A little tag challenge

Well I guess this is the week that I will challenge myself. The more I do the better I feel so why not? It is all just in fun and win or loose I get something out it. Even if it is to humble me some more.
So here goes nothing. Over at Verve they are having the spring fling challenge. Make a tag and post it up. I have been playing all day so off I went to create with scraps.
This is what came of it.

Just a fun tag not to big for a nice package or to use on a card with some other stuff. I am haven't been making tags either but always up for some play in paper.

What I used- Spellbinders large 6, Bazzill papers in witch hazel and capers, stamp- sentiments by Hampton Art stamps, and dragonfly by Inkadinkado. Tatter Angels diamond mist, Pebble chalks. EK Success trims, charms/beads by Blue Moon Beads.

Thank you Susan for letting me play along so late in the game.

Olympics of Stamping Challenge

Hello,
I disappeared for a bit longer then expected. I was knee deep in a paper frenzy. I decided to play along with the Stamping Olympics. It sounded like fun. I have paper all over the place. Will take me a while to clean up that nightmare.
I am still new to card making but I gave it my best shot.
Here are my entries. I have a total of 6 cards.

Butterfly- Thinking of you category 4.5 x 5.5



I used Bazzill card stick,Craft n Craftin - Best Creation Inc- GP-050, Butterflies white card stock from The Paper Company, Embossing on the butterflies- cuddlebug A2-37-115
Tim Holtz- grungeboard, crackle paint-antique linen, embossing powder-walnut ink, distress inks- antique linen, frayed burlap and walnut
Stazon-timber brown
Hampton Art Stamps gold embossing powder, Zig- embossing writer 0.5, Rangers Perfect Pearls- gold and a mini mister, Ek Success corner rounder, Spellbinders shapeabilities- butterflies 2, Darice 30 gauge cloth wire, Austrian Crystals 2mm
Stamps, Fiskars clear spring sentiments and Inkadinkado- spring assortment 60-30099

Here is the inside. This is my favorite of the lot. Took me hours to make this card, mainly cause I don't know what I am doing.



Birthday Category
This card was a fun but not how I drew it out originally. I wanted more squares. Even so, I love how it turned out. So bright and cheery.


I used Bazzill black card base. Printed paper- We R Memory keepers Frenzy collection-dither- orange, Euphoria-blue, Yellow-Joy, Red-Crazy, stripe- petticoat.
Stamps- Birthday wishes Paper trey ink- communique curves sentiments. Flourish squares- Inkadinkado
Spellbinders classic circles- small-S4-116
All night media popdots
Rangers Archival ink- jet black, Reflections- it's black and white epoxy stickers.

Hello/Thinking of you Category
This little card is cute. This was totally new for me too. I tried chalks for the first time with this little guy and I like how it all came together. It does make it easier if you can cut out the image though.;)

I used-Papertrey ink- vintage cream c.stock,Pattern paper my minds eye 29th street collection, Bazzill-cashmere brown
Stamps- Sandylion Sticker Designs-Girl clear( the bird and heart)
Flourish branch-Inkadinkado-garden words, Sentiments-Papertrey ink- Mega mixed sentiments.
Inks- Stazon-Timber brown, Rangers Distress ink- fired brick
Stampendous-clear embossing powder, Pebbles chalks-earth tones set, All Night Media's mini pop dots, Zig writer-chocolate brown fine tip 0.5,Plaid- FolkArt matte sealer

Thank you Category
Now this card was a challenge. I read recently where the Moxie Go to Girls were challenged to make a card not in their normal style. I decided to give it a try. I haven't tried the minimalistic look before so I thought I would give it a go. It just isn't the normal for me. I think it turned out nice really. I still want to add more stuff to it out of habit but I just keep telling myself it is done. A on going challenge I guess you could say. LOL



I used Bazzill card stocks in Capers, safari and witch hazel
Rangers distress ink in antique linen, Michael's 5/8 inch ribbon, Sizzix embossing plate-Tween Tile, Tombo adhesives, Tim Holtz blending tool and Papertrey inks Communique curves Sentiments- thank you.

Love Category
Can I say I LOVE this card? I love this card. My husband didn't get it. I hope you can see that tiny little word on the bottom of the heart. Another technique was tried in this one as well. Using Versamark ink and stamping in the backdrop. I thought it turned out pretty nice. First time adding chipboard to a card as well. I was worried it would be too heavy but works just fine. This card was truly the most fun to make out of all of them. You experts could probably whip this baby out in about 15 minutes and it took me 4 hours to figure it all out. Maybe I will get faster as I make more cards.

Here is a close up of that little tiny word on the bottom of the heart so it all make sense.



Here is what I used Bazzill Kraft card stock & heart, My minds eye- Confetti-party girl & Dot- bloom and grow-grow, Stripe- I.O.D.- caliope. Versamark ink and x's and o's and small lettering stamps by Heidi Swapp, Lg letters and ! by Inkadinkado-lg alpha, Tim Holtz swirls( on heart) French Market, and Rangers glossy accents. Maya road "key"word- home collection rub on.
Tools- making memories anywhere punch,x's and o's brads, sanding block. Provo craft Terrifically Tacky tape, K&Company wacky tac adhesive dots, Natural seam binding form Mattiecakes.etsy

Last but not least is
Christmas Category
You wouldn't think this would be the hardest of all the cards but it was. Why? I guess because of my limited supplies. I don't have a lot of stamps and most of what I do have are not the best quality. I didn't know there was a difference until now. I thought a stamp was a stamp. As I get further into this hobby I am finding that this truly is not the case. The old saying rings true- YOu get what you PAY for! You pay a buck expect a bucks worth. So lesson learned. Now these stamps are wonderful but the only Christmas set i have. I just didn't know really what to do with this set that hadn't been done. It is different and I am happy with the uniqueness of it.


A closeup of the detail in the snow.



Here is what it took to make this card.
Papertrey inks Vintage cream and now I am out:( drats.
red paper- Graphic45- Deck the halls, Brown embossed-A.C. Cardstock-chestnut damask.
Making memories Paper snowflake- bottom flake, one inside & snowflake brad, and distressing tool.
Stamps from Crafty secrets Vintag Christmas collection
Middle flake Spellbinders create a flake 1 S4-162
Rangers distress inks in antique linen, vintage photo, walnut ink,& glossy accents
Prismacolor pencils- olive, dk,green and crimson red
Tattered Angels Glimmer mist- dazzling diamonds( on flakes)
Stampendous pearl embossing powder- snow
3L, 3d foam squares, Tombo adhesives, K&Company wacky tac dots

WHEW! Boy I am worn out. This was a long post and lots of details. Sorry for any errors but I am not correcting them today. I am toast and heading to bed. I will fix them tomorrow.
Have a great day and if you entered this contest please leave me a comment so I can go peek at your cards. Good luck to you all!
me~

Color challenge

Okay, I realized today that I don't really know the rules to these color challenges. So are you supposed to use only the colors given? Or can you add another color? Are there any set rules or is it just what ever and fun the whole way. Help a new gal out will ya?


So the color challenge picture came from Lilybean's Paperie again, but you knew that. I love the pictures she uses and her cards are TDF. I was inspired by this combo that I personally would never had put together. It was a challenge the whole way for me. The colors as well as making a card after that last mess that I made. I was determined to do it though and in the end am happy as can be with my card. It is really sweet.


I used Papertrey Inks Vintage Cream for the base. Bazzill, chocolate brown for the mat. The polka dot is from the bottom of the stash pile, from K&Company. Love this paper. I used it upside down. More polka dots that way. Pale olive dot is from Making Memories Falala line. The blue mat framing the bunny is from My Minds Eye I believe. Didn't remember to write it down. The bunny is a fabric iron on. From Etsy. I ironed it onto cotton fabric I had in a basket. Trimmed it and sewed to the card stock. First time sewing onto a card so that was neat. The seam binding from Etsy. Flowers are from Prima Nursery Collection. A little bit of glimmer mist for sparkle on the flower. Brad from Making Memories. I think that is about it.

Melissa, the best present I ever got was a bread machine. I will have to see if that oat honey recipe can be made in the machine. Sounds yummy and it could knead the dough for me at least. I have bad hands from arthritis. Oh to be young like you;).
I am off to finish another card. Have a few birthdays this month.
Pj

Forcing It.

I wasn't feeling very well yesterday. A touch of the bug going around the house and I forced myself to create anyway. This card is living proof that was a unwise choice. tee hee. OMG this thing is terrible. I can't tell you how much I dislike this card and yet the receiver will love it. My G.F. will get this card in a day or two as I sent it out today.
I know you guys are probably thinking then why show it? Well I do believe that this blog is a creative process just like the things I create. To show my bad work as well as the okay is a learning process. The good works will stand out more and by doing what is really painful, teach me what to work towards. Does that make any sense at all? Or are my ramblings understandable to me alone?

I do like the cut outs on the card and the black card stock by Bassill. That is about it. I think maybe the golden colors are just not for me or maybe just this combination. I will pick up this stamp again at some point and try again. It is gonna be awhile as at this moment it is really painful. AHHHHHHHHHH!

Okay girls I told you I would share a recipe. I made Smothered Steak in the crock last week and it is yummy.
Here is the recipe. Enjoy.

Smothered Steak- Serve with Rice or smashed tators.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb. round steak, cut in strips
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 green pepper, sliced
• 1 (1 lb.) can tomatoes
• 3 tbsp. Worchestershire
  
• 1/3 c. flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 lg. onion, sliced
• 1 (4 oz.) can mushrooms, drained
• 1/2 cup of green olives- optional- placed in last 5 minutes of cooking to heat through.
  
• 1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen green beans (French style) Or broccoli but only put broccoli in at last hour or will be mushy.
  

Preparation:

Put steak strips, flour, salt and pepper in Crock Pot. Stir well to coat steak. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low 8 hours (high

My first card

I am so very pleased to share with you all my very first card. I was inspired by a picture featured on the fantastic blog of Lillybean's Paperie. This is the picture that started this card.



Isn't this photo lovely? I love the creamy whites,reds and a just a hint of golden brown in those buttons. I wasn't able to complete the card when she was having the challenge but I did indeed finish it. This card will go to the love of my life. I believe my husband will be surprised when he gets it.



I created this card with a old paper that has embossed hearts on it and sadly do not know what company it is from. A bit of white card stock to create the lace panel and butterflies. They were embossed with a Cuddlebug folder. I love the lacey look it gives to the paper. Anna Griffin's paper from 2001. I know I really pulled from the bottom of the box.~Giggle~ Distress inks in Antique White and Vintage Photo. Butterflies, ovals and edge trim all created from Spellbinders products. A few glittered heart stickers for a pop of color.

I am kinda new at this card making so would love to know your thoughts and helpful hints on how to improve.

Here is the inside of the card. Love that Anna Griffin Paper.


Thank you for peeking in on me. I do hope that you will visit again soon. Off to eat a yummy dinner and I will share that recipe tomorrow if possible.
P.J.

A work in progress

Please bare with us, while we decide the home decor. I am hoping to have something to share with you in a few days.
until we meet again.
PJS