamp and Show
Play Date Cafe

A Little Sparkle is a Good Thing

I've chosen to try out the challenge at CAS-ual Fridays.  This week it's hearts.   Here is one of my entries:

I was inspired by a card posted on The Classroom and decided to try out that idea myself.  I cut three hearts out of sparkly paper (you can never have enough of that stuff!) .  The I cut out and embossed the same hearts on the white background paper.  I added some purple as an accent color and pop dotted the pink sparkly hearts on the card front.

It's definitely a simple card, but I like it's elements.  If you haven't checked out the card I cased, please do so.  Cristina has done an amazing job on hers.

Challenges for this card:

CAS-ual Fridays CFC74 --hearts
PPC#88
Cute Card Thursday--glitter
Simon Says Stamp and Show--favorite--a CAS card
Creative Inspirations

Harmony

Want to win over $200 in products from My Favorite Things?  Isn't that amazing?  

It's time for the Guest Designer challenge at My Favorite Things.  It's a sketch challenge this month.  If you've never checked out this challenge before, click here to check it out.   The competition is stiff, as usual.  The contest is a great way to gain inspiration and to learn something new.

MFT stamps and products are one of my favorites, and definitely 'go-to' items. The quality of their stamps is amazing and their dies?....to die for!

Today I've chosen to use one of the Pure Innocence stamp called Violin Girl. Isn't she a darling?  Pure Innocence is definitely a great line of stamps, and there is usually a stamp for every occasion.  I definitely recommend a good browse through those stamps.

I paper pieced her dress too!  I totally love how paper piecing just jazzes it all up, don't you?  She's colored with copics.   I've also used a die from MFT as well.  Actually, I've used more than one.  I've used the solid bracket border die for that cute little shaped piece near the bottom of the card.  I've also used the botanical beauty dies for those gorgeous flowers!  I just love how the flowers fit so nicely together.

I must say, though, that the dies are excellent. They always produce a really sharp line and are so handy to pull out to add a finishing touch to a card or whatever project you are working on.  If you haven't done so already, I highly recommend checking them out.  My Favorite Things has over 80 dies! Isn't that awesome?  I think so.

One other thing that I really like about MFT's acrylic stamps is that you can cut them apart to stamp the words in whatever way you like,  I did this on my card.  Originally the words were in two lines, and I knew that wouldn't work for my card.  I did love the sentiment, so I cut it apart, placed it on my block, and stamped!  Voila!  A perfectly fitting sentiment, just as I'd imagined it.  The pieces are easily put back on the acrylic folder that the stamp came in, so it's ready to use another time.

I hope you like my entry.  It's Thanksgiving here in Canada, so I'll wish each and every one of you a Happy Thanksgiving.  It's a great reminder for us to be grateful for all life has brought us, and to spend time with family.

Janet

Please read this awesome post

over at Suzi Blu's blog.  Wow!  She's amazing.  I challenge you to volunteer and help out those in need, especially women.  Are you with me?

Hopeful....Inspired......and Thinking about what I can do......Janet

A Soft Heart

I'm taking Christy Tomlinson's Pumpkins and Cider workshop.  So far it's been full of a ton of cool techniques and information. I'm really loving it.  Halloween is not a terribly big holiday for me, so I'm focusing on the techniques mostly, but I might make something for fall next week.  Hoot Hoot (hint hint)

I'm really looking forward to Christy's Winter Whimsy Workshop.  I'm itching to create some holiday artwork.

Thanks for stopping by.
Janet

A Sweet Celebration

Here is my last entry for the 5 year Birthday celebration at Flourishes.  I stamped this image with momento ink and then colored it with copics.  Tada!

Challenges for this card:
Flourishes 5th Birthday Celebration--sweet

Happy Birthday!

or merry christmas, or just happy present day.  I've created another CAS card, using a banner and one of the stamps from a Christmas set at Flourishes.  Here it is:

I usually like to make cards that can be used for a variety of situations, and I think this one fits the bill.  I didn't even use copics on it, which is a  big deal for me.

I'm off to brunch with friends--that's such a nice way to start the day. I hope you have a terrific one!

Challenge for this card:
Flourishes--It's A Banner of a Day

Merry Christmas

Another CAS card.  Can you believe that I've got a good stash of Christmas cards?  Such a nice feeling. I'm glad I took out this Flourishes set this weekend and inked it up.  I also decided to use some non-traditional colors as well.

Hope you like it. Janet

Challenges for this card:

Flourishes 5th Anniversary--colorful celebration
Simon Says stamp and Show--anything goes
Whoopsi Daisy--use a sentiment
Cupcake Inspiration

Spotlight a CAS card

I've been tackling some CAS cards and here is another one:

I've used the zinnia stamp set from Flourishes.  I find it a really versatile card.  I also like to make most of my cards without a sentiment on them. That way, I can use them for any occasion. 

I decided to spotlight the image, so I stamped it twice on copic paper. I colored one image and then used my circle punch to punch out one portion of it.  I added a foam dot the back of the circle and adhered it to my card to match the image below.  I also added some stickles to the centre of each flower. The picture really doesn't do that part any justice though.  It does really sparkle.

On a side note, I just found out that John McDermott will be in Winnipeg on August 31st at The Forks, performing with the symphony. I'd really like to go. I just love his voice.

Challenges for this card:

Stampotique Designers Challenge--one layer 
Flourishes Anniversary Challenge--add some sprinkles
Simon Says Stamp and Show--anything goes
No Matter Which Challenges
The Sisterhood of Challenges

It's all about Kraft!

I'm in love with Kraft paper this week. I created another card, using some stamps from Flourishes. Here it is:

I believe I used the Zinnia stamp set. I also used some MFT dies and sponged the edges with SU chocolate chip ink.  Lastly, I added some pearls, ribbon and twine.

I hope you like it and have a happy Monday.

Janet

Challenges for this card:

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday
Wags and Whiskers Challenge (my fav is Kraft!)
The Cutie Pie Challenge--borders and frames

A Krafty Day

I was really inspired by the cards Julia Stainton has up at The Classroom.   Here`s one I made today.

I`ve used only dies from My Favorite Things today.  I think I have used four in this card:  Mix and Match Banner dies, Mini Tabs Foursome die, Chevron Stripes die, and lastly the Botanical Beauty die.  I`ve always loved the dies from MFT. They work so easily and can work on both scrapbook layouts and cards.

The stamp is also from My Favorite Things. I believe it was from a triple scoop set I got a while ago.

All the cardstock is kraft paper and the papers that I used for the flower was from an old book that I got at a local thrift store.  I used white ink for the sentiment as well as to sponge around the edges.

I`m entering this card into the My Favorite Things challenge.  The winner is lucky enough to be a guest designer for MFT for the month of Sept!  I think that`s really exciting and a top notch prize. If you`re interested, you can get all the details here.  Why not whip up a card yourself and join in.

Oh yah, since I`m entering this card in the Scrapbookers Paradise challenge, I need to mention that I`m not near any of their stores. However, I was lucky enough to visit 2 in Calgary a while ago.  Great stores...be sure to check them out.

Challenges for this card:

MFT Guest Designer Challenge for September
Timeless Tuesday at Flourishes
My Mums Craft Shop
Scrapbookers Paradise Challenge

Blog Candy

Ingrid is having a huge giveaway on her blog. Pop over if you'd like a chance to win.

Monochromatics

I wanted to do a monochromatic card and decided on using only blue cardstock.  I chose the Blessed Mouse stamp from My Favorite Things.  I think it's a cute image, and I love the sentiments that come with it.  My mouse is colored with copics---no sparkle or embellishments on this card, which is quite unusual for me.

I did use a variety of Die-namics on this card.  They are all available at the My Favorite Things store I used these ones:

Rolled Mum
Monarch Border
Chevron Stripes
Mini Tabs Foursome

I really like their dies.  They are so easy to work with and they always cut clean edges.  Their stamps are also excellent.  I always get a nice clean stamped image.  My favorite stamps are from MFT--in case you couldn't tell.  LOL

Did you know that My Favorite Things are having a Guest Designer contest?  The winner gets to be the Guest Designer for August.  Be sure to check out this post for all the details.  Don't forget to take a look at all the entries, as they are usually awesome.

Lastly, I inked the edges of all the cardstock with broken china distress ink from Tim Holtz.  Then I embossed each piece of cardstock using a different cuttlebug folder, to add texture to the card.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

Challenges for this card:

MFT August Guest Designer

Louise has a great giveaway at her blog. Pop over to check it out:

You bring me sunshine

It's a sunburst kind of day. I'm looking forward to a sunny and happy day today.  I'm off to the hair salon and a new do always makes a girl feel better. 

I've used one of my new PTI stamp and die sets.  I've used Free Bird paper from Authentique--don't ya love the colors?! 

Another CAS card.........I'm on a roll again. Hope your day is a great one!

Janet

Challenges for this card:

CAS-ual Friday CFC61

WooHoo!

My apologies for the poor picture. Today is a gray, drizzly day so the lighting is poor, and I can't access my fav program for editing. 

I've used stamps from Paper Smooches today.  I love this owl.  Isn't he cute?!  I also have been into my washi tape this weekend, and here's one that is full of all of the washi tape I have.  LOL

It was Ken's birthday yesterday and we went out to see Brave.  I highly recommend it.  What a great movie.  Totally reminded me of Scotland and my grandparents....I really miss them and Scotland.

Thanks for stopping by.
Janet

Challenges for this card:
Paper Smooches GDT for August
4 Crafty Chicks--stripes
CAS-ual Fridays CFC61

She designed a world she loved

I truly love the `She` sayings. I find them very uplifting and meaningful. I`ve used one today that comes from Unity Stamps.  Be sure to check out the Itty Bitty sale at Unity too.  It`s a simple, CAS card, which is nice for a change.  I hope you like it.

Janet

Challenges for this card:
Unity
CAS-ual Fridays  CFC61

The Triple Play

I'm really drawn to bright colors, and I know that my garden inspires that in me. These pink papers are from Amy Tangerine and I've used three of the patterned papers in this card.  The image is colored with copics and I've added some lace, ribbon and rhinestones as embellishments.

I'm entering this card in the Triple Play challenge over at Flourishees. To qualify I've used groupings of three rhinestones, three patterned and three plain papers. 

For extra interest I spotlighted this image as well.  That was fun!

See you later!