A really long post

Yeah.  I know.  I've already posted 2x today.  But they were both DT posts, and I've been busy making cards this weekend!!!  It's been a few weeks since I felt like stamping this much, so I HAD to take the opportunity and run with

Before we start, I've gotta brag for just a little bit here.  I went to a "garage sale" at a local craft store this weekend.  Basically what happens is people bring in their old stash and price it as they like.  They receive store credit for a percentage of what is sold.  It's HUGE.  TONS of stuff--I found ALL of the retired SU! sets I've been pining for!!!  I spent $46 and some change and literally got about $300 worth of stuff.  BUT, the real surprise find this weekend was....

A bag that cost $7 and had the following in it~

3 BRAND SPANKING NEW Papertrey Ink Sets

 

 

A Time Holtz single stamp

2 Studio G sets (gave one to a friend)

Random birthday stamp sets

 

A swirly stamp set that I'm not so sure about

Acrylic journaling stamps

You guys, the PTI stamp sets were each $24 each!!!!!!!!!!  So, already that put the retail value at almost $75!  On top of that, the rest of the stamps cost around $50 together.  I got $125 in stamps for SEVEN DOLLARS.  Please feel free to be mad at me and be jealous.  But I REALLY needed this!  TOTALLY made my weekend!!!  So, with about 15 new stamp sets to play with (some not pictured), I HAD to spend time in my craft room!!!  Funny, the cards I'm gonna show you don't use any of the sets above...

So, what did I make?  Well, I made some CAS cards using a masking and layer technique paired with some blender pen coloring...

Here's the first one~

Details~

I call it Fire Flower.  I created this card for this week's Less Is More challenge--it's a sketch, friends!  It used the retired SU! set Natural Beauty.  I have coveted this set for about 5 years, and FINALLY got it!  For only about $5!  Beat THAT, eBay!

Okay, the second card is the same "concept" with a bit MORE and some different coloring.

I call it Pink, Pink, Nothing About My Weekend Stinks~

Details~

This one is for the CAS-ual Friday challenge calling for flowers and The Paper Players Tic Tac Toe challenge (my row was flowers, emboss, square card).  I did a little embossing in black and coloring, then ran my panel through my embossing machine with the Swiss Dots folder, then layered the masked flower up.  I like the way that the black is more black after it's embossed, but I don't like the pink as much as the "fire" colors of the first.

Thanks for bearing with me!  Thanks for popping over to take a peek at my cards--and wallowing through my bragging!  It's just so dang exciting!  I hope you come and play along with the three fabulous challenges I've entered!  Happy stamping! :)

Make My Monday: Masculine TIME

Hello! Welcome to the final week in the Make My Monday April 2012 challenges!  This month's theme is still MASCULINE, and this week we'd like to see projects with the added theme of TIME.

Don't forget our terrific sponsor this month

Marianne Designs

 

We will announce our April winner at the beginning of May! :)

And now here's my creation~

Details~

 I got to use a lot of tools and stamps while making this card.  I LOVE using crackle accents, and used it on my clock face.  I also used some bling--but masculine bling of course, and patterned paper--two of my favorites!!!  I hope you like it!

And won't you go and check out what the other DT members have created?  They have outdone themselves this week!  Happy stamping!!! :)

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge 67: For The Boys

Wow!  Three Crafty Cardmakers challenges this month! ;)  This time, we're hosted by Sally and she's asked us to create something FOR THE BOYS! :)

Our sponsors this week are~

ONE STOP CARD CRAFTS

At One Stop Card Crafts we have a big range of ever changing discount making and card making craft supplies.

We are always adding to our range of craft supplies which are ideal for making handmade greeting cards, do-it-yourself invitations scrapbook pages, altered items and much more.

Our card making craft supplies include free UK postage, our popular discount scheme and quick service means our customers keep coming back for more.

Our prices are very competitive and this & makes us an ideal place to buy your card making supplies online. Some of our new products include Petaloo flower layers, Ranger Glitter Glue and Martha Stewart Punches. We also host a regular challenge at http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/

and

DIGI DOODLE SHOP

$10 Gift Certificate for the Store

 It is a real honor and pleasure to sponsor this challenge, and we look forward to seeing all the amazing creations. We thank the design team for their incredible creations, and wish all the participants the very best of luck in this challenge.

Thank you so much for having us, and again the very best of luck to all of you.

Sincerely,

Judy and Joy

 And here's my card~

Details~

 

I made this card awhile ago for a dear friend's son's first birthday.  I used Stampin' Up! stamps to create a fun circus scene and used some scraps of patterned paper from I don't know who--but isn't it perfect for the circus scene?!

I hope you come and play along with us--I can't wait to see everyone's creations!!!  Happy stamping! :)

There's still time!!!

Hi, all!!!  I hope you've had a productive/restful weekend.  I'm gonna brag about mine a little later--got some PHENOMENAL DEALS at a local craft store garage sale, but that'll be tomorrow.  AND, I'll get to the reason for my title later on, but I have a card to share first.

Here it is~

Details~

This is another sympathy card I made to send to my cousin who recently lost her husband.  She's still having a rough time, and even though we aren't as close as I'd like, I still wanted to brighten her day, so this card was given to my mom to send to her.  I'm going to try and make her a card a month for awhile to help her know how loved she is by me, even if I've been rubbish about telling her.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges~

Amusing Challenges: Anything Goes

{Cupcake Inspirations}: Photo Inspiration (my background paper was inspired by this)~

Fashionable Stamping: Embossing (do you like my faux cross stitched image panel?!)

Also, I'm sure you are all wondering if there is still time to enter my NEW monthly challenge, Technique Tuesday.  YES!  You still have approximately 30 hours to enter!  I'd LOVE to see all of you enter--and I am amazed by those who have linked up this month, as you will be, too!  So, what are you waiting for?!  Join me at Technique Tuesday, and come on back for a new challenge this Tuesday, May 1, 2012! :)  Happy stamping, friends!!!

52 CCT Embellishment Challenge #4

Hey, y'all! It's the last week of the month, and that means it's time to add some embellishments to your cards for this week's 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown!!! This week we'd like to see some buttons and bows!!!

Here's some inspiration~

I have to tell you, I'm not a bow person. I usually just tie my ribbons in square knots and call it good! ;) BUT, I did try a bow this time on my first card.

Here it is with details~

The bow isn't too hard to do--just make some loops with ribbon making sure to make each loop bigger than the last, fold them in half, stick them in a pile, and tie another piece of ribbon around them! SO easy--and it looks so elegant! This is also a card within a card--the main panel is a smaller card to hold a gift such as cash or store gift card. :)

Now my second card and details~

I kept this one clean and simple--the buttons are from a dear friend who was getting rid of some from her stash! Don't they look FABULOUS?!

So, how will you use buttons and bows this week? I cannot wait to see what everyone creates! And if you're wanting to see MORE buttons and bows, go visit Jacqueline for more inspiration! Merry stamping! :)

Also linking this to CSAYL: Anything Goes Christmas!!! :)

Another white on white card...

Hi!  I've got another quick card to show you tonight!  Yes.  There is white on white.  If you're sick of it, I wouldn't read this blog anymore! ;)  I ADORE it!!!  Anyway, I've made a special card for a friend who recently got baptized into our congregation at church.  Such an important decision, and she had a rough time with family members.  I wanted to use a verse to help her remember that God will help you through any trial, so I got out a rarely used stamp with Romans 8:31 as the sentiment.

Here it is~

Details~

Another twist on a stamped punch window, too!  If you'd like to learn how to do this and have a chance at winning a challenge, pop on over to Technique Tuesday! ;)

I'd like to enter this into these fabulous challenges~

Word Art Wednesday: Challenge #25

Scripture Thursday at Little Birdie Blessings

Thanks for stopping in--I hope you like what I've made and that you take the time to play along with these two challenges as well as Technique Tuesday!  Happy stamping!!! :)

Orange Flamingo

Hello!  So, what do you think about this post's title?  It really does apply, because I have another card to show you today using orange flamingo colors!  Can you believe that I am posting three days in a row?! ;)  This card is all bright and bold and summer time fresh!  And yet, I'm not sure if it quite goes together...I think I'm being way too hard on myself lately.  Okay, this is a very lovely card! ;D

Here it is~

 

Details~

The image is a Prima single that I recently purchased.  If you'd like to get one for yourself, they sell them over at The Craft Barn! :)  For more information about this card, email me and I'd be happy to tell you more!

Has anyone else seen the YouTube video about the 10 year old autistic boy who went to school with a wire and what the parents found out?!  I work with children with special needs, some of whom are autistic, and this disgusted me.  No, they can't talk.  YES, they can hear!  YES, they're real people who hear every insult you say to them!  This really angered me and also made me think about how I interact with my kiddos at school.  I cannot imagine ever speaking this way to them, or talking about completely inappropriate adult topics in front of them.  If you haven't seen it and would like to, you can find the video here.  I'm livid about it...

Anyway, I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges~

Try It On Tuesday: Anything Goes w/ a Twist

Mojo Monday: Sketch

Play Date Cafe: White, Flamingo Pink, Bright Orange

 Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you all have a fabulous rest of you week, and happy stamping!!!