Feathery Note...MUSE #131 Guest Designer

Hello,

Pumped, stoked and excited beyond belief this last Monday in August to be the Muse #131 Guest Designer this week!  When Ardyth extended  the invitation, I was in a state of shock! Me...a GD at MUSE?  Talk bout feeling honoured and very special!  I'm still walking on air!

Here's my card:

I inked up  my fabulous feather stamps from STAMPlorations, drawing ideas from this amazing Friday Favourites post from uber-talented Cath, over at her new Hip & Hooray blog.  Rather than show you the image, I'll 'tease' you with this link: head over for a visit, drool over the hodge-podge of fabulous inspiration she's shared and, as you scroll, you'll soon discover the print that caught my eye.  Indeed, it caught my eye so much that two more panels are waiting in the wings to be card-ified.

Hopefully, you'll see a few ways to go with this challenge: feathers, colours, the 'line-up' of images or whatever else caught your eye and your imagination.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ardyth and the DT for the opportunity to play at MUSE this week!

Everyone else: see you in the gallery!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!
Hugs,

One Layer Birthday Butterflies...Inkspirational Challenge #90~Designer's Choice

Hello,

Welcome to Inkspirational Challenge #90, where our sweet Nonni selected this as her Designer's Choice challenge:

This week, the DT - Marina, Shauna, Sandie, Nonni, Yvonne, Pia, Kim and I - are joined by our talented guest designer, Ellie, whose card is pure delight.

One layer...oh my! Not something I do...in fact, I don't think I've made more than two prior this challenge, so talk about a stretch!  Not knowing what approach to take, I combed the blog-iverse and, fortunately, discovered another challenge with a similar theme. Eureka! Yes I confess, I borrowed ideas from One Layer Simplicity #19~Strip Down (but didn't enter!), because had I not, we'd all be starting at a very blank post right now!   After wrestling with getting my tape straight (make that straight-ish) for the strip, and doing the best I could with blending/sponging,  a card finally fruitified (my mom's word. Love it!). Since I was in the groove, I made two...

Here's the first showcasing my lovely Uniko English Garden butterflies, where I was perhaps a bit too enthusiastic with sprinkling water droplets,

and the second, where my So Suzy Stamps Fancy Butterfly has alit...

This business of masking/sponging a strip is not easy; fussing, mussing and, yes, a smidge of cussing were called for. Still, I'm okay with the final results, although I think I'll continue to stick with my die cut panels!

Please head over to the Inkspirational blog to scope out the one-layer wonders the team and Ellie have for you, then create one, or a few, to share in the gallery.  We love having you join us, as your creativity is always delightfully inspiring.  The winner will be invited as a guest designer for a future challenge and, as always, I'd be delighted if it were YOU!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!
Hugs,

Starry and Flamingo Smiles...Tag You're It Challenge #29

Hello,

TGIF! I don't say that very often, but today, much 'thank goodness' is happening: end of the first week of work, heading to visit my family (excitement galore!) and the pleasure, for the first time of being your hostess at Tag You're It Challenge #29!  It's a big difficult to see, but my card is embossed with the Winnie & Walter multifaceted die, which I inked slightly in pink. The stars (Chameleon coloured in pink) and the smile die cut are also W&W; the tag is Reverse Confetti and the sentiment is from Verve.

I made this tag/card  a while back, and at the time, wasn't sure if, how or when I would do a 'remake', as I've not cased myself before.  I thought about leaving it as is...and then the RC Flamingo arrived. Decision to re-make: done!  My 'new'card drew inspiration from the old in the following ways: embossed backgrounds, black/white on the tag, pink elements and, obviously, a repetition of the gold 'smiles' die cut.  Different, but similar.  And as I told you in my previous post: you'd be seeing the flamingo again, very soon. This is soon *grin*

The design team  - Erin, Donna, Jeanne, and Kara Lynne, along with our talented guest designer, Karren - have created some outstanding tags and I'd so love for you to visit over at the Tag You're It blog. Dazzle and delight 10000000% guaranteed. 

I hope my tag inspires you to design one, or more, of your own and come to play alongside us. Remember: the winner is invited to be the guest designer for the next challenge.

See you in the gallery!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Hugs,

Flamingo Birthday...CAS(E) this Sketch #137, Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Anything Goes, Simply Create Too #92~Anything Goes

Hello,

Back at work for three days and I am SO ready for a holiday. 'Nuff said! Technology...it's going to drive me ca-razy!

Tomorrow is the 'official first day when we gather for a 'meeting with the brass' to pump us up for the year. Coffee, snacks, a couple of hours of spiels. The best part: meeting up with some of my teaching pals...and we'll perform exactly like students, whispering when the superintendent is talking, writing notes (we won't text....promise), being a bit silly.  Friday's a repeat of meetings with various departments then in the afternoon...off to visit my family! Yahoooo!

Right now,  I'd like to introduce you to one of the newest members of my collection, all pretty in pink, nestled atop some delicate jungle leaves, and posing for CAS(E) this Sketch #137 (I adapted a bit...)

Finally, finally, finally: the Reverse Confetti Flamingo is mine.  Alllll mine! Isn't he pretty, with his polka dot wings?  Yes, I am terrified of birds (the hippo-sized ravens where we live are scary!), but not of this lovely winged creature. You'll be seeing more of this flamingo...soon. Very soon! Smitten with it...

I'm also heading to the galleries at:

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Anything Goes

and Simply Create too #92~Anything Goes

We've been living under a dense blanket of smoke since Sunday, due to the wildfires in BC and the US. At least we're safe from the actual flames, so as much as it makes my eyes itch and my throat dry, I consider us blessed. We still have our home...To all who are affected:  my thoughts and prayers go out with you.

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!
Hugs,

Rainbow Candles Birthday...Addicted to Stamps and More #159~Clean and Simple

Hello,

Today, my DT and I welcome you to Addicted to Stamps and More #159~Clean and Simple.  I went CAS...in fact, I'd say I went *Super* CAS!  I re-discovered my much neglected Annabelle Stamps (sadly, no longer in business), Scribble and Scrabble 2 set and decided to give the birthday sentiment and teensy scribbly candles some TLC.

  Here's what happened. See...told you it was *Super* Cas. I rather like it, thought...those candles are cute!

Please check out my team's amazing cards, where you're sure to be inspired; then, create a clean, simple card of your own and join us in the gallery.

Need extra incentive? Okay, how about this: the winner will receive 7 digis from

Fun to be had with those, for sure!

See you at ATSM Challenge #159!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!
Hugs,

Birthday and Thank You Butterflies...Muse Challenge #129, Pinterest Inspired Challenge #1

Hello once again!

Super quick visit as I need to get the back-to-work-what-to-wear thing figured out. Not that I ever dress up; rather, it's all about the temperature in the building and deciding on a layering strategy.  Anyway, two cards have patiently been waiting their photo-and-post dates, which I should have accomplished earlier, but I was frantically trying to make other cards. Work on the horizon and I'm suddenly even more craft-frenzied that normal! Craziness! I still have so much NBUS to use! I'm not ready for the summer to end!

Okay...two butterfly cards coming right up.  The first is for Muse #129, where talented, sweet Anita tempted us with this green/blue-gold-black delight:

Deciding what approach to take...definitely a challenge, but after few trials (and errors), I settled on this:

I've translated her stencil to green/blue flowers and leaves,  changed up her leaves for one gold and  one vellum butterfly and added, as she did, a sentiment in black.  The gold butterfly should be smaller, methinks, however...it is as is for now. Perhaps a reno down the road.

My second card is for the first Pinterest Inspired Challenge, with this funky floral piece to spark ideas:

My Altenew butterflies came out to play...

Okay, that's all for now.  I've fallen behind in commenting, AGAIN. Work/School starting, plus a couple more travel weekends will probably keep me preoccupied, but I'll do my best to get on track!  Thank you for continuing to visit me...I am truly blessed to have your support, encouragement and friendship!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!
Hugs,

Chickadee Hello...City Crafter Challenge Blog #275~Around the Corner

Hello,

So, I quite literally went 'around the corner' to bring you my next card, which is for, yes, City Crafter Challenge Blog #275~Around the Corner.  This week, Stella has invited us to to create a card or  project, where the image occupies just one corner and leaves the rest blank.  I followed instructions...yayyy!!!

First, the sweet photo from the blog that helped to spark ideas...

How adorable is that kitten, peeking around the corner? I suspect that under all that 'cute', a whole lot of mischief is about to unfold. NowI want to add a kitten to my collection...See, inspired!

Here's my card: a little flock of chickadees (I'm sure Miss Kitty would have fun pouncing after these...) gathered in the corner, to wish someone hello.  Simple and clean and Wink of Stella sparkly. 

NOTE; Thrilled and honoured to be sharing the stage as a Spotlight Artist. THANK YOU!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!
Hugs,

Super Girl...Freshly Made Sketches #200

Hello,

The post-a-poolza is beginning on this, my last "official" day of summer holidays. Sigh. That's okay though: I like my job. This week is all about reorganizing, reconnecting, revamping; meetings, catching up on one another's holidays, figuring out the game plan for the upcoming year. All in all, an 'ease in' before the students arrive next Monday. I can do this!

Mega congratulations to Freshly Made Sketches #200~A Celebration. Talk about a long-running challenge, originally started by Lesley Croghan, and currently under the care of the two talented Jennifers - Jennifer Timko and Jennifer Mitchell - as well as an incredibly talented supporting cast of design team members.  I'm joining in with the others in applauding this milestone, with wishes for another 200+ more challenges to come!  They've given us a fabulous sketch to play with

and really sweetened the pot by adding prizes to the pool.  Talk about incentive! Thank you!

My card was made possible by our sweet Michele, over at icardeveryone (THANK YOU!!), who sent me this sweet Super Girl die cut.  Super Girl is, of course, my super niece, Ms. T. And yes, she is awesome!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!
Hugs,

Upon a Star...Tag You're It #28~Reminder Post, Cupcake Inspirations #323

Hello,

Today, a quick reminder post that you still have one more week to join us at Tag You're It Challenge #28, where we're inviting you to draw inspiration from Jen's darling balloon-toting celebration bear

My tag...yep, looks like a real stretch, doesn't it...

but there is method to my case-ness.  The logic is this:

Jen's bear = my fairy

Balloons = stars

Sentiment banner with the navy edges = mine, with the gold

Inspiration can be translated in many different ways, so how about showing us yours! You still have a few days to join us in the gallery.  I'm excited to see what details caught your eye.

My colours were inspired by Cupcake Inspiration #323.  Classy cupcakes, indeed!

NOTE; Honoured and delighted to be selected as Amy's Sweet Six choice at Cupcake Inspiration #323. THANK YOU!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!
Hugs,

Congratulations...Your Next Stamp #20~Sketch and Colour Challenge, STAMPlorations~Anything Goes

Hello!

A quick post today, because another linky is counting down minutes to closing! My card is a first-time entry to Your Next Stamp shop, this time for Challenge #20, where we can be inspired by the sketch, the colours, or both. I have but two YNS stamp sets - sentiments (which I'm using on my card here) and flourishes - and wow x a zillion. They are ah-mazing!  Gorgeous images, stellar stamping. Of course, I want more! There's a lot of fabulous inspiration on their blog and in their shop. Go for a visit and you'll come away impressed!

Anyway, my card 'started' with plans to follow the sketch,

but I wound up going somewhat awry. I have the two panels, though..

The colour palette is drawn from the photo of this pretty kitchen:

The polka-dot chair and tea pot...oh my!

Essentially, my card is a bit of a hybrid: part of the sketch and four of the colours - in subdued shades - red, light blue, green, kraft.  AND the star of the show: the lovely YNS Congratulations sentiment.

Hopefully, I've met the challenge requirements with the colours...

I'm also sharing at STAMPlorations~Anything Goes

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day.
Hugs,

You've Got Smarts...Addicted to CAS #70~School, Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Back to School, CAS(E) This Sketch #136, TAWS~Link Up to Win

Hello again... 

Come September, a certain someone's niece will be starting kindergarten!!  Gahhhh...my little girl is growing up way, way, way too fast! I'm even tearing up, thinking about her going to school. "The places she'll go": must keep that in mind. Sniffle. Sniffle. Yes, a whole new phase of her life's journey begins. As for me, a new journey, too, because her class = a whole new potential audience to make 'stuff' for! Woo hoooo! Look out, Ms. T's kindergarten class, because Aunty C has plans ( (hope the teachers won't mind if I wade in with a card or 60 at times)! And the added bonus: more school-themed products to invite into my collection. More cheering!

Okay, settling down.  Here's my card for Ms. T, using The Alley Way Stamps Learning Curve set:

Isn't that a cute sentiment? Fits Ms. T to a 't'!  Me, a biased Aunty C? Yep! But she does have smarts; lots of them!  My row of school supplies was inspired by sweet Leigh's sketch over at CAS(E) this Sketch #136

Along with the card: a bookmark.  I still need to make one for Mr. C, as he will not be impressed if big sister has one and he doesn't.

Here's her 'starting school' two-some:

I'm sharing in the galleries at:

The Alley Way Stamps~Link Up to Win

Addicted to CAS #70~School

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Back to School

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Hugs,

Warning: some post-a-poolza might be happening here for the next day or two.  "Excessive" card-making (or attempting, at any rate) going on;that's what happens when it's rainy and cool out or when it's too hot, sunny and zany windy (as it is right now) or when my husband is away (Ottawa again and more travels to come) or when the realization that 'back to work' is five days away and one must craft crazily while one can.... Anyway...cards are a-happening!  

Special Day Fox and Hello Zebra...Just Us Girls #306-Colour Week, Paper Smooches ~Anything Goes,, Cute Card Thursday #386~Anything Goes, CAS Colours & Sketches #127-Sketch

Hello,

For whatever reason, Monday morning I was obsessed with making a shaker card. No rhyme or reason, just *had* to. Overall, a totally illogical thing to do, as I'm not very adept at making shakers and my sequin stash is, well, somewhat laughable (which is why you don't see them adorning my cards very often).  To be clear: I have ever so pretty sequins, which I'm saving for who knows what (how about learning where to place the darn things!) and a bunch of 'not so quality' ones from oh...some store *grin*  It was those that I wanted to play with - use 'em up!

After many hours - TRUE STORY, and I'm not disclosing how long this took,  although I did have some distractions along the creation-journey - this is what materialized:

The zebra's expression pretty much says it all...so much time for such a little creation (4.5 x 4.5)...but it is kinda cute...sorta...

NOTE:  Thrilled and honoured that Mr. Zebra shaker card was selected as the JUGS Chic of the Week. THANK YOU!

After all that fiddling (and the realization that Mr. Mojo is still in the luggage, hiding), I made a second 'critter' card that required little more than die-cutting.  Nothing fancy; just my cutie-patootie Taylored Expressions Little Bits fox...

Yes, you've detected a colour theme happening here, the source being Just Us Girls #306~Colour Week

Mr. Fox's staging came from CAS Colours & Sketches #127~Sketch

I'm also heading off to Cute Card Thursday #386~Anything Goes and Paper Smooches August 16-22~Anything Goes (yep, Kim and DT...yet another zebra card!)

After the shaker debacle, I think I have shaker's out of my system...for now. Still a bunch of those sequins left though...and I could do a hippo card, because they're grew...and some red flowers and...maybe not. I'll save the hippo for something else.

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Hugs,