Friday, April 7, 2017

Some Bunny Pom Pom Tag...Tag, You're It Challenge #69

Hello,

Welcome to Tag, You're It Challenge #69, where immensely talented Joyce, from Cards By the Sea fame, has this fantastic pompom-sporting gem as inspiration.

Guest Featured Artist

Also joining in the 'fluffy fun' is our guest designer Lisa Elton. 

Wild antics (ie. rolling-on-the-floor with laughter) when you see my tag are *not* allowed (you will have to stifle yourselves...guaranteed). Snickers, giggling and pointing, eye-ball rolling...those are fine and likely can't be helped.  You see, I've never made a pompom before...as you can tell...Hahahahaha..sorry, Broke my own rules....


Just for the record: no bunnies (Uniko Some Bunny) were hurt in creating this tag; wool, however...an entirely different story!  Not. My. Fault!  I'm just pompom pathetic!  Even though I turned to several videos to help me out, the task posed...um...interesting.  My pompom (isn't that a fun word! I think I'll use it repetitively, because it makes me smile!.  Pompom! Okay...my 'decorative ball of fluff' (to be technical about it) started off the size of a cereal bowl. I 'may' have used the wrong type of yarn - it's sort of stretchy (here's the back story...I bought this 'new born baby' pastel hat kit before my nephew was born and prior to knowing he was a boy.  I followed the instructions to a 't'...and let's just say the finished hat was a far cry from newborn sized! It fit my sister-in-law perfectly! I think she still wears it on occasion.).   Anyway, after doing umpteen wraps, and the 'knotting' thing, I proceeded to cut, as instructed. I should have taken a photo of the original...and entered it into Darnell's Boo-Boo challenge! Alas, didn't think of it (I was laughing too hard...or maybe I was crying....).  Anyway, the videos said not to be afraid of 'trimming your pompom down to size'...so trim I did. A lot of trimming.  Here's the bowl of left-overs squashed down so as to fit...


And here's my bunny, with his pompom, nestled in the soft wooliness...


Okay....enough from me! A lot of babble for a first-time pompom.  I love Joyce's tag: inspiration is obvious and oh, such fun to try something new!  Oh, and the full sentiment reads: Some bunny loves you! Giving this to my niece and nephew on a basket of Easter treats when next I see them....

Please head over to see the fantastic tags designed by our featured and guest designers, as well as my team-mates. You'll be impressed (as contrasted to 'eye-brow raised amused' after having seen mine):


Please join us with your tag inspired by Joyce's. Pompoms not required...but it would be super fun if you did. Besides, if I can make a pompom (sort of...), you most certainly can!

See you in the gallery!


Thank you so much for dropping in; your visit brings me joy!



Thursday, April 6, 2017

Wishing You Oceans of Love....Just Us Girls Challenge #387~Sea, The Card Concept Challenge #70~Purple Haze, A Blog Named Hero~Anything Goes

Hello,

Crazy dash to post my card for the following challenges, the first of which is but minutes away from closing (nothing like being last minute!):

Just Us Girls Challenge #387~Sea


The Card Concept Challenge #70~Purple Haze


A Blog Named Hero~Anything Goes
Hero Arts Layering Seahorses images (which I absolutely adore!) set atop Marbled Waves background from Serendipity Stamps...in shades of purple with a whisper of gold in the starfish and blue/teal in the shell.


Whew...done. Out of breath!

Hope you've been had a marvelous week so far!

Thank you for dropping by; your visit brings me joy!

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

STAMPlorations Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop & Linky Party

Hello,

I'm ever so thrilled and honoured to be joining Shery and her STAMPlorations team as a guest designer for the amazing STAMPlorations Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop & Linky Party.

The event will have one main day (today,April 5), with extra posts on the following 3 Wednesdays. We will be showcasing spring-themed projects (cards, ATCs, tags, postcards, etc.) that have wings (birds, butterflies, dragonflies, etc.).

Of course, this is an 'interactive' challenge that involves prizes, so be sure to read the details in poster below and check out the STAMPlorations main blog.  You for sure want to play along!


My wonderfully talented and passionate card-making friend, Vicki, who is also a STAMPlorations DT member, recently shared a photo of a teapot that caught her eye...and mine, too! This gem became the inspiration for the cards I'm sharing today, specifically the single image butterfly and the shade of green on the lid, which I decided is cracked pistachio!

CAS + single panel + stenciling + one image = my go to style (I know... a tad boring, but I hope not!).  Shery's products are perfect for CAS-ilicious cards (as they are for a myrid of other styles/technique and projects...) and, with the sweet teapot as my muse, that's what I've designed for you today.

The first features two Flutter Zen 1 Layering Dies, inked in peacock, pistachio and citron, layered  and set atop a Bloom Factory stenciled background. The encouraging sentiment is from Trendy Butterflies 2. Of course, everything is framed by my favourite, often-reached-for Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies. 



For my second card, I tried to imitate the inspiration butterfly's colours, using prisma pencils. Simple recipe: Two Trendy Butterflies 2 coloured, cut with the solid die from Flutter Zen 1 Layering Die, layered and set, along with the sentiment, into a bed of Old Rose Prints stenciled roses.



An attempted side view of the one above to show the layered butterflies. 

Please be sure to check out the awesome inspiration from the rest of the team. Dazzle guaranteed!

Hope my cards, paired with he list of prizes Shery's generously offering, will convince you to join us!

I'll be back later in the month (as in, *before you know it*, given how quickly time is passing!) with more inspiration!

Things with Wings....that's all you need!  See you in the gallery!

Also sharing at:



Thank you for dropping by; your visit brings me joy!

Happy Spring Birthday....Serendipity April 5th Blog Hop

Hello,

Welcome to Serendipity Stamps April Blog Hop #1...I'm still trying to figure out where March went! 

Today, the design team will be showing you some fabulous products and offering you a chance to win some goodies from Serendipity Stamps. All you need to do is hop along and leave comments, which puts you in running for a $20 gift certificate.  Here's the hop list....

Carol Mayne - you are here

Inspiration for my card came from this sweet sketch over at CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge #215


which I pretty much did case!  Who can resist that big, happy, star-of-the-stage bloom! I dove right in! On my card you'll see images from Summer Flower Pops Detailed and Solid Stamps and Dies and, the newcomer on the block, a die-cut Spring from the Seasons set. I wasn't confident enough to create a stem (me create a straight line? Even with a ruler? Hahahahahahah.....) so I used a little happy birthday stamp. I *think* it works; hope you do, too....


NOTE: Honoured and delighted to receive at Honourable Mention at CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge #215.  THANK YOU!!

Please head over to Serendipity Stamps Blog for more how-to-win details as well as for some scoops on sales. 

Okay...time for you to hop and shop! Next on the list is wonderfully talented Karen Amidon. Enjoy!


Thank you for dropping in today; your visit brings me joy! 



Sunday, April 2, 2017

Most Favourite and You Can Do Anything....CASology Challenge #242~Text, Cards in Envy~Black and White Challenge, Less Is More Challenge #322~Three Pastels

Hello once again....

Quick post to share three cards, all of which were inspired by CASology Challenge #242~Text


I was 'this close' to not playing...and then I remembered that I DO have text images, thanks to Neat and Tangled! Cards in Envy~Black and White Challenge (with one pop of colour allowed) helped to make the colour decisions VERY easy...



Two guesses who'll be receiving these *grin*

NOTE: Honoured and thrilled to be selected as Marilyn, Sandy, & Kristi's *In the Mailbox* favourite! THANK YOU!!!

The third draws from Less Is More Challenge #322~Three Pastels: pink, lavender and green....



NOTE: Thrilled and honoured to be selected as an Honourable Mention at CASology Challenge #242! THANK YOU, Melissa!

I'm off...hope you're having a most wonderful Sunday!  Snowing here, but I see peeks of blue sky emerging through the clouds...

So delighted you found time to drop by; your visit is both welcomed and deeply appreciated!

Lacy Leaves Just A Note...Guest Designer for CAS on Sunday Challenge #105~Leaves/Tree

Hello,

Happy April!  Time for Spring, right?  Hoping so....

Today, I'm thrilled and delighted to be joining the fabulous, welcoming team at CAS on Sunday as the guest designer for CAS on Sunday Challenge #105~Leaves/Tree.  When Janneke shared the theme with me I knew exactly which leaf images I wanted to use, but the 'how' was a bit elusive. And then...I recalled having watched Amy R's (fellow Canadian..and WOW, her videos/creativity = outstanding!) fabulous Colour Throwdown video a while ago and...dots connected.

Colour Throwdown Challenge #436~Light Yellow, Blue and Green


The inspiration photo is scrumptious, but what caught my eye were the trio of ink splats. (Actually, of late - as you have easily seen - ink splats have been frequently catching my eye...and I'm not done with them quite yet *grin*). Soooo...here's my card (made two...): faux-water-colouring with my various splat stamps once again and, over top the background, my two ever-so-delicately veined leaves from So Suzy stamps....



THANK YOU so much to the team for this marvelous GD opportunity!

To my wonderful visitors, please visit the CAS on Sunday blog where the fabulous DT are showcasing their stunning creations. Afterwards, please bring your CAS leaves/trees cards/projects to the gallery!  You'll be warmly welcomed...guaranteed!

Also sharing at:

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #170~No Dies Allowed


So delighted you found time to drop by; your visit is both welcomed and deeply appreciated!

Concord & 9th Flourish Celebrate...Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #401~Maroon, Coral & Lemon

Hello,

WOW! Cupcake Inspirations 400th Challenge Birthday Celebration was a resounding success! A mega thank you to all our generous sponsors, our fabulous guest designers, and especially all of YOU who joined us in the gallery with your previous cupcake inspired birthday cards! Choosing winners was quite the challenge and for the record, we consider everyone to be a star!

So...we have a little somthin'-somethin' new to tantalize you with this week.  How's this inspiration photo for setting your sweet tooth tingling?  Welcome to Cupcakes Inspiration Challenge #401~Maroon, Coral and Lemon. The icing roses are spectacular!  Can I just say: seeing these fantastic cupcakes week after week has me contemplating a cake decorating class!

. 

Our sponsor for this challenge is Birch Press Designs, who will be awarding the lucky winner a $20 gift certificate to their store. Incentive, indeed.


Finally, finally, finally I've inked up a stamp set that has been sitting in (or is that 'on') the NBUS pile for far tooo long: Concord & 9ths Flourish.  I mean, how many fantastic releases ago did this gem appear!  Anyway, I consider it to be 'timeless'...and it's about 'time' I use it....Nothing super creative, as the C&9th designers have done all the work. I just followed their lead and voila...


New goodies means I'm also heading over to Darnell's place, where she's inviting us to join her in the 2nd Annual April Fool's Boo-Boo Hop and NBUS Challenge #11.  I confess that a few boo-boos happened in the making of this card but I didn't remember to take photos. Trust me: all for the best! *grin*


Please be sure to visit the Cupcakes site, where an array of Maroon, Coral and Lemon treats away.  Then, join us in the gallery.  Remember: cupcakes are not required to play along (although we'd never, ever turn down cupcakes...or cakes...or pies...or chocolate chip cookies).  This week, just go with the scrumptious colours...(why did I mention cookies...craving!).

So delighted you found time to drop by; your visit is both welcomed and deeply appreciated!