Elegant

Good Morning,

Sorry I've been away for a couple of days. Kristen left yesterday morning so I worked on housework and laundry yesterday. It kinda got away from me when she was here. It was more fun to go and do stuff than think about housework. lol Any excuse is better than no excuse!

I did this card up last week. It was so quick and perty...no I didn't spell it wrong...it was intentional.

I'll start with the flowers. These were made using the stamps and dies from Heartfelt Creations. Fargocat Designs should have their entire order arriving this week. Customs delayed them but they are travelling again. They are awesome. Stamped six flowers the same size in two different colors and then die cut them out. No cutting...just ran then through my Cuttlebug. You know, my Cuttlebug gets a lot of use. Probably one of my most usefull tools. The centres are some brads I had picked up some time ago from Recollections.

Next up the oval. Used the Lacey oval die from Spellbinders. Cut it, embossed it and while it was still in the die I stenciled it with Tim Holtz Weathered Wood Ink. Comes out pretty gorgeous. The other two ovals were also Spellbinders from their classic oval sets. Stamped and sponged the edges of that one with the same Weathered Wood ink. I didn't have an oval large enough to fit bind the Lacey oval so I free hand cut one so brown cardstock would show through the little trianges in the Lacey oval. A nice satin bow on the right side. Lastly the paper is from Basic Grey - Pyrus. Fargocat Designs has received in her order of Basic Grey Wander and Jovial. While you're over there check out her Martha Stewart punches and there are some upcoming classes as well.

So for me today I'm going to finish up a little bit more housework and go tot he dreaded post office but I've got a package to send to my Xavier. I made some Halloween decorations so I really do need to get the package out.  It's all boxed just need to take pictures of the decorations and I'll be all set.

I'll be back tomorrow to share those.

Yvonne

Just a Note

Happy Friday,

Just a quick post. Came back late last night from San Antonio. Will give you more details later but I'll definitely be going back.

Stamp sets used are Elegant Cheer (sentiment) and Office Ephemera, both from Stampin' Up.

The background pattern paper is from Basic Grey - Pyrus. It's quite gorgeous. The edges of the paper and the cardstock were distressed with Tim Holtz Distress Inks. Vintage Photo, Wild Honey, Peeled Paint.
Just as a side note if you haven't tried the blending foams or the mat that keeps your tabletop clean - can't remember the exact name right now - you should give both of them a try. They work great!

I used vanilla cardstock and stamped a collage of images on the paper before I stamped the pen.

Used a labels die from Spellbinders for the stamped sentiment. I cut the same size out twice and layered them. Also cut out one of the smaller dies and used that for a mask so I could spritz "Log Cabin" smooch around the edges to create a border. ( I've recently purchased the red and silver smooch so stayed tuned for some samples using them.)

Stamped and cut out the ink well. Raised up with dimensionals. The ribbon was vanilla colored and altered with the Distress Inks.

That's all I've got for today.

Yvonne

Advent Calendar - Jovial & Sea Dragons!

Good Morning,

Made it back from my day at the aquarium. It was pretty cool. I think my favorite thing I saw was the Sea Dragons.

A couple of weeks ago I finally completed my advent calendar. I had bought it "new" in package for $5.00 at a garage sale and the sticker price was still on the packaging which was $22.99. It is a Karen Foster product.

I used all different designs of Basic Grey's Christmas line - Jovial.

I glued each little piece to the front, sanded and then sponged with Tim Holtz - Vintage Photo ink. Decided not to add any color or paper to the outside edge of the box. I figure I can decorate the other side of each little drawer with a non-Christmas theme and then it can be an calendar for any event.

When the box is pulled out it looks just like this side complete with the little hole for your finger.

This will be Xavier's calendar. Don't know whether he will get it this year cause he's still pretty little to know what is going on but next year for sure.

Did you every have those Christmas calendars for your kids...the ones with the little chocolates behind each drawer. I always bought them for my kids right up till they left home. I can remember Kristen being about 3 or 4, so old enough that she knew she was only supposed to get one each night, hiding out under her bed with her calendar eating chocolates. I think she got about five or six ahead before I found her. lol

We've got some rain happening here today. We are supposed to be going canoeing ...will have to see if that happens.

If you're looking for some card making classes I see some new ones posted at Fargocat Designs.

Have a good Tuesday.

Yvonne

Flower Power

 Good Morning,

Did you have a good week-end? I did. Played a little mini golf - indoors - I won!

Getting ready to go to Galveston this morning and visit the Aquarium.

For todays share I used the Heartfelt Creation stamps and dies. If you're not familiar with them check out my post of Thursday and it will explain in more detail. Fargocat Shops order is at customs so she should have it soon.

Couple things I did differently on this card from the last one. Instead of curling the petals downward I curled them upward and it gives a totally different look. A nice little pearl for the centre.

 The lacey square is from Spellbinders. One of their new ones. The centre of the white square isn't a separate piece of cardstock but I sponged the centre with ink before I took it out of the die. Do you ever remember to do that with the spellbinders. Really is quite a neat feature that I haven't really used but you will be seeing more samples incorporating that idea.

A close up of the sponged centre.

I even added pearls on the ribbon. Pattern paper is again from Basic Grey - Pyrus.

Off on an adventure so I better go and get ready.

I will have an advent calendar to show tomorrow.

Yvonne

Heartfelt Creations

Good Morning,

Going to be a busy day going here and there with DD! so I thought I would get a post up early.

Today I'm showcasing a new line of stamps and dies that Fargo Cat Shops has enroute.  They are by Heartfelt Creations.

There are some of you out there that know from taking my classes how much I love to cut things out. Well you will love this if you like the look of cut out things but just don't have the patience to do the intricate cutting. It is so simple...you STAMP the image and then you use a spellbinders die and CUT out the image. Way cool.

They have various stamp sets that are designed to co-ordinate with die sets that they partnered with Spellbinders to create to match their stamps. I have the stamp set called Daisy Patch Flowers #3318 which has five different sizes of flowers so you can layer or simple stamp with. These are red rubber with foam mount and then you use a clear arcylic stamp block to stamp with. The etching on the stamps is very good. Your options are you can stamp with colored ink on colored cardstock or you could stamp on white paper and use a coloring medium to fill in.

Once you have stamped the image use the co-ordinating die set which in this case is #703 Daisy Patch Die Cut. For each die cut set there seems to be at least two or three stamp sets that specifically co-ordinate.
How do you get the image lined up with the die? If you check back here I had posted a tutorial on how to do this. By the way, they line up perfectly!

So for this card I cut out various sizes as you can see...I think I covered all five sizes. I used Tim Holtz Vintage Brown ink for stamping with. I curved the petals with a round wooden skewer. Worked quite well actually cause it was thin. For the centres I put a dallop of glue and then applied brown fuzzy stuff that you sometimes find in boxes. I can't remember the name of it right now. Flower Soft would work great too but I didn't have any that was suitable.If the glue had spread out farther than I wanted it too I simply used my exacto knife and pushed it back into a round circle. The glue I did use was a Flower Soft product so it was thick and white.

Look at all those little diamonds. I made my own flourish lines freehand.

The pattern paper is Basic Grey - Pyrus.

I'm off to do some travelling.

See you on Monday.

Yvonne

Christmas Ornaments

Morning,

Look at the Christmas ornaments I made this week-end. I think they are soooo cute.

I bought the plastic snowflakes, 10 to a package at Michaels. $1.99 less my 40% off coupon. Gotta love those coupons. Actually come to think of it you can probably find them at the Dollar store too!

On all the ornaments I decorated both sides so it doesn't matter which way the ornament swings. Now I can have Xavy's cute little face on my Christmas tree or hanging in my craft room.

This one I altered a little more...yes, all the snowflakes were white but I used my Smooch and spritzed it. Now it is blue.White liquid applique on the hat, diamond stickles on the snowflakes and tiara glitter on the buttons. Stamp set from Just-Rite Stamps - Vintage Christmas.

This snowflake has been altered in color as well but I used Glimmer Mist - sand on this one. Sponged around the outside edge with Tim Holtz Distress Inks Antique Linen. Copics to color in the images on both snowflakes. The ornaments are also from the Vintage Christmas set.

If you find the snowflakes at the Dollar store let me know and I'll post the info here so someone else might get a good deal.

Just a reminder to check the links on the right side of my blog if you're interested in some papercrafting retreats in Nova Scotia.

Kristen arrives tonight and I received  my brochure for San Antonio in the mail yesterday. her and I are going on a little road trip. I'm excited...I don't get out much with female companionship. We will be taking Tom Tom with us too. Maybe I'll change the voice on the GPS to a female voice so it's an all-girl roadtrip. lol

I'll post a card - non Christmas on Thursday.

Yvonne

Another Zig Zag Christmas

Hi There!

Off to another work week. It's going to be a busy week for me. I did all my housework this morning. Floors are even washed. Kristen arrives tomorrow night so I'm already for fun!

I made another Zig Zag card (I think it was last Thursday's post that has the directions). The only thing I did different with this one is I added what looks like a little flap to the top edge of the card.. I actually cut a scalloped oval nestability in half and it worked perfectly.

Stamp set is another Just Rite Stamps (Whimsical Christmas). Lots of dew drops on this card and some burgundy organdy ribbon. Sponged the edges of the image and the outer words.

Pattern paper is Basic Grey - Jovail.

If you give one of these cards a try leave me a comment with a link to your card or e-mail me a picture. Would love to see your creations.

I have something neat and nifty for tomorrow's share. Hope to see you again.

Yvonne

Isn't this Peachy? Mojo #155

 Hi There,

Little late in the day posting but better late than never.

I played along today with Mojo Mondays Sketch Challenge. Aside from following the sketch you had to incorporate a tag.
Hop on over to Mojo Monday for more inspirations.

I did use another Just -Rite Stamp, Beautiful Blossoms and those fabulous beaded ovals by Spellbinders. You know, the ones I didn't want. lol

The pattern paper is from Basic Grey - Curio Line, ribbon from my stash. The solid cardstock is Co-ordinations. Pearls from my stash.

Do you like my idea of a tag? Cut that using the cricut cartridge Fabulous Finds at 2". It actually folds over and you can put a little brad in it. Colors in with Copic Markers.

Colors used on Flower

R02 - Flesh

R05 - Salmon Red

YR61 - Yellowish Skin Pink

Won't get into detail of colors for green and I used a bunch creating the shade I wanted to match the paper.

Distressed the edges of the oval with Tim Holtz Frayed Burlap Ink as well as all the edges on the pattern paper. 

I think I'm off to the mall for a little shopping therapy. I've received an e-mail from "Gymboree" they have a sale. Must take a peek.

Have a great week-end.

I've got some great projects already completed for next week!

Yvonne

Zig Zag Card

Afternoon All,

Warm afternoon here. Spent the morning doing errands. Going to spend a little time outside this afternoon.

A friend directed me to a site that had a tutorial on the Zig Zag Card. Of course I had to give it a try. Actually I've tried more than one so you'll see a couple different cards done with this layout over the next few days. Similar to the stair steps card but a little different.Click here for directions.

The santa is the same coloring directions I gave a few days ago so you can check back if you want the details. Pattern paper is Basic Grey - Jovail. It's a nice collection. Remaining cardstock is Bazzill.

Gold embossing powder and attached a little row of gold bling beside the words. Kind of matches the pattern paper at the top of the card on the edges. That is just the pattern of the paper - no bling. 

Santa is a Just-Rite Stamp.

Tomorrow I have a card to play along in the Mojo Monday Challenge.

Bye!

Corner Bookmark Tutorial

 Good Afternoon...

Busy yesterday. Spent the day at appointments. I did get time last night to make a couple more projects. So today is a corner bookmark, tomorrow is a fancy fold card and next week an Advent Calendar. Told you I was busy!

The bookmark - Pattern paper on the first one is Basic Grey - Jovial and on the second one discontinued Stampin' Up. Stamp set from Just-Rite Stamps - Whimsical Christmas .

Tutorial for Corner Bookmark

Start with a square piece of cardstock or double sided paper. I used 5 x 5 but as long as it's square it will work. Score at 2 1/2" both directions (or in half each way).

Cut out one of the squares.

Opposite the corner you cut away cut that square on the diagonal. This is where you could also use fancy edged scissors or a border punch. Look closely on the second bookmark and you'll see the border.

Fold it up.

While it is folded just cut a little bit off of the tip. This is where you will place the ribbon if you want a tab to pull on.

Place the ribbon between the two full squares and then glue both of those squares together.

Decorate the front as you like. This is one time you'll want to not add a lot of dimension as it is going between pages in your book.

This would be cute to add if you're giving a book as a gift.

Also useful for your recipe books.

We can bookmark our favorite pages in our craft magazines.

Tell me what you think. I love your comments.Remember unless you leave an address or a link to your blog I can respond back to you.

Have a great Hump Day...it is Wednesday you know!

Yvonne

Peek-A-Boo

Good Morning,

Quiet day yesterday but didn't really get much accomplished.

These are the scrapbook pages I completed last week.

The pattern paper is from Fancy Pants. It was one 12 x 12 sheet and I cut it apart to make it resemble lego blocks. lol

Xavy & Poppy are playing with his Lego. Xavier does a great job of putting the blocks together but he also loves to knock down the ones you built...hence...engineer or demolition expert????? Time will tell.

This was so cute...He had a pice of lego that was a window. I opened the window and said "peek-a-boo" at him. We then had a great game of "Peek-A-B00" through the window. Don't you just like the eyes in the BOO!

Do you ever know you have a certain accessory but just can't remember where you stored it. I had to look for a long time for those googly eyes. I knew I had seen them when I had re-arranged by cupboards.

Xavier - I see there is a package being delivered to you today! Let Nana know if they fit!

Fargo Cat Shops has a package arriving as well...and for some scrapbooking or papercrafting retreats check out the links on the top right hand side of my blog.

That's all for today. I do have a little something for tomorrow.

See you then......Yvonne

Happy Labor Day! Alligators

Hi There,

A long week-end for some people...hope everyone is enjoying it. Attended Clay Walker concert this week-end. It was very loud and very good.

DH has just left for Alaska. Way, way north...farther than Anchorage. Will be back next week-end...so that leaves me with lots of crafting time.

This week-end I did manage to get a card done. This is the vintage ornament stamp from Just-Rite Stamps.

The image was stamped on watercolor paper and gold embossed. The image was colored in with H2O's. It gives a nice shimmer effect to the image. No H2O's color in with your copics, watercolor pencils any other method you may choose. Then try adding a spritz of Smooch over it for a shimmer effect.

I used that beaded scalloped circle again and added lots of ivory beads.  Also very small gold beads on the ornament. All circles were cut using Spellbinders Nestabilities. Pattern paper is Basic Grey - Jovial. The pattern piece I used was from a 12 x 12 piece but if you are an avid cardmaker check out Basic Grey's 6 x 6 pattern packs. Same great designs but the pattern is sized smaller to work better on cards. I know FargoCat Shops have some of these on order. If interested contact Deborah to reserve a pattern pack for you. Black cardstock from Bazzill and gold ribbon, Stampin' Up. Brushed gold paper is paperweight and I purchased at a scrapbook store.

See the window...the ornament is glued to one scalloped circle red, then dimensionals, then adhered to another scalloped circle.

Now that we have the card out of the way I'll move onto some personal stories.

The subdivision that I  live in has a small man-made lake. It's really a large pond...has a fountain in the centre. The lake is to the right of the swimming pool area and the park for the kids. You're getting the picture.

A couple of weeks ago we had a home-owners association meeting and it was mentioned that at least one and maybe more ....alligators have moved into the lake. (We are on the edge of a State Park...)

Out walking yesterday morning we did see a small alligator at the edge of the lake. There is also a sign up now that warns about swimming and alligators. I'll try and remember to take a picture. We've also seen some big turtles swimming in there. This isn't a lake that you would want to swim in anyway. It is pretty dirty and muddy looking.

I'm off to craftyland...see you tomorrow!

Yvonne

Spread A Little Cheer - Mojo

Happy Friday,

Thought I would play along with this week's Mojo Challenge. I went with a Christmas theme again. I've got lots of new images to share with you thanks to Deborah.

This is the Whimsical Christmas set from Just-Rite Stamps. I love that the borders are interchangeable between sets as long as they are within the same size family. This is a 2" set.

The base of the card is Rose Red and the pattern paper is from Hobby Lobby.  The strip in the middle is cuttlebugged with the snowflakes folder. The border on the red is a Stampin' Up punch.

The fancy circle is from Nestabilities. It is the beaded circles die. I originally had no interest in the beaded circles or ovals. I think they might become my favorite. FargoCat Shops should be receiving their order of Nesties anyday now. he he (I've got the tracking number and I'm following them!) There are also lots of gemstones that go great with the beaded circles.

Do you like the snowflake? These are called "sparkle burst brads"! When I was in Nova Scotia I got a set from Deborah. I choose the non-traditional colors of pink and blue but she had lots of other great ones in greens/reds/silver/ etc. I added some little bows along the bottom edge.

Lighting for picture taking is a  little off today...it's been pouring buckets all day long. Hope it doesn't last too long as I have an outdoor concert to go to tonight. I've bought tickets to see Clay Walker...country...if you're not a country fan. lol

Close up of those gems and the image was colored with Copics.

B00 (Frost Blue), B02 (Robin's Egg Blue)

RV10 (Pale Pink), RV13 (Tender Pink)

Y17 (Golden Yellow)

G000 (Pale Green), G21 (Line Green), G85 (Verdgris)

C3 (Cool Grey)

Deborah is hosting some day retreats for both scrapbooking and papercrafting (card making). They will each have their own separate days. Check it out here.

Have a good long week-end.

Yvonne

Happy Birthday Adam

September 1 - WOW! It's my sons birthday. Happy Birthday Adam! I can still remember the excitement 29 years ago. You've brought me much joy and happiness and a few grey hairs. Love you!

I was going to post the card I made for him today but I forgot to take a picture...I know...my memory is going....not really...I was trying to get the package in the mail and I had thought I had photographed it the day before. So you'll have to trust me it was a nice masculine card with a train on the front. I had used my distress inks on it and also colored the beige twill tape with ink. Got the picture...not really.

Okay, I'll give you this card to look at today! This was done with stamps from Just-Rite Stamps (floral) and the two yellow layers are cut with the new beaded ovals from Spellbinders. Swiss dot embossing folder on the purple layer.

Copic Markers Used

B02 (prune)

V95 (Light Grape)

V000 (pale hearth)

BV31 (pale lavender)

B00 (mauve shadow)

E31 (brick beige)

YG 23 (new leaf)

YG63 (pea green)

E35 (chamois)

Y28 (Lionel Gold)

A prima flower with gold brad and some organza ribbon.

I still have a scrapbook page to get finished. I seem to be struggling a bit with this one. Not sure why either but hopefully I can share it tomorrow.

Hope everyone has an great day especially Adam!

Yvonne (aka Mom)