Cards In Envy - Rev it Up

I'm back again for the second time today, as it's time to share the latest challenge over at Cards in Envy. This fortnight we want you to REV IT UP, and create a card showing anything that has an engine.  It may be a car, truck, plane, boat or anything in between.

My card uses a number of bright and colorful paper scraps that I had left over from other projects and thought the cute row of houses (Echo Park) would be a perfect backdrop for my Stampin' Up Image from the Loads of Love Stamp Set.

For more REVVING inspiration be sure to pop over to the Cards in Envy Blog and see the rest of the Design Teams Cards.

I do hope you will play along.

Other Challenges I am linking this card up to include:-
Card Crafter's Circle - #86 Dotty for Spots
Creative Corner Challenges - Polka Dots
Allsorts Challenge - #218 Photo Inspiration (Bright Colors)

Unity Friends with Flair and Color Throwdown

Hello everyone!  I was determined to get into my craft room for a while today, my back still isn't great, however yesterday was the first day in about three weeks that I sat up more than I lied down and went most of the day without taking any pain killers or using the Tens machine.  It has been the worst flair up of my Spondylitis since first being diagnosed with it in 2000.

Friday has always been my favorite day of the week, as it's also my hubby's day off so it's usually our day to do stuff together (alone) and then its Pizza and Movie Night with 'A' which has now become a family tradition since he has come into our lives.  Upon waking this morning I found out that one of my recent cards had won a challenge over at the Unity Be Inspired Challenge which means I am about to receive a fabulous prize filled with Unity Goodness and that one of the kits I designed for Altered Pages had sold.  So my Friday started off exceptionally well.  And what made it even better was I then had a couple of hours this morning to myself to craft - nobody at home but me! YEAH!!!!!!

Anyway back to my crafting.  I got ahead on some of my DT commitments due for August and then decided to make some cards just for fun and play along with a couple of challenges and link up to Unity's Friday Friends with Flair.

Stamps:  Unity Stamp Co

My Thoughts are with You and Miss You So Much Sentiment Sets, Generations Set Doily Stamps

Ink, Cardstock, Punches & Brads:  Stampin' Up

 Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Tempting Turquoise and Choc Chip.

The colors I used were inspired by the latest challenge over at the Color Throw Down Challenge Blog.  So I am entering these cards into this challenge too.

Anyway that's it from me today, I am off to start thinking about some dinner and supervise someone's homework.....I hope you all have a great weekend!

A Duo of Challenges

The current color challenge over at Dynamic Duos and the latest sketch at Unscripted Sketches is where I found inspiration for the card I have to share this morning.

  

I searched my paper scraps knowing I would have at least one piece of Sahara Sand Cardstock left from my Stampin' Up! Days as well as the Pink Pirouette.

I also used a sentiment stamp from my first ever brought Stampin' Up Sets along with one I have just recently received as part of a prize from Unity Stamp Co to create my stamped background on the Pink Cardstock.

My dies (Spellbinders Labels and Sizzix Tattered Flowers) along with my embossing folders weren't neglected for this one either and I finished with a touch of bling for my flower centres which are from Alacraft Online Craft Store.

This card would also have been perfect for today's upcoming new challenge at Cards In Envy however I will be back a little later on today to share a different card for this with you.

You are the Key to my Joy!

Hi Everyone! and hello to my latest followers, your kind comments like those of all my regular visitors are much appreciated and they are all part of what makes my blogging journey most enjoyable.    When you think about it, it is often the smallest of things that make us happy along with the people we share those with.  

One of those people is my hubby.

We have been married nearly nineteen years, and have endured some struggles like most couples do.   It is the hardships we have faced, the grief we have shared and the life we have forged together that has brought us closer and made us stronger as a couple.  He is the key to my Joy in so many different ways, and most recently I have loved watching and discovering a new side to him as we care for our foster son.   Alex has been with us now for six months and it's definitely been a roller coaster in emotions.  This new chapter in our lives has been a time of some frustration and fighting but mostly lots of fun and fulfillment.  It has both of us presently focusing on the 'where to from here?' and there are definitely some plans in the pipework.  One of which will see my craft room getting a full make-over..........yeah!

Anyway here is a card which was inspired by my thoughts and ramblings this morning as well as having a couple of challenges in mind.

Stamps:  Unity Stamp Co Key to Joy

Ink:  Stampin' Up!  

Other:  Yellow Gelato

The first challenge is over at CAS on Sunday.  They are asking for One Layer Wonders this week and upon seeing one of the examples from Nancy on their DT, I had to case her card design but have added a bit more of the 'messy me' twist as I like to call it.

My color choices of the Pink, Turquoise and Lavender tones were inspired by the latest challenge at Cupcake Inspirations.  After stamping my flowers with these colors I felt it needed something a little bit more to tie it all together, so I got out my yellow Gelato and scribbled around the design.  Bright colors make me happy so given this card is all about the Key to my Joy I really couldn't resist it.

I am also thinking that something similar to this would make a great journal page to record what it is that makes me happy!  What is it that makes you Happy?

Colors of Spring and for Baby

Hi Everyone! Its that time!  Time for my monthly post for The Robin's Nest and today I am sharing three cards featuring the Sorbet Glitter Collection Papers with colors that are perfect for Spring and For Baby!

These first two cards I have made with a couple of my older acquaintances in mind, who are both unwell at present.   I thought these pretty colors and knowing they are in my thoughts may brighten their day a little.

My third card features each one of the colors in the Sorbet Glitter Collection and is for Baby!  Each of my designs today don't have any thick embellishments making them perfect to pop in the post.

Aquamarine

Blue Raspberry

Kiwi

Red

Shocking Pink

 
For more Sorbet Glitter goodness be sure to keep checking the Chattering Robin's Blog throughout April as the rest of the Robin's Nest Design Team inspires you with a variety of projects all featuring this wonderful range of papers.

Cards in Envy - Paper Strips instead of Ribbon

Hi Everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and St. Patricks Day!  I went to the cinema with the boys to see Oz the Great and Powerful so it was kinda fitting given its a story about a Green City.....lol.

Anyway today starts another Cards in Envy Challenge and this week we want to see you use strips of paper instead of ribbon. Be sure to pop over to the blog to see all the wonderful inspiration from the Design Team.

My take on this is quite simple, I have taken a strip of paper and a marker in the same color to add some definition to the strip to resemble a grosgrain ribbon.  We are heading into Autumn here, so I had a bit of play with some seasonal colors for this one.  The stamps I have used are a combination of Unity Stamp Co and Stampin' Up!

Thanks for popping by and I do hope to be admiring your take on this challenge this fortnight!

Happy Birthday!

Hi Everyone!  I hope you have all had a great weekend.

We have had further wild and wet weather here but it didn't stop the boys and I heading off for a long weekend away for Rod's Birthday.  One fine day (Saturday) out of three wasn't bad we went for a walk, explored a little and the boys also had a swim and a bike ride later in the day before we all settling down with a good book for the night.   On Sunday we had a lovely catch up with some of my cousins who we hadn't seen for some years and we all enjoyed a yummy lunch at Babalou Restuarant at Kingscliffe.

Here's a picture of hubby posing for the camera after just being for a swim.

Prior to leaving for our weekend away I once again had some fun with my Gelli Plate creating some more grungy male oriented backgrounds so I could make a quick card for hubby with lots of Unity Stamps and Dew Drops too.

My monochromatic 80th Birthday Easel Card is for an order I received from one of my regular customers through the shop I sell my cards at.  It is using one of the prints I showed the other day, which incorporated the Medallion Stamp and Splash Inks.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Lexi's Creations - #84 Monochromatic

Sentimental Sunday's - #143 Flowers, Flowers and More Flowers

Here is a general Birthday Card using another piece of my first ever Gelli Plate Print, which was done using the Splash Inks and Large Bubble Wrap. 

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Created with Love - #30 Bright and Cheery

Pan Pastels UK - #8 Happy Birthday

For this card I used a White Posca Pen to draw circles around the imprint of the bubble wrap and my sentiment is stamped onto a piece of Blue Metallic Painted Cardstock I had in my stash.

That's about it for me today, I had better be off, I have lots of commenting to catch up on as well as some more cards to make.  Have a great week everyone and thanks so much for dropping by!

Cards In Envy #2 - Polka Dots and Stripes

Happy Monday Everyone!  It looks like we are in for another wet week, with lots of rain expected here, of course this would happen now as my hubby is on holidays and we were planning to get out in the yard as well as go away for a few days next weekend to the beach........lol.  On the upside I guess it means I will have more time to craft.

Today kicks off the second challenge at Cards in Envy, where we want to see all those Stripes and Polka Dots on your cards.

Immediately when I thought of Polka Dots my mind came to this very cute High Heel Shoe Stamp and Sentiment from Unity Stamp Co.

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Unity Stamp Co
Paper/Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Concord Crush DSP, Elegant Egg Plant & Daffodil Delight CS
Other:  SU Concord Crush Ink, Scallop Circle Punch, & Brads.

The Design Team have all interpreted this week's theme so differently so be sure to pop over to the Cards In Envy Blog and see their wonderful inspiration for yourself and play along with us too!

I am also entering this card into the following challenges.

PanPastel UK Challenge - Challenge #7 Just Two Colors

Cards in Envy - Challenge 1

Hi Everyone!  Today sees the start of a wonderful new Challenge Site and Design Team which I am so pleased to be a new member of.  Cards in Envy is a Challenge Blog dedicated to creating cards suitable for mailing in other words that fit in envelopes.

The rules are pretty simple ...

• Create a card that can be sent in a regular, postage paid envelope 
• You are free to use any images, stamps, cut outs, die cuts and embellishments that are no thicker than a penny 
• Please link back to your post and not your blog 
• Please no back linking 
• Please post a link on your blog to Cards in Envy 

The very first challenge is a Sketch Challenge using the following sketch:-

Here is my card using it!

Stamps:  Unity Stamp Co
Paper/Cardstock:  Basic Grey and Stampin' Up!
Ink:  Stampin' Up - Not Quite Navy
Other:  The Robin's Nest Pearl Dew Drops, Stampin' Up! Eyelet Border Punch, 
Scallop Circle Punch and 11/2 Inch Circle Punch

The Basic Grey Paper with the Rose Design was my starting point for this card, which then influenced my other choices, such as the Sympathy Card Sentiment, Fussy Cut Butterflies and Colors.

This is such a versatile sketch, so be sure to visit the Cards in Envy Blog and welcome the New DT and see all their wonderful creations for inspiration and I do hope you will join in all the fun and play along with us.

Some Christmas Sparkle

Hi Everyone. Just a quick post today to share one of the Christmas Cards I have made a few of this year.  It started by me finding a free SVG Cutting File of a cute Reindeer.  I love Reindeer on Christmas Cards. So I cut a heap of these out of a red patterned paper which is from the Everyone Loves Christmas Digital Collection by Echo Park.

I wanted a quick card so I decided to go with a creating a little scene by using my Tree Stamp from the Lovely as a Tree Stampin' Up! Set.  This is one set I don't think I will ever part with and I also used the Season's Greetings Sentiment from Many Merry Messages Set which is also from Stampin' Up!.

I stamped my trees and sentiment first onto white cardstock and then added my Reindeer.  To finish I then drew by hand a border around the outer edge of my cardstock with a Red Marker and then added some Kindy Glitz.  Red Kindy Glitz to my border and some Crystallina to my tree stamp to look like snow.

Apart from a bit of glitter this card is fairly flat so is perfect for mailing.

31 Day Card Challenge Day 16 - 18

Hi everyone!  Thank you so much for all the lovely comments you have been leaving for me, they are such wonderful encouragement and very much appreciated.  I am back today with the latest three days worth of cards for the 31 Day Card Challenge.  I am pleased to say I have made it past the half way point and on the down hill run......however I do believe the challenges are getting somewhat harder.....lol.

This weeks saw us begin some Fancy Fold Challenges and upon uploading my photos to do my blog post I see that I was in some what of a monochromatic mood.

Day 16 - Create a Side Step Card.

I had a small collage of Santa (from Altered Pages) left on my desk so this was my starting point for this one and seeing Mary Kate's (hosting the 31 Day Card Challenge) card using glitter the other day I thought I would give her technique with the Double Sided Tape a try.

All the papers were bits in my scrap box and the Sentiment is from one of my favorite SU Sets - Many Merry Messages.  Of course it wouldn't be complete without a few Dew Drops (Christmas Collection) from the Robin's Nest.

Day 17 - Create a Gate Fold Card

For this one, I had a scrap of Concord Crush Polka Dot Paper left over from a project I made early in the week, so being it was my favorite color I couldn't resist using it.  

The stamps both image and sentiment are from the Ippity by Unity Set called Thankful for You.  

Day 18 - Create an Easel Card

This is one of my favorite fancy folds, I decided to go with a Masculine Theme for this one.  Using the Stampin' Up! Set Totally Tools.

More Paper Scraps (SU Choc Chip DSP)  were used for this one, and I have colored in the image with my Tria Markers.

Thanks for stopping by.

PTT#90 Color Inspiration

It's time for another Color Inspiration Challenge at Party Time Tuesdays and this week we have some yummy colors typically used for Halloween, but that doesn't mean you have to create a Halloween themed card!

For my card I have used the delightful Emma Silhouette  Image from Paper Make Up Stamps.  

Our sponsors this week are:-

I do hope you will join the fun and play along with this challenge.  For more inspiration using these colors be sure to pop over to the PTT Blog.