For Cath (sans CHA) with Love Blog Hop

As many of you will know, Moxie Fab World's Cath Edvalson (Trends Editor of Paper Crafts) won't be able to attend CHA next week due to a nasty pain in one of her shoulders. So... to cheer her up and thank her for "bringing" all of us to CHA with her during these past years, I thought we could surprise her with a blog hop..... 

 The above was what Lorena wrote for our Facebook event. My sweet blog friend Lorena first Flickr mailed me about her idea (she already has Susan Opel's OK) and before you know it, with a little input and help from me, a blog hop was born within an hour! 

Here we are today to share our creations to cheer Cath up! Any Get Well Soon/Feel Better/Sending hugs... cards/creations are much appreciated. After all, Cath has done so much for us card-makers over at Moxie Fab World, this is a great way to show her our appreciation and love! 

I used this cute Penguin Doc stamp from the Memory Box and made this card with some Japanese Washi tape, Hero Arts Heart stamp and SRM stickers (sentiment). 

You can skip this part if you want---> Cath encouraged me when I first started submitting cards to the challenges over at Moxie Fab challenges back in 2010. I was feeling frustrated after many attempts with poor results. So I wrote her an e-mail (!!) ---the nerve I had!!  Cath took her precious time to write me a lengthy e-mail in return. She encouraged me to keep the submissions coming and to just keep having FUN.... That e-mail alone made a huge difference to me in my little card world! So thank you very much for that, Cath! I hope your shoulder condition will greatly improve and that the specialist has the wisdom to solve this nasty shoulder pain and come up with a great treatment plan. With this card, I hope to make your day a bit brighter!

With or without you being at CHA, you are always the moxie fab Cath!! 

Please enjoy the blog hops from all the talented and sweet card-makers all over the world! Big thanks to Lorena-my partner in "crime" hop! Please link up your project post with the inLinkz if you made one already! If not, there is still time to join! 

LESSology Guest Design (Challenge #10)

It is my absolutely pleasure to share my guest design work with you today. Back at the end of December, I was so excited when Yvonne over LESSology invited me to guest design for the Jan. Theme Floral Delight. Well, that time is here!

If you don't know much LESSology, you will love it once you know what this challenge blog is all about. This ingenious logo says it all. I love love these two girls and their work! 

That's right, it's about upcycling and altered art! As you may know, I love upcycling and this gives me the extra push to expand my horizon! The Challenge #10 Floral Delight sounds like FUN, huh? Fabric blooms? Paper flowers?  You can make any floral cards/projects with your spectacular floral creations! Here is my take...

Can you guess what's the material that I used for the flower?

I used Godiva Chocolate Candy wrap for this card. The stem and leaves were stamped and the bottom part of the card was dry embossed. Since the candy wrap is very strong and pliable, it was easy to turn it into a flower. I merely cut the top part into strips! Love the effect that it gives!  Next is a photo of the supplies that I used.

Instructions:

1. Emboss flower over a piece of card board in Martha Stewart Red Embossing Powder and then cut out carefully. (note: choose a simple shape flower for easy cutting)

2. Light stamped background in Distress Ink (Scattered Straw) and then apply flower to card stock with thin strip of double-sided tape

3. Punch out small flower and roll the ric rac for the flower center.

4. Apply Glossy Accent to secure the flower.

5. Apply SRM Sticker over Hero Arts Grenadine layering paper and make a banner

6. Apply white and yellow Dimensional Glue to the flowers for interest

Here is the close up

So what do you think? Join the fun with me over LESSology! I bet you will come up with ideas that will amaze you!

Lastly, I thought these two cards are perfect for the Moxie Fab World's Around The House Challenge. Sure, why not!?

Did You Know....

.....that you can use the "scraps" from the stamp package? Huh!? Here is my little "discovery" while making an impromptu card this Sunday morning.... I felt that I NEED to make something, something for FUN. This challenge over CASE Study  (challenge #75) really strike my fancy! After looking at the my stamps, I realize I NEED want a strip of rubbah!And look what I did! I cut off the excess of this cling set's negative strip and voila! There is my strip of rubber!!

Here is the result

Lately I am in a rainbow mood...perhaps the winter blah is getting to me and I crave for colors. So thanks for letting me share my little "fix"! I'll be back tomorrow with a guest design post!

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge # 37

Hello! It's CAS-ual Fridays! I am loving the themes that we have. This week is a sketch challenge!

 Our sponsor: Sweet N Sassy stamps

  Here is my take:

Supplies used: Alphabet Pattern, Type(sentiment) by Hero Arts, Peppermint Polly by Penny Black, SRM Stickers We've Got you Borders, buttons, twines (The Twinery), Scalloped Rectangle (Spellbinders), copics

 Hope you love this sweet card! I had so much fun making it! Please link up your CAS project to CAS-ual Fridays by Wednesday Feb. 1 Eastern time! I can't wait to see what you create!

More Cutting and Trimming!

Have you ever stumbled on an idea and then after exploring some more, you just couldn't stop thinking about the other possibilities? Well, this was the case for me with the Martha Stewart Trimmer.I am also entering this card for the Moxie Fab World's Cutting and Trimming Challenge.

After making this card, I couldn't let go of the idea and this time...I want to think BIG. I want to make a BIG flower! So here is the result after playing with the trimmer.
 
Since the trimmer is so easy to use, I actually trimmed some of the paper twice!

 You may notice that from the tall and fine "grass".

  Supplies: Hero Arts Untitled Word Shadow,  Basic Grey (Out of Print), SRM Stickers, ric rac, gems

Thank you for stopping by!

Party In A Bag!

Today is the day to share the latest release from SRM Stickers. It's called "Party In a Bag"! I think it's such a brilliant idea. In this day and age, who wouldn't want to make some party favors and invites quick and easy? These new stickers really make the task effortless!

 Starting with some fun and yummy invitations, I used the Scalloped Rectangles and Oval diecuts  (from Spellbinders) to create a purse-like treat bags. I packaged them with the salt water candy-- YUM! Now who can say no to a party invite like this? 

A close-up

Next is the party table display! I used long bread sticks for the tubes and make them the centerpiece at the party table. With the Party Time Stickers, this takes little time to create! The windmills party sticks were from Pier 1 Import. I think the possibilities for the stick toppers are endless !

Lastly, I made some cards with the stickers. They can be any birthday cards or thank-you cards for AFTER-party!

The party in a Bag comes with 4 envelops and cards.

I hope this project will inspired you to create quick and easy party projects. 

This is my last official DT assignment with the SRM Stickers (wahhhhaaa....). This one-year SRM party has come to an END for me today! It's been absolutely a blast for me to be on this amazing team. I am sharing my final thoughts on being with the SRM DT over the SRM Blog. I would really really appreciate that you leave me a comment over there as my final DT good-bye! 

Love Always

Do you still have Christmas stamps hanging around? Well, I have one card that's made with Christmas stamp AND it's for love/Valentine's Day! Here is a thinking of you card that I previously made with Merriest Christmas Wishes!

Card stock: Bazzill Basics

Cling stamp: Merriest Christmas Wishes (Hero Arts)

Ink: Versamark, Tim Holtz distress Ink (Vintage Photo, Antique Linen)

Embossing powder: Martha Stewart Pastel (pink)

Fiber: Earth Ribbons (Hero Arts)

Tool: Fiskar Scalloped Border Punch, Distress Ink Applicator

Accents: SRM Press (Fancy Sticker Sentiment, Love), Recollections Adhesive Rhinestones, Glossy Accent

I think most stamps are versatile. It all depends how you used it...it could be the change of colors or  sentiment. The stamps can pretty much work any way you like it. When I buy stamps, I like to think of ways to use them. The more versatile ones, the more likely I would get them!

Other than the card talk, here's something that my daughter wrote about her love for her 17-year old bother David in her blog. Her entry made me think and really warmed my heart! With Stephanie's permission, I am sharing it with you. It's perfectly fitting with today's card "Love Always".

O brother
I am unabashed when it comes to showing my affection for my younger brother David. For the last few months my desktop background has been a picture of him from his toddler years. I will fight him on the couch on a regular basis til he gives up and reluctantly allows me to hug him around the waist. I love him openly to the point that it’s embarrassing for him, but isn’t that part of the job description for any big sister?
The problem is that I also judge no one as harshly as I judge him. I harp on him for not being sociable enough, sensitive enough, religious enough, talkative enough, popular enough, creative enough…the list could go on forever and I’m not proud of it. I expect a lot from him because I say I want him to be the best that he can be - but then again, who am I to say what his best is? What kind of example am I setting by being self-righteous and impossible to please? Surely not that of a loving and supportive sister.
You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgement seat. (Romans 14:10)
I need to put my faith in the Lord that HE will guide and mold my brother into the man that God has purposed him to become, not me. I have often told David that he is immature; but in fact, I am the one who has been immature for not recognizing and praising the gifts that God has already placed in David. I know that David doesn’t read my blog but I pray that he would forgive me for all the times I have been unreasonable. I promise to be better. In fact I’m coming downstairs right now to hug you so hard that your insides hurt.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Romans 15:7)

(I cried after I read it.)
I will be back tomorrow for my LAST SRM DT assignment. I can't believe the one-year term with SRM Stickers DT is coming to an end. Times flies when you are having fun! 

Poor Girl's Stamp-a-ma-Jig!

I had some discovery fun and would love to share with you today. Thanks to a comment from my dear blog friend Anita R. who reminded me that I can make my own Stamp-A-Ma-Jig with Lego! That got me really thinking...I have TONS of Lego! I went to the basement (it used to be my kids' playground) and looked around. Right way, I spotted a "skyscraper" kind of plastic toy and "ding"-there is my stamp-a-ma-jig! I used duct tape to keep it in position.

 Here I used a wooden stamp to show you how I did it.

 First I stamped the butterfly in orange, then I colored the edges of the butterfly in black. I cleaned the excess black ink off with a cotton swab. Then STAMP! You then have an orange butterfly with the black outline!

Since I am a participant of this on line CAS class, 

 

I was inspired to make a color block background with the sponge applicator.

The sentiment is from SRM Stickers. I simply applied it over the ribbons (the brown ribbon in the middle was layered over the yellow). Add the pearls. I also used this same approach with this set of blue/pink bird cards.

I am going to keep this Poor Girl's Stamp-A-Ma-Jig in use. I love it when I can make my own , just so I can use the saved money for something else. Wouldn't you love that, too? Maybe you can make one yourself if you haven't tried. Any L-shaped block will do. Dollar store is a good source if you don't have small kids' toys like I do. Have FUN!
And... thanks, Anita!! 

Runway Inspired Challenge #4

 What do you think about this inspiration photo from Runway Inspired Challenge #4!? Delicious, isn't it? Right now the temperature is way low and we are fully covered with snow outside. These rainbow colors sure is a beautiful sight to see. Feeling so inspired, I made a card with the one set of Clean and Simple stamps (sponsor of this challenge)  that I have.

I swiped the small rectangular pigment dye inks ( from Color Box) over the white paper to create a colorful background. I chose bright green to highlight the entire the design and that's why I only colored the paint brush in green. The sentiment was colored with copics. So I finally got my dosage of colors today. Now I need to get back to the exercise routine...yes, I had slacked fallen off the 30- min-a- day routine a few times now, but the point is to get back on it, right!? We've got to stay on the positive side!

Lastly, thank you so much for the wonderful responses to the Virginia's View Challenge # 1 over Lily Pad. We have so many beautiful entries already! I love it when the photo inspires....such as this colorful runway photo! Enjoy your day!

NEW-Lily Pad Cards Challenge!

 This is my 2nd post for Jan. 20. If you are looking for CAS-ual Fridays Challenge, please go here.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 The BIG day is finally here! I have some VERY exciting news to share with you! That is, I was invited to be part of the Lily Pad Cards Team! Every month I will be hosting a photo inspiration challenge over Lily Pad, yes, hosting!! If you know me well, you know that I love photo inspirations. This is definitely a dream come true! I just want to sincerely thank Vicky and Deborah for having me on board! It truly is an honor! Also I want to welcome two incoming DT that will be introduced today--the talented and sweet Barb Engler and Karin A.(Peppermint Patty's Papercraft) 
Here is the list our Lily Pad Dream Team:

Kathy R. (The Daily Marker)

Lin B. (Sending Hugs)

Nancy K. (Happy Heart Studio)

 Latrice M. ( Any Occasions)

Please stop over the Pad to check out the other DT's inspiring cards and perhaps leave me some welcoming remarks (hint, hint)!!? Thanks in advance!
 Here is the inspiration photo to get you started. Details here!

 Our sponsor: Penny Black Stamps 
The challenge. Make a NEW card using the photo above as your inspiration. There are no product restrictions, and you can enter as many cards as you wish as long as they were not made before today’s date.
The prize. The lucky winner will receive two clear stamp sets of her choice from Penny Black .


I chose my favorite PB stamp called Peppermint Polly which is a fun and versatile image to work with!

and came up with this card

 I used the heart-shaped like flower petals and created a little bouquet of hearts! With some masking and scoring, I created a panel as a background and left the center in lighter shade or almost colorless. I embossed the little girl Polly in pink and colored her in copic markers. I kind of like how the entire color scheme fits together. The inspiration photo's colors are simply amazing! You can take the colors, sketch and theme into your very own creation and make something unique! The possibilities are endless. There is absolutely no right or wrong, you can interpret the photo however you see fit!

 I hope you can join the fun with us at Lily Pad Cards and I look forward to many fun challenges ahead!

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge # 36

 Welcome to CAS-ual Fridays Challenge! The theme this week is Penguin Suit! In honor of Penguin Awareness Day on January 20th, please create a Black and White CAS project. Now isn't that FUN? ANYONE can make a black and white card really!

Sponsor: Cindy Coutts

Here is my take of the Black and white card

 
The bold pattern stamp from the Sweet Threads Thank You really speaks volumes! I just play along with the simple stamping and added a bit of borders , gems and faux stitching! Voila!
I hope to see your take in this black and white challenge. Please link up your CAS card/project here by Jan. 25, Wednesday Midnight Eastern Time.  Got some stamps and black ink? You are all set to PLAY! 

Hurry back later today, I have an exciting announcement to make :)

A Card with Rolled Paper

Have you tried rolled paper in your paper-crafting? I haven't! I was prompted by CREATE blog (see here ) to make a card with rolled paper! I was fascinated with the concept and did a little "research". Namely, type in the Google key word "rolled paper" and you'll see tons of inspiration! I was very much inspired by the images I saw!

And here is a card that I came up with!

As you can see, I used my new favorite Newsprint Bird stamp and Basic Grey paper for the touches of background. I rolled the kraft paper and built the twigs/branches for the rustic feel. The sentiment is from SRM Sticker's latest release. Add some gems, voila! I know I will come up with more ideas with rolled paper! So this will not be the last with them :)

Longwood Garden Visit

 As you may remember, my family and I were in Philadelphia to visit my brother-in-law's place this past Christmas. They live only 15 min. drive from the famous Longwood Gardens. We almost always pay a visit there every time we are in Philly. This past visit was another awesome one! If you want to take a break from viewing cards and enjoy some flower/garden photos, this post is for YOU!

(photo credit: my daughter Stephanie took all the amazing close-up shots )

the most beautiful restroom hallway....

Thank you for the visit :)