~ Down On The Farm ~

Hello friends in blogland,

today post is about some cards I created recently for a 'farm swap' 

hosted by Barb, aka SCS queen of swaps ;o)

For these particular cards I took an idea and went with it, casing it from a wonderful blog 

I happened to come across recently --->'Fat Cat Stamper' <---   

Here is its link :

http://fatcatstamper.blogspot.ca/2014/04/c4c230-veggies.html

I marvel at Danielle's wonderful gift of creativity and I thank her for inspiring me! 

Will definetly visit her blog over and over again ♥

                          *click on each picture if you wish to enlarge*

I finally got to use a super cute set gifted to me almost a couple years ago by my sweet and very generous friend Kadie, (SCS:Kmensley) while I visited her in Seattle. 

Together with Judy (SCS:JAM123) we went to the A*MUSE store and...oh my!! 

Easily fell in love with sooo many things there! ♥ lol...:o)

This set is called 'Farm Fun', it's super cute with its farm animals 

and funny sentiments , as you can clearly see here...lol

I also used 'Wood Grain' embossing folder by Darice and a medium circle Spellbinders' die.

                              Hopefully both the hostess and the recipients liked 
                                  receiving these fun to make window cards. ;)

♥ Thank you for stopping by and making my day much brighter with your comments...and have yourselves a wonderful , most blessed kind of day! ♥

Girls' Night Out ~ *DDD* ~

  ~ Hello Everyone,

It is the 15th of the month, and-as such- it's time to 'duel'!! ;)

This month's hostesses are : April (for us Dazzlers) and Kadie (for the Divas)

April sent all the Dazzlers an awesome kit full of  goodies to play with.

Here's what she challenged us with , in her own words :

  "Hi Dazzlers!
Kadie and I decided to go with a more general theme rather that a seasonal or holiday one this month.
We are having a "Girl's Night Out"!
Who doesn't like to spend some time with their bff's??
On top of making your card why don't we share who our longest friend is and our favorite thing to do with that person.

 





















                                           Inside of my card  & close up of  stickled  image


April kit included the following:
Wood Embellishments ~ Prima's Princess Collection
Metal Index Tabs ~ Making Memories
Asst'd Ribbon ~ my stash
Card Stock ~ Sugar N Spice, Coffee, and Fuschia Fizz by Coordination
DP ~ Pink Swirls and Pink Gingham by Paper Pizazz
~ Paper Jazzy by ColorBok
Sequins ~ Teresa Collins
Stamp Set ~ Ginger Snaps Celebrate by C.C. Designs stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black

To create this card I only added : White card stock for my base, 
Stickles, Crystal effect (on the glass),  heart dies and  punched out circles
Tecnique: fussy cutting 

                              THANK YOU for a great kit APRIL 

As for the second part of the challenge, my bff lives 12,000 km away from me....*sigh*
I've known her since elementary school and she also came to visit me in Canada, once, many years ago...We haven't seen each other for over 7 years now, but when we do we make sure it's always extra special and unforgettable! I also have a few really good local friends with whom I can hang out with and be *crazy*....lol...like last Friday, for example, when we got together to Kareoke...that was so much FUN....and this coming Thursday evening we'll have a potluck and pj party at one of my dear friend's house (we also go camping together a lot in the summer!) It is a girl' only party and I can already imagine the laughter....lol  *Cheers*!! :)


***  PS: Sorry about the slight delays girls - 
Truth is that I couldn't find my card reader to download my pictures and thought that maybe
my grandaughters (staying with me these days) must have misplaced it....
Thankfully hubby found it for me just before he went to bed! Yeahhh! :o)  ***

Unidentified Image Swap ~ Round 13

  ~*~  Hello my friends in blogland ~*~

Today I am introducing Ronnie...how cute is she? :)  She was sent to us by Darlene, 

our hostess for this round  of  Unidentified Image Swap. As well, Darlene sent us two complimentary sentiments to use with our images -should we chose to. I sure did as they made me smile.:)  

Used them both on the punched out circles both on the outside and inside of the card, while the sentiment printed in marvelous magenta (from SU) is from my own set 'Say It With Flowers', from Craft Lounge clear stamps, that badly needed to be used- at least once!  lol....

I had much fun completing these cards....wanted to give them some vivid colors and also added

a cute white paper rose trying to match the color to the designer paper used here

 -Pockets Full Of Posies- from DCWV, by using a marker to change the color to match the d/p, then added some sparkles with Stickles...Image was colored using SU Pastels (with Q-tips) :)

Hopefully when Darlene receives them she'll like them as much as I did creating them:)

♥ Thank you for some great images my friend!! ♥

 

♥ Thank YOU for stopping by! ♥

~ Inspiration and Blessings

  ~ Hello everyone,
 here's my card for the latest SOTC swap....
 Judy was the hostess for last Jan/Feb spot, and she challenged us to make a card
 using an 'Inspirations and Blessings' theme.

   Here's in her own words:
 Theme: Inspiration and Blessings!
It’s been a time of reflection the past month and now a time to look forward. So I would like you to create a card that expresses your hopes, dreams, and/or aspirations, for you or someone you would like to inspire and bless.

Extra option/challenge: 

Be creative and try something new….a new technique, never used before stamp, etc.

I am not sure if I did Judy's challenge any justice ....fact is I got stumped three times as my creative flow has been greatly diminished lately, to the point that I was seriously considering leaving the stamping world behind....yet I am hoping to get over this slump once more, soon...

Anyways, on my fourth attempt my mind took a new approach (took the opposite way...) and went with it: I thought of WHO inspired me so much throughout my life , who challenged me the most over my growing years and who was both a constant inspiration and my own true hero...Once my thought were in place this card emerged...This amazing person was the strongest one I have ever known, the most loyal one, the most helpful, the most generous,the most caring, trustworthy...etc etc...
                That person is my Dad.

Years ago I made a card for his birthday using same oak tree image , and wrote a poem to him that he appreciated very much. (Dad also used to write poetry amongst so many of his talents)
I also know he kept that particular card , along with so many others. I know he liked it very much and his tears of appreciations confirmed it. In my poem, one of the lines was comparing my Father's strength to the one of a majestic oak tree....
For this challenged I used same image, creating a totally different card and this is the result.
..







Feeling so blessed and grateful for my Father , for his inspirations, his love and guidance....for everything!
I just wished he still knew how so very much he's loved....

ok, 'nuff with this 'liquid stuff' streaming down
my cheeks now....

Even though these cards were sent to destination very late, I hope the recipients will like receiving them ,
if only for all the love and caring thoughts that was put into them....♥

   

On the left , the finished inside of the card, re-purposing the stamped circle from the front panel's die-cutting. Incidentally, the background stamp, En Francais, was finally inked for the first time , after having it purchased in 2007!! Yikes! :)

                 

♥Many, many blessings to you all! ♥
           thanks for visiting... 
                                                                                  

Card Deets:
Stamps: En Francais , Lovely as a Tree , Curvy Verses ,
               Warm Words (all from SU)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla , Soft Suede 
Inks: Versa Fine Onix Black , Versamark ,Mellow Moss , Certainly Celery , Olive Green , Soft Suede , Baja Breeze , Soft Sky.
Accessories: butterfly punch, glitter, round Spellbinders, swiss dots E/F, hair spray, dimentionals, ribbon (SU), green crystals.
Tecnique: window card,  sponging , dry embossing , punching , coloring with pastels .

DDD: Umbrella ~ March 2014

  ♥ Hello everyone! Yeahhhh....it is Dueling time again!♥

This month our hostess was Terry (for us Dazzlers) and LJ for the Divas.

Terry sent us an adorable kit to create with. I love the sweet image and the extra

accessories, papers etc.that she surprised us with.I actually worked on my kit yesterday afternoon , then got distracted with hubby request to watch a movie together after dinner, and only now, that he went to bed I took photos of my card, and here I am.....

                                                                          

 

March Challenge -From Terry:

March is National Umbrella Month!

"We all know that when it rains, it pours so LJ and Ithought we’d put together kits with an image including umbrellas.
The contents of your kit include:
Image and Sentiment: MFT - a la modes 
“The Rain Will Come”
Pink and Silver Dots: Craftwork Cards Candi
Ribbon: Michaels
Flowers: Martha Stewart crafts
Square Rhinestones: from my stash
DP: Paper Pizazz
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Sea salt, Coredinations BlushRed Have fun creating….and always remember…. “True Friends HelpYou Weather Every Storm”!! "

I used both Copics and SU markers for coloring and added some polka dots to the girl's boot, I also colored the white flowers from the kit, and fussy cut the image. The puddle ,as well as the lower part of the boots, has been dabbed with crystal effect and sprinkled with a wee pinch of 'dazzling diamonds' glitter. The headband was given a lil crystal effect too. Both the image and the flowers were popped up with dimentionals. The sentiment (from the kit too) was added on the inside of the card (see above photo)

                             THANK YOU TERRY  
                  FOR SUCH A GREAT , FUN KIT!☻

Good Night and Blessings To All!! ♥

Frolicking In The Forest~

      Hello Friends in blogland~~

These are the cards I made for the latest Forest's swap.

Jeanette's swaps are full of chatter, laughter and just plain good old fashion fun! ♥

Below is the theme for the swap, as explained from Jeanette herself:

Frolicking in the Forest
(could be animals or people)

" If you’re like me, you aren’t real sure what to do with this theme. LOL! Remember, the theme is chosen by the forest friends – you vote for the theme of the next swap.

Sooooooooooo I did a little research…

frol•ic (frlk)
n.
1. Gaiety; merriment: fun and frolic.
2. A gay, carefree time.
3. A playful antic.
intr.v. frol•icked, frol•ick•ing, frol•ics
1. To behave playfully and uninhibitedly; romp.
2. To engage in merrymaking, joking, or teasing.
adj. Archaic
Merry.

               

Well, my first attempt for this swap was made at least a couple months ago, but of course, could not find the original card to post together with these,my final ones.
 (first one I made, it involved a tree and a lil fairy sitting on a mushroom)
have no clue where I stored it :( - but will post once its found.

 

The above, is the inside of the card, 

with a second sentiment (unknown) and a wee frog.

The silhouette stamp (bought brand new at a garage sale ) finally saw ink ,after being dormant since its purchase, for about three years. I think this stamp is definetly embracing all the definitions for 'frolicking'......don't you?? ;o) 

         *Hopefully Jeanette and the rest of the recipients will like my interpretation...*

GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE and GOD BLESS!

  

 Deets:
Card Stock: black, white// Designer Paper: Me and My Big Idea
Ink: Cool Caribbean , Forest Green Staz On, CopicG21(lime green), Copic B02 (robin's egg blue)
Stamps: 'Dancing with Flowers' from Hero Arts & 'On The Go' from SU! (front sentiment)
Accessories: SU ribbon, stickles, rhinestones ,Spellbinders die, EK frog punch, sm.googly eyes

~Fabric Galore time Four ~ ♥

    ~ ♥ Hello Everyone!
It is the 28th of the month and that means it's Calendar Girls Time!!
Yupppp!!...time for a new challenge and this month there is FABRIC at the core!
I had soooooo much fun creating these FOUR cards for this challenge...truth be known I
perused the SCS site to get ideas and finding some mojio too.....(quite lacking lately!!)
Well, it turned out that I didn't even tap in my 'casing' folder for this challenge after all...;o) 

On to the challenge: our hostess this month was Kelly and this is what she came up with...something totally innovative and such a great, fabulous idea to guarantee hours of FUN!!

In Kelly own words:

"February's Challenge is Fancy Schmancy Fabulous Fabric!
That’s right – we’re getting fancy this month with .... Fabric!
I thought we’d shake things up a bit and try something we haven’t done before and create with fabric – fabric scraps – fabric flowers, panels, and/or the whole card! Think flowers, trees, houses, even holiday ornaments, etc –
the choice is yours BUT ....
You cannot stamp your cards this month!
You may use a sentiment as a compliment to your card but the fabric (or fabric ‘element’) must be the focal point of your card."

 

 For my first card (see pj bear on very top) I used a thin cotton fabric with background of red/mixed with black abstract prints. The bear and the moon are cut out from cotton flannel fabric. The stars are repurposed cut offs from the side punched yellow panel strip.

For the second card I let the fun goofy image speak for itself. Happy faces fabric is flannel cotton. Can't help smiling at such 'grinning' card. Clean and simple too :o)

This third card,shown above, is quite to the point for a sport enthusiastic...I had no sentiment for it so I hand printed one right on the base of the card....
The last card ,below, is the most detailed one of the four. The background panel of blue/white light cotton fabric turned out stunning with the added embossed white middle panel and a cut out strip of ribbon made from the fabric itself. Added pearls and side hearts complete this shabby-schick monochromatic look. I know I will be making more similar to this one for sure, as it is quite fitting to give away for many different occasions. ...

 Below are the samples of fabric I chose to use for the making of my four cards.
I am very fortunate that I can access to any of the leftover fabric bins ,in sewing class , 
at my school which are basically leftovers from students' sewing projects...
I may even surprise the ones whose fabric I used, by gifting them with a card made from their own leftover material. Yup, I think I may just do that! ♥

 FUN, FUN, FUN FEBRUARY FABULOUS FABRIC~LICIOUS  THEME!!

       ♥♥♥  THANK YOU KELLS!!  ♥♥♥

 

                                              

                            GOOD NIGHT EVERYONEEE
               2:30 am here and TGIF!!!! ♥ *grinnnn* :o)

Feel the LOVE ♥

 ~♥~  Hello wonderful Peeps,

here we are once again to celebrate the monthly friendly Darlings' duel between the Dazzlers and the Divas. This month's hostesses are , respectively, Debbie and Barb and both challenged their group with continuing the (Valentine) love for one more day...hence 'Feel The Love' theme.

Debbie sent a great kit to all of us Dazzlers , and I truly enjoyed fully exploring many possibilities on how to use it. She stamped the wonderful sentiment seen here , in several colors. I chose the one in a brown shade, a tad subtle perhaps, but love its final combo paired up  

with red and sky blue mix.

 The above is the inside of the card with just enough space for a hand 

written note , reflecting the doily heart shape in front of card.

The  distressed flowers were made using designer paper from the kit with the addition 

of the lil roses (from the kit) inside -the white mini rose was dabbed with same 

blue ink as the sponging around the sentiment-

Also  lrg white brad and the lrg brown velvety brad inside mini shabby paper roses.

 

Debbie kit included the following:

Stamp Sentiment - company unknown , Ribbons from Stampin' Up , Doily - Wilton cake decorating

Flowers - Joann's , Lg white brad/brown brad - Stampin' Up , Heart brads -Her stash

Plaid DP - Hot Off the Press - Christmas Plaid , Heart DP - Hot Off the Press - Lots of Love

"Love" DP - me & My Big Ideas

                    ♥  THANK YOU FOR A LOVELY KIT AND THEME DEBBIE  ♥

AND...THE SPECIAL PART...
   " This month we are honoring each of our founders, Jeanette and Kelly.  (They are getting a different set of details, without this part).  So—please use the theme Feel the Love to show your love to your leader or to both of them if you wish.  You can tell of some of the things you “love” about them or point out some of the things you know they love—books, family, God, coloring, etc. "

There is LOTS to be said about our DAZZLING gal Jeanette....but the best part is already said in the sentiment of this card : She IS patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle....yet , SOMETIME....

her 'self-control' switch becomes faulty...ask BARB why!!...lol...sorry *J* couldn't resist it! ♥

 ♥ Love you muchly dear friend! ♥

 More dazzling loving thoughts about our leader Jeanette here:

 http://paola-sama.blogspot.ca/2012/10/one-of-kind.html

http://paola-sama.blogspot.ca/2011/05/may-ddd.html

~ Unidentified swap ~

    

 Hello my blogger friends, 

today is the day to reveal the image for the Unidentified Image swap on SCS.

Such an adorable images sent to all of us partecipants by Jody, our sweet hostess for this last round.

          Image used  : Stampabilities Snoopy and Woodstock Hug

Thank you Jody for a wonderfully run swap! You are a GREAT hostess indeed!

 Jody didn't add a sentiment to her image as she wanted each of us to use one we felt went with the cute duo.  ♥

Once we receive our swap back, we will also get our next unidentified set of images from Darlene, our next hostess. Looking forward to the next creative challenge ♥

Blessings to ALL!

     

~ Last December Duel~

 

   Hello my friends and blogger peeps,

Today I am FINALLY posting the card I made for last December duel between the Divas (hosted by Kelly) and the Dazzlers (hosted by Jeanette). I am one of the Dazzlers in Jeanette's group and feeling so blessed to have received an AMAZING kit from her. Loveeeee all the wonderfulness she included and still have so much left for some future crafting w/ a Christmas theme.

Yes I am LATEEEE (again!) ...at first I couldn't find the kit (I hide things so well that I too have difficulty in finding them!) ...then, when found it -about a month after the duel was due- I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it and what kind of card I was going to attempt making...so I did....and am very happy with the result too:o) Then , I 'lost' my card!! *sigh* :(

Well... last night I came across this bulging envelope that I found in the garage (where all my craft stuff is store now) The large envie contained all Holiday cards received last year, and guess what was inside too? YUP! this featured card! I am guessing that when some of my grandchildren were helping put away part of the Christmas stuff, including cards received, this stable card, as well as a couple others new ones , ended up inside the said envie too!

Thank goodness I found it before next Christmas season rolls around! LOL

 The wonderful kit received, included the following:
Images: Kraftin Kimmie 'O Holy Night'

Designer Paper: Paper Studio Hay, Religious Subway Art, and Wood Fences

Embellishments: Crafter’s Square Yellow Star Button, Hobby Lobby Burlap, Hobby Lobby Gold Glitter Organza, Hobby Lobby Plywood Star Stickers, Michael’s Rhinestones, and a gold star paper clip (vendor unknown) , a piece of blue trim.

 The inside of the card was 'wallpapered' around the edge, done not symmetrically on purpose.

I added the sentiment from Inkadinkado 'O Holy Night' (interesting that's the same 'title' as the

image sent ♥) ...and yes...poor stamping on my part...totally not centered....yikes!

(Jeanette you must tell me HOW you use the stampa-ma-jig thingy...

I know you love it but I have no clue how to use that darn thingand gave up after several tries! :o(

For my card, I used burlap as the background, glued the goldstar paperclip to the
plywood gold star , added some cut off  burlap threads to the 'roof' of the stable, cut the word 
'Believe' from one of the designer papers received, and added as the focal sentiment in the front.

I really like how my first stable card turned out, here's the link to the tutorial:

 http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/stablecard/

Thanks for coming by and for leaving comments...

I appreciate each and everyone of them.

Blessings to all!

*Football Sunday* ♥

                                    ♥  GO SEAHAWKS!  ♥

Well, well well, yes  I admit that I posted this card today on purpose...since I was already late...then I picked THIS date...yes SUPERBOWL Sunday! 

For trhe longest time, I couldn't find the wonderful kit that Darlene sent for the duels , 

and now I can't seem to find the already finished card I made for last December duel too! :(

Anyways, lovee love this image and it sooooo reminds me of my hubby...this is what he does most while he supposedly watching tv! Ah, right! lol....Perfect description, minus the potato chips as I am NOT allowing them in the house (although s he does  sneak them in from time to time, and thinks I don't know! ...mmm...)

I had much fun coloring this fun image and putting together this card...although I now realize I should have stick to more green and blue colors on my card...lol

Darlene sent us Dazzlers a bountiful kit with the following items:
Image: 

Art Impressions Lazy Boy
Recollections Designer Papers and Embellishments: 

Light Blue Argyle, Green Argyle, Football, Black & White Plaid, Black Polka Dots, Black & Brown shimmer series,
  Brads and Washi Tape

THANK YOU SO MUCH DARLENE ! 

and Thank YOU too , dear Peeps for visiting!

...and YESSSSSSS!!!! SEAHAWKS WON!!! 

FIRST TIME IN HISTORYYYYYYY!!!!! 

YEAHHHH PEOPLE!!! :o)

Seattle Seahawks against Denver Broncos

43 - 8

Final