Mojo Monday 189 - Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Hello, friends!

I trust you all had a Happy Mother's Day.  I am more grateful each year for my wonderful son ;-)

Just a quick post since I'm late creating and posting my card for the Mojo Monday 189 challenge.

If you're interested in the details, e-mail me or comment.  I left my sheet in my studio and am in such a rush to meet the deadline!

Needless to say, I used Verve stamps ;-)    And yes Julie, the twine is "Caribbean" from The Twinery!!

Take care and thanks for stopping in!

Pretty Little Peacock - Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Hello, friends!!!

Happy Friday!  Woohooo!  Do you have Super-Bowl-watching plans this weekend?  I just spoke with my buddy Butch in St. Louis.  It will be his last supper, so to speak, as he is starting the South Beach diet on Monday.  We're going to try to encourage each other to lose a little weight.  I only wish I just had 25 pounds to lose like he he does!  Well, one step at a time, right?

Here's a card I made in December (last year - tee hee!) for the Humble Artists' Group swap that I am in.

I just can't stop using my Spellbinders(TM) Grand Labels Four die templates for cards!  See how nicely they nest together?  I used the largest for the card base, then the next one for the blue paper.  Then I cut the center out of the blue paper, flipped it over to the light brown side and used that inside the card!  Don't you love that little peacock?  I should have taken a photo of her before I mailed off my cards, but I didn't.  I inked her up in green, then added some blue with sponge daubers, plus a few sparkles on her crest and feathers.

I'm itchin' to craft, so I think I'll retreat to my humble studio.

Till later,

A Fussy Valentine -Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

 
Hello friends!

Confession time.  It seems that any time I try to do shabby chic, it turns out more shabby than chic!  More of a hot mess!  But it doesn't stop me from trying - tee hee!

So I thought I'd try again.  I pulled out a bunch of Spellbinders(TM) die templates, some stamps and embellishments, and went to work.

I started with a circle card base from CTMH. Then I background stamped the entire base with a music stamp from House of Three.  I used plain white copier paper to make the rose, then splattered it with two colors of misty paint.  I really love that Rose Creations set!  And I really love the little tassels from Banner Basics Two!
 
I'm determined to learn to 'do' shabby chic!  I have a hard time knowing where to stop - ha!  But I think it's good to depart from your style occasionally, don't you?  

Be sure to stop by the Spellbinders Blog  this Thursday.  I made a mini-album using the newest Creative Book Pages that will be featured, complete with instructions!

Fussy Valentine Supplies:

Dies:  S5-043 Fleur de Lis Motifs, S4-316 Heart Circles, S5-045 Banner Basics Two, S5-050 Rose Creations
Inks:  Tsukineko Versafine (Vintage Sepia), CTMH Blush, Hollyhock
Stamps:  CTMH Find Your Style, House of Three Parisian Anthology
Paper:  CTMH Colonial White, Hollyhock, Cocoa Cardstock; copier paper
Other:  Smooch Spritz (Pink Sprinkles, Shimmerz (Concrete), Glue Dots, Hero Arts Woven Lace Ribbon, CTMH Ricrac, Pearls and Tag

Till then,

Spellbinders' Holiday Hoppin' Blog Hop!!!!

Welcome to the second day of the Spellbinders™ Paper Arts Holiday Hoppin’ Blog Hop! Spellbinders, along with cross promotional partners, are showcasing their newest products just in time for your Holiday crafting and gift giving. Lots of creative ideas are in store, as well as prizes galore!

Each participating company has generously donated towards the prize package listed on the Spellbinders Blog. A total of two identical prize packages, one for each day, November 18 and 19 will be given away!

To enter, just leave a comment on a participating blog! Comments in the first 48 hours of the post are eligible. One commenter each day will be randomly selected as the winner. Winners will be announced on November 22, on the Spellbinders Blog!

Be sure to see all of yesterday’s Holiday Hoppin’ blogs for inspiring projects and another chance to win!
Visit (and comment on) all of today’s Holiday Hoppin’ blogs:


Mona Pendleton

Gina Hanson

Deborah Young - you are here!

Becca Feeken

Julie Overby

Kimberly Crawford

AJ Otto

Margie Higuchi

Beth Pingry


Jennifer Holmes

Kerry Urbatch

Shona Erlenborn 

Tammy Inman


Jessica Turner

Brenda Hurd

Julie Koerber

Rae Barthel


Rachel O’Crowley

Kellie Fortin

Kristen Cohen

Joy Dickson


Candy Rosenberg

Laura Craigie

Stephanie Hester


Leesa Crutcher


Nina Brackett


Today I am using Spellbinders LF-190 Grand Labels Four die template set to create a couple of quick, easily-reproducible projects for you!  This set of six GRAND die templates ranges from 5-1/4" to 9-3/8" long!

I used the fifth die template (from the inside - second to largest) to make a card that fits exactly in an A2 envelope.  It's my new take on a gable card that has the opening down the center front of the card.  It was quick and easy to cut with my new Grand Calibur!  Since the plates are so large, you can easily cut all of your die templates at one time! Bundle up a set up these and you have a unique gift that will be appreciated.

The keyhole die template was cut from the new Spellbinders premium craft foil - this color is Gunmetal.  Since the Spellbinders' die templates have decorative openings, I stenciled the metal with black ink to highlight the intricacies of the beautiful Antiquities die template.  I threaded the ribbon through the holes on either side of the keyhole to tie the card shut.

Open it to see the full Grand Labels Four die template!  If your die template is 8" long, score your card 2" (one-fourth of the length) from each end and you instantly have your card base!

What do you buy that guy that has everything?  I kept the embellishments to a minimum on my next project so it can be used in the workplace or a men's office.  It's a bookend cozy!  That's right - I took an old metal bookend and made a little removable cover with my Grand Labels Four die templates!  This time I used the largest, second largest, plus the smallest die templates in the set, so you can see the size progression.  I love having the choice of six sizes - there's always a size to fit my project! At just around $8.00 per die template, you can't beat the value!

This closeup shows why I love Spellbinders over other die templates (besides the value, the great designs, the embossing....ha!).  See the vintage shadow that is inked just inside the embossed border?  Spellbinders' open-faced templates allow you to stencil the 'face' of your project with inks, chalks....your favorite medium.  I used another die template in the Antiquities set - the Fleur di Lis (yum!) cut from the Copper craft foil this time.

Here's a more feminine version of the Bookend Cozy.   It's so simple - come back tomorrow for complete instructions.

Supplies:

Blessings Card:
Spellbinders Products:  LF-190 Grand Labels Four; F-012 Premium Craft Foils (Gunmetal); S4-298 Antiquities; S4-290 Labels 14; Grand Calibur
Papers and Stamps: Donna Salazar's Grandma's Garden (D3-9585 English Roses) Designer Paper; Gina K (Lovely Labels) Stamps
Inks and Supplies: Versafine Vintage Sepia Ink, CTMH Black Ink and Adhesive Pearls, Creative Impressions Crepe Ribbon, White Lace, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Black 3D Foam Squares

Fleur-di-lis Bookend Cozy:
Spellbinders Products:  LF-190 Grand Labels Four; F-012 Premium Craft Foils (Bronze); S4-298 Antiquities; Grand Calibur
Papers: Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante; WorldWin Cardstock (Malt, Black)
Inks and Supplies: CTMH Desert Sand Ink, Liquid Glass; Sheet Music; Adhesive

Ladies' Bookend Cozy:

Spellbinders Products:  LF-190 Grand Labels Four; F-012 Premium Craft Foils (Copper); S4-299 Fallen Angel; Grand Calibur
Papers: Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante; WorldWin Cardstock (Maroon-back of cozy)
Inks and Supplies: CTMH Lagoon Ink, Liquid Glass; Adhesive

Now it's time for you to leave a comment on my blog to be eligible to win the Spellbinders Holiday Hoppin’ Prize Package! One winner will be chosen from all the comments on all the blogs participating today. Comments made in the first 48 hours of this post will be eligible to win. Winner’s names will be published on the Spellbinders Blog on November 22 (Monday), and they will have 48 hours to reply to Spellbinders to claim the prizes.

Thanks for hopping with us.  Good luck!

JustRite Challenge 043 - Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

 

I was inspired by Pink Paislee's latest line by House of Three, "Parisian Anthology"......yummy blues, greys, whites....all those muted colors I just love!  

The current Just Rite 043 challenge is to create either a sympathy or friendship card.  I decided to use a sentiment from JustRite's "Seeds of Kindness" stamp set along with some of my favorite Nestabilities(R). 

What, no bows or flowers?  ha!  I thought the ruffled  ribbon could stand on its own.  Isn't it lovely?  It's part of the Parisian Anthology collection.  And I sewed!!

Stamps:  Seeds of Kindness (JustRite)
Paper, Note, Ruffled Ribbon:  Parisian Anthology (Pink Paislee)
Dies: S4-114 Standard Circles LG, S4-249 Big Scalloped Circles LG, S4-293 Lacey Circles (Spellbinders)
Cardstock:  Silver Linen Core, White (WorldWin)
Other:  Lagoon Ink, Lagoon Ribbon, Pearls (CTMH)

Well, I've decided to try to recruit physicians from home.  Who knows if I'll be as successful as I was working at a "real" job, but I have to try!  Let me know if your company needs a new physician, or if you know of a physician who wants to relocate.  Now how's that for a start?  tee hee

I just received some stamps from a new (to me) company, "Layers of Colors".  They are compatibility with some of my favorite Nestabilities, so I'll try to get back to the studio this week and have something new for you!  I appreciate your sweet comments; they are precious to me!

Till then,

Mojo Monday 163 - Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Hello, friends!  Did you vote yesterday?  I trust that the answer is a resounding "YES"!


Believe it or not, I created a card today for the Mojo Monday 163 challenge! 

I realize I have been relatively absent lately.  Trying to find a job is not much of a mojo generator!  But I needed a card for a fellow blogger who lost her husband this weekend after a long illness.  So devastating and so very sad.  I know I cannot even imagine her sorrow.

I decided to use some elements with a vintage feel.  My mom gave me a lot of old sheet music.  I would use it in every project if I could!  It may get monotonous, but I just love it.  The lace is from Hero Arts and the Prima roses were a gift from my friend Mona (thanks dear!).  The sentiment is from Verve and the die templates are my beloved Spellbinders(TM). 

Well, my son Alan is graduating (B.A.) from the University of Florida in December!  He had to pass a French college equivalency exam  or take French in the spring and graduate next spring.  So he has spent the past month re-teaching himself French, as he had not touched it since high school.  He took the exam yesterday and found out this morning that he passed!  Not unusual for him to pass an exam, but he was so worried about this one.  Now on to the Physics GRE so that he can start graduate school next year.  Better him than me, for sure!

I hope to be back soon with something else to share ;-)

Till then,

 

BOO! Spooky Halloween - Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Oh good grief!  How could I miss posting my Halloween card.  Ha! 

Well, I was busy finishing up my design team projects for October (yowza!), and it just slipped my mind.  Don't you love this stamp?  It was one of CTMH's stamps of the month this fall.  It's so insanely awesome that I'm hopeful it will come back as a regular.

The skull, the background stamping and the sentiment are all from the same stamp set.  The paper is from CTMH's "Hooligans" and the webbed ribbon is from Creative Imaginations.

Now, how about that spooky skull at the bottom?   Mwaaah ha ha!  It's just one of several Spellbinders(TM) die templates used on this card!  Oh, how I am loving my Spellbinders die templates!  The skull was cut and embossed on white cardstock, then stenciled with black ink.  Spellbinders' die templates have openings just 'dying' for your sponge.....just one of the many wonderful things about these die templates, and one that makes them unique! 

Still looking for work....

See you soon!

JustRite Christmas Blog Hop!

 

Welcome to JustRite Stampers’ newest Wednesday feature, 12 Weeks of Christmas Blog Hop #4!

Each Wednesday up until Thanksgiving some of your favorite designers will be joining some of the JustRite design team for a series of Christmas blog hops, showcasing JustRite’s entire Christmas Collection of stamps!

This week, it’s the Spellbinders(TM) design team - woohoooo! So mark your calendars for Wednesdays at 9am Central for great Christmas gift, card  and project ideas, starting at the JustRite Inspiration blog!

I used JustRite Stampers' new releases Christmas Ornament 3-1/4" and Christmas Nested Sentiments and Verse for my card.  It's a big card since I used my new LF-190 Grand Nestablities Labels Four for my card front and my card base!

First I colored my image with Copic Sketch markers.  This JustRite set includes four beautiful ornaments that can be used for so many projects!  This is a set that you will reach for year after year.

After cutting and embossing my card front with the Grand Nestabilities Labels Four, I folded over the top portion, slipped some ruffled ribbon underneath, and placed a fan/medallion on the top.  The sentiment is stamped with JustRite's Christmas Nested Sentiments and Verse. 

Supplies:
Stamps:  JustRite Stampers' Christmas Ornament 3-1/4", Christmas Nested Sentiments and Verse
Dies:  Spellbinders' LF-190 Grand Nestabilities Labels Four, S4-299 Fallen Angel, S4-140 Petite Ovals SM, S4-114 Standard Circles LG, S4-429 Big Scalloped Circles LG, S4-287 Fanciful Holiday
Inks: CTMH Vineyard Berry, Bamboo; Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa; Copic Sketch Markers B00, B000, B12, Y28, R59, YG91, YG95, YG99
Paper: CTMH Mistletoe Level II Paper Pack, Heavenly Blue Cardstock; WorldWin Cardstock (Maroon and White)
Other:  Webster's Pages Olive Ruffled Ribbon, CTMH Designer Brads Shimmer

Please visit these designers’ blogs to see what fabulous JustRite Christmas inspiration they have for you on the hop today!

JustRite Inspiration Blog


Spellbinders Paper Arts


Becca Feeken


Mona Pendleton


Debbie Olson


Ashley Cannon Newell


Sharon Harnist


Eva Dobilas


Kazan Clark


Beate Johns


Kellie Fortin


Margie Higuchi


Kathy Jones


Regina Hanson


Sankari Wegman


Deborah Young


Angela Barkhouse


Michele Kovack


Terre Fry


Barb Schram


Thanks for stopping by!

JustRite Friday Challenge 036 - Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Greetings, crafty friends!  Here I am doing another JustRite challenge.  It's a color challenge that I just couldn't resist.  I can't say my mojo is at its highest....this cold has knocked me for a loop and I don't have much energy to create.  It hurts my brain!  tee hee

Well, the challenge is twofold.  1)  Use the colors Dark Red, Ivory and Black (see what I mean?  yum!!!), and 2) use an embellishment that you make yourself.

So I pulled out a new (to me) set that I just received from JustRite - "Girl Time".  I just love that "Let's Do Lunch" sentiment!  I stamped it, colored it and die cut it with my new favorite Spellbinders, backed it with a new Nestabilities release, and made my card with another new Nestabilities (see supply list below). 

For my embellishment, I cut nine pieces of black organdy, stabbed them with a tiny brad and poked it through my card.  Adhered a darling little blingy rhinestone.  Added a few tiny pearls to the flower and the sentiment and it was done!  Simply and gorgeous, dahlings!

So I'll try to get back in the studio =.  What have you been creating lately?  Please share!

Supplies:
JustRite "Girl Time"
Spellbinders S4-293 Lacey Cir cles
Spellbinders S4-114 Standard Circles LG
Spellbinders S5-025 Labels 17
Versafine Onyx  Black Ink
Copic R59 Cardinal Sketch Marker
CTMH Pearls, Rhinestone Bling, Ribbon, Colonial White and Black Cardstock

Best,

Play Date Cafe #46 - Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

My mother called me a rattlebanger today.  ????  I have been coughing my fool head off, and told her it was worse when I talked.  But that's impossible because 'we' like to talk.  Then she said "Mmmmhmmmm, I reckon we're just a bunch of rattlebangers."

HA!

So here's a little card I made for this week's Play Date Cafe challenge.  The idea is to make a black and white card with a 'touch' of either pink, gold or copper.

Well, copper is my metal of choice.  I love copper.  My kitchen countertops are black granite with copper flecks (Galaxy - oooooh!).  Copper is beautiful.  But alas, no copper embossing powder.  So I selected gold.  You may ask, "why the pearl?".  Well, because I made a boo-boo and needed to cover it, and the pearl is white. tee hee.

Quick and easy!

Products Used:
Paper:  CTMH White Daisy, Black, White Daisy Textured Cardstock
Die Templates:  Spellbinders(TM) S4-288 Classic Diamonds, S4-290 Labels Fourteen
Stamps:  Gina K Lovely Labels 2
Other:  Sparkle N Sprinkle Gold Coast EP, Versamark, Michaels Ribbon, Sakura Gold Fine Line Marker, EK Success Border Punch, CTMH Pearl

Take care, all you rattlebangers!

JustRite #034 Challenge - Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

A word of warning - don't sneeze when using glitter!  Oh, good grief. Now that I think about it - maybe that's why I've been coughing the last couple of days!

I have been working all week on Spellbinders' projects using glitter and snow.  I love the results but what a challenge!  So when I saw the JustRite's challenge this week was to use glitter, I had to join in the fun!

Using my new "Whimsical Christmas" stamp set from JustRite, I pulled out my Copics and did some rudimentary coloring on this cute little guy. It was hard to decide which stamp to use!  I nested him on S4-293 Lacey Circles (the blue element).  The snowflake is cut from S4-286 2010 Snowflake Pendant, covered with glue and glittered.  The paper is from K&Co. "Winter Wonderland" from last year.  And the sheet music is from my mom ;-)

I'm still looking for a job to pay the bills.  In the meantime, it's nice to have more time to play in my studio.

Till later,

JustRite Friday Challenge #033 - Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

I was inspired by all of the beautiful Christmas cards on the JustRite blog and decided to participate in the Friday Challenge #033.

I wasn't required to do a Christmas card, but ho-ho-ho's were running through my head.  And since my JustRite Christmas stamps are traveling across the country to my happy studio, I used JustRite's Times New Roman 95 pt. Deluxe Monogram Set.  Versatility, indeed!

My sweet mom gave me several old sheet music books, and I can't stop using them (click on the photo for the details).  I stamped my monogrammed letters on a piece of the music, then cut them out with Spellbinders(TM) Nestabilities (circles, lacey circles - yum! - and squares).

Don't you love this beautiful new Mistletoe paper from CTMH?  This may be my go-to-paper for all of my holiday projects this year! 

OOOhhhh, I can't wait for my new JustRite Christmas stamps!  I know it's early, but once the spirit moves you....right???

Till later,

Play Date Cafe - Shocking! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Hey, y'all!

Are you feeling crafty?  Well, I've been working on design team assignments for the past several days, but now that I'm finished (woohoo!) I decided it was time to take on another challenge.  I scrolled down to the challenges I have posted in the left column and stopped at Play Date Cafe.  I wanted to see what my friends Julie, Steph and Mona had created.  To my horror, Steph's term is ending.  Boo hooo!!!!  Luckily, I can see her amazing work on other design team blogs.

Now look at these colors.  Navy Blue.  Bright Pink.  And Mustard!!!   Oh, good grief.  That is certainly a challenge, right???  But a fun one!

I found a cute little tag from Crafty Secrets that had blue and pink teacups with yellowish-mustardy tea in them.  Perfect!  All I needed to do was cut out a little white crown and color it mustard with my Copics.  Easy, right???   So I spy this little "scrap" of white cardstock that is the perfect size to cut out the crown!  Zip it through my Wizard and turn it over - oh no!!  I cut my cute little baby teacups!  Friends, I was mortified!!!  There went my card, right out the window.

Or not.  Goodbye, fair teacups!  Well, I had already cut out the shocking pink frame, the wings and the sentiment tag.  What to do?  Luckily, the same Crafty Secret sheet had this precious little birdie who fit the bill (tee hee - bill - HA!)!  So I plucked him up, stuck him to the back of the frame and proceeded to color the wings and crown.  Mind you, I had no mustard cardstock and haven't missed it.  ha.  So I pulled out a Copic marker (Honey) which is about as close to mustard as I could find.

This definitely knocked me outside of my crafting box.  I would have never used these bright colors without the challenge....but I kind of like it!

So did you play this week?  Share!

Peace out,

Handmade Paper - Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

The sun is finally peeking out a bit here in coastal Florida.  We've had the summer rains and thunderstorms for a few days now and it's nice to be the sunshine state again!

I've been puttering around in my studio, trying to purge (yeah...right!!) and make use of things that were tucked away waiting for the right moment.  Well, my BFF Rindy gave me some fabulous handmade paper that she brought back from a trip a few years (yes, YEARS) ago.  And when I rediscovered it I squealed with delight!  Because now was the perfect time to cut into it and marry it with the new colors and peacock images in CTMH's new Autumn Idea Book (coming out September 1!).

Just look at that paper!  Isn't it insanely beautiful???  The gold really shimmers and shines.  I just love it!  It's a light and airy tissue texture and I have plenty left - tee hee!

I didn't want a bright gold cardstock, so I used a Copic marker to make my own muted gold cardstock from white.  The stamped label is one of Claire's fabulous Waltzingmouse stamps that coordinates with Spellbinders(TM)' S4-229 Labels Five die template - still my favorite! 

That awesome huge glittery brad, the peacock feather stamp and the new 'blue' ink colors are all in the new Idea Book.  I hope you enjoy!

p.s.  For all you "international" Spellbinders™ lovers....you may be interested to know that the Spellbinders International Guest Blogger - Fall 2010 Contest is on! Please click here for complete details! wooHOOO!