A few cards from me to you.

I'm taking a little break from all of the challenges for a while so I can focus on just creating for me......no rules, no guidelines, just letting loose and creating some fun!

This card I made for my sweet daughter Amber.  She's turning 29 this week and I'm just in a daze, wondering where the time went.  She just got offered a management position so I really thought this sentiment by WPlus9 was perfect!   I watercolored the background and then tried a soft bokeh affect by stamping circles with white pigment ink.   I altered this Art Impressions Cupcake BFF's stamp a little by adding an apron and changing out the cupcake for a tiered cake that I just happened to have in my stash.  I love it because it fits so perfectly in her hands.  Those awesome balloons are a new stamp and die set I just ordered from Lil' Inker Designs.  I really love all the different designs in the stamp set that make the balloons look so festive.

Sympathy cards are always a tough one for me but these beautiful Anemones and Lattice Die by WPlus9 made it one of the easiest cards I've ever made.  Totally in love with this background die!

Check out this awesome watercolor background I made using Ranger Tim Holtz Distress inks.  It is the perfect background for a coffee cup card and a great chance to use that new Sizzix Tim Holtz Splat die.

I pulled out a few retired MFT stamps to make this really cute hot air balloon die.  The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I'll be back posting more soon!

MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge # 233

It's time for another sketch challenge over at My favorite Things.

Everyone needs a few congratulatory cards in their stash for those special occasions that come up like anniversaries, engagements, retirements and graduations.   I glammed this one up a little with some strips of sparkly Recollections glitter paper and some foil cardstock.  I also decided to go a little cockeyed with the middle layer just to add a little interest to the stark, straight lines in this week's sketch.

For this card I used the following supplies from:
My Favorite Things:
In & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangle STAX
Striped Backgrounds Stamp Set

I also used:
Lil' Inker Designs: Stitched Mats: Rectangle dies, Stitched Mats: Circles dies
Mama Elephant:  Confetti-Creative Cuts
Recollections: gray and silver chevron glitter paper
Hero Arts Shadow Inks:  Tide Pool and Charcoal
Hero Arts sentiment stamp set

Thanks so much for stopping by!

MFT Summer School - Lesson 5

Finishing out the week with some Quiet Space/White Space for Lesson #5 in My Favorite Things Summer School.

For this card I revisited a favorite design of mine that I made for Operation Write home a while back.  I stenciled and inked the background and made balloons out of some little hearts that I stamped.  I used a square die to emboss a frame around the inked square.  I popped up the skyline die with some foam tape for a little dimension.  It's a very simple card with lots of crisp, beautiful white space.

For this card I used the following supplies from:
My Favorite Things:
Skyline Border Die-Namics
Pierced Square Die-Namics STAX
Candy Jar Companions Stamp set (hearts)
Vintage Cameo Stamp set (sentiment)

I also used:
Hero Arts Shadow Inks:  Butterbar, Orange Soda, Pale Tomato

Thanks for stopping by!

MFT Summer School - Lesson 4

My Favorite Things Summer School lesson #4 - Balance/Line

The lines actually have two purposes in this card.  One is to ground the sentiment and the other is to serve as a backdrop for the stamped character embellishment.  I stamped the lines on two layers.  The top layer of white is popped up up with fun foam for added dimension.

For this card I used the following supplies from:

My Favorite Things:

Striped Backgrounds Stamp set

Chalkboard Greetings Stamp set

Lil' Inker Designs:

Stitched Mats: Rectangles

I also used:

Art Impressions: Cupcake BFF's stamp set

Memento Ink: Tuxedo Black

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Markers:  Black Soot, Cracked Pistaccio, Stormy Sky, Worn Lipstick, Antique Linen, Tattered Rose

silver sequins

Thanks so much for stopping by!

MFT Summer School - Lesson 3

My Favorite Things Summer School Lesson #3 is studying Movement/Flow.

For this card I used the following supplies from:

My Favorite Things:

Stencil Raindrops

Layered Umbrella Die-Namics

Up, Up & Away stamp set

In & Out Diagonal Stitched Die-Namics STAX

Blue Skies Ahead Stamp set

I also used:

Versamark ink

clear embossing powder

Memento Ink: Tuxedo Black

Hero Arts Shadow Ink:  Soft Granite

clear sequins

Thanks so much for stopping by.

MFT Summer School - Lesson 2

Lesson two of My Favorite Things summer school is:  Focal Point.

I used the following supplies from:

My Favorite Things:

Cloud Cover Up Die-Namics

Up, Up & Away Die-Namics

Up, Up & Away Stamp Set

Pinstripe Background Stamp

I also used:

WPlus9 Strictly Sentiment stamps

Lil' Inker Designs: Quilted Stitched Pattern Die, Stitched Mats: Rectangle dies and 

Stitched Sentiment Flag Die

Hero Arts Shadow Inks:  Charcoal, Pool and Orange Soda

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress markers: Squeezed Lemonade, Stormy Sky

Wink of Stella Glitter Brush

clear sequins

Thanks for stopping by!!

MFT Summer School - Lesson One

For the first time ever, I'm excited about summer school!  LOL!  Here we go with My Favorite Things and lesson number one.    Composition: Rule of 3rds.

I'm not sure why, but this one was a hard one for me.  I've never been conscious of this rule in my card making.  I usually just do what's pleasing to my eye.  While I understand the 3rds rule, the concept was difficult for me when I tried to transfer it to paper.

For this card I used the following supplies from:

My Favorite Things:

Stitched Jumbo Fishtail Banner Die-namics STAX

Staggered Hearts Border Die-namics

Friends Like Us Stamp set

Own Your Story Stamp set

Inside & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangle Die-Namics STAX

I also used:

Lil' Inker Designs: Long & Skinny Rectangles

Hero Arts Shadow Ink:  Soft Granite

pink foil cardstock

Thanks for stopping by!

MFT Color Challlenge #23

Playing with some awesome colors today using this weeks color challenge from My Favorite Things.

For this card I used the following supplies from:

My Favorite Things:

Watercolor Backdrop Stamp set

Many Thanks Die-Namics

I also used supplies from:

Lil' Inker Designs: Stitched Mats: Rectangle dies

Winnie & Walter:  Big, Bold, You stamp set

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Mustard Seed, Picked Raspberry, Shaded Lilac, Green Hills

Memento Inks: Tuxedo Black

Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush

fun foam and sequins

Thanks for stopping by!

LID's Monthly Meetup Challenge - June

Another fun day playing with Lil' Inker Designs stamps and dies so I figured I 'd pick another favorite to add to their Monthly Meetup Challenge.

I thought I'd whip up some cute little note cards using those adorable little flip flop dies and greetings.  They make summer cards so much fun!  I'm making up card sets as gifts for a couple of my friends.  This first one is totally Lil' Inker.  Check out that adorable floral patterned stamp that comes in the stamp set.  Perfect for frilly little flip flops! 

For this card I used the following supplies from:

Lil' Inker Desigsns:

Flip Flop Dies

Flip Flop Sentiment Stamps

Stitched Mats: Long & Skinny Rectangles

Sunshine Die: Large

Stitched Sentiment Flag Die

I also used:

Hero Arts Shadow Ink:  Bubblegum

Memento Ink:  Tuxedo Black

And here's another cute card in this set that I made showcasing those adorable flip flops in the sand.

For this card I used the following supplies from:

Lil' Inker Designs:

Flip Flop Dies

Flip Flop Sentiment Stamps

Stitched Mats: Rectangles

Anytime Tags Die Set

I also used:

My Favorite Things: Palm Tree Die-Namics, Striped Backgrounds Stamp Set

Hero Arts Shadow Ink:  Bubblegum

Memento Ink:  Tuxedo Black

Thanks so much for stopping by!

MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #232

It's almost Wednesday and another sketch challenge is due soon over at My Favorite Things.

This one really was a challenge for me this week.  When I look at this sketch the first thing I see is lots of white space and it's just so darn square.  Those two elements had me stumped for a bit but I finally was able to throw something together, staying very true to the layout of this sketch.

I went with a cute little coffee theme and dressed it up a little with lots of layers and a pretty bow.

For this card I used the following supplies from:

My Favorite Things:

Perk Up Stamp set

Mini Scallop Die-Namics

Pierced Square Die-Namics STAX

Lil' Inker Designs:

Stitched Mats: Rectangles

I also used:

Hero Arts Shadow Inks: Tide Pool, Soft Sand

Heidi Swapp Dream 6x6" papers

Recollections chunky glitter hearts

clear embossing powder

Wink of Stella clear glitter brush

Thanks for stopping by!

Elmo say......Happy Birthday Waylon!

I just thought I'd share this cute little card I made for my nephew's little boy Waylon who just turned 2 last week.  He loves Elmo so I just kept it clean and 2 year old simple.  This design is floating all around the internet so I'm sorry I can't name where my inspiration came from.  He's just Elmo.

On the inside I just kept it pretty basic with his name and a little birthday wish along with a place to put his toy store gift card.  

Happy Birthday Waylon!

A peachy kind of day.

Yesterday I had plans to meet up with my old friend Mary and I really wanted to take her some of my handmade cards.  So, Friday night I whipped up a set of five cards using  this simple and adorable little $6.00 stamp set from one of my favorite  stamp companies, WPlus9.

I really loved the simplicity of this set and I thought it was even more cool that Mary's last name is of course,   Peachy!  (spelled a little different but you get the jest).  So....I just started stamping peaches......peaches....and more peaches.  It's amazing how much fun six bucks can buy you and just a great way to spend a rainy Friday night.  

Okay....let's get peachy........

I couldn't believe how easy it was to pull together five different cards using the same stamped image, the same sentiments and the same colors.  

Then I whipped up a cute little peachy gift box to put her peachy cards in.

Both sides got the peachy treatment!

I hope Mary can find a way to use all of these cute little notecards.  She really is a peach!!

Thanks for stopping by!

LID's Monthly Meet Up Challenge - June

It's time for another Lil' Inker Design's Monthly Meet up Challenge. I look forward to these every month, especially when I have some new goodies to work with.  While I was waiting for their new June posting today I got a head start on my card.  Love me some LID!!

 I'm also absolutely loving the Perky Posies die set.  I swear I'm putting posies on everything lately, they're just so much fun!  For this card I wanted to add as many of them as possible and chose some bright colors to really make them pop off of the bright white card base.  This is a die only card, no stamping at all.

For this card I used the following supplies from:

Lil' Inker Designs:
Perky Posies Die set
Hello Word Die
On The Diagonal Die
Long & Skinny Rectangles Dies

I also used:
clear sequins

Thanks for stopping by!

MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #231

Such a fun sketch challenge this week over at My Favorite Things!  I love a chance to use all of my fun dies and my imagination kinda took off with this very simple and clean sketch #231.

I built this card up with some texture using the polka dot coverup die and then added a watercolored piece that doubled as both a sky and water. Then I just went to town with an awesome die cut scene.  These kind of cards are my absolute favorite to make.  Sometimes I wonder what the recipients of these cards really think:  "Does this woman have too much time on her hands or what?"  ;)   

For this card I used the following supplies from:

My Favorite Things:

Skyline Border Die-Namics

Cloud Coverup Die-Namics

Polkadot Coverup Die-Namics

Rainbow Die-Namics

Mini Scallop Edge Die-Namics

Homespun Birdhouse Stamps

Lil' Inker Designs:

Sunshine Die - Large

Stitched Sentiment Flag Die

Of The Heart Dies

I also used:

Ranger Tim Holtz Distressed Ink:  Cracked Pistachio, Shabby Shutters

Memento Ink: Tuxedo Black

Martha Stewart: hearts punch

We R Memory Keepers:  Corner Chomper

silver foil cardstock

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a great week!

MFT Color Challenge #22

Here we go with another color challenge from My Favorite Things.  And boy, was this week a challenge for me.  Check out these colors!

See what I mean?  These were so outside of my realm.  The Persimmon is beautiful but I would never have thought to coordinate it with the other three colors.  Black is really not my go to color unless I'm using it for a sentiment stamp and any shade of purple just intimidates the heck out of me.  So, once again MFT is forcing me out of my box.  I took the challenge and struggled through it and came up with a card that actually turned out kind of cool.  

This is the type of card that I would call a masculine card.  Masculine cards to me, are not just muted or dark colors.  I'm not much for the blended camouflage look.  I like my masculine cards to be cheerful and bold.   I took the black and just ran with it, hoping that the pops of the other colors would make it a fun birthday card.  Well, this one will just make you dizzy!

For this card I used the following supplies from:

My Favorite Things:

Diagonal Stripes Background Stamp

Party Balloon Stamp set

Accent It - Celebrate Die-namics

Little Letters Uppercase Die-namics

Little Letters Lowercase Die-namics

Banner Border Die-namics

Mama Elephant:

Confetti Die

I also used:

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Markers: Ripe Persimmon, Mowed Lawn and Shaded Lilac

Versafine Black Ink

gold foil cardstock

Thanks for stopping by!

MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #230

I finally got a chance to whip up a card for this weeks sketch challenge over at My Favorite Things blog.

I didn't stray far from the original layout.  Very simple and sweet.  I did some double stamping with the Pinstripe Background stamp using two Hero Arts Shadow ink colors; Bubblegum and Butterbar.  I stenciled with some gesso paste to make the hearts on the tag.  Instead of a banner across the card I just used Thank You die cut.

For this card I used the following supplies from:

My Favorite Things:

Inside & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangle STAX

Gerbera Daisy Die-Namics

Many Thanks Die-Namics

Staggered Hearts Stencil

Pinstripe background stamp

Lil Inker Designs:

Perfect Posies dies

Mama Elephant:

Embellished Tag Creative Cuts

I also used:

Hero Arts Shadow Inks:  Butterbar and Bubblegum

Gesso paste

twine and clear sequins

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great week!

Hey look! It's my mini me!

I ordered these adorable little stamps this week from Art Impressions BFF line called Cupcake.   The first thought when I saw it was hey.....a little mini-me!  I love anything that mixes my card making with my cake baking.

I've been looking for some simple images to practice my watercoloring on and this one caught my eye.  The image is the perfect size for the front of an A2 card but I did think the sentiments were a little too small for me.  I like a nice big greeting on my cards so I decided to mix it up a little with some larger sentiments from My Favorite Things.  This first card I made for my niece.

This second card might look familiar.  It's one I made up last week with all the dimensional watercolored balloons.  I just thought this little mini me was a fun addition and really made it look like a party!

I can see this stamp set being used over and over again on my cards.  I think she'll be a big hit with my friends.  I wish I could find this same character in different poses.  Maybe holding a tiered cake......hmmmm, that has me thinking........

Have a great weekend!!

A.J. and Chelsea's Wedding Cake

Back in February a sweet childhood friend of my daughter's came to me with a request.  She wanted me to make her wedding cake.  I must admit, my first thought was.....as long as it's not a summer wedding.  Tiered cakes are so stressful for me in hot weather.  But I really wanted to do this cake for her so when she told me the middle of May I thought what the heck.  In northern Illinois the weather is usually still nice and cool.  Not a problem.  She also wanted to keep things clean and simple and she really wanted an art deco look to their cake..  No fondant, just buttercream.  As the guest list grew, so did the cake.  I sketched up a plan for a starting point.

I was excited to see she had chosen my favorite color light teal as an accent and she really wanted some shiny gold accents.  Adding some sculpted coins to the bottom of the cake so that any lighting she had in the room would make the cake shine.

As time got closer and the final head count rolled in, the cake got a little smaller.  We took the bottom 14" tier out of the cake design and decided to go with four tiers.  Since each tier was going to be 5" high this was still going to be a LOT of cake.

Let the fun.........and the 80+ degree weather begin!

Yes, the weather took a turn and we had wonderful, muggy, summery temperatures.  (of course we did!  LOL!)  Perfect for working with buttercream. ;) 

The windows were closed, the air was cranked up and my house smelled wonderfully yummy!!

The gold "coins" were a wonderful accent!  I would love to do a whole cake like this some time.

With the help of my husband and daughter and battling the surprise heat wave,  we delivered and set up on site.  I topped this cake with an art deco style cake topper that I made using my favorite sculpting ingredients.....Rice Krispy Treats and gumpaste.

The bride did an amazing job decorating the venue.  It was beautiful!  The cake table glowed and so did the cake.  The gold coins were a perfect touch!

Congratulations Chelsea and A.J.!  May you have many years of love and happiness together.

And thank you so much for letting me be part of your special day!