Monster Adventure

Hello, my friends! We had lots of fun while out of town and we are home just a few days before we head back out for the 4th of July week. Hope you are all well - I have seriously missed you and your blogs.

I am taking a moment to post this card for a really special gal named Michelle who has been a lifeguard at my YMCA. She is responsible, fun, creative and an all-around amazing young lady. She is heading to Europe to teach English and follow her dreams!



I chose this critter by Paper Smooches because Michelle draws the cutest little characters. In fact - news flash - she may soon be launching a stamp company featuring her very own designs! Another Yay! Watch here for future details.

This is one of my favorite recent cards - I think the photo frame came out pretty cool. I will enter it in the infamous Simon Says Stamp "Anything Goes Challenge" but, the odds are pretty crazy with that.

Thanks for the peek and have a great week!

Stamps: Paper Smooches-Falling For You, Sentiment Sampler, He Said She Said; Hero Arts-International Skyline

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Card for Maddy

We are heading out of town again (retirement is such fun!), but I wanted to be sure that you were aware of this great effort.

I learned of the card drive for Maddy on the Simon Says Stamp site and from my pals Lin and Robin.

Please check it out and join in.
Maddy is one courageous and full-of-spunk girl. She and her family have been through so many trials. It would be wonderful to overwhelm them with cards and good wishes.

I figured that this card is guaranteed to bring a smile. It is sure pink and girlie!

Thanks so much for the visit. I hope you have a good week and pass the word about this special card drive.

Stamps: Paper Smooches Party Pals, Houndstooth, First Aid Kit
Papers: Stampin' Up
Other: Pebbles Candy Dot, vintage sequins, googly eyes

Re-tired

I sure hope you had a great weekend! We did, and it was not only fun-packed, but it was a long one.

A friend of mine recently retired and I made her this funky card. I wouldn't normally post it (it isn't one of my finest!), but it is perfect for the current challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog for "Transport".

The clear stamp set is one I picked up at a used stamp sale and it has no identification, so I can't give the proper credit.

Just a crazy little way to start the week! Hope yours is a good one!

Dies: Spellbinders Banner Basics Three, Die-Namics Fresh Cut Grass

Jump for Joy!

One of the best things about blogging is the connections I have made. I have gotten to "know" so many wonderful, supportive and talented gals who share my passion. I know that I could walk right into the craft studios of my blogging buddies and feel right at home - laughing, creating and chatting for hours!

One of those gals inspired this card. Robin was one of my very first contacts on the Hero Arts Flickr Group, where she was an official hostess.  She is an amazing and gifted person - she's a whiz at card-making, especially featuring super-cute scenes (this is one of my favs), plus she has such a loving heart. I am going to meet up with her someday, for sure. Thanks, Robin!

The rolled roses on this card were made with some yummy felt that Robin sent to me. And that is me, jumping for joy at how cute they turned out! Actually, this is "Happy Pauline" from Art Impressions, but it is a pretty close match to this old gal.

I am submitting this to the current Art Impressions challenge to use brads or eyelets. I used the sweetest tiny little brads for a pop of color.

Thanks so much for the visit. We are heading to the Napa Valley again - darn it! Ha! Hope to catch up with you when we return. Have a great weekend.

Stamps: Art Impressions Happy Pauline
Dies: Spellbinders Wonky Rectangles, Die-namics Mini Rolled Roses, Sizzix Flowers and Leaves
paper: My Mind's Eye, The Sweetest Thing - Tangerine

Happy Hippo

I have made a Father's Day card for my dear uncle who once made the mistake (many
years ago) of saying he liked hippos. I have bombarded him with them for years!

For this card I paper-pieced Hero Arts "Friends" stamp (F5306) and then shaded it up a little with Copic pens. I used paper from a great pack by My Minds Eye called "Cowboy". It has great muted colors and patterns for guys.

I found this perfect rusty washer in my garage.

This will be headed into the current challenge at A Blog Named Hero called "It's a Man's World" and into the current Simon Says Tamp challenge for Masculine/Father's Day cards. Check it out an play along!

Stamps: Hero Arts F5306, CL498, CG523
Paper: My Minds' Eye "Cowboy"
Die: Spellbinders Classics Edge One

World Chatter

I made a masculine birthday card using Hero Arts Map of America stamp (CG527). I've had it for awhile, but it hadn't seen ink.

For an antiqued look I stamped it on water color paper with a coffee pigment ink and then clear embossed it. Then I had fun with Distress Pens and a watercolor technique! I love the look.

The inside of the card says "happy birthday". I am submitting this to two great challenges: A Blog named Hero's "It's A Man's World" and Simon Says Stamp's Masculine/Father's Day challenge. I am also placing it in the current Hero Arts "Stamp Your Story" contest, as this stamp is from the current catalog.

The phrase bubbles are Hero Arts CG523 and DI054. Thanks for the visit and have a great day.

 

Beach Babes

These Art Impression images are such fun to color! I wish I'd done the layering a bit differently - I was tired when I put it together and I didn't really "see" it until I photographed it. Darn! Next time!

This is going into the Art Impression "Use Brads or Eyelets" Challenge. I haven't used either in ages (I almost got rid of them!).......but, I gave it a shot.

Hope you all had a great weekend. Ours was a warm one.

Have a great week and thanks for the peek.

Whooo is gonna ruffle my feathers?

I had so much fun playing along with this week's Paper Smooches Trends Watch SPARKS challenge, which is all about going for the GOLD. And, it couldn't be better timing because our niece is graduating from UCLA next week - and the colors are blue and gold!

My plan was to go CAS (clean and simple), but I got the idea to ruffle some feathers. Then, I decided to pop up some gold eyes  to match the gold moon, and it got out of control.
The gold embossed chevron design is actually very brilliant in person.

I love my Paper Smooches stamps! So much character and FUN!

Thanks for the visit and have a great weekend! We are expecting a mini-heat wave.

Paper Smooches Stamps: My Peeps, Slang Gang, He Said, She Said, Geo-Graphic, free digi branch.

Summer Set

I have one more card set to share. I made this for my friend Carol who spends many hours at the pool. She is one great gal, a really good soul and lots of fun.

Yes, I still have this great Art Impressions stamp (Mrs. Ed) out and I know Carol will love her.

I made a matching bag for this set, using a stylized sun (with die-cut personalization) and sunglasses. I also added the sunglasses to the envelopes.

These cards are flat so Carol can mail them effortlessly.


     This is my final entry in Cath's   Moxie
Fab World card set challenge in celebration of the publication of "350 Cards & Gifts".

I am also going to join the throngs and enter this in the current Simon Says Stamp Challenge, Anything Goes.

Thanks for the peek and have a great week!

Stamps: Art Impressions "Mrs. Ed", Simon Says Stamp "Banner Sayings 3 x 4", Paper Salon (1913C)
Dies: Spellbinders 18, Simon Says Stamp Folded Banner, Hero Arts Alphabet Uppercase
Other: Candi Dots, Copic Pens,  Lawn Fawn Brightside Collection paper