Taste of the Orient.

Tara chose this card for A Cut Above Award!!

My granddaughter has a long standing interest in things Japanese or Oriental. While thinking about her the idea of creating an Asian/Oriental card came to mind.  This card is for two challenges Our Creative Corner and the Paper Players.  The challenge at OCC is to create a card using 'faces'.  The challenge at The Paper Players uses this great sketch.

The stamps are from Hanko Design.

The "Xi Shi Lady" was stamped on white CS and colored with Copic markers. The lower skirt was stamped on DP paper 4 times, using one segment from each stamped image the skirt was fussy cut and paper pieced together. The trim on the bodice was also fussy cut. The cherry blossom branch was stamped, colored with Copics then, fussy cut and attached to the top of the card. A few extra blossoms were adhered to give the illusion of falling flowers (similar to the falling leaves in upstate NY).

The Dollar Store has some cute rhinestones to use on nails...well they were just the perfect size to embellish this lovely lady.

These were also used for floral earrings and the teardrop ring on her finger.

Back to creating cards in my Butterfly Garden.

Create For Fun

Time for another great color challenge from Mona. This week at CR84FN the challenge is to make a card with Steel Blue, Gray and Yellow. You have to admit that the color challenges at CR84FN are always different and challenging! You should get some papers and give this combo a try....you might even add some new colors to your repertoire.

These are not colors that I would normally use, but I thought I would give them a try. The stamp is from Repeat Impressions, the shape and lace border die cuts are from Spellbinders, paper from a DCWV pad, pearls from Want2Scrap, glitter from my stash, and the silk flowers are from A.C. Moore. The stamp was colored with Copic markers. The vase was paper pieced and a few of the flowers were stamped and colored twice then fussy cut and mounted with foam tape.

Here is the inspirational photo.

Don't you just love this week's quote. Get some paper and celebrate just living! To make it even better...create a card with a friend.

Back to creating cards in my Butterfly Garden.

Blog Candy Final Week

Tuesday Morning Sketches #117 begins today. Play along every week this month, add PINK to your card and only combine the TMS challenge with a maximum of 2 other challenges and your name will be entered for a chance to win blog candy.  Here is another great sketch from Melissa....boy talk about multi-talented, she designs sketches and cards.  Tiffany Doodles is the sponsor for this weeks challenge.

I once again turned the sketch on its side. I guess I'm always laying down on the job! (wink) lol 

The stamp is from MFT and was colored with Copic markers.  Cuttlebug embossing folder, Nestability shapes and edger were used to create this card. The raised lines in the pink border were created with a Score-Pal. The DP is from a DCWV pad. Don't you just love all these abbreviations! TTFN, TFS, BRB, SWAK and the lists goes on and on! Back to the card....the white dots were made with a white gel pen, ribbon from Michael's and the pearls, which were colored with Copic markers, are from Hobby Lobby.


Stop by and leave some "comment love" <3  for this fantastic DT.

Theresa * Jessica * Angela * Jacki * Kathy * Dawn * Melissa

Back to creating cards in my Butterfly Garden. 

Mouse in my house!

How many cards could you make with these two stamp sets? These two set are remarkable because they offer so much versatility, mix and match something from each set and the possibilities are endless! You can see all the various items that can be placed into the arms of these delightful mice.

Our Lilac Inkers group met last week and they were challenged to design a card using the Thanksgiving Millie and Thanksgiving Mervin clear stamp sets. All in all a total of 25 cards were made!  I only photographed 13 of the 25 because some were duplicate layouts.  Here are the Lilac Inkers hard at work in the Butterfly Garden.

They were each given two kraft CS cards, which were pre-stamped (white or versa mark) with the leaves and acorns from the set.  Baskets of die cut shapes and paper scraps (patterned, embossed, colored) were available for them to "design" their own cards.

I'll share a few photos with you but you need to visit the Inky Antics blog to see the others.

Look at all the faux stitching.   Ready for more?  Take a look:

WOW what creative ladies are in this group! Pumpkins, and pies and turkeys.......OH MY!   Check out the rest of their cards at the Inky Antics blog. While your visiting the Inky blog check out their stamps. Their stamps are always FUN and WHIMSICAL. I simply love the "Worldly Women", I can really relate to these ladies!

Thanks, Jackie for sharing our marvelous creations.

Back to creating cards in my Butterfly Garden.

Asian Theme

This week I thought I would use some of the Asian products that have been left on the shelf for too long. The sketch that I used is from Card Patterns.

The patterned paper is from Hanko Designs. The Cherry Blossoms (Hanko) and the Fan (Luni Stamps) were embossed with gold embossing powder.  A Marvy gold metallic calligraphy pen was used on the edges of the black flowers (Prima).  The metal fan was found in the jewelry department at JoAnn's. Floss and ribbon from my stash.

Here is the sketch that was used to design this card.

Back to creating cards in my Butterfly Garden.

Flutterby

This is the third week of our Breast Cancer Awareness challenge at Tuesday Morning Sketches. Play along every week this month, add PINK to your card and only combine the TMS challenge with a maximum of 2 other challenges and your name will be entered for a chance to win blog candy.

This week we are creating a card using this sketch that was designed by Theresa. Can't wait to see your card! Don't forget to add a touch of "pink". This weeks sponsor is Print Candee.  They have card making scrapbooking and PARTY decorating images. Who doesn't love a party? There are also some "freebies", so ckeck them out. The second sponsor this week is DRS Designs, they have some wonderful stamps, do some surfing around their site.

As usual, I turned the sketch on it's side.

Vivid dye inks in Lavender and Olive were swirled onto a piece of vellum (direct to paper) then heat set. I used this piece of vellum to cut out the butterflies using a Memory Box die. The sentiments are from MTME, the large butterfly in the center is from a Cheery Lynn die. A piece of the dye swirled vellum was placed behind the butterfly using the Angel Wings die from Cheery Lynn.

Check out the cards created by other team members.

Theresa * Jessica * Angela * Jacki * Kathy * Dawn * Melissa  

Back to creating cards in my Butterfly Garden.

Traditional Christmas

This weeks challenge at the Paper Players is to make a traditional Christmas project using RED and GREEN. It is also Clean and Simple week so the "less is more" motto applies. I used a Rubber Cottage stamp on this card. I posted a card made with this stamp last week. This image was stamped on white CS and last weeks was on kraft CS. You can see the other version HERE. I love it when I can get different looks from the same stamp.

White acrylic paint was used to create the "faux" snow, then Stickles were applied to give it a little shimmer. Prisma colored pencils and Gamsol were used to color this image. Red Stickles were used for the berries. Unfortunately the photo doesn't show the depth of the snow. You can see it a little better in the next photo.

Back to creating cards in my Butterfly Garden.

Wiff of Joy

Okay after my initial struggle with this weeks colors at CR84FN, this second card was much easier. In case you forgot the colors are Red, Brown and Kraft. There is still time to play along so grab some papers and design a card you just might add a new color combination to your collection of 'go-to"colors

The stamp is from Wiff of Joy.  The image was colored with Copic markers, highlights were added with a Sakura Stardust pen, sentiment is from a HOTP Christmas stamp set and the rhinestones and ribbon are from Hobby Lobby.

Here is a photo to inspire the creative juices.

Back to creating cards in my Butterfly Garden.

Got wine?

This card is for the sketch challenge #136 at Card Patterns.

The grape stamp and sentiment are from Stamps N More, the script is from Hampton Arts. I applied Marvy markers to the grape stamp, misted it with water then stamped twice on white card stock. For the second stamping, I turned the stamp slightly to get a shadow effect. Vintage Photo ink was used for the script and for shading on the four background pieces. Marvy Gold Calligraphy pen was used on the edges of each piece.

 The wine glass was fussy cut and embossed with clear embossing powder.  Beads were strung on a piece of gold thread and wrapped around the stem of the wine glass  to simulate a "wine charm".

The wine bottle charm is from my stash.

Here is the sketch that was used to create my card.

Back to creating cards in my Butterfly Garden.

Cardinal

Time for another great color challenge at CR84FN. This weeks colors are Red, Brown and Kraft. I find it amazing that some colors are so easy for me to design a card around and others are a real challenge. These colors really challenged me! Grrrr.

I don't generally stamp on Kraft cardstock, but I thought I would give it a try. The image was stamped with Memento Ink and colored with Prisma colored pencils and then blended with Gamsol. The stamp is from Rubber Cottage, it is called 'Winter Mailbox Scene'.  A white Prisma pencil was used to create the faux snow. (I hope all our snow is 'faux' snow this winter)   :~) Red stickles were added for a touch of 'bling'. The sentiment is from a HOTP set of Christmas stamps.


This is the delightful inspirational photo. Please read the quote from the very talented Steve Jobs.

Back to creating cards in my Butterfly Garden.

Get Your Pink On

Are you ready for another great challenge from Tuesday Morning Sketches? This weeks sponsor is Sassy Studio Designs.  You should check out their designs, they really have some "Sassy" images.  This is the second week of the month and therefore it is a 'Judged Challenge', so start creating. I can't wait to see what wonderful cards you design. This week sketch was drawn by the talented Melissa. Stop by and leave her some "comment love" and be sure to visit the other team members because they love comments as much as you do.              

  Theresa * Jessica * Angela * Jacki * Kathy * Dawn * Melissa

The added 'challenge" is to use this inspirational photo when creating your card. (use either the design or the colors). Remember in honor of Theresa there is an added twist: Play along every week this month, add PINK to your card and only combine the TMS challenge with a maximum of 2 other challenges and your name will be entered for a chance to win blog candy.

I chose to use both the paisley print and the colors.

A Cuttlebug folder was used to emboss the background, then the raised areas were sanded to reveal the deeper pink in the Core'dinations CS. The frame and edger are both Nestabilities. The stamp from Outlines Rubber Stamp Company was stamped with Memento ink on white CS.  The center square was cut out and colored with Prisma pencils and blended with Gamsol.  Using pink CS the image was stamped and embossed (with white embossing powder) a total of three times.  A craft knife was used to carefully remove the outer square without cutting the heart. This heart and two from the other stamped/embossed pieces were fussy cut and attached near the corners of the brown frame.  The tiny hearts were filled in with a white gel pen.  Raspberry Stickles were added for a touch of sparkle.

This photo shows a close up of the sanded areas of the background.

Back to creating cards in my Butterfly Garden.

Tuesday Morning Sketch #114

Hooray it's Tuesday, time for another great sketch challenge from Tuesday Morning Sketches. This weeks interesting sketch was designed  by the wonderful Melissa. Grab some papers and play along with us. This weeks sponsor is One Stop Card Crafts.

Isn't this a fun sketch? I rotated the sketch to the right to design my card.

The coconut fronds are in place of the flowers on Melissa's sketch. The mini vacation retreat was stamped with Stampscape stamps and colored with dye inks. The coconut tree was stamped with an Autumn Leaves stamp set and colored with Copic markers. The shaped card and circle were cut with a Nestability die. The rhinestone flourish swirl is from Michaels.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and our very own Theresa is a 4 year cancer survivor and is celebrating her birthday on October 6. Please stop by and wish her a Happy Birthday and leave her lots of love.


Please be sure to check out the fabulous DT cards.

Theresa * Jessica  * Angela * Jackie * Kathy * Dawn * Melissa

Back to creating cards in my Butterfly Garden.

Life is Good

I guess the title says it all.  This is my final week as Guest Designer at CR84FN. To borrow a line from a song "I've had the time of my life"...  Life is definitely good. Take a moment and think about all the good in your life.

While your thinking, I'd like to thank the gals at CR84FN. Thank you, Mona for giving me this opportunity and to the fabulous Design Team I want to thank you for the warm welcome and for making me feel right at home. You gals are the "cream of the crop"!

We are playing with these wonderful colors......Orange, Yellow and Brown. Grab some papers and play along I can't wait to see what you create.

To learn more about the photo credits for Bouquet, Wreath and the Pops, click on each name.

As I look out my window the leaves on the trees are turning the most beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow.  There is no way I can compete with Mother Nature but this is my attempt to recreate some of her beautiful colors with a window card.

The floral stamps, sentiment and dies are from Heartfelt Creations "Posey Patch Collection". The oval is a Nestability. To create the background, I used Vintage Photo with the Hampton Arts Script stamp and also sponged it around the edges of the white CS. Copic markers were used to color the flowers, the pearls and the Flowersoft. Acetate was placed between the card front layers. I swirled (direct to paper) some yellow and orange dye inks on a piece of vellum, heat set it and cut the butterfly with a C.C. Designs die. The flowers were raised with foam mounting tape and to give added dimension a double layer of tape was used under a few of the flowers. You can see this layering in the photo below.

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Please check out the beautiful creations from the CR84FN Design Team.

Mona * Suzanne * Deborah *  Heather *  Stephanie *  Sue *  Andrea * Lisa

TILL WE MEET AGAIN.............Back to creating cards in my Butterfly Garden.