CASology #12: Shoe

Hello, friends!  So glad to be here today to share a card I made for the current CASology Challenge using this cue:

 

It just so happens that one of my close co-workers is having a double knee replacement today and I wanted to make a card for her during her recovery.  We joked before she left work yesterday that the next time she was in our office she would dance her way in, wearing high heels (something she has not been able to do for many years). 

And hence my card.

Materials Used:

Stamps:  "Shoe" by Vap! Scrap; "Cherish Yesterday" by Hero Arts

Embossing folder: "Pansy Frame" by Crafts-Too

Other:  black gem, purple bling, Marvy markers, colored pencils, corner rounder

I tried to glitz it up a bit for the occasion of her return to dancing.  Here's to a quick and full recovery!

Thanks for stopping by!
Judy

CASology #11: White

Hello, friends!  Whew, I just made it in time for the current CASology Challenge to make a card using the cue word WHITE.  I have played every week since this challenge blog began...I HAD to play!

 

 

I hope this card "qualifies" because there is some black (bunny outline, sentiment) and some minor highlighting on the Paper Smooches bunny.  But other than that, it is all white!

 

 

The bunny was embossed in black, highlighted with light pink and light blue Copics, then cut out and popped up on the card.  All stamps are by Paper Smooches.

 

Thanks for stopping by...enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Judy

CASology Week 10: SKY

Hello, friends!  I'm here today with a card I made for this week's CASology Week #10 Challenge using the cue word "SKY."

The first thought that came to my mind was the line from the Disney movie "Toy Story 2" in which Woody, a true cowboy toy, states, "Reach for the sky!"  (I think I have every line of that movie memorized since my kids watched it repeatedly when they were young!)  However, I have no idea how that translates into a card, since I have no cowboy images and frankly don't know when I would ever use such a card anyway!

I digress.  So, my thoughts then went to that same phrase used in a different context...like something you would say for someone on the verge of a new phase in life (e.g., graduation, new job).  You know, a "reach for the stars" kind of message.

And THAT thought led me to this.

Materials Used:

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Studio G Hot Air Balloon stamp; Hero Arts "Anytime Messages" sentiment; Hero Arts "Clouds" background stamp; lilac pearls; patterned paper

I will likely use this card as a graduation card...I always give cards to the high school seniors that I counsel and/or case manage at work. 

Thanks for stopping by...I do appreciate your visits!
Judy

LIM Week 84: One Layer Foliage

Hello friends!  I'm here today with a card I made for the Less Is More Week 84 "One Layer" Challenge in which the the focus is FOLIAGE.

I also might add that this is my 200th blog post!  I haven't been at this for too long, not even two years, so I'm excited to reach that milestone!  Thank you to all my loyal followers and to my occasional visitors...I appreciate all of you and have really enjoyed the "blogging" experience!

My card is a one-layer cream card with only two stamps.  First I stamped the (retired) Inkadinkado "Every Leaf" quote by Emily Bronte using Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  Next, I inked up the Rubber Stampede "Liquid Amber" leaf stamp using various distress inks (including Tea Dye, Wild Honey and Spiced Marmalade) and spritzed it with water before stamping.

After stamping, I spritzed the entire card front with Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls Mist for a little shine...see it here?

OK, on to another topic.  I'm sure many of you know of Kathy Racoosin and her wonderful blog, The Daily Marker, right?  Well, Kathy is the special guest today at Simon Says Stamp! STAMPtember events and she gives a lesson on Copic coloring.  (She is amazing at that, let me tell ya!)    Be sure to hop on over to Kathy's blog for a SPECIAL discount code that you'll only find there...also, she's giving out free stamps and a set of Spellbinders dies to make your own creations. Check it out!! 

Thanks for stopping by...have a great week!
Judy

I Appreciate You

Hello, friends!  I am SO happy I was able to sneak in some crafting time on Friday night to make a card for the current CASology Week #9 Challenge. 

I HAD to make a card for my wonderful family after this, my VERY hectic and stressful first week back to work.  My husband and kids were SO patient with me as I came home later than usual, brought work home, made not-so-good dinners, and crashed in bed early.  Not my best "mom" week, and it makes me realize just how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family.  They are all blessings in my life that I will not take for granted!

So, my card is a clean and simple thank you to them, my awesome husband (and best friend ever) and my four beautiful children.  I stamped the birds to represent them (hmm...ducks in a row?  Maybe a little "Partridge Family" feel without the cool bus?  Not sure where my inspiration for this one came from!)

I used three strips of Martha Stewart "Vintage Girl" paper tape, then stamped the sentiment, the little birds and the little heart all from the Hero Arts All Occasion Messages set.  The daddy bird is actually a Hero Arts "Holly Bird" Christmas stamp without inking the holly.  Here is a close-up of the heart covered with red Stickles; I drew the string and bow with a fine black Sharpie.

I am also submitting this card to the current Simon Says Stamp! Put a Stamp On It Challenge since I did use washi tape and several stamps.

Now that school and work (and fall sports and music lessons and choirs, etc.) have resumed, I fear I will not be blogging as much as I would like.  I do appreciate your visits and hope to be by your blogs soon, too.

Until then, take good care!
Judy

Don't Forget to Laugh and Play

Hello, friends!  After a very busy week, I was able to squeak in a little time to make one card.  I had to play along at CASology after such a busy week...the theme this week is RELAX!

I am also entering this in the current Simon Says Stamp! "Anything Goes" Challenge ... they are featuring Hero Arts stamps this week!





Finally, I am entering this in the new contest at A Blog Named Hero to use any kind of embossing (in my case, I dry embossed the background).




I embossed the card base using a Cuttlebug Seeing Spots folder, then popped up one of the I Care Frame Messages from Hero Arts.  I paper-pieced the sun on gingham yellow paper and added white pen and black enamel dots in the eyes for a little extra touch. 
I think this sentiment is all about relaxing!

(This next bit is not card-related, feel free to skip if you aren't interested!)

So, why so busy this week?  My DH was off and we enjoyed some family time before school starts up next week.  We went out to dinner.  We went to the beach for a day and an evening at the boardwalk.  We finished painting the girls' bedroom (one wall "Iced Purple" and the rest "Cottage White," then I stenciled a multi-colored circle pattern around all four walls to tie it together...the "Grape Soda" rug is in, too!  After much drama, tears, individual counseling, and compromising, it is DONE!  Thank God!)

On Wednesday, we went for a day trip to New York to visit Ellis Island, Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty. 

Ellis Island, the very building where many of our family ancestors arrived from countries including Italy, Germany and Ireland.  How amazing to stand on the same floors and walk the same "Stairs of Separation" and sit on the same benches as our very own immigrant ancestors.  Amazing.

Lady Liberty...so majestic on such a beautiful, sunny day. Unfortunately it is under construction so we couldn't go inside it this time. 

Here is the view of the New York cityscape (remind you of any Hero Arts stamps?).  It was a difficult site to see for me, since the last time I saw it in person there stood the twin towers of the World Trade Center in the middle of it all.  The new 1 World Trade Center currently being constructed is already the tallest building in New York (see THIS article for more information about the new tower).  Can you pick it out in the picture?  It is the tallest building on the left.  That does inspire renewed hope.    

Here are my sweeties in front of the Statue of Liberty. 

We really enjoyed our day trip as we wind up a wonderful summer together. 

Before we left, my youngest son also asked to strike a particular pose but I didn't understand why...then my DH explained the reference.  Ha!

Sorry for the "extras," I just enjoyed our day so much I wanted to share it with you. 

Now we need to shift gears are get ready for the start of school (and my return to work) next week.  But we should all remember: don't forget to laugh and play sometimes, too!

Thanks for stopping by!
Judy