Blue Love

Today felt like a "blue" day.  Not that I was feeling "blue" but rather I felt like mixing blues and soft shades of brown ... a wonderful duo, don't you agree?  The LOVE LOVE tickets layered on a beautifully printed paper was all it took to pull this card together.  I added a die cut crown (still playing with my new Big Shot toy so I hope you don't get tired of seeing die cuts) then a felt flower stacked with buttons.  A heart cut from a brocade pattern, a happy banner and a shabby bow embellish the crown.  The decorative pins are such fun to make - you can create any combination of colors and shapes only limited by the beads and baubles you can find.  Scraps of lace are always a treasure to add here and there ... I love every piece no matter how small.  Thanks for letting me share some LOVE with you today!

Heartfelt

The boys are home from camping ... this time returning from southern Ohio!  Our Scouts spent the last four days "roughing it" in Hawking Hills State Park.  Exploring the caves, flying through the trees on a zip-line, fishing and hiking and so much more.  A fabulous Father's Day adventure if you ask me!

So, my girl and I spent time doing "girly things".  A bit of shopping, some baking, and of course a bit of creativity too.  I haven't crocheted in ages and it was so nice to just sit, relax, and create a heart for this Heartfelt greeting.  A row of buttons, some glittery chipboard, and of course a soft bow ... so sweet.

Thanks for letting me share!

Tags ...

Hello again.  Today was filled with a gathering of crafty friends.  Although we all work on duplicating the sample project, each turns out unique.  Something happens in the process as each of us stamp, cut, layer and assemble.  A bit of us seems to become a part of what we do ... making each project different from the other.  I think that's wonderful, don't you?  We get together once a month and I always enjoy their company ... I do wish all of you could come and join in the fun.

I have a couple delights to share with you today.  What could be happier than blue and yellow?  Yes, that's right ... blue and yellow polka dots!  Layered with a glitter house, button, and a bit of crochet (of course).  

While on vacation in sunny California years ago, my daughter wanted a day trip planned to visit Hollywood.  Never having been there, I admit I was curious to see some of the sights.  By the end of the day we found ourselves walking Rodeo Drive ... then somehow we were in Juicy Couture ... then, as if by magic, there appeared the cutest pair of pajama's in my hands ... exactly my daughter's size.  She was thrilled and so was I.  She got the pajama's and I got the tags!  Without a doubt the most expensive embellishment I have ever used is the tag from those pajama's - see it under the heart!?  I added a crown, a painted pink and glittered frame, a shabby pink crinkly bow along with my own crocheted doily and flower.

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

Glittery Pink Crown ...

It's so nice to be blogging again.  I know I have so much to catch up on and I do apologize if it seems I've fallen off the edge of the earth.  I had to take a break for a while as life itself was overwhelming.  Too many things to do ... at home, with family, and at the office.  It's been a crazy month but I do believe I'm over the worst of the scheduling nightmares.  What a relief.

Here's a little something to share ... created for my good friend Sheryl  You can never go wrong with a glittery pink crown, right?

Thanks for stopping by!

So very grateful ...

 
Hello, my friends.  Words can not express the joy in my heart as I return to my blog.  I won't bore you with my tales of woe ... but I must say I am so happy to have finally finished the last of my medications today.  When you have your health - the world is a much better place.

While being "down and out" these past weeks, I have visited all of your blogs and wished so much to be back in my craft room.  Finally ... I am able to share something new with you and what better way than to join Mona and her design team for this week's challenge CR84FN Color Challenge?  Just in the nick of time too!  Here's the gorgeous color combination ...

Don't you just love that quote?  Thanks, Mona, for the inspiration!

Here's what I have to share today ...

The card began with Crumb cake cardstock with edges brushed in a soft shade of off-white.  The funky orange print paper is from my scrap drawer and the bees along with the gentle honeycomb pattern is from Botanical Gazette.  The lace ... a piece from my dear sister-in-law, Shirley.  The ribbon is old Stampin' Up and the flower ... well, I've had that for ages.  A pin with a button, bead, and tag added is the perfect topper for my project.

The sweet little crown and funky rub-on are from my supplies.  Both are so fun for this card!

That's all for now.  I soooo want to jump into things with both feet but am trying to pace myself now that I feel just an itsy-bit better.  Thank you for stopping by today ... I've missed you!

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Crowning Dove

 
I have been neglecting my little blog for the past week and I am so sorry!  My daughter and I have been preparing for her guest to arrive.  She is from France and the two girls are having lots of fun together.  They were friends before the first day was over!  It's just wonderful to see them communicate in two languages (both speaking some French and English), giggle, teach each other, and then giggle some more.  It truly is a small world.

The designers over at The Play Date Cafe have a fabulous color challenge this week.  I love the palette and just look at these photos!  I'm smitten by all the shabby goodness here - lace, pink ribbon, pearls, oh my!

My daughter is hosting a party for her friends so invitations are in the making.  Here is one we finished today and the colors are perfect!  The papers are scraps from the drawer layered on Early Espresso and Very Vanilla cardstocks.

We made the dove with baking clay and a mold.  Such fun!  The crown is die cut and the edges softened with Distressing Essentials.  A bit of lace and some hand-dyed seam binding added a feminine look.  A simple white button holds the tag stamped in Early Espresso Classic Ink.  The sentiment is from All Holidays stamp set and punched with the Jewelry Tag Punch.
 

Thank you for stopping by and for your understanding during this busy couple weeks!  I'll be back soon ... promise!

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A crowning cup of tea ...

 

Hello again friends.  I love days that give me time to play with my toys and to visit my favorite blogs.  Before I begin baking Christmas cookies, I put together another post to share with you.  Mona is so talented and her blog (Cupcake's Creations) is just beautiful.  She has a fabulous color palette this week of red, brown, and tan.  The team at The City Crafter is taking us to Seattle - ok, not literally - their challenge is to feature a cup, mug, or teacup.  I don't drink coffee or tea (you'll only find me using it to dye cardstocks, ribbons, and textiles).  However, I do enjoy the delicate beauty of a china teacup such as the one I used today.  

Very Vanilla cardstock is my card base.  Riding Hood Red cardstock became a mat for two Designer Series Papers ...  Deck the Halls and Love Letter.  I stamped the flourish from Baroque Motifs to add a touch of color.  The ribbon is Early Espresso Striped (appropriate for this card - don't you think?).  I finally used one of my new crown dies and I'm thrilled!  Cut from Very Vanilla cardstock and sponged with Crumb Cake Classic Ink - I love it!  The teacup from Timeless Treasures is stamped with Riding Hood Red Classic Ink as is "Hello" from Chic Boutique.  I raised the teacup on Dimensionals and added Basic Pearl Jewel Accents to my greeting.

A couple lengths of Chantilly Crochet Lace and creme tulle tied on with red hemp adds detail to the flower.  The flower was made from three flower punches and Very Vanilla cardstock.  I have created so many of these you'll think I'm addicted ... which I am!  I sprayed it with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (the effect is gorgeous - click on the image for a better view) and added a Basic Pearl Jewel Accent to the center.

Time to bake with my dear daughter!  Thank you for stopping by - I hope you enjoyed your time here!


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