Family

I previously blogged about the Authentique July Sketch Challenge and posted a pic of the card sketch and my card made with the sketch.

This is the sketch for the layout.

This is the layout I made using Authentique's "Lively" based on this sketch.

These pictures are of my granddaughters and my daughter and SIL at my niece's high school graduation in June. The graduates handed out roses to family members during the ceremony. Many left them behind so the girls each got one.  I used "Spirited" for the background. A strip of "Chipper" for the accent. I used my Stampin Up scalloped edge punch on one edge. To help make the striped paper be more distinct I chose to mat with a dark brown Bazzill card stock. I used the alpha stickers from the "Lively" collection and used the dark brown Bazzill card stock again to help make the letters visible. I put foam tape behind the Title for dimension. I matted the photos in cream and dark brown card stock. The flowers I cut out of the"Bright" paper, inked the edges with Powder Puff Mocha Mama and put foam tape behind them. The printed paper of the banner was the from the "Chipper" and dark brown card stock to mat. I used twine from My Mind's Eye and colored it with my Copic Marker to match the brown paper.

I had fun making this layout! Have a good one!

Authentique July Sketch Challenge

Authentique July Sketch Challenge

I learned recently after following Authetique's blog that they have a sketch challenge each month and they provide a sketch for a layout and a card! I made a card first...much easier and less space to work with. I may do the layout and post later.

I had fun making this card. I used the paper Spirited as the base paper. The stripe is "Chipper". I did use a scrap of dark brown card stock to make the scalloped strip at the top and to mat the sentiment. For the banner I once again used some scrap cardstock and punched out the banners with a Stampin Up pennant punch then stamped the words "I adore you" on the banners. The twine is from My Mind's Eye. I was very pleased with this card once I was done. It makes me smile! Thanks for taking a look! Have a good one!

Authentique July Inspiration Color Challenge

I just love Authentique's product. I began following their blog recently and spotted a challenge.

Authentique July Inspiration Color Challenge

For my project I chose to make a tissue box cover. This project idea came from Splitcoaststampers.

I used Authentique's Lively line. For the base and lid I used "Flutter". The patterned paper I used was "Bright". I used a strip of  "Chipper" on the lid's edge. I also used quotes from Authentique's sticker sheet and placed one on each side of the tissue cover. All my products were Authentique except for the pink pom-pom ribbon.

These make great gifts! Thanks for stopping by. Let me know what you think! Have a good one!

Murphy's Law

Operation Write Home Midweek Throwdown Encouraging Challenge
Ruby's Rainbow Challenge #33

Have you ever had one of those "Murphy's Law" kind of days in the craft room? Were you cut the paper wrong, put adhesive on the wrong side, get ink in places you didn't intend to? Yep that would be me.

I was in a conference most of the day today. After cooking dinner I retired to my craft room to unwind and create a bit. I got off to a good start beginning with creating a card for Operation Write Home's Midweek throwdown challenge. This weeks challenge was to create an encouraging card.

I had some scraps left of Fancy Pants beach line that I used to make a sample page layout for the store with. I went looking for some type of sentiment that sounded encouraging and came across this Unity stamp "You Make the sky blue... I don't think the bird came with the sentiment. I found it among some other stamps but it is a Unity stamp too. Both these stamps made me smile so I thought perhaps they would be encouraging for a hero to send home. I colored the bird and flowers with my copic markers. I paper pieced the wing of the bird and popped it with foam tape.

I was very happy with my creation and should have stopped there but no....I decided to make one more for another challenge.This one is for Ruby's Rainbow Challenge #33. This challenge can be any project but I was in a "card" mode. This challenge was to make a project with "cute animals". I had just the stamp that I wanted to use for this. A Penny Black stamp called "Minding Shelty". Me being the horse lover I am couldn't resist buying this stamp when I saw it!

I'll not point out what appears to be a glaring mistake....maybe by some remote chance you won't see it. I was so frustrated at this point and didn't want to color another image so I just went with what I had. I came up with my own sentiment and because I did I pulled out my Just Write alpha stamps. If you're not paying attention (which obviously I wasn't) you will stamp words or letters backwards (which is exactly what I did). My remedy to fix it was to restamp the word on the same type paper cut it out and pop it with foam tape like I meant to do that! Are you laughing yet?! Even with all that I was pretty pleased with my card. I had planned to give it originally to OWH but I just might keep it and give it to one of my granddaughters and make another for OWH.

I have another two days of seminar so I best call it a night. Hope you had a good laugh! Have a good one!

WOW Wednesday at Cat's Creations Scrapbooks

I've been working on a couple of layouts using a new paper from Echo Park called "For the Record 2" by Lori Whitlock. This will be a preview of what is to come to the store soon. Echo Park is another one of my favorite lines. You may have seen the first layout I did with this paper as it was posted on the store's blog Tuesday.

This is another layout I made with this paper collection using Sketch Inspiration sketch# 101. Trisha has published Volume 1 and Volume 2 Sketch books. You can purchase your copy at the store. I titled this layout "I Can See!"

This is my granddaughter Kennedy with her Granddad. She had crawled up in his lap while he was reading the paper. She was intrigued by his reading glasses. She took them and placed them on herself...upside down! Granddad helped her get them on the right way. I wonder what things looked like to her through those lenses!

For the background paper I used the backside of "Lazy Daisy". The white accent paper is called "Handwritten". I used the alpha stickers from this line to make my title. The accent paper on the side I used "Small Floral" and matted with the back side of "Damask". The yellow strip is a ruler which was the backside of the "Notions" paper. I popped the ruler with chipboard for some dimension. The scalloped circle I used for my journal tag is the backside of "Green Lace" that I cut out. The floral embellishment in the bottom left corner is cut out from "Scattered Doily". I double matted the photos using "Small Floral" next to the photo then the backside of "Damask" for the second mat. I used chipboard behind the journal and the floral scallop for dimension.

Here is another layout. This one I used the current sketch #330 from Sketch Inspiration. I titled this one "Granddad's Girls". Our granddaughters Remi (on the left) and Kennedy (on the right) sitting on Granddad's lap. A rare moment to have them all together so I took full advantage and got a quick picture! For the background on this layout I used the backside of the paper "Ads". The accent papers behind the photo are "Green Lace" and "Small Floral". I used card stock to mat the photos. The title is from alpha stickers from this collection. The strip of yellow under the photo of the girls is a ruler from the paper "Notions". I put chipboard under it to give it some dimension. Using my circle templates I cut a circle out of the back of "Damask" and cut a circle of vellum for my journal tag. The page looked like it still needed something so I decided to cut out some flourishes using my Tim Holtz Alterations Die "Elegant Flourishes". I cut out chip board and used the paper "Handwritten".

Thank you for visiting. Hope I have inspired you to create something today! Don't forget to link up your blog to Cat's blog for a chance to win some "blog candy"! Cat always has great prizes! Have a good one!

Exciting News

I can finally share my exciting news!

Kennedy gets to join Remi in being a "big sister"! Yep....another little bundle of joy! Vanessa is 8 weeks. Predicted due date March 4th. Oh, my...I need to step up my scrapbooking!

We learned about this news 2 weeks ago. The kids were over one night for dinner and Vanessa asked Kennedy to tell us her "surprise". She said "I'm going to be a big sister!" I have wanted to tell the news but it wasn't my news to tell. It's been hard to be quiet! It's not a secret anymore! Vanessa went to the doctor today.

Vanessa had the girls hold the sonogram pics. This is how she "announced" her news on Facebook.

Before the doctor visit Vanessa and I took the girls to a spring-fed lake (Burgers Lake) not far from where the appointment would be. We went back to the lake after the appointment and Daddy joined us. I took a few pics but didn't get many since the girls wanted me to play with them in the water.

It really is a great place to take the family. Here Vanessa is playing with Remi.

Kennedy wasn't the least bit afraid of going deeper! When we got back from the doctor's appointment we took the girls to the side of the lake where the kids slide and diving board were located. Both girls jumped and slid NUMEROUS times! I am one tired gal because they both wanted me to catch them! It was a lot of fun to see them enjoying themselves so much!

On the way home there were some spotty showers. I saw these clouds and couldn't resist taking a pic. I am surprised at how well it turned out since I basically pointed and shot!

Have a good one!

Wild About You

Operation Write HOme Sketch Challenge #130
Deconstructed Sketch #61

It wasn't that long ago I made a card from these papers and stamp set but I just love them! So when I saw this sketch I decided to use them once again. I figure a hero would love to send this card home to their little boy or girl.

In doing some blog hopping the other day I ran across this sketch.

 You can find this sketch here

I decided to make a Christmas card out of the new Authentique Christmas line "Festive". I used this same paper for my tissue cover in my last blog and had some left over. I'm going to get more of this paper! I really like it! Here's my card.

I am going with my daughter tomorrow with my granddaughters to a water park. Should be fun! I'm sure I will blog about it! Have a good one

Not A Card.....is a Card

ABC Christmas Challenge N for not card
4craftychicks Challenge #99 Make a box
Operation Write Home Midweek Throwdown Color Challenge
Operation Write Home Sketch Challenge 129

I was wondering what I was going to do for the ABC Christmas Challenge N for not a card. The last challenge was "M for make a gift" that wasn't a card. I was stumped until I learned what our project would be for our "Big Girl Color Club" at my LSS store Cat's Creations Scrapbooks. It was a tissue box cover taught by Marilyn. She got this project from Splitcoaststampers. Here's my tissue box cover.

I used papers from Authentique's "Festive" collection for my project. We assembled the cover and lid first. Next we stamped our images. Then we took sheets of adhesive (the same as score tape) and placed onto of the stamped image. We removed the backing to expose the adhesive and added Glitter Ritz opaque micro-fine glitter. We then shook off the glitter that didn't stick and burnished the glitter on the stamped image. Once that was done we colored with our Copic Markers and cut out our images to attach to our covers. I decided to add the red ball fringe to my lid. I also popped my flower with foam tape. 

Here is another view of the tissue cover. I love how it turned out. Pretty simple craft to make an inexpensive handmade gift!

I also created a card for Operation Write Home's Midweek Throwdown Color Challenge using OWH Sketch 129. The Midweek challenge is to use two or more complimentary colors.

I chose Blue and Orange. This card is pretty simple but I just didn't think it needed anything else.

Here is the sketch

I'm off to make a bit to eat then to my craft room for some more creating! Have a good one!

Wishing You a Tweet Day

Oops! I missed the deadline for Stampin Sisters. 

Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge
Stampin Sisters in Christ Challenge 147 Jeremiah 29:11

The challenge for Doodle Pantry was to make a card using one of their images. I needed a birthday card for a friend of mine who loves birds so this image from Doodle Pantry was just the right choice for me. I colored the image with my copic markers.

The challenge for  Stampin Sisters in Christ was to use at least one circle or oval element, at least 2 different papers and at least one embellishment. After coloring my image I cut out the image in an oval. I didn't like how that looked so I cut out the image and used the flower print for my oval element.

The paper I used was an older Fancy Pants birthday line. I popped the birdhouse and birds (with foam tape) along with one single flower I cut out from the paper and put bling in the middle of all the flowers showing. For a final touch I added a small piece of sheer ribbon to the post of the bird house. Kind of simple but I like how it turned out.

My granddaughter Remi arrived today to spend her week of visitation with us. I got to see her at church and of course both girls wanted to come home with me. How could I say "no"?! After supper they wanted to stamp so here are my budding card makers, scrapbookers!

Have a good one!

What's On Your Work Desk? Wednesday #163

Here's what's on my desk. More of an "aerial" view as I was on my knees in my chair to take this. You can see a card I made last week for a card challenge and another card in the making for another challenge that I will give to my friend who's birthday is tomorrow. I'll post the finished card in another blog.

The Little green box at the top right of my desk is one of my bargains I got a couple of weeks ago. It had paper on it but I took it off. Planning to recover it possibly or paint. The lid slides on. I think it would make a great card box. Not sure yet if I'll keep it or give as a gift. 

I'm going to keep it short and simple today. I was so busy last week I didn't participate. Barely making it this time! Hope everyone is having a wonderful and creative WOYWW! Do I have your curiosity up? Do you want to know more about WOYWW? Hope over to Julia's Stamping Ground and learn a little more plus have access to over 100 workdesks from all over the world featuring all types of creativity! See, you're really not the only one!

Have a good one!

Gift Box and Matching Cards

I have a friend who had a birthday recently. I wanted to get her just a little something. I had been on a "card making" roll and thought I would make some cards to give as a gift. Then I remembered a class I taught at the store making a box out of card stock to hold handmade cards. I decided that a handmade box filled with handmade cards would be a great gift. I didn't figure in how long this would take me. I guess I thought I would just "whip" them out!  Who was I kidding?! Obviously myself!

This is the finished box with tule tied around it. I used Authentique paper which I purchased at my LSS Cat's Creations. It is an older line and I neglected to notate which one it was. I love the weight of their paper and it was perfect for making a card box. There is a tutorial for this project here.

 This box is designed to fit the standard A2 (4.25 x 5.5) card.

I made 2 of each making a total of 10 cards.

Using the scraps I made 2 of this last card.

 I was very pleased with how they turned out and the person I gave them too seemed to like them as well. I think I may do this as a gift again.

Have a good one!

Passing Down the Passion

I have loved horses as long as I can remember and based on what my mother has told me I have loved them before I was old enough to remember. She tells a story of when I was 18 months old and was riding a spring horse they had got me. I rode it until I feel asleep on it! I ate, lived and breathed horses. I can remember when I was riding in a car that I would look at the window scanning the landscape for horses in the pastures. When there weren't any I would pretend that I was riding a horse alongside the car. Once I began to read I read anything that had to do with horses. Here is a layout I did about my love of horses.

Now, I'm not sure that Kennedy was born with the passion I was but I am giving her plenty of exposure to see if it becomes her passion!

She had her first ride in April this year.

She looks so tiny up there! Course, Clyde is a pretty big horse. He stands 15H and weighs about 1200 lbs!

She seemed to really enjoy herself.

I was one proud grandmother!

Sunday afternoon we had the kids over for lunch. Doyle cooked on the grill. It was wonderful. The kids got ready to go home and Kennedy wanted to stay. Of course I said yes! I had brought the trailer to town for Doyle to adjust to my new truck. Since my new truck is 4wheel drive it sets higher so he needed to adjust the height of the goose-neck so the trailer didn't travel "up hill". I decided to take it back to where I keep my horse and asked Kennedy if she wanted to go. She always wants to go with me! I get out there and get the trailer parked and Kennedy says "I want to ride". I was a little surprised but more than willing to fulfill her desire! It was overcast Sunday afternoon and was extremely pleasant staying in the upper 80's. That is unheard of for Texas especially in July!

I figured I would halter Clyde to saddle him and ride with her as I had done before. She went with me to catch him. I asked her if she wanted to ride him back to the barn. She said "yes". So I put her on him bareback.

 Doesn't she look so pleased!

 Look at her riding with "one hand"! Such a natural! I was amazed at how well she did.

We even went up and down the tank (pond) banks. Here she's giving him a hug.

She wanted to "lead" him so I let her. He's about to take advantage of the slack in the rope and get some grass.

She wanted to touch his soft nose.

A priceless day for this grandmother!

Have a good one!

Creepy

Riding the other morning I noticed a spider web. That in itself isn't unusual. I usual see them or ride through them before seeing them but this one caught my attention as the web was huge and so was it's builder.

I'm really glad I didn't ride through this one's web!

I took these pics after my ride. I wanted to use my SLR camera so I could use my zoom. Every time I tried to get close with my phone camera the spider would scurry up the web into the tree. One smart spider! On my hike back to the barn I came across a bubble bee gathering nectar.

Do you realize how hard these little boogers are to photograph?! Don't look too close. Even though the flower is in focus the bee isn't!

These little guys are EVERYWHERE! In the trees, on the fences, in the grass. You can't escape them!

and they are eating everything in sight!

That's my adventure for today! Have a good one!