Lilyboo Designs Tractor

I've been playing with my Lilyboo Designs Tractor again, this time I made my digital image a little smaller and tried a new sketch.  The tractor is colored with Copic markers:

YG01, YG13, YG245

W3, W5, W7

N1, N3, N5, N7

C00, C2, C4, C6

BG0000, B01

 

The paper choices are Martha Stewart Playful Blue & Pastels paper pads, Astrobrights Eclipse Black, Neenah Pewter and X Press It blending card.

Here's the sketch that inspired my card:

It was in my sketch file so I'm not sure of the actual date it came out.

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Paper Smooches Vegtastic Carrot

I have a fun card to share today using Paper Smooches Vegatastic stamp set.

Last Monday I had time to sit down and study the Operation Write Home Design Bootcamp post, it's about creating a strong focal point on our cards and I think I did just that with this cute carrot image.  The layout helped because it's a sketch from an online Clean & Simple card making class I'm taking.  Sketches are great ways to help come up with strong focal points for our cards.  

The cute carrot is colored with Copic markers:

YR15, YR16, YR18, YG01, YG13, YG25, BG0000, B01

The papers I used are X Press It blending card, Mohawk Bright White, Stampin' Up! Only Orange and Via Vellum Leaf Green.  I also used Spellbinders Oval dies to cut out the carrot.  The sentiment is part of the Paper Smooches Vegatastic stamp set too.

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Challenges:

Operation Write Home Design Bootcamp - Strong Focal Points
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

C.A.S.E.ing Dawn on Pinterest

I saw the cutest card on Pinterest by Dawn and had to make some too!

I've been mass producing Birthday cards for a project I'm working on and these were really fun to make in different colored backgrounds.  I added the Music Cuttlebug embossing folder for a little added interest.  The sentiment is copied from Dawn's card using my computer to generate it.

The green one was my daughter's favorite.

I linked off of Pinterest onto Dawn's blog, she's a wonderfully talented crafter, here's a link so you can visit her too!

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames Sentiments

My card today is for the project I've been working on for our church, birthday and anniversary cards.

I used Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps sketch challenge #159 for my clean and simple layout.

The heart is an old Stampin' Up! punch that I cut out the negative piece with a Spellbinders Circle die then matted on a red circle from the die set popped using foam tape.  I then cut out two Papertrey Ink Double Ended banner dies in red and white and stamped "anniversary wishes" in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  The red band at the bottom is a strip of the Neenah Red Pepper Linen card stock.  

My second card uses basically the same design but I made it flat for easier mailing.  The border die is by MFT Die-namics and I trimmed it to fit across my card.

Here's the sketch:

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Challenges:

Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - Sketch #159

Cuddly Buddly Lilyboo Sprinkle Some Love

My card today is for a new release at Cuddly Buddly by Lilyboo Designs, this cute digital image is called "Sprinkle Some Love".

I matched my Copic markers to the ancient (2008) Papertrey Ink 12 X 12 Pinks designer paper to challenge myself using new Copic marker colors.  The layout is Splitcoaststampers sketch #423 that I flipped.  I also used an old Word Window punch and my Corner Chomper.  The love you is part of a sentiment in another stamp set I have.

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Eureka Stamps Lamb

I had the privilege of making a first birthday card for a friend of mines grandson the other day.  She came over with pictures and some fun ideas and put me to work.  It took a few days for the plan to formulate in my mind!  Above is the card on my kitchen table closed and on top of the lined envelope.  

It measures 5"x7".  The Lamb is a rubber stamp made by Eureka Stamps that I've had for several years.

I colored it with Copic markers:

YG01, YG13, B41, T1, T3, T5, T7, R0000, R000

I used two of her photos on the inside and had the hardest time trying to figure out where oh where to put a birthday sentiment and a place for her to write him a message.

I didn't give her much space but the back of the tag is blank so she can use that too.

This was a fun card to make in a larger size than usual and with photos.  I braved under my desk to find the pad of patterned paper by Martha Stewart and my youngest son's closet for the 12x12 card stocks. I don't have a die for an envelope liner in 5"x7" so I had to make my own, it was pretty easy to do I'm happy to say. 

The "celebrate you" is part of a Papertrey Ink clear stamp and the tag die is also by Papertrey Ink and I trimmed the end off to make it fit under the photo.  Rounded the corners with the We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper to match the other rounded corners on my card.

I realized our challenge for Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps Midweek Throwdown this week is "Fun Fold" cards, my card fits the challenge but is not an A2 size, so I suppose it only half fits the challenge theme! 

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Penny Black Circular Design Background

I've been working on some cards for our church recently.  They are in need of birthday cards for all ages and Anniversary cards right now.  

I've also been taking an online Clean & Simple Card Making class working my way through it in my own time.  I've been longing to be able to do the online card classes like this but have just been too busy, it feels so good to have the time now for fresh inspiration.

My first birthday card is inspired by the Clean & Simple Card Making class.  It has one layer, I used my Penny Black Circular Design background stamp, masked off the center to leave it blank and added a box with my white gel pen.  The gift packages are an old Quickkutz die and the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.  I heat embossed the sentiment, something I haven't done for a long time because I'm not wild about how the card stock warps when you do it.  

My second card is also inspired by the Clean & Simple card making class using more Quickkutz dies.

I'm not sure I like all the white space but I'm experimenting and learning as I go.

Thanks for visiting my blog I need to get busy making more birthday cards!

Papertrey Ink Birthday Cards

Wow... as I look at my card I realize everything I used comes from Papertrey Ink, the stamped sentiment, the die, the card stock, the ribbon, the designer paper and the birthday sentiment on the inside is theirs too, wow I did that without even trying - maybe I should line the envelope too!  

The card stock color is Papertrey Ink's Berry Sorbet, the patterned paper is one of their first offerings of designer papers that came out in 12 X 12 sheets but is now available in 6 X 6 pads called Pink Patterns.  I only used half of the birthday stamp by masking the "wishes" part as I inked the stamp.  I did use my We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper to round the corners.

The card layout and design is from the Clean & Simple Card Making Class I've been taking at my own pace online.  Kind of nice for a mass production project like I've been working on for our church birthday cards.  My card also qualifies for our Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps Virtual Card Making Party this weekend.  Leslie is our challenge hostess for a "Disappearing Act" challenge and asking us to make some of our 12 X 12 paper stash disappear, I'm in!

The card stock color for this one is Papertrey Ink Blush and more of the Pink Patterns designer paper from the pack I used above.

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Challenges:
The Crooked Stamper - Disappearing Act
 

Paper Smooches My Guy

I have a fun card to share today that is part of my birthday cards for our church project I've been working on.  This cute image is a stamp from the Paper Smooches set called My Guy.  I'm hoping it's suitable for men and teen boys birthday cards.

There is also a Virtual Card Making Party going on at Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps for the holiday weekend, Linda has challenged us to make cards that have something with "wheels" on it - my car is perfect for her challenge - yea!

I colored the car with Copic markers:

Car - B21, B23

Tires - T7

Chrome - C00, C1, C2

Seat, Rag Top - T3, T5

Lights - Y000, R24, R27

Window - BG0000, G0000

I used one of my Basic Grey paper pads that matched my blue card stock, along with Astrobrights Eclipse Black, Neenah Pewter and X Press It blending card.

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Challenges:

Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - Things With Wheels

Basic Grey Max & Whiskers

I only have a few minutes for a quick blog post, we have a busy Saturday today.

My card is for Misty's Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps All Creatures Great & Small challenge for the VCMP this weekend.  She is providing this cute digital image of Ciara our OWH mascot.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Challenges:

DeLightful Gifts - All Creatures Great & Small

Verve Stamps Smallest Things

My card is C.A.S.E.d from Bridget at Bridget's Paper Blessings.

I saw her card on the CASology challenge blog awhile back and thought it was just gorgeous.

Then I realized I have the MFT Chevron die that she used so I can try to make one too.

Bridget used white textured card stock and in my minds eye I saw a pop of color.  The sentiment is a stamp from Verve Visual called Smallest Things, the hearts are from another MFT die-namics heart border die.

It's President's Day weekend and Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps is hosting a Virtual Card making party!  There are many different hostesses with the main thread and links to the hostesses challenges on the OWH Stars & Stamps blog here.   A new challenge hostess will be posted every few hours this Saturday and Sunday -

Erika is hosting the first challenge on her blog Scrappin' Intervention and it's to make cards 

using zig zags, oh ya, I have zig zags =)

Thanks for all your nice comments I have a few links to the Chevron die for you, I found it here , here, on E Bay and My Favorite Things sells the die too.

I hope you all have a nice long weekend and have some time to do the things you enjoy,

  thanks for visiting my blog!

Challenges: 

OWH - Scrappin' Intervention - Zig Zags
CASology - Red 

 

Cuddly Buddly Caravan Travel Trailer

I'm working with a new release image today by Christine Grove at Cuddly Buddly called Caravan Travel Trailer.  I have so many ideas on how to use this digital image combined to make a scene but I thought I'd better keep it separate since it's a new release - for now!  

My color palette is bright and I forgot that it wasn't going to be easy to photograph...  The cardstock color is called Raspberry Fizz and goes beautifully with the Copic markers I chose.

C00, C1, C3

N3, N5, N7

RV52, RV55

B0000, B01

I printed the digital image approximately 2" X 3" for my card layout then changed my mind.  

The "happy camper" sentiment was made on my computer.  Happy Trails crossed my mind too.  Do you have any great ideas for a sentiment for my card?  I'd love to hear them!  

For added interest I used a Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder.

Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I thought I'd post a card I made using Hambo Stamps Heart Basket digital stamp set today.  I submitted it for publication to Paper Crafts Card Creations Volume 11 while I was on the Hambo team and it didn't make the cut so I can share it on my blog now.  I know you've seen this sketch before as I've used it again and again, I just love the clean simplicity of it.

Since I submitted the card for publication I have a supply list:

Copic markers:  Hearts – R35, R46, R59, Basket – E30, E33, E37, E47, Background – BG0000, BG11 

Spellbinders Circles dies, We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper

Astrobrights Eclipse Black, Neenah Red Pepper Linen, X Press It, Mohawk Bright White

Enjoy your day and thanks for visiting my blog -

Essential Oils For Beauty

I'm gathering supplies today to make a batch of the potion I've been using to moisturize my face.

I live in Arizona where the climate is very dry and the water in our area is extremely hard.  These are the perfect conditions for having dry sensitive skin.  We moved to the desert when I was a little girl and I'm now fifty something.  Almost every January I'm desperate to find something new to moisturize my dry cracked sometimes bleeding skin. 

I've been experimenting with Essential Oils for several months now.  Learning what I can by visiting different sites online, reading books and try out recipes.

Our family has been finding relief from the common cold and flu bug to healing my own dry skin with Essential Oils.

I thought I'd share my recipe with you today.  It came from The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood with a little added tweaking from me.

This is a very rich blend of essential and carrier oils and may not be just right for everyone.  

The nice thing about "making your own" is with a little research you can adjust the recipe to fit your needs.

I use this oil after I wash my face. 

Face wash recipe:

3 drops Lavender Essential Oil & 3 drops 

Tea Tree Essential Oil added to warm water in the sink.

Dry Skin Oil Recipe

6 Teaspoons Emu or Avocado Oil

30 Drops Jojoba Oil

20 Drops Evening Primrose Oil

for the base oil, then add:

10 Drops Carrot Seed Essential Oil

15 Drops Geranium Essential Oil

10 Drops German Chamomile Essential Oil

5 Drops Rosemary Essential Oil

5 Drops Hyssop Essential Oil

5 Drop Frankincense Essential Oil

Blend together in small amber glass bottle and cap tightly.  

Store in a cool dark cabinet.

This is a very rich oil blend.  Massage small amount into skin, 

leave it on for awhile then wipe off any excess with a tissue.

For the amber bottles I save my empty Essential Oil bottles, then remove the labels, clean & sterilize them so I can reuse them.  The carrier oils I've been buying on E Bay by searching for what I'm looking for and finding the best prices with free shipping from reputable sellers.  Be sure to read sellers policies, ratings and reviews before ordering from them. 

The Essential Oils I've ordered on line from E Bay by brand and one of my other favorite places to buy from is Floracopia.  After doing your own research you'll find reputable dealers you like to order from too.

I hope you enjoyed a look into how I've been using Essential Oils today.

Thanks for visiting!

Link Parties:

 Clever Chicks

HomeAcre Hop

Handmade Tuesdays

Homework Be Inspired

Frugally Sustainable

LIlyboo Mixing Time

I have a Lilyboo Designs card to share with you today, this digital image is called Mixing Time and the happy birthday sentiment is from a Papertrey Ink set I have.

My 11 year old son has requested more masculine birthday cards in my stash of cards and I think I need to rise to that challenge.  Masculine cards are a challenge for me so this should be fun!

I colored this cute image with Copic markers:

Mixer:  C00, C1, C3, C5, C7, N3, N5, N7

Concrete:  W1, W3, W5

Bricks:  R59, E59

Bucket:  YR21, YR23, E34

Water:  B12, B14

Shovel:  C00, C1, C3, E42, E43, YR21, YR23, E34

Grass:  YG01, YG13, YG25, YG67

Sky:  B0000, B01

I stared this layout with a sketch but veered off the course and ended up here.  The only difference is the "brick red" panel was shorter and had rounded edges, it just didn't look quite right for this so I re worked it to go all the way across the card front.  It's embossed with a Sizzix Tim Holtz brick pattern embossing folder.  My paper choices are Astrobrights Eclipse Black, Stampin' Up! Bravo Burgundy, Basic Gray & Apricot Appeal along with X Press It blending card.

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Birdie Brown Robot

I have a fun card to share with you today that I made for our Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps Midweek Throwdown challenge.  The theme is to make Cards 4 Kids!

I bought this cute robot digital image and sentiment set a few weeks ago from Birdie Brown for a coloring class that Sandy Allnock was doing, this was the first robot I colored in the class that day.  I thought it would be a perfect image for kids cards and I used Operation Write Home's sketch challenge #155 as my layout.

I used cool gray Copic markers following Sandy's direction to make my robot look metallic.  The reds I used are R35, R46 & R59.  My paper choices are Astrobrights Eclipse Black, Neenah Red Pepper Linen, Mohawk Bright White, X Press It & Stampin' Up! Brushed Silver.  For dies - Spellbinders Ovals, Papertrey Ink Double Ended banner die & a small Quickutz Gears die.  I added eyelets to the die cut gears for added interest and fun.  I remember thinking, wow, when was the last time I used eyelets?!  I had to search for them and it looks like I need more black in my collection of eyelets & brads.

When was the last time you used eyelets on a card?!

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Challenges:

Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - Cards 4 Kids

Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - Sketch Challenge #155

OWH Blog Hop Prize Winners!

I'd like to take a moment to announce the winners of my OWH blog hop prizes here on my blog and my Facebook page!

Congratulations Nanette (on Facebook) and April (here on my blog) you are the winners of my blog candy donated by My Favorite Things Stamps and Operation Write Home!

I'll have your stamps in the mail soon!

Paper Smooches Zoo Crew Hippo

Have you been over to Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps to see their sketch challenge for this week yet?!  The sketch was posted Sunday morning and I have it ready to go Monday morning, that's fast for me!

I've been trying to use digital images and stamped images I've already colored to use up my supply.  

This cute Hippo by Paper Smooches is one of those -  I've colored it with Copic markers in the Warm Gray family and also used Red Violets but I can't tell you which ones because I apparently didn't write it down.  

I tried to match my papers to the Hippo using Stampin' Up! Pretty In Pink & Orchid Opulence, Astrobrights Eclipse Black, X Press It blending card and I'm not sure of the Warm Gray colored paper as it was a scrap.  I chose to make the hearts Orchid Opulence because I got out my old Stampin' Up! color wheel and found it's an analogous or coordinating color to the Pretty In Pink.  I'm still thinking about what I've learned in Operation Write Home Design Boot Camp (=

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Challenges:

Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - Sketch #158

Shutterfly 2011 Project Life Digital Scrapbook

Click here to view this photo book larger

Turn your favorite photos into a photo book at Shutterfly.com.

 I was inspired by Yolanda's Project Life scrapbook on her blog Slow Down Sunday.  I followed the links she gave and read all about how to make one for our family. 

The binders, inserts and embellishment kits are beautiful and it was going to be hard to decide which one!  Then as I scrolled to the bottom of the page I noticed you can make your Project Life scrapbook digitally.  I've never made a digital scrapbook before and thought it might be a nice way to not have more of all that scrapbook stuff all over my craft room... ah kitchen! 

I clicked the links and was taken to Shutterfly where I started and finished our 2011 Project Life scrapbook in a day, how fun!

Above is my 2011 Project Life scrapbook, I'm excited to share it with you!

Thanks for visiting my blog -

Paper Smooches Zoo Crew OWH Skip

Welcome to our Operation Write Home Cards with Critters blog skip for Groundhog's Day!

If you arrived here from Mary Anne's blog your skipping in the right direction.  If you just happened upon my blog post and would like to start at the beginning click here and you'll go to the Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps blog.

I had fun putting together my card for this skip.  My cute Paper Smooches Alligator was already colored,  I wish I remembered the Copic marker colors for you but I didn't find any other scraps of paper with this colored image.  

I was inspired recently by Carol using this Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps sketch #123
I wanted to try it too.  I like the way it turned out using this stamp set.  My paper choices are Stampin' Up! Rose Red, Mellow Moss & Always Artichoke, Astrobrights Eclipse Black, Mohawk Bright White & X Press It blending card.  I used Memento Tuxedo Black to stamp my image and sentiment.

One more thing...
I have 2 opportunities to win blog candy!  My Favorite Things Stamps donated stamp sets to Operation Write Home and I'm going to give away two packages, one here on my blog and one on my Facebook page.  For my blog please leave a comment with your e mail address so I can contact you if/when you win.  For my Facebook page follow the directions there & Good luck!

The next stop on our skip is Diane, enjoy - L8R gator!

Thanks for visiting my blog today  =)

Lilyboo Designs Tractor

I have a Lilyboo Designs card to share today using their Tractor digital image.  I've been wanting to make a card with this cute Tractor for a long time now!  I used Copic markers:

YG01, YG13, YG245

W3, W5, W7

N1, N3, N5, N7

C00, C2, C4, C6

BG0000, B01

The layout is Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps sketch challenge #157 pictured below.

The paper choices are Martha Stewart Playful Blue & Pastels paper pads, Astrobrights Eclipse Black, Mohawk Bright White and X Press It blending card.  The birthday sentiment is a stamp from Papertrey Ink.  I also used my We R Memory Keepers 1/8th inch Corner Chomper.

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Challenges:

Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps - Sketch #157