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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Merry Monday #93 and Card Concept #2: A Merry Blingy Christmas!

Hello, friends!  I'm here today with a Christmas card for the current Merry Monday Challenge #93 to make a Christmas card using ornaments.  I'm also playing along with the The Card Concept Challenge #2 to use "texture" on our cards.
I have several ornament stamps in my stash, but really wanted to add blingy ornaments to a Christmas tree.  Using my Hero Arts stamps and lots of pink bling tones, I went to town!  I love the textures of the rhinestones, pearls, and jute ribbon together on kraft!  I believe this card follows the "clean and layered" style (too many embellishments for CAS).




I'm also entering this card into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge -- it's "Anything Goes with Twine or String" this week!

Another Christmas card for the 2014 stash...nothing like being prepared!

Thanks for stopping by!
Judy

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

CASology #80: PURPLE

Hello, friends!  It's Tuesday, and you know what that means?  Yep!  A new CASology cue, and this one is a colorful one!



This week we are sponsored by Prickly Pear Rubber Stamps.  Be sure to check out all the details at the CASology blog!  (There is a free grab bag of unmounted rubber stamps offered as a prize!)

I believe that the Pantone Color of the Year for 2014 is a variation of purple ("Radiant Orchid" to be exact)...you can find more information about this in THIS post. 

I remember when I heard that news I was actually disappointed...I can't even remember the last time I reached for purple when making a card.  I'm sure it was for a color challenge somewhere a few years ago.  Or maybe for a card I made for my daughter who ADORES the color purple. 

Well, no matter, I had to play along with PURPLE this week and here is how it went!


I was so happy to be able to finally play with some more Christmas presents...my Memory Box bow dies!  I paired them up with some purple papers and a Paper Smooches sentiment and voila!  Instant birthday card!




While I was at it, I made a second card using another new die ("Leanna" butterfly by Simon Says Stamp).  I'm not sure if this card is considered CAS, but definitely clean and layered!  I'm thinking if I had stamped the PTI sentiment and medallion images directly onto the card base and added the butterfly, that would have been much more CAS.



Now it's your turn!  I look forward to your purple creations this week...you have until 4PM on Sunday to upload your purple goodies!  In the meantime, be sure to stop by the Design Team and Guest Designer blogs for more inspiration.


Guest Designer: Toni

Have a good one...and thanks for visiting!
Judy

Sunday, January 26, 2014

"Cards from the Heart" Card Drive

Hello, friends!  I'm just stopping by today with the final few Valentine's Day cards I am submitting for Winter's Fifth Annual "Cards from the Heart" Valentine's Day Card Drive.  Cards are due by the end of January, so I am getting them in under the wire!  Check out all the details HERE.  Not only is it for a great cause, but there are also prizes to be won!


My first card uses a digital image from Jellypark that is absolutely precious.  I paired it with my Lil' Inker's Stitched Rectangles and an old Valentine's Day sentiment for a clean and simple card!




My next card uses a digital image from Torico (it used to be available at her Birdie Brown blog) paired with some patterned papers.  Fun!    NOTE:  After taking the photo, I did remove the pearls from the hearts so they don't pose a choking hazard for the child recipient.



My final card uses a digital image from Hero Arts.  My first version included a ribbon and button, but I revised it so that a paper heart took its place.  Here are both versions.


Here it is without the ribbon/buttons:



I hope you will get a chance to make a few Valentine's Day cards for a good cause.  I'm thrilled to be able to participate!

Have a great day,
Judy

Saturday, January 25, 2014

What Does the Fox Say?

Hello, friends!  I am here today with my final two Valentine's Day cards to mail off to Winter Sims for the "Cards from the Heart" card drive.  I have to put them in the mail so she gets them all by January 31st!  Check out the details HERE (or click on the link at my sidebar).

I have been anxious to play with a new stamp set I purchased during the January release at the Sweet Stamp Shop called "Foxy."  I knew exactly what I wanted to do!  I made two while I was at it.



So, you may ask...what DOES the fox say?
Look inside...




Here they are together...



Isn't that fox the CUTEST little fella?  So fun to color...and it would be so easy to cut out to paper-piece, too.  I love that!

OK, that does it for me today...off to shovel the snow (again...yes, it is snowing yet again) so the kids can get to their respective activities today!  (Never a dull moment!)

Thanks for stopping by!
Judy

Edited to add:
Silly me!  Upon reading the instructions regarding the card drive, we are not to use buttons or gems that could be pulled off and become a choking hazard!  (Doh!)  So... I have revised my cards, removed the buttons and added paper hearts...much safer!

 


Friday, January 24, 2014

Muse #51: Happy Valentine's Day


Hello, friends!  I'm back again with another Valentine's Day card for Winter's "Cards from the Heart" card drive.  I can't stop looking at the clean design of Jackie Rockwell's first (of two) Muse cards at the current Muse Challenge #51.  It's their first anniversary...you should go check it out!

Here is Jackie's card:


How was I inspired?  I was drawn to the grid background (I made mine gingham) and the linear arrangement of hearts (although I went vertical versus horizontal).  I also liked her dotty hearts, so one of mine used dotty paper!


I do hope you'll stop by the first anniversary Muse Challenge and play along!

And while you're at it, if you have any Valentine's Day cards you can send to Winter Sims for the fifth annual "Cards from the Heart" card drive, you can find details HERE.  Such a great cause!  She needs all cards by January 31st, so don't wait!

Thanks for stopping by!
Judy

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Dynamic Duos #86: Little Miss Mia

Hello, friends!  I'm back today with a card I made for a sweet color combination at Dynamic Duos.  It is my first time playing (even though I have been a stalker for some time now)!  Look at these sweet colors...who could resist?


I recently purchased a sweet digi image from Jane's Doodles called "Little Miss Mia" and I knew she would look precious dressed in these colors.  I think this card is headed for my niece...it reminds me of her!


I'm not sure why the blue looks so bright, it is much softer in person...it must be the snow-glare from outside my window!  (We got a foot of snow overnight!)


I'm so inspired by the beautiful cards made by the Design Team this week...be sure to check them out HERE.  The gallery of cards for this challenge is also quite impressive...I'm hoping to spend my snow day off from work/school visiting some blogs (if my kids let me)!

Thanks for visiting, I do appreciate it!
Judy 

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Muse #51: Be My Valentine

Hello, friends!  This is my second post for the day...for my CASology post, scroll down or go HERE.

It is the first anniversary at the Muse challenge blog, and there are two sweet cards by Jackie Rockwell, the creator of Muse, as inspiration this week.

Here is the card that inspired me...


Here is my interpretation of Jackie's card.  I was most inspired by her row of three colorful hearts, her swirly three-word sentiment, and the lovely open space in the background.


I will be sending this Valentine to Winter Sims for her 5th Annual "Cards from the Heart" card drive (see details HERE).

I am also entering this into the current CAS on Sunday Challenge #25 with the theme of "Lovey Dovey" since this is a clean and simple Valentine's Day card!

We were dismissed early today from school (and work, since I work at a school) due to a snow storm...it is coming down fast and furious out there and it is expected to continue through the night.  Temps will not get above 12 degrees tomorrow...not much chance of it melting!  (Maybe I'll find some time to make more Valentine's Day cards!)

So, happy anniversary to the Muse challenge blog...best wishes for many more happy challenges!

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

CASology #79: CONTRAST

Hello, friends!  Just stopping by with a new CASology cue and this week it brings with it a little twist.  Are you ready?

This week the CASology Design Team will be presenting you with two card options, contrasting CAS and not-so-CAS.  (Hence the cue: CONTRAST.)

We are sponsored by My Creative Classroom; I invite you to check out the details at the CASology blog....the prize offering this week is a free seat to any of their online workshop classes!

So, here are my cards.  I played with a free digi image from The Alley Way Stamps in my quest to make Valentine's Day cards for Winter's "Caring Hearts Card Drive."  (You can find the image HERE and the card drive details HERE.)  

First up -- the not-so-CAS version. 


Notice this not-so-CAS version has lots of layers of paper and several embellishments (button, jute, rhinestone, Glossy Accents)?



Here is my revised card in a CAS style -- lots of white space, minimal layers and embellishments.



Can you tell the difference?  Here they are together...


I prefer the CAS card myself...definitely more within my comfort zone!

Note that you are not required to make two cards for the challenge this week.  Maybe you'd like to CAS-ify a card you previously made that wasn't so CAS?  I look forward to seeing where you take this cue!

Here is a reminder of how we define Clean And Simple at the CASology blog:

Keep these things in mind when creating a CAS design:
1.  One main image
2.  Lots of open space (uncluttered)
3.  Limited layers & embellishments
4.  Quick & easy to recreate


Check out the Design Team and our amazingly talented Guest Designer for some ideas along the way; you have until 4PM on Sunday to link up for this challenge.  I hope you get a chance to play along!


Guest Designer: Amy

Thanks for visiting...I do appreciate it!
Judy

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Merry Monday #91 - Snowman

Hello, friends!  It is snowing outside my window as I post this card for the current Merry Monday challenge to make a Christmas card using a snowman or snowpeople.  How appropriate!


This is my first time playing along at this challenge, and I am glad I found it.  I have wanted to play with this free snowman digi image from Jane's Doodles for some time now (it can be found at her blog post HERE).  I pared it up with some patterned papers, a Jane's Doodles sentiment, some Liquid Pearls "snow," and a snowflake embossing folder. 



Now I'm off to check out the cards by the Design Team and the other entries this week. 
Thanks for stopping by...let it snow!
Judy 

Friday, January 17, 2014

CAS(E) this Sketch #60 - Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello, friends!  It has been a while since I've played along with the CAS(E) this Sketch! challenge, but I was compelled to play when I saw this sketch!  Isn't it fabulous? 


I am on a mission to make some Valentine's Day cards to send to Winter (see details HERE) as part of the Fifth Annual "Cards from the Heart" Valentine's Day Card Drive.  I think I've sent in some cards every year...what a worthwhile cause!  She needs the cards by the end of January, so the push is on!

Digital image by Jellypark, computer-generated sentiment. 

If you get a chance, stop by the CAS(E) this Sketch! blog to see the inspiring cards made by their Design Team.  Wow!

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

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

CASology #78: DOT


Hello, friends!  It's Tuesday, which means a new cue word at CASology!  This week we are lucky to be sponsored by Neat and Tangled...be sure to check out the CASology blog for all the details!

LTDTBADGE

The CASology Design Team members were lucky enought to play with a Neat and Tangled stamp set of our choice for this week's challenge, and I immediately knew what set I had to have for this challenge:  Party Dots!  Here is my take on the cue word this week, using a monochromatic color scheme and one larger focal image:


I actually made two slightly different cards while I was at it, both one-layer (well, except for that popped-up banner) and CAS!

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Neat and Tangled "Party Dots"
Inks: Hero Arts Soft Wheat shadow ink, Versamark ink, Hero Arts Latte chalk ink
Other: gold embossing powder, corner rounder, pop dots

So, what does the cue word DOT bring to mind for you?  You have until 4PM on Sunday to upload your creations.  Be sure to check out the amazing cards by the Design Team and our Guest Designer this week, too...you won't be disappointed!


Guest Designer: Radhika


As always, I do appreciate your visits.  Have a great day!
Judy



Friday, January 10, 2014

Hope This Year Is Your Best One Yet

Hello, friends!  My mojo seems to have returned from vacation and I have two more cards to share today for the new Card Concept challenge.  I love these colors together!


I made two more cards in the "Clean and Layered" style (I think there are a few too many layers to be considered "Clean and Simple" even though there is a lot of white space).

I just wish the sun would come out so my pictures would be brighter!  Today we had more rain but it was so cold in the morning that the roads and sidewalks were all a sheet of ice and no one knew it until we went outside.  What a crazy surprise!  Way too many car accidents today...best to stay inside (and make cards).




Here they are together...I used the same dies and papers, just mixed them up a bit. 

Supplies Used:
Stamps: PTI "Signature Greetings"
Inks:  chocolate brown dye ink, Tea Dye distress ink
Other: Simon Says Stamp butterfly die "Leanna," branch die, patterned paper, Nestabilities Labels 1, pearl, rhinestone


So, if you haven't already checked it out, I would HIGHLY recommend checking out The Card Concept ... it has something for everyone!  

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

Thursday, January 9, 2014

The Card Concept #1 - It's Here!

Hello, friends!  I am so excited that the first Card Concept challenge is up and running!  I have been anxiously awaiting this day...you must go check out the amazing Design Team and all of their superb cards...of all styles!

Check out this first color cue -- aren't these colors delicious?


For my card, I followed the "Clean and Layering" style.  This is outside the norm for me as I usually prefer minimal layers and the CAS style.  However, I had some pretty patterned papers that went perfectly with the colors for this challenge and I had to play with them!  (Now if only we would have some decent sun so I can get better pics...so frustrating!)

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Simon Says Stamp "You" stamp set and die
Inks: brown die ink, Antique Linen distress ink
Other: MME Lost & Found "Blush" 6x6 paper pad, Prima flowers, Recollections rhinestone gems, gold gel pen, Nestabilities Labels 8 dies, branch die


Isn't it great to find a challenge that makes you stretch your style, maybe a little outside your comfort zone?  I know I need that...and I think this new challenge site is the place for me!

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

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

CASology #77: BUBBLY

Hello, friends and Happy New Year once again!  I am stopping by with our first CASology cue of 2014 and I think it is going to be a popular one!

This week we are once again sponsored by the wonderful Cindy Coutts of Cindy Blancett Designs...be sure to check out all the details at the CASology blog!


I mind RACED with this cue word: bubble bath...bubble gum...a bubbly glass of champagne...fishy bubbles...blowing bubbles...thought bubbles...bubble wrap.

Then I settled on it... bubbly letters!  My mind went straight to this cute free digi sentiment from Jackie Rockwell (found at her blog Rockwell Designs HERE -- thanks so much, Jackie!!) and the fun bubble letters she used for the word "cloudy."

Stamping Supplies:
Stamps: Jackie Rockwell digital sentiment; sunshine by Me & My Big Ideas
Inks: black dye ink, Copic marker (B0000 - Pale Porcelain Blue), white Uni-Ball Signo pen, Jelly Roll glitter pen
Other: Lil' Inkers Stitched Rectangles, clouds dies

So, I gave you plenty of ideas to get your juices flowing...I can't wait to see where you take this cue!  You have until 4PM on Sunday to upload your creations.  Before you head off to create, be sure to check out the creative cards by our Design Team.  Welcome to our two newest DT members, too...so happy to have Joyce and May on board!



As always, thanks for stopping by!
Judy

P.S. Here is one of my favorite pictures of my youngest son (now age 9) who loved to blow bubbles with me when he was a toddler!  Just a little more "bubbly" inspiration for you as you go on your way!