The Play Date Cafe Challenge #66

Hello, friends!  I'm back again, trying my hand at the next Play Date Cafe Challenge.  I'm still so thrilled that I was an honorable mention in the last challenge...still smiling about that!

This week's challenge involves making a project using black and white with a splash of the color lilac (or any shade of purple).  Here is my take on this challenge:

  Hero Arts Stamps Used:  (CL380) Truly Appreciated; (K5153) Heart Flourish; (CL495) Blossom Art

For this card I embossed the Heart Flourish in black, then added some Prima flowers, gems, and an embossed flower from the Blossom Art set stamped on purple patterned paper and cut out.  

There are some really awesome entries over at the Play Date Cafe for this challenge...you should go check it out! 

That's it for now.  Have a good one!

Judy

Fun in the snow ... and in the craft room!

Hello, friends!  I know many people across the country are experiencing lots of snow...we are no exception here in New Jersey.  Luckily I work in a school, so I tend to have off when my kids are off due to snow.  Mind you, I get nothing done on those days even though I feel compelled to accomplish something on a "free" day off.  However, I have come to realize I have accomplished something if my kids are smiling.  Friday was a HUGE succees.

Luckily, I was able to make a card in the evening while they snuggled up to watch TV.  I recently got the clear design Blossom Art set and couldn't wait to ink up the flowers and leaf!  I was inspired by a card I saw in a Hallmark Store advertisement...it had a white lace background that reminded me of the classic fabric design.  I masked the top and bottom of the card, embossed the fabric design in white and added everything else on top.  I'm thinking this will be a Valentine for my lifelong sweetheart and DH...he definitely makes my heart happy.

Hero Arts Stamps Used:  (CG245) Classic Fabric Design; (CL129) Anytime Messages; (CL495) Blossom Art

Other Materials Used:  Glossy Accents, burgundy organza ribbon, corner rounder, Cuttlebug and Nestabilities Fancy Tags

That does it for today.  Take good care, friends!
Judy

An Honorable Mention!

Hello, friends!  No card to post ...did that earlier today...just SO excited to see that I was an honorable mention in my first ever Play Date Cafe challenge!  Had to share my good news...I'm SO happy!  I earned a "Cream in our Coffee" badge!  I am definitely going to play again in the next round.  Check it out here. 

I have to thank all of the ladies from the Play Date Cafe Design Team who took the time to leave me such sweet comments at my blog.  You ladies sure know how to make a girl feel good! 

Take good care,
Judy

Inspired by Jennifer McGuire

I mean, really, who isn't?  I hope she is having fun at CHA right now, while I sit here in cold New Jersey watching snowflakes blow around outside...again. 

I do love my Fridays off...its about the only time I can make cards and/or sit at the computer uninterrupted and get anything done!  Anyway, today I wanted to post a card I made inspired by one of Jennifer's cards seen at her blog here.  I love these wildflowers, and I love what she did with them in blue.  I tried my hand at it with pink, and here is the result:

Hero Arts Stamps Used:  (K5404) Wild Flowers, (CG245) Classic Fabric Design; (CG125) Friend Definition

I love Jennifer's style...so clean and fresh.  Thanks to you, Jennifer, for inspiring us with your talent, creativity, and willingness to share your time, talents and teasures with us! 

I admit I am always a little behind in acquiring stamps...I watch them, study how other people use them, and feel certain I'd really use them before I go ahead and order (my drawers are quite full, so I want to make sure they will be loved!).  I knew right away that I needed to have that fabric background, and the friend definition is also a new favorite.  I have a few other new favorites that I can't wait to ink up...stay tuned!

OK, friends, that's it for today.  Take good care!
Judy

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #65

Hello, friends!  Today I am posting a card I made for my first ever entry into the Play Date Cafe Challenge  using the colors grey, green and orange.  Here is their inspiration photo:

These are not colors I would typically be drawn to, but I am pretty happy with the end result.  (Note that for some reason my orange card stock looks slightly lighter in the photo than it does in person...not sure what's up with that!)  Here is my entry for the challenge:

Hero Arts Stamps Used:  (CM003) Stamp It: Messages;

(S5433) Large Canvas Stripes; (C3256) Three Gems; (CG139) Cling Dots

Other Materials Used:  Martha Stewart border punch; Anna Griffin grey pigment ink;

buttons; floss; grey ribbon; white gel pen; Nestabilities Labels 8; Tim Holtz distress inks

That does it for today.  Thanks for stopping by...take good care!
Judy

Thanks A Bunch...of Buttons

Hello, friends!  After another busy day (and a 2-hour delay to the start of school/work this morning due to more snow), I have a quick post to share. 

I dug out some pink and red buttons the other day when I was making cards for the St. Jude's card drive, and I couldn't resist making another card with them.  This quick thank you note uses the buttons in place of the flowers.  (I borrowed the floss for the buttons from my daughters who have a current obsession making friendshp bracelets!  Pretty convenient, huh?)

Stamps Used:  Inkadinkado: Thanks a Bunch (96319-K);

Hero Arts: Branch and Flower (C4418), Cling Dots (CG139), Large Canvas Stripes (S5433)

OK, that's it for today...another button card is in the works but will have to be another day. 

Have a good one!

Judy

 

Thank you, Dana!

Hello, friends!  I know the holidays have come and gone, but I wanted to take a minute to say a special thank you to another friend I have made through the Hero Arts Flickr group.  Dana, aka "Scrapper43," sent me the loveliest Christmas card this year... I just had to share it! 

Dana is not only ultra-talented, but she is one of the sweetest, kindest souls I have "met" through the Flickr group.  Be sure to check out her blog here.

This is the sweet snowman card she sent me this Christmas...so many incredible details!  Her coloring AMAZES me...I am in awe of her talents!

I am so grateful for Dana's friendship...she is truly a doll. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a good one!

Judy

Cards for the St. Jude's Card Drive

Hello, friends!  I had off today, and had to wait around for a new mattress to be delivered.  (You know it's time for a new mattress when you wake up with sleep-related injuries!)  Making the best of that situation, I decided to spend my time at home checking out the final day of the Hero Arts blog hop and making Valentine's Day cards for the St. Jude's Card Drive (see details here).  Let me tell ya, I thoroughly enjoyed my day off! 

So here are some of the cards I made today...

I know this Three Flowers Pattern (E4782) stamp is a Hero Arts oldie, but I do love it with buttons!  I used the Cling Dots (CG139) background on a punch notecard using punch chalk ink...love that look!  The Valentine's Day sentiment is from My Sentiments Exactly!

This next card also uses Hero Arts goodies:

I love that Heart Flourish (K5153) stamp, and the Truly Appreciated (CL380) sentiments are perfect for any occasion.  I stamped "Happy Valentine's Day" on the inside of the card and added some extra dots here and there with a black marker.

Another card using all Hero stamps:

I think the Music Background (CG222) cling is so versatile!  And who doesn't love inking up the Wild Flowers (K5404) and adding embellies? 

I used some alphabet stickers and chipboard hearts on the next two cards, along with the Hero Arts Large Canvas Stripes (S5433) background and a sentiment from Thinking of You (CL140):

 

I used the older Hero Arts Paisley Heart (E3805) and sentiments along with some Cuttlebug embossing folders on these two cards:

I bought these heart notecards last year and had a few left, so I figured I'd try to use them, too.  Aren't these Two Birds (E5301) so cute?  The sentiment is from the Thinking of You (CL140) set.  

OK, you might be wondering if I'll ever be done with this!  I only have two to go...

This next card uses a chipboard heart and the MSE! sentiment on a Hero Arts latte notecard; I stamped the Cling Dots (CG139) background using latte chalk ink and used a Martha Stewart border punch along the bottom.



And last but not least...have you ever received a store-bought card and actually removed embellishments from it for future use on your own creations?  Well, I have...that's where I got the flowers I used on this card! 

I stamped the Dots and Flowers (S5213) background using soft rose shadow ink and stamped the Large Canvas Stripes (S5433) background on the pink paper behind the flowers.  The sentiment is by Inkadinkado.

Ok, I think that does it for today.  My kids made some cards for this great cause (on their last snow day) but that will be a post for another day.  Thanks so much for visiting...have a good one!

Thank you, Jenny!

Hello, friends!  As I sit here after work preparing for yet another snowstorm heading our way, I wanted to post a card that I received for my birthday from the super talented and absolutely lovely Jenifer Ann.  I have gotten to know Jenny through the Hero Arts Flickr community and I can't say enough positive things about her.  She has so many qualities that I admire...and her cards are phenomenal!  (She also has a remarkable daughter named Hannah Nicole who I have admired for a long time!)  If you get a chance, check out Jenny's remarkable photostream here and her daughter Hannah's photostream here.

Jenny started a Flickr discussion thread to wish me a happy birthday, AND she took the time to make this beatutiful card which she mailed to me for my special day.  Talk about making a girl feel good!  Check this out:

This card is even more beautiful in person...such gorgeous coloring, glossy accents, lovely details!  I know she posted this at Flickr, but I think it may have been somewhat overlooked because it was so close to Christmas.  If you want to leave her some love, check it out here.

OK, I'm off to check out day two of the blog hop over at Hero Arts.  Thanks, Jenny, for making my birthday a truly memorable day.  You are a special lady and I appreciate you! 
Take good care...

"Inspired By" Card

Hello, friends!  Today I have several cards to share.  This first card was inspred by the card on the front cover of the new 2011 Hero Arts catalog.  I used a pink Hero notecard and stamped the Cling Dots backgound on it using Soft Rose shadow ink.  The flowers are Blush Print from the Hero Hues collection.

Hero Arts Materials Used:  Cling Dots (CG139); Happy Birthday To You (C2526);

Hero Hues Blush Print flowers (CH205); pearls (CH136, CH137). 

Other: Leaves from Studio G i*cling Graphic Leaves.

The next card also uses the Cling Dots background on a blue Hero notecard.  I embossed the Wild Flowers in white and used distress inks to color the background.  I finished it off with ribbons and gems from my stash.  (I need to do more of THAT this year!)

Hero Arts Materials Used:  Cling Dots (CG139); Wild Flowers (K5404);

Other:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Nestabilities Labels 8, pearls, ribbon

I did the same as above for this card, but I used a card from a We R Memory Keepers Urban Window: Restoration set I have and I left off the ribbon. 

Hero Arts Materials Used:  Wild Flowers (K5404);

Other:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Nestabilities Labels 8,

We R Memory Keepers Urban Window: Restoration card, pearls

My final card is inspired by the cards on page 47 of the 2011 Hero Arts catalog AND uses the masking technique (part of their current challenge this month).   I absolutely LOVE one-layer cards and have a lot of fun masking to create depth.  I stamped the typewriter using Punch chalk ink, then masked it and stamped the two backgrounds.  I added some color using distress inks and  used light gray marker around the typewriter and paper to create a subtle shadow.  Final touch: black enamel accents on the typewriter wheels.



Hero Arts Materials Used:  My Type(4) (CG280); Dots and Flowers (S5213);

Designer Woodgrain (S5208); Punch chalk ink (AF180)

Other:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks; Inkssentials black enamel accents

That's it for today; I hope to be able to stay awake long enough to participate in the Hero Arts 90 Minute Scramble tonight, but it is at midnight...not sure if I'll make it!  Thanks for stopping by...have a good one!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  I can't believe I actually did it...I've started a blog!  I held out for as long as I could, since it is hard enough for me to keep up with my e-mail.  However, I decided it is worth the time and effort if I can find enjoyment in sharing my cards with others who love the same hobby.  There are so many sweet and wonderful crafters out there...and I follow so many of their blogs!  (You have ALL inspired me!)   Maybe I'll be able to play along in some blog hops along the way, too.  I know I probably won't be posting cards very frequently, but I hope you enjoy them when I do.   So here it goes... I couldn't think of a better way to ring in the New Year!